I arrived at Spicy Pai 8 days after it had opened and was immediately taken back by the beauty and scenic location of the place. Located amongst rice paddy fields, overlooking a beautiful ever changing mountain range and just outside the town centre with a 15min walk in and out of town (2-5mins on a motorbike), I was greeted on arrival by a friendly Thai guy named Kit and checked in by another guy named Noom. Kit immediately invited me to go out on a bike tour he was conducting and I accepted. I was made to feel welcome by the guests who were already the and after sorting out a motorbike with Kits assistance, we left the hostel for an amazing tour of Pai involving scenic view points overlooking Pai, a little history of Pai (memorial bridge etc) and finished of by going to the 'fun' waterfall where we could slide down the waterfall and/or swim in its cool pool. Once the tour finished, Kit took us to the evening market to pick up our food and return to the hostel and eat. The guests mingled together, listening to music and conversing into the night before we all went out to enjoy the fun and sometimes lively bars of Pai. Over the next few days conversing with Kit & Noom, I found out that Kit was to manage Spicy Pai and Noom was the mastermind creator behind Spicy Pai (which was still partly under construction) and that the were already 3 other Spicy Hostels (Chiang Mai, Vang Vieng, Luang Probang). When my 3 days booked finished, I requested an 'open account' from Noom as i had fallen in love with Pai (and Spicy) and I didn't know when i would be leaving. That evening when we went for food at the night market, I suggested a BBQ for all the guests and this was agreed by Kit and Noom and all the guests had a very good Thai style BBQ feast cooked by Kit, Noom & I. A few days later Noom left to return to Spicy Thai, Chiang Mai, and Kit took over the duties of over looking the finishing construction of Spicy Pai. Without being asked to, I somehow took Kit's previous job of 'Tour guide & general events organiser' and after the guest's all gave glowing references to Kit, he contacted Noom and that's how I became the first 'Spicy Pai volunteer/employee'.

The BBQs and tours continued on a regular basis and after becoming very close friends and colleagues with Kit, we discussed and both equally shared Nooms vision of trying to make the most friendly, welcoming and fun hostel that could possibly be. We worked hard at establishing good relationships with the Bars in Pai and making sure that all guests could go out, enjoy themselves and feel as comfortable and safe in any Bar as they did when they were back at the Hostel and I believe we archived this well. Noom returned with another worker/employee named Adrian who was thoroughly indoctrinated into the Spicy Pai mentality as Kit & I had now settled on how Spicy should truly operate. Soon after this I had to leave to meet some friends who were coming on holiday and I brought them back to Pai. They loved every minute spent the and were disappointed at having to leave as they had to move on as they were only on holiday. I, along with my friends, then did an entire Spicy tour visiting Spicy Thai Chiang Mai and then onto Laos staying at Spicy Vang Vieng and Spicy Luang Probang. However, I always missed Pai and after my friends returned home, I returned back to Pai.

Spicy staff are outstanding hosts and go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible whilst also taking people on the occasional tours around Pai. We are always ready to train those who do not know how to ride a motorbike how to do so, as this is the best method of transport and the best way to view and get around Pai. Most staff will be almost as knowledgeable about Pai as Pai tour guides are by the time they are accepted as volunteers. A member of staff is always on hand to go out in the evening (and sometimes during the day) with the guests and to show them where the best places to go are. The priority is to have guests enjoying themselves, to have fun, to feel safe and secure at all times. After all, from my experience of Spicy and Spicy Pai in particular, its not about travelling/backpacking/being on holiday...it's about a way of life. Leaving Spicy Pai was the hardest thing I have had to do on my travels. It was a just as as upsetting as leaving home to travel and leaving my best friends (Kit & the gang) and I can honestly say I left a little piece of my heart in Pai and I will return at the end of my travels prior to going back home.

John Earp