Bicycling to Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai, Thailand.

Renting a bicycle to visit Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai, Thailand, seems, in theory, like a pleasant way to spend a day.

Until, after maybe ten minutes of peddling, when you realize that you’ll be traveling uphill the entire way. Until your ass hurts so much and your thighs are so chafed that you have to stand while your ride your bike. Until, at some point, you have to stop riding entirely and ditch your bike at a restaurant because you can’t go any further. Until, you are so completely drenched in sweat by the time that you get there that you don’t even care that you’re swimming in a murky pool of algae because it is so cooling. Until, as you’re climbing up the side of the waterfall you catch a wet patch and slip, only to be saved by a bush that breaks your fall, but bang your knee so badly that it hurts to walk for over a week.

But still, despite all that, despite having no business cycling in Pai (or, you know, anywhere else in the world) a trip to Mo Paeng Waterfall was a nice way to spend a day in Pai, Thailand.

My friend and I climbed to the top of the stones of the three-tier waterfall and spent a mostly peaceful afternoon sunbathing on the rocks, petting some stray puppies who wandered by, and watching as other backpackers and local children,who were much more adventurous that I am, go sliding down the natural slide in he waterfall and jumping into the pool below.

So, in the end, it ended up being a fun afternoon in Northern Thailand. But next time, I’m renting a motorbike.

Photos from Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai, Thailand:

Bicycling to Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai, Thailand.

Bucket List Idea: Travel to Pai, Thailand. | Bicycling to Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai, Thailand.