“Travel teaches us to follow the road as it bends, trusting that every detour still leads us somewhere meaningful...”
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| (A coffee shop at Pai Walking Street) |
Day 10: 28 November 2025 (Friday)
Route: Pai Free & Easy
Hotel: Pai Friendly Resort
There are days in travel that ask nothing more from us than to slow down - to breathe, to wander, and to enjoy what unfolds naturally. Today in Pai was one of those days.
The chilly mountain air nudged us into town early. We found comfort in bowls of steamy chicken porridge and crispy fried charkoi from a small Muslim stall - simple, hearty food that warmed our hands and spirits.
As we ate, the morning brightened with a parade of cheerful kindergarten children, dressed colourfully and carrying posters of the late Queen Mother of Thailand. Their joyful chatter drifted through the street, a charming glimpse into local life.
After breakfast, we wandered toward the Pai River. The bamboo bridge creaked softly beneath us as we crossed, pausing to take a few pictures of the quiet flowing water and the gentle countryside that surrounded it. It was a moment that felt suspended in time.
Our light itinerary took us next to the iconic Memorial Bridge. Originally built during World War II as part of a strategic supply route linking Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, the bridge has since been reconstructed. Yet its rustic wooden planks and weathered steel frame still preserve the spirit of the past. We bought a couple of Pai T-shirts from nearby stalls - small keepsakes of this peaceful corner of Thailand.
The Pai Big Buddha, perched on its hill overlooking the valley, was undergoing major restoration work. We didn’t climb the stairs today, but we still admired the peaceful presence of the hilltop shrine from below.
Back at the resort, I surrendered to a refreshing power nap, while hubby made his way to the mosque for Friday prayers. By evening, we found ourselves strolling along Walking Street once more - its night market alive with colour, music, and the familiar scent of street food.
Dinner was a comforting repeat at Mukmin Restaurant: fried rice and green curry. Then an hour of therapeutic foot massage eased the last bit of travel fatigue before we walked back to our resort for a good night’s rest.
As the day ended, we reviewed the latest news of flooding in Southern Thailand and the possibility of worsening conditions in Malaysia. With that, we’ll need to revise our original routing plan - a reminder that the road often shifts, and travel sometimes means adapting as we go.
Route: Pai Free & Easy
Hotel: Pai Friendly Resort
There are days in travel that ask nothing more from us than to slow down - to breathe, to wander, and to enjoy what unfolds naturally. Today in Pai was one of those days.
The chilly mountain air nudged us into town early. We found comfort in bowls of steamy chicken porridge and crispy fried charkoi from a small Muslim stall - simple, hearty food that warmed our hands and spirits.
As we ate, the morning brightened with a parade of cheerful kindergarten children, dressed colourfully and carrying posters of the late Queen Mother of Thailand. Their joyful chatter drifted through the street, a charming glimpse into local life.
After breakfast, we wandered toward the Pai River. The bamboo bridge creaked softly beneath us as we crossed, pausing to take a few pictures of the quiet flowing water and the gentle countryside that surrounded it. It was a moment that felt suspended in time.
Our light itinerary took us next to the iconic Memorial Bridge. Originally built during World War II as part of a strategic supply route linking Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, the bridge has since been reconstructed. Yet its rustic wooden planks and weathered steel frame still preserve the spirit of the past. We bought a couple of Pai T-shirts from nearby stalls - small keepsakes of this peaceful corner of Thailand.
The Pai Big Buddha, perched on its hill overlooking the valley, was undergoing major restoration work. We didn’t climb the stairs today, but we still admired the peaceful presence of the hilltop shrine from below.
Back at the resort, I surrendered to a refreshing power nap, while hubby made his way to the mosque for Friday prayers. By evening, we found ourselves strolling along Walking Street once more - its night market alive with colour, music, and the familiar scent of street food.
Dinner was a comforting repeat at Mukmin Restaurant: fried rice and green curry. Then an hour of therapeutic foot massage eased the last bit of travel fatigue before we walked back to our resort for a good night’s rest.
As the day ended, we reviewed the latest news of flooding in Southern Thailand and the possibility of worsening conditions in Malaysia. With that, we’ll need to revise our original routing plan - a reminder that the road often shifts, and travel sometimes means adapting as we go.
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