🌄 Day Two in Pai: Motorbikes, Mountains & a Whole Lot of Smiles

After a whirlwind start to our road trip, Day Two brought a change of pace — and scenery — as we landed in the little mountain gem that is Pai. And let me tell you, this place might just have stolen a little piece of our hearts… even if the town centre itself didn’t quite hit the mark!

🛖 Our Little Mountain Hideaway (for £11 a Night!)

We arrived in Pai and checked into the cutest little houses tucked right next to the mountains (at Pai Sunrise Camping)— and wow, what a view to wake up to! For just 500 BHT a night (around £11) including breakfast for the whole house, it felt like the best-kept secret in Northern Thailand.

Each house came with air-con (thank you, Pai heat), a fridge, and that unbeatable mountain view. Tilly wasted no time exploring getting comfortable in her own surroundings (she loves having her own space) as we enjoyed the views. Pure bliss!

🛍️ Pai Walking Street: Touristy Vibes & Pricey Pad Thai

That evening, we headed into Pai town to explore the Walking Market. There’s no denying it had charm — cute stalls, quirky shops, live music — but honestly? It didn’t really click for us as a family. If you are a party animal or a traveller that likes drinking, partying and weed then this is 100% the right place for you… it definitely had a hippy/traveller vibe to it and I can see why younger travellers are attracted to Pai for this reason.

After soaking up the cultural beauty of Chiang Mai, Pai town centre felt a little too touristy. Prices were steeper than we expected, and it lacked the authentic Thai magic we’d come to love. On our way out of Pai we noticed a huge golden monk which was so beautiful, we had to stop and admire it! After this, we made a decision right there: Pai’s outskirts were where the real adventure was waiting so we had to find for ourselves!

Yes that’s me at the bottom (that how HUGE the statue is!)

🏍️ Motorbikes, Madness, and (Minor) Meltdowns

The next morning, we swapped our hire car for two wheels. We rented scooters for 150 BHT each (about £3.50!) and filled up the tanks for the same again. Bargain of the trip!

Now, if you know Joe, you know he’s a totally bike mad — happiest with a helmet and some horsepower. Me? Not so much. Having worked in a hospital before, I’ve seen what bikes can do to people… so yeah, I was terrified.

But after a big deep breath and a pep talk with myself, I faced the fear and hopped on. And guess what? It was SO worth it. The views, the breeze, the laughter from Tilly riding with Joe — it felt like we were flying through a postcard. An amazing experience I will never forget!

🙏 A Buddha, a Prayer, and a Dragon or Two

Our first stop? The large white Buddha and the dragon-head staircase that winds up to it. I took a moment to meditate and throw in a cheeky prayer for safe travels — especially on two wheels!

Even Tilly paused to take it all in, and the peaceful energy up there was unreal. A must-see, especially if you're a spiritual soul… or just looking for some peace with a killer view.

🌦️ Ponchos, Suncream, and the Great Pai Weather Game

The weather decided to keep us on our toes. One minute it was poncho panic, the next we were slapping on suncream like we were on Bondi Beach. Classic Thailand!

We laughed through the chaos, ducked under trees for cover, and let ourselves get a bit soggy — all part of the fun, right?

Tilly in her pink poncho!

💦 Lukewarm Springs & Warm Fuzzies

We made our way to the Sai Ngam Hot Springs, but since Tilly and I had forgotten our swim gear, we just dipped our toes in. Joe? Straight in with his shorts, loving it!

To be honest, the springs were more warm than hot and very touristy, so not our fave stop. Entry to the national park was 460 BHT (£10.50) for the three of us.

🌄 …The Real Magic Was in the Mountains

We carried on past the springs and THAT’S where the magic happened.

The road wound higher into the hills, past peaceful farms, misty rice fields, and total tranquillity. This was the Pai we were looking for — quiet, raw, and absolutely breathtaking.

Tilly’s grin was wide, Joe was loving life, and I was finally feeling free on the bike. It was a moment I’ll treasure forever.

🧗 The Canyon That Took Our Breath Away (Literally)

To end the day, we visited Pai Canyon — and it did not disappoint! A short, not-too-tough walk led us to jaw-dropping views. And let’s just say, it’s not ideal for those with a fear of heights (🙋‍♀️) but it was so worth it.

The ladies asked for a 10 BHT donation (25p) to help keep it tidy and felt it was the best value stop of the day!

I felt proud. I’d pushed myself way out of my comfort zone — first time on a motorbike, and I even walked the canyon path without holding anyone's hand. Progress!

🍛 Dinner With a View

We wrapped up the day with a home-cooked meal at a sweet little local spot near the canyon. No frills, just great food and warm smiles — exactly what we needed.

Then it was back to our mountain nest for a well-earned rest.

🌟 Final Rating: 10/10 — One for the Books!

We all agreed: this was one of the best days of our trip so far. It had everything — laughs, views, adventure, a little fear, and a lot of heart.

If you're a travel family or adventure lover heading to Pai, don’t just stay in the town — get out into the hills, rent a bike, and find those magic moments. You won’t regret it.

🧳 Top Tips for a Day Like Ours in Pai

For those planning to take on Pai like we did, here are our top tips to keep it fun, smooth, and full of smiles:

🌟 Hire a motorbike – they’re cheap, fun, and the best way to see the mountains. Bonus points if you have a Joe-type in your crew.
💵 Take cash – not everywhere takes card, especially roadside stalls or small family-run places.
☀️ Pack suncream AND a light long-sleeved top – the sun is sneaky and strong, even on cloudy days.
👙 Bring your swimwear – trust me, dipping your toes in while everyone else splashes about is a bit of a bummer.
📸 Don’t forget your camera or phone – you’ll want to capture every jaw-dropping view.
👟 Wear good footwear – Pai Canyon isn’t the place for flip-flops unless you want an impromptu slide show.
🥪 Pack a picnic – there's no better lunch than one with a view of the mountains.
💛 Bring a warm heart and a smile – they’re your best travel accessories and will open doors (and conversations) everywhere.