me, myself and I

After almost 2 weeks of being surrounded by lovely people, I have spent the last 2 days on my own. Yesterday I said goodbye to Eline and left for Chiang Mai again, as tomorrow I'll be catching a flight to Kualalalalala Lumpur to visit Marleen, who I've met on Fuerteventura 2 years ago. Which started somehow as I joke, ended up seriously: as I'm already 'in the neighbourhood', I'll just pass by for a couple of days :-D

It's strange to be back in Chiang Mai. It feels weird being here without Taylor and Eline. Next to that, I loved the green scenery around Pai and now I'm back in this busy, stinky town. Of course my coughing got worse because of all the pollution here. So I'm having mixed feelings...
On the other hand, I don't want to complain as I'm still travelling which is much better than being back in Holland.

My journey by bus was exhausting as the busses are made for Thai people and I'm not Thai.... The remark from Thai people that I heard the most is 'I've got small legs, you have very long legs'. Absolutely, so this was not fitting! During the break I bought myself a lolliepop again ;-)
I checked in a cheap guesthouse with shared bathroom, because I thought it might be a nice idea to get my feet back on the ground as I've been living in Pai quite luxereous. With the money I saved on the guesthouse I went shopping ;-) That was the reason that I arrived already yesterday. I wanted to send my souvenirs and gifts back home from here, as with Asia Airlines there is limited luggage allowance. But I was lazy and didn't want to go to the postoffice this morning, so we'll see tomorrowmorning at the airport if I exceed the luggage allowance or not.
The walking street market seemed much bigger than last week and I saw lot's of new things. Tried of course some good food, had a neck/shoulder/back massage and walked around enjoying the crowd, the souvenirs and the little children making all kinds of music. There were so many people! I guess thousands and thousands... And with so many people around you never think of running into someone you know... Well, I did! Amazing! I ran into Philip, who I met via Taylor in Ayutthaya, so we met each other later that eve for drinks at the Rooftop Bar.

To escape the pollution and the noise I went to the Zoo today by bicycle. Taylor already told me it's a nice Zoo and my mum had let me know that it is the biggest or best (can't remember which one) of Thailand.
I thought it was ok, not that special. But it was quiet, green and I sat down for a while to write in my diary and read in my book. Afterwards I cycled back and took a 2 hours Thai massage. Wow! This is the best!
I already experienced an 1 hour massage, but was curious about the 2 hours. This is the one where they step on you, the best part I think are the special poses where they put you in strange kind of positions, almost like yoga. After 2 hours I was so relaxed, I needed to rest on my bed for a while :-)

Pai was pretty good! My first impression was not so good because of the guesthouses and the people hanging around. In Pai you'll find the hippie-wanna be's, not the real ones. So many guys with dreads and girls dressing up like gypsy's. Which is ok, it's just the fact that I don't like their attitude that much. They only hang out with people who look similar, superficial.
But the scenery of Pai is just like paradise! Like the Lonely Planet is saying, it's situated in a lovely green valley. Surrounded by mountains. Saturday Eline and I rented a motobike and we have been touring around in this valley. There are serveral small waterfalls, small villages and lot's of ricefields. While driving you could smell all the herbs in the fields.... Fantastic! We also ran into some people trying to sell us opium, but that is quite common over there.

Next to that we did an elephant ride to the riverside. Climbing up Tonga was a crazy experience: I had to put one foot next to it's slurf (sorry, don't know the english word...), had to put my hands on it's head and before I knew it I was lying somewhere on it's head, making movements like a fish without water. Eline was laughing like crazy, but she experienced exactly the same, haha. Swimming with Tonga was simply great. We had this game that he would fall aside, which means that we were dropping off. But the first time this was without warning of course, so we were soaked wet :-D
We had great fun and the elephant just loved to swim. Only minor thing is that after 2 days I've got still some difficulties sitting on a chair... ;-)

Pai is also known for all the possibilities of yoga, reiki, meditation, etc. So Eline and I took a guided meditation class as well. Not really new for me, but every meditation you'll experience in a different way. The outcome of this one was quite funny as I had to adjust it the same day. Because I was not feeling well at all (hormons running free), all kind of negative thoughts were going through my head. The outcome of the meditation class that morning was to step aside from your thoughts and take a look at them as a observer. Then you'll notice that you're not your thoughts, as in this case it were simply my hormons giving me a hard time.

Anyway, Pai was a nice experience, can't wait for Kuala Lumpur!