Authour: Laura Hennings

The two week tour has been a blast so far! A friendly Australian couple and a Canadian gentleman have joined me on this journey to Northern Thailand. I’m relieved that we all get along. They are pleasant, easy going, and up for any adventure! It all started with our crazy 17 hour train ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but we made the 8 hour delay worth our while. The food car turned into a party at night. Neon lights flashing, beer flowing, the tunes bumping, it was such a blast. We made friends with all the people in the cabin next to us. Our group consisted of people from around the world: Italians, Scottish, English, Australians, Israelis, Americans, and others. I had a crush on this one guy who played the guitar and sang like Jack Johnson. We listened to him play and sang singalongs for hours just to pass the time. I can easily say it was the most enjoyable train ride I’ve ever had.

The ride up from Chaing Mai to Pai was heaven. The scenery is unreal. The lush green jungle went out to as far as the eye can see, along with the clouds nestled against the lower valleys. It was definitely a “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment. We are road tripping in a pick up truck so we like to take advantage of traveling in the open. However, it started pouring rain in the middle of our journey. I moved up to the front of the car to bump gangster Snoop Dogg and NWA beats with Ing, so my three mates in the back literally got dumped on by the rain. I loved that they still had a smile on their face the whole ride. The scenery here is just too beautiful to let a little rain get in the way of a good time. In fact, I think the rain makes it more exciting and enjoyable!

I can’t help but compare and contrast the south of Thailand from the north. They are both beautiful in their own way. You can have the tropical beaches and wild party scene on the islands, the hectic city life of Bangkok, or the mellow vibes and greenery of the north. I feel so blessed that I can experience all the different beauties of Thailand. I fall more and more in love with this country as the days go by.

The North is mellow, peaceful, and serene. Pai has this bohemian and hippie feel with organic cafes, reggae and blues bars, and cute shops.This town is surrounded by the rice patty fields, the vast mountain range, and beautiful rivers. Our cottage is so cool! It it very rustic and outdoorsy. Our huge windows open up with a prime view of the rice patty fields, a mini lake filled with frogs, and the green jungle. We also met up with the two LBW volunteers who teach English to the local Chinese children. The children at the school are so cute and lively! They look up at us with curious eyes, but they always smile back at us. Can you believe they go to school for over 12 hours? They have Thai classes from about 8am until 6pm, followed by English class from 6pm to 9pm. Talk about dedication, these children amaze me.

This morning we went ziplining. It was so exhilarating flying through the jungle over waterfalls, rivers, and through the massive canopy trees. My adrenaline is still rushing! Our guide, Peeta, was from Germany and was the sweetest man alive. Right now I am playing with the cottage owner’s five year old daughter. She knows barely any English but she still approaches me with a huge smile. She has actually helped me type some of this because she wanted to know how to write on the computer. I think I am going to rent a scooter tomorrow. I want to explore the Pai country side and visit the waterfalls and hotsprings. Northern Thailand…I LOVE YOU!