Fishing in Pai
Based on a story published earlier on the blog, we once settled in the Bueng Pai Farm resort.
It took some searching to find it, but with the help of a friendly police officer and further signage, it worked out nicely. You must have your own transport to get there. The complex contains 14 very idyllic bungalows located on a large pond, almost all of which are situated directly on the waterfront.
The only drawback is that the walking distance to Pai is quite far and takes at least XNUMX minutes. The breakfast is well served, but for the evening meal you have to look elsewhere. Furthermore, nothing but praise for the location, the friendly service and the beautifully laid out whole. You can - if you wish - cook for yourself in the small kitchen equipped for guests. The complex has some nice spots to relax in a hammock or to read a book in the library.
The area exudes tranquility and from the bungalows you have a beautiful view over the large pond and mountain slopes.
Cast a fishing rod
If you want to throw out a fishing rod, you can rent all the necessary equipment for one hundred baht per day. The resort has been around for four years now, but judging by the size of fish you catch here, the pond must have existed for many years longer. You really don't have to be a skillful or very experienced fisherman to catch a big fish. If you've never cast a rod before, Run the owner will show you around. However, don't be under the illusion that although there is a kitchen for common use, you can eat the caught fish. According to good angler practice, you put the caught fish back neatly in the water. If you get a bite here then it is definitely not a small fry and you will 'fight' with a fish of considerable size. Fifteen kilogram fish are no exception. A landing net is part of the fixed fishing equipment.
Dining out
As already stated, you can only have breakfast there, but that is also great class. You look at the menu and then write everything you would like to eat on the accompanying order form. Eggs in many versions, bacon, baked tomato, muesli or delicious yoghurt with honey. You just have to make it known and write it down.
There are plenty of restaurants to suit every wallet in Pai. According to insiders – and I can confirm that – one of the very best is the Baan Benjarong restaurant which is the original Thai kitchen runs. It is situated right opposite the small police station as you enter Pai, so not to be confused with the main police station which is more in the centre.
Hospitality as it should be
The host Run and hostess Orn are paragons of hospitality and it seems that even their wagging dogs have inherited some of that. Orn, despite the many nasty operations she has had to undergo in recent years to control a serious illness, radiates a lot of affection and happiness. When I leave I get a little something wrapped in a banana leaf. A little later she asks if I have looked in the package. No, according to good Dutch practice I have not yet done so and open it quickly. There is a nice T-shirt with advertising of the house. If I don't like the color, I can exchange it. Only the sun rises for nothing, I fully realize that, but this radiates warmth and affection and after a few days' stay here you say goodbye almost with tears in your eyes. When I get into the car, both me and my companion wave goodbye and let the dog make the same gesture with a paw. For sure I will come back here again.
For an impression, take a look at the site: www.paifarm.com.
PAi, beautiful place, from Chiangmai, can be done together with a van, motor scooter for rent with a motorcycle license, many backpackers, Grand Canyon of Thailand to see, great white Buddha, monkey show, you can book a tour, or go by yourself with the scooter, about 200 baht, tasty eateries and from 7 euros per evening for backpackers, in a hut with leaves to a beautiful resort with a swimming pool, and not expensive and breakfast in the morning, you can spend a week there, would go there again in a heartbeat, quiet and relaxing, in beautiful Pai, and this is also a beautiful resort, next time I'll go there, there's nothing like PAI
Well, maybe for next time. Have done a fish around Chiangmai, somewhere outside. It's been 6 years already, boy time goes fast.
At Lana hotel Chiangmai, I could book that. Owner picked me up at the hotel with a fat SUV and took me to the fishing pond.
Turned out to be a German, who was happy that he had moved to Thailand once. Though I didn't find him overly enthusiastic. But told how physical complaints disappeared (stress?) in Thailand.
When we arrived there was a Thai attendant, who spoke no English at all, but was the very helpful hand.
Fishing rod with lump of fruit paste on it, threw in, bang hit. Got the fishing rod back and was allowed to start the battle. The Asian carps are very combative.
They also turned out to be very hungry, because it went on and on.
I also saw others fishing there, but it didn't go that fast there. Ace the deciding factor?
Wasn't really much in the form of eateries or anything. You could buy water, lemonade and some simple food. That was a good thing, because when the sun (thankfully quite a lot of clouds that day) came through again, sweat gushed out of your pores.
At the end of the afternoon the German came again and brought you back.
Just put on an old shirt and pants, because that will get covered in sweat and mucus. Of course you also want a photo with such an Asian carp. As the day progressed they also got a bit bigger.
It was a party all day until I looked like an animal. No, we didn't go to the playground, but we did play around with these powerful beasts.