Upon arrival, we noticed an increase in activity and influx of people in Pai. There was new bar/lounge opening that night and a lot of people came for the event. The bar called Red Leaf, featured a live band, free tapas, cheap drinks, and lots of people, both travelers and locals alike. After the band, Em the owner opened up the stage for his guests. One of the local hippies comes up with an instrument I have never seen before and it produced some of the most serene sounds I have ever heard. Two large metal shell-like bowls with holes of different sizes were put together to form the instrument. The musician would tap one of the holes to make each unique sound. As he played his music, two other people came up with guitars and they hypnotized everyone in the room with their impromptu jam session. They played till close and everyone migrated to Bamboo, the late night spot in Pai, for the more socializing, drinking, and eating.
The next day we all woke hungover to dark skies, humidity, and rain. Thankfully, Richy and I had a 5 hour ride back to Chiang Mai in the cold rain. Just as we left, it began to pour, making the roads super dangerous. We both rode tense, pissed off, soaked, and cold, stopping only when the rain finally let up to get food, warm up, and relieve our nerves. The rest of the ride was fine minus my drive chain falling off on an uphill hairpin. Of course...
It was a great relief to return the bikes and we both rewarded ourselves with street meat, Cha Yen (Thai iced tea), and a Thai Massage. Now I never get massage's so I had no idea what the difference was between a Thai massage to any other. It turns out, Thai massage is a very deep tissue massage and the masseuse's are known you put you in various funny positions in order to stretch and loosen you up properly. My masseuse KICKED MY ASS!!! Richy and his masseuse were laughing constantly as he pushed, pulled, slapped and punched my arms, legs and back.
There was one position where he sat on one of my quad's, pulled my arms up and kicked my other leg out into a near split. I was screaming in agony! The entire time I was thinking this has to be a big joke that Richy had planned, but no, this is the real deal. When the final position came around, he had both my arms crossed behind my back while sitting with my legs straight forward. As he pulls my arms back and up, he jams his knee's into my back and arches my spine over and over until he thinks I have sufficiently suffered enough. After that, he slaps and punches me all over, puts his hand's together, bows, and says thank you. WTF!? I respond with a smile and say, "No, thank you for kicking my ass!" He laugh's not having a clue what I said, and leads us out. I am now more physically sore than I was going in and I feel completely abused.
This week has truly been an adventure of many types but please get me on the plane to Bangkok!
Sounds like you had a real adventure. Glad you both got back safe and dry!
ReplyDeleteLove, Dad