Chiang Mai was absolutely fabulous. Famous for its cruelty free Elephant sanctuaries, I was super excited to finally get to experience it! 

Whilst in Chiang Mai we visited the Bamboo Family Elephant care sanctuary. We decided on this one as you spend the whole day there however do white water rafting and a trek to a waterfall as well as elephant care. Seeing as we only had 3 full days in Chiang Mai we tried to pack in as much to each day as possible. 

Our day began at 8.30am and we started with white water rafting to wake us up! It was something I had never done before and I was totally terrified but it turned out to be really fun! 

Once we had finished rafting we got brought to the elephant care. We spent about 2 hours feeding them, making them medicine balls made of different herbs and fruits and then my favourite part, bathing them. They were so friendly and gentle. Being an animal lover, I was completely in my element! 

We then got given lunch which was Pad Thai wrapped up in a leaf and a side of pineapple! 

After lunch we began on a one hour trek to a waterfall where we had time to relax and chill out! 

On our final full day in Chiang Mai we had an amazing time zip lining through the jungle! 

We went with a company called Eagle Track and did about 30 different zip lines as well as a few drops which were terrifying but so fun! 

Once our three days in Chiang Mai came to an end we took the bus along the windy roads to the amazing town that is Pai. People who have never been to Pai keep asking me what was so amazing about it and honestly I cannot even explain it in words you just need to go there! 

On our first full day in Pai we went on a moped tour with the SpicyPai hostel to Lod Cave. By doing it on mopeds it cost so much less than all of the travel agency tours and there was a group of about 20-30 of us all driving together it was so much fun! 

The cave tour was cool we were brought in on a small bamboo boat and then shown around by a guide with a tiny lantern! The entry fee in groups of 3 was 80baht per person!

In Pai it rained quite a bit so it was hard to get to do everything we wanted. But on one of the days that the sun came out we ventured off on bikes again to the Mo Paeng Waterfall. It was probably one of my favourite ones we saw. There was three different pools which normally people swim in, however when we were there the rain had been too heavy so we couldn't swim! 

After the waterfall we attempted to head to the Pai Canyon however en route the heavens opened and the rain poured down so we sadly had to turn around! 

One of my favourite things about Pai was its food. There was vegan/veggie options absolutely everywhere and most of the best places to eat were street vendors so you could get delicious meals for under €2! I got my best Thai green curry EVER while in Pai and it only cost me €1.50! 

In Pai we stayed in a hostel called Purple Monkey however if I was going back I would 100% stay in the SpiceyPai backpackers hostel as we spent most of our days/nights in Pai hanging out there! It is super chill and so sociable. They organise day trips and we did trivia twice there!

If you're travelling alone this is by far the best place to stay as you just meet so many amazing people there! 

Throughout our entire journey we booked hostels as we went along using the hostelworld app! No matter where you're travelling you need this app! It is so handy and really easy to use! 

Our four days in Pai came to an end way too quickly and we made our way back to Bangkok for 2 nights before heading home! 

Writing from Dublin now, I honestly can't believe my journey is over! I am so grateful to have seen so many beautiful places and met so many amazing people. I already cannot wait to start saving and planning my next adventure! 

Grainne 

XO