So today we would be leaving Pai, some could say finally but we knew we would be sad to leave this place. We checked out and took advantage our breakfast before our four hour bus ride back to Chiang Mai. We were going to take the local bus so had no idea what to except, hopefully not a crammed bus that felt like an oven.

We met Kratos who was waiting near the bus stop and some people were waiting already so we decided to join the queue. Shortly afterwards, a group of travellers consisting of 4 boys and later one girl (mostly English joined behind us). They were trying to negotiate a minibus, which were all full, through a private company. I think they knew it would be tight squeeze on the local bus too. It was after midday and the heat was brutal by now. The bus rolled in and it looked absolutely packed by this stage as our stop isn't the first. No one got off either so there were no seats and people were already in the aisle. One of the English backpackers shoved straight past us and got his mates on the bus. He even push local women aside, an absolute a*******!! We let the bus go as we would not stand for four hours considering the turns and slopes of the route down the mountain and the fact hardly anyone would disembark on route. We were just pissed off this bloke just jumped the queue without any consideration of anyone else. I do not expect this behaviour especially from other British people although he was a very stereotypical Brit "lad" abroad.

We had a chat to the bus office and they explained there is another public bus at 2pm which they don't seem to advertise. We decided to grab lunch and wait and see how full that bus was. You never know, perhaps karma would come into effect?!

We returned to the bus station and waited 30 minutes overtime for the bus which eventually showed. To our amazement it was practically empty! We looked very smug and took our seats on the rickety old bus with the spare wheel on the floor at the back. It actually had built in ceiling fans in the roof which was different anyway! Our thoughts turned to the lads who pushed in front of us earlier and them having to stand for four hours. You would have to call that karma!

The journey back to Chiang Mai was four hours and considering the state of bus it was pleasantly relaxing and calm. The bus driver actually negotiated bends at a reasonable speed and got us back safe and sound. We were able to get a taxi to town with a group of German students and soon enough we were back in good old, familiar Chiang Mai. We had to search around for guesthouse and settled on a French run place with a good priced triple room. There was no air conditioning and we would have to brave the humidity. Later we went to book our day at the elephant nature park tomorrow, which should be an amazing experience.