Chiang Mai 2 January 2009

Chiang Mai 2 January 2009 Day 4 in north Thailand, day 2 of tour

Up early and away from campsite into Pai for breakfast in roadside restaurant obviously frequented mainly by locals - noodles and soup, not sure what in it but very satisfying start to the day. Walked around slightly less crowded streets of Pai, bought matching red t shirts for Leon and me, more street entertainers, a busy happy place.

Then a visit to Num Hu Temple, on top of a mountain with breathtaking views over Pai and surrounding forest, when not shrouded in mist which gives the feeling that you are on an island floating above the clouds. After a coffee here, on to Unan village, a chinese community showing traditional homes and shops.

Now we leave Pai to travel to Mae Hong Son. On the way we stop at spectacular view points again, and also at 'Fish Cave'. I was intrigued as to what this might be, especially when we arrived to see an attractive park area with a stream ruinning through it but no sign of a cave. Followed Pon along a wooden walkway alongside the stream, over the bridge from where we could see lots of carp-like fish, called soro brook crap (carp?) fish, swimming against the current. At the end of the walkway we came to a cliff face with a hole in the rocky ground at the bottom going down to the stream flowing underneath. We could see probably 2 to 4 square metres of stream down through the hole and it was packed tightly with layers of these fish still swimming against the flow but mostly not moving position. Some of the fish were quite big, maybe 500mm long, and Pon told me there is at least one huge fish down there but it mostly stays deep. It was a strange and fascinating sight.

Arrived Mae Hong Son 6pm and checked into Guest House, then to dinner in the Be Bear Restaurant by the side of the lake in the middle of the town. More excellent genuine thai food and service, just a blissful place to be. Spent the rest of the evening wandering around the numerous market stalls. Have to be up early tomorrow so not too late to bed. Will report on day 3, a truly memorable day, tomorrow.

All the Best, John