Tuesday: animal whisperer in blissful Pai

Before I left I had many people ask me why I wasn't going into veterinary medicine. This was a dream of mine as a child, but as I grew older I realized I couldn't handle the sadness that I would suffer with sick and dying animals. Today was proof of my love for them and my apparent magnetism.

I woke up after a fabulous night's sleep on the best bed in Thailand. So many reasons to come back to Pai besides my obvious love, but the beds were on the list! I headed straight to the bar and had coffee while chatting with Den about what to see and do in Pai. I respect his opinion as he isn't into the tourist growth of the area and shares more off the beaten path areas. I took some tea back to enjoy on my deck before I readied for the day. 

 

This is Den's dog, Boo Boo whom is gigantic and beyond lazy.

He lays in the bar all day, every day.

Before making it to breaky an ice cream bar was had. Why not? Magnum bars are everywhere here. Not feeling guilty, I headed to breaky of homemade yogurt and kambucha with fruit. Another reason to return! 

After breaky I hopped on the back of a friend's scooter and we headed to explore. Original intent was the Chinese village. I'm not too sure about why there is a Chinese village, but it's known for tea. 

 

En route a wrong turn was taken and I hopped off the scooter to go see this a little closer...

This babe of an ox was tethered by a long rope to a pole. I was weary of how he or she would react, little did I know this would be the absolute highlight of my day!

So stinkin cute! I could not stop giggling like a little girl. There was such joy shared in the moment of ox kisses! 

Must've had some breaky on my hands! Looking back at these pictures, I'm smiling. The animals are so happy here as well! There is a peace about them, they are not concerned about people. Neither seeking attention nor afraid of humans.
 

We were sidetracked by a temple and stopped to wander around. 

These trees...

In front of the temple grounds. There were some massive and gorgeous koi fish in here as well as two turtles sunning themselves on that rock.

Gratitude. I have missed the temple visits.

We hopped back on and headed towards the viewpoint.

View of Pai, yet the main part of town is not nearly this big-this is the general area.

Happy camper

The sun began shining while high upon the viewpoint-waterfall bound!

 

 

We happened to be in the neighborhood of the same waterfall we visited last week despite there being several in the area. On the way there was a young boy, probably about 7 or 8 walking along the road with a serious, tough look on his face. I smiled and waved and he got the biggest grin and waved back. The Thai people are amazingly friendly. So in love with this country.

Assessing the slide

SO fun!

And water up the nose!

Laying out on the rocks, the sky was gorgeous! Solar eclipse yesterday and a full moon that is only seen through the glow of nightly clouds.

After the waterfall we stopped for some lunch, pad thai! I haven't been eating it as much, so it was a treat today! Although I over indulged and wanted a nap pretty bad. 

Road back to town

We returned to town where I rented a bicycle. I have been so lazy on this trip since leaving the elephants. My walking has lessened tremendously since meeting people with scooters. Lazy bones needed some exercise! 

My new ride! Gettin me ready for my biking around Sac!

I made a few stops for snacks and a new book.  Funny I don't feel like reading my novels I brought, yet I bought a book on Buddhism and struggled to read it today. My brain is refusing to work.

Rice paddy that was just being planted while I was here last week, so much beauty in such simplicity. I'm sure I have a deeper appreciation since planting grass myself last week! Backbreaking.

Just leaving the main part of town for "home" at Aqua.

My afternoon spot. New book, homemade kambucha and the pool! That table was hand carved by Den. He has carved every pole here as well as the entire bar area, so much detail. He said it took him a year to carve te bar alone. I will take a picture tomorrow-it's so incredible! 

It is a good life in Pai! Purchased from Good Life Cafe and yes, it's in a Smirnoff Ice bottle!

Once the sun made its way behind he palm trees I headed to shower then out for a walk. No more laziness!

No matter how much I comb my hair it instantly becomes a mess.

I turned the corner to these three jubilantly running my way. Their joy was contagious. The dogs are hilarious. It's as though they stay home all day while their humans are working, then when the human comes home, the dogs head out to meet their fellow neighbor friend dogs and cruise the streets. There are little dog gangs everywhere at night. 

Creek side trail

The Pai slow life is addictive.

There are roadside shrines everywhere, all so well maintained. Drivers often honk at them, but not every one-I'm not sure why?

The bridge tenders 

Legitimate dog gang, it's serious business around here! 

This guy (the dog) was part of the gang. As his human started to drive away his posse started barking and running with the scooter. Hilarious!

As I was waking a sweet Thai lady on a scooter slowed and said, "Hello! I go to town, you want to come?" These people are beyond kind, all people should follow the Thai way of life, they are always ready & willing and could care less what others think of them. 

I walked back to the hotel and hopped on my bike and headed into town. First stop....

Massage! The girl who massaged me must have been maybe 16. It definitely wasn't the best I've had, but for $5 I can't complain! Children were playing and watching tv while phones were ringing and people chattered outside. Not a western massage by any means, but it still felt amazing! 

I headed back on my bike with some mango sticky rice to enjoy on my deck. This little guy as well as two others joined me. These are the first cats I have seen at Aqua and of course they're on my deck! 

Happy hippie crazy cat lady!

Time to read my book and continue my relaxing last few days in the jungle with the animals! The lightening has been going all night and the thunder finally started, drops are starting to fall! Sleeping with the windows open in these rain storms is dreamy. 

Pai=bliss 

Wednesday: Lazy day in Pai

I was supposed to leave today, but Pai has captured my heart. Wishing I had longer than 3 weeks to travel, especially after talking to so many other who are doing it for months or indefinitely. Surprised at myself for not being home sick. Mommy wow! I'm a big kid now!

This morning's goal was yoga at 9 and  meditation at 11. Thailand is on it's own time and things never go as planned. One really learns to be in the moment, not sweat the small stuff and roll with the punches-especially in Pai! This is exactly what this girl needs! 

I spotted a flyer for yoga in a restaurant...

Most happenings are found like this or by word of mouth. There is no address here, and coincidentally there was no second red gate-only one was found! And that was someone's house, learned that one in an awkward way!

No yoga calls for wasting time before mediation. Thankfully the area is small and I feel as though you can see much of it quickly. My heart wishes to stay and spend time here though! 

Saw a sign for the "Open Mind Center", turn to find it was down this darling road. Thankfully Buddhism isn't keen on the death of animals seeing as the dogs are always in the street!

The owner wasn't there, but two guests, Liam and Jennifer from Australia were and welcomed us with tea and informed us about the center. Everyone is so welcoming and loving! 

After tea, breaky was had at a local joint. These are the best (so long as you keep your order simple and avoid meat) as they're cheap and oh so good! Two monks were dining when we arrived. A friend bought them each a coke to enjoy with their breaky. After they had finished one of the monks came to our table and offered us gifts. Necklaces and bracelets. 

It's the plastic tube one, filled with what looks like spices and a sand like substance. No idea what it is, but a monk gave it to me! Then he asked to have his picture taken with us, so cute! Unfortunately I didn't get a picture myself. I am not taking this off!

After breaky we went to Pai canyon which is gorgeous and offers incredible views. This is a path you can take-that would never fly in the states!

It does a big loop. Not enough time to walk it as meditation was nearing.

We headed to Good Life, a local healthy restaurant (serving tea, homemade kambucha, homemade kefir, etc) for meditation. Upon walking in we were made aware meditation was cancelled for the day because the instructor was sick. So the four of us enjoyed a pot of tea...on swings! 

Another thing I wish we had at home! Hanging from a tree inside, drinking local tea. Love my life! 

This place is like a greenhouse and library. Books covering the walls for borrow, trade and purchase and wheat grass growing everywhere.

After tea and chats with my newfound friends I headed for a massage. If only massages were $5 at home! Massage was across from Art in Chai where I headed to use the Internet while laying on an indoor bamboo deck. Saw the best quote that is so fitting for this trip and town during monsoon season: "Let love rain." Pai perfection. 

 

My massage timing was perfect as I was informed via email I had an appointment for reiki (slow communication around here with no phones) with Mark Allison shortly after. I was perfectly relaxed for it! I had never had an actual reiki session, so excited! Mark was extremely personable and it felt like taking to a counselor. He briefly asked why I was there and if I had any intentions. With so many life changes currently, I was in the right spot! I ended up falling asleep on the table during my actual session which is a good thing I'm told. The reiki was amazing! I can't explain it in words here, but I felt so much! He said my mind never stops and it's affecting my stomach-hmmmmm, so me! And to start taking care of me, putting myself first. So much of what he said coincided with my current situation. I left feeling quite introverted and thoughtful but also with a sense if clarity. 

After reiki was a little down time, which is so easy to do here. No agendas. I had a bite to eat poolside and booked my flights (from Pai to Chiang Mai to Bangkok to Koh Samui) for tomorrow. A complete travel day. I treated myself so I don't have to take the like bus again back to Chiang Mai! 

I couldn't go to bed, I'm in Pai-so some of us went out and enjoyed some street snacks (love that corn!) and met some new people. India is sounding so intriguing these days after talking to the long term travelers! 

Another late night, but I can sleep on the plane tomorrow!