Back to Pai

After enjoying so many days of trekking the hill area near Cave Lodge, We checked out and took the local bus to Pai. It was 3 hours, I think, but seemed like more. The funky old bus was really old and completely packed. Al was allowed to sit next to a monk (Al wanted to give me the seat but monk motioned "no" which I knew meant he can not sit next to a woman) so I stood along with many others. Lena had a nice hot seat on the motor cover next to the driver and poor Alex sat on the door step with the door open, hanging on for dear life each time we took one of the many hairpin turns. We were so glad to get to Pai and find a place to stay. Said goodbye to our new friends and hope to see them again in the USA or in Europe. We rented a motorcycle for a few days and hiked several trails to waterfalls. One in particular was very beautiful. I will attach a picture later. It was a 2-3 hour hike in and the same out...very tired and happy.

Trekking

Here are some of the views along the way to the northern villages. We were very near the Burma border at times.

Karen village

After our cave trek we visited the school in the karen village. Lena and I enjoyed the children. they were studying english!
Here is Al coming out of the cave.

Sappon to Cave Lodge

We went to Cave Lodge which is a bit remote from anything else. From the small town of Sappon we had only one way to get there....we each hoppped on a motorcycle taxi (unbelievable how they fit our backpacks and extra bags and us on back...but we did make it there. i had my eyes closed the entire way. This lodge was recommended by Al's friend Henry so we had to see it. It is beautifully situated in the midst of the main trekking area. We were able to do daily treks and get back to our bugalows by dark each day which was a nice plus....and we didn't have to back pack. We made wonderful friends while there and enjoyed the peacefullness. Great hammock for reading and napping! Took a day trek with our friends Lena and Alex up to the Karen tribe village where we found a guide to take us up to the caves beyond...guides are necessary here for some treks. We would never have made it. Beautiful Cave...even though I am timid about it I went in and enjoyed the experience...very long. Took us about 30 minutes to go to the end then another 30 to get back out.
They next day I trekked with Lena and Alex while Al rode the mountain bike into Sappon and the ATM. That night we visited Thom Lod, the big cave which puts on an incredible night show. Swallows swarm by the thousands outside above the cave and twilight then at sunset they swram into the cave...and bats fly out. Many people like to come here for this strange show.
This picture is of our guide for the 1st cave.

Northern Thailand

After leaving Chaing Mai, we headed north by the local bus to Pai. This town is unusual in that it is a bit like Boulder mall, Sedona New Age and Thai. It the midst of beautiful mountains, it is a mecca for Thai tourists and international travellers as well. We hit it at a peak time... Valentines Day weekend. They were promoting the celebration of wedding and vow renewals and love and all of the Hallmark type stuff which I would not expect to find here. Anyway, livley weekend with bands and street markets and events everywhere. Quite busy. But fun. After 3 days we were full of the frantic pace so jumped the bus to Sappon. Bus is quite a mainstay here....frequent and cheap and they go everywhere. They are also incredible old and impossibly running still. Can't beleive the old clunker made it up the gigantic steep grade...again and again. Hairpin turns, steep dropoffs...if you don't get sick from the dizzy movement you could still suffocate from the packed lot of humanity sharing the ride.
Here is a picture of the night market in Pai...the local hill tribes bring their stuff to sell..

Orchids

Some of the orchids were unbelievable

Elephants and Orchids

Today we were tourists and did the typical activites. Visited the Elephant camp which was really intersting and fun. Al got a bit too friendly with a big momma and she wanted to put his hand ...which should have had a banana or something in it but didn't...in her mouth. He found that arm wrestling with an elephant is not possible. It hurt. Other than that they were very entertaining and yes they do paint the most incredible pictures...it is amazing. We visited the orchid farm which too your breath away with the beauty. Then saw the silk factory...worms cocoons looms the whole process. We are unfortunatly on a tight budget and could not afford to buy their lovely silk garments or even a scarf. Very sad about that.
Then went to the silver factory which again was lovely to see but not in our price range....still having fun.
Al has developed a terrible cough and visited the pharmacist so we hope he gets well soon