White Sheets Review: A most unique stay at Beung Pai Fish Farm, Thailand


thai fishing hat

A” catch-and-release” fish resort?

This was the first time I heard this term.

I was on a minivan bus, thrilled by my last-minute decision to whisk away for a two-day weekend to a place, I’d known only from a paragraph in a guidebook. It was like a blind date. I didn’t know what to expect and I was nervous; I hadn’t a clue where I’d be staying!

Pai, the Thai-hippie backpacker town, just three to five hours north of Chiang Mai and 362 road curves to survive, was my mysterious destiny. Little did I know then, that Beung Pai Fish Farm would be the destination that sold me on the entire place!

 “It’s not in the guidebooks and there’s so many resort and guesthouses in Pai. It’s spread mostly by word-of-mouth. It’s a little outside of the main antics of the town- in the middle of some rice fields- but trust me, staying there is worth it!”

 

Graham, a 40-ish expat from the U.K.,  sitting next to me, eagerly  divulged his secret hideaway. My curiosity was hooked. I held onto it like a college kid waiting for SMS text directions to a secret rave.

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White Sheets Review: Gonkaew Chiang Mai Guesthouse, Thailand

Gongkaew Chiang Mai (website)

When you first step onto the grounds of Gongkaew Chiang Mai, you’ll think you’ve found home.  Nestled off of a quiet side street, just 8 minutes from the Sunday walking street and Wat Phra Singh, the relaxing vibe of this guesthouse is a perfect sanctuary for budget travelers wanting a personal feel, without a loss for Thai quality, professionalism and hospitality.

Why I love Gongkaew Chiang Mai Guesthouse:

On my very first visit to Thailand, the most horrific thing happened- my DSLR camera malfunctioned and died on me! Happening two days before my 3-day trek into the mountains, I was in a panicked snit. This was my first full-solo trip and one I wanted to remember with photos. (more…)

Maesa’s Art Stars: Thai Elephants that paint

elephants that paint in chiang maiChiang Mai, Thailand

Can elephants paint?

A year ago, a friend showed me a funky abstract painting she had bought at a charity fundraiser in New York City. She told me the artist was an elephant.  What?! Since when were elephants art stars?

At the well-known Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, elephants aren’t only art stars that paint, but they play soccer, basketball and perform a whole bag of tricks, making you feel like a kid at a circus!

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Flying through the Chinese Village of Pai

The Chinese village in pai, thailandThe Chinese Village (aka Suntichon Village ) out of Pai

The village is a small Chinese cultural site tucked away on the country outskirts of Pai/Mae Ha Song but easily reached 45 minutes by motorbike. I had heard about this place from Graham on the bus over and wasn’t sure to expect.  Surprisingly, the village doesn’t have the look or feel of a traditional village. There’s actually nothing historical about the place other than the Chinese souvenirs they sell.

When I reached The Chinese Village and hurriedly walked through the grounds. I was distracted by my fuel tank warning and the fact in under an hour, the roads would be black, so I apologize that there’s not much for me to say about this place. Then again, I’m not sure if had I strolled the grounds, I’d feel any differently. The main center of the village holds a nicely manicured park, with bungalows, an outdoor deck restaurant and souvenir stores selling Chinese items. The only thing seemingly novel about the place is a man-operated ferris wheel, which sits in the middle of the main lawn.

The village felt a bit inauthentic, disappointing and touristy (gauging from the throng of tourist buses in the parking lot). It might still be worth a visit during daylight hours however.

I found this short video clip of the man-operated ferris wheel at the Chinese Village .
The quality is a little quick & shady but a worthy attraction to mention.

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