Today is the day I split up from the group in Chiang Mai and begin my first solo travel adventure. My intention for the few days I plan to spend in Pai is to go with the flow and let things happen organically. Often times in daily life, I try to organize and manage my time efficiently with very deliberate and meticulous planning. This extended to traveling as well, having many things already planned out. While planning is necessary to some extent, especially trying to fit in as many things as possible in a limited amount of time, I understand the value of flexibility, adaptability, and most importantly, spontaneity. My intention is to be more balanced and intentionally not let where I’m staying, what I’m doing, and for how long, be overly premeditated.
First thing I did upon waking was e-apply for a visa to enter Vietnam. I hadn’t needed a visa to visit any countries I’ve been to yet, and thankfully was reminded to get one by a new friend from our Elephant Nature Park group. Then, I packed my bags, and caught a TukTuk to the bus station.
At the station, I asked a few travelers if they could point me in the right direction for the bus for Pai. They just returned from Pai and weren’t much help with helping me find my platform, but they did give me recommendations on activities and hostels. Eventually I made my way to the correct platform and boarded the bus, Pai bound.
Following a very scenic and beautiful 3 hour drive through curvy roads and vast hills, we arrived in Pai. By reputation, Pai is a hippie hangout for travelers with fair sights and good partying. The first people I saw along the main street of Pai was a couple walking on their hands in the middle of the road. Our bus had to stop and wait for them to see us to make room for us to drive by. This sight definitely set the tone for the vibe of Pai.
I grabbed my bags and hopped in a taxi. I asked the driver to take me to Circus hostel, the first one mentioned and highly recommended by the travelers I met at the Chiang Mai bus station. We’re going with the flow already! At Circus, I was able to book a bed in a 12 room dorm. Until now, I had only shared rooms with Joseph and Morgan. It has been about 6 years since my last hostel experience, and I was really looking forward to it. I dropped my bags off in the room, then worked and hungout by the hostel’s pool, enjoying the mountain views. It didn’t take long before a friendly Dutch traveler named Mees sat next to me and we quickly became friends. Shortly after, my new friend Ian from Canada set up a speaker and DJ deck he bought in Bangkok. After he mixed, I hopped back on the decks and did a poolside sunset mix. Shortly after dark, a couple from Canada brought out fire poi and did a little show for our hostel. It didn’t take long for me to love solo traveling.
Later, I walked into town with my new friends Mees, Gunnar, and Ethan to grab a bite and watch Premier League football at a bar. Amongst the travelers in Pai and at our Circus hostel, the strong majority were British. I had fun watching Manchester United vs. Leicester City with rowdy and passionate fans. Following the match, we moved to Why Not bar, where apparently we missed the memo on the gender reversal dress theme. Girls had drawn on mustaches and guys were wearing dresses. With help from a friend, I was able to make a crop top out of the pashmina scarf I was wearing. Afterwards, we stopped by a karaoke bar before making our way to Sunset Bar. Sunset Bar was the final party stop in Pai for the night.