Pai,
Thailand
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Having spent only a couple of days in Pai (pronounced Bye) this small town in northern Thailand is starting to feel very comfortable. I can understand why some people end up staying here for weeks on end. I'm about 20km from the Myanmar border and the surrounding scenery consists of the lushest green mountains I have seen so far in Thailand. When cycling around yesterday there were postcard scenes almost everywhere I looked on the horizon. The temperature is quite mild and the local people are friendly (perhaps too friendly as they keep trying to sell you cannabis). The town is big enough to support plenty of farang (westerners) but it does not seem to be the axis of income, so fortunately you are not asked if you want to go on a trek by every other person you meet.
Later today I am off to play football with the House Of Glass team against the local police force. The last game (a couple of days ago) was friendly enough but that was with a mixed team. I've been told that this afternoon is going to be slightly more formal on a full size pitch.
Note to self : must not foul the Chief of Poilce today, now that I know who he is!
