GOODBYE PAI - LEAVING PAI !!!!!

Sunday 30 June 08

Well it was a sad day for us today having to leave Pai. Both Rick and I were a little depressed knowing that we had to say goodbye to Pai. We were up early and finalised our packing then walked up the street for the last time to the restaurant for breakfast of scrambled eggs, french toast and latte's. We had to hurry back to the bungalow to collect our backpacks and almost had to run to the bus station to get there in time for our 11am departure. The mini bus left on time and we had a quiet and scenic ride from Pai to Chiang Mai with a rest stop halfway. It took just under 3 hours and once we arrived in Chiang Mai noticed the difference in the weather, it was quite humid. We got a tuk tuk to the Chiang Mai international airport which cost us next to nothing and it was a wild ride.

We arrived at the airport and checked in our luggage and had 2 hours before our Thai airways flight was due to leave. We booked our return boat trip to Phi Phi island, and hotel pick ups at the airport to get that out of the way as well as our taxi from Phuket airport to Patong Beach Lodge where we are staying the night before the boat trip tomorrow. We then just grabbed something light to eat and sat outside the airport for the next hour or so as smoking is only allowed outside.

As usual our Thai flight was late leaving, happens everytime we fly Thai airways, it left finally at 5.40pm. It left half an hour late as was an almost full flight as its the only direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. The flight took 2 hours and was ok, it went quickly and we arrived at Phuket airport at 7.30pm and our driver was there waiting for us to take us to the Patong Beach Lodge in Patong. Another stuff up as they told him the wrong hotel and he headed toward Kamala instead of Patong and thank god we know our way around Patong and had to tell him to take us to the right hotel. We finally arrived at 9pm, checked in, dumped our backpacks and headed out for a quick bite at KFC.

Patong Beach is so opposite to Pai, its even busier now and overcrowded than when we were here last November. We are looking forward to heading to Phi Phi tomorrow. Our accommodation in Patong is nice as we stayed here the first time we ever came to Thailand 2 years ago, but a lot more expensive than back then. We are glad that when we return to Phuket next week that we are not staying at Patong but at Kamala Beach which is quieter.

IF YOU SCROLL DOWN HAVE POSTED SOME PHOTOS OF OUR LAST DAY IN PAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it has been a busy and long day and we are still totally devastated and depressed at having to leave Pai. Hope everyone is well in Oz. Until Tomorrow from Phi Phi.

Kob koon chai