Hmmm...not sure how to begin here. I guess I'll start off by saying I am living some of the best days of my life right now in Pai, Thailand. I've never been so chilled out in my life.

Who loves you the most?

The small town of Pai, NW of Chiang Mai, is truly wonderful. It is clean and serene, nestled within the mountains and surrounded by beautiful rural villages. We have hooked up the best deal ever here with a bungalow owner named Annie. Annie runs the Riverpark Darling Guesthouse situated right on the Pai River. The accomodations are simple and beautiful and Annie, who runs the guesthouse and a bar, was in dire need of assistance. I offered the service of myself and Chad in exchange for a free room and food. Of course, she agreed and we are now living a Paradise lifestyle.

Annie's Riverpark Darling Guesthouse...our current home.

We are still able to perform pull-ups...pull-ups=happiness.

So far, we have gone innertubing down the river, visited the hot springs and soaked for an hour in the early morning, and motorbiked to a couple of really gorgeouse waterfalls. During the day, if we are not helping Annie with the bungalows, we exercise (using bodyweight calisthenics), or chill in our hammocks listening to music and smoking ganja (very different than what I am used to but much cheaper). Riding my hog (100cc Honda Dream scooter) around is great fun and a nice way to explore the countryside.

This is what I see most of the day when resting.

I'm working on something here...

The only way to get around Pai

I love Pai so much that Chad and I are extending our stay here until a few days before our visas expire (and we head to Laos). I am really considering purchasing a bungalow house in one of the surrounding villages and living here for a few months out of the year. A very nice upper middle-class level house near Pai costs around 800,000 baht, which equates to about $20,000 USD. Last night, I got to visit a wonderful house in the hills on the outskirts of town owned by a very funny, goofy, middle-aged Thai woman named Joy. Man, is she funny. Anyway, she offered Chad and I a spot in her house for only 1000 baht per month, or about $25 USD. Neat, huh?

At Joy's house: Chadwick is as Chadwick does.

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some really cool people here. I have Chad of course, but we have also been hanging out with this cool cat from Canada named Ray (he is half-Thai and therefore belongs in the "performance hybrid" category like me!) and these wonderful young women from Israel. I have met and hung out with many of Isrealis so far and they have all been the greatest people. Also, they have taught me quite a bit about their country's history and geography and I am quite interested in making a trip out there in the not-so-distant future.

Chad and Ray at one of those beautiful falls I was mentioning.

Those falls again (and that dork that keeps ruining the good shots!).

Tami, from Israel, sketches from pictures and postcards.

This morning I made scrambled eggs for a group of about 25 Chiang Mai college students here on an educational vacation. I was a little nerovus that they would find my dishes too bland, but Annie insists that they loved them (maybe she's just wanting to keep me happy?).

I can't stand it when people don't brush their tongues.

There is a UFC tonight in Las Vegas with the main event being Tito Ortiz versus Vitor Belfort. This will be the first UFC showing I have missed in a long time. Oh well, guess I'll just read the news on the internet tomorrow.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day/night!

"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!"
Henry David Thoreau