harsu

Some other places to consider (for variety) are Aye's deli shop (down the alley beside De Vinci's Restaurant almost opposite the entrance to the Night bazaar,) or the Dusit Island Hotel has a small bakery shop to the left just inside it's main foyer. There's also the new Tops supermarket in Central and the japanese(?) bakery (begins with a 'y') on the left hand side of this Tops -both do a nice wholemeal that isn't sweet and has crusts. They also do bags of bread cut -offs which I intend to try using for bread and butter pudding - not for this pot luck though.

The Tourist Inn is OPEN, I have been buying my bread there daily . There were some renovations to the kitchen area at the side of the hotel. The bread ovens were even put out into the soi on the side of the hotel to make sure her customers got bread . Then after a couple of weeks of baking outside in the small soi , the ovens were moved to the front of the building next to the outside seating area at the front of the building.

The Kitchen is now finished and the ovens are back inside. I know at times she has problems with the demand for her Fresh Bread. They also make different types of bread, croissants, Dutch apple Pies, Burger Buns as well.

Thanks for the update there, SHS1. I guess I wasn't looking at the side when I drove by....only inside and saw no one. Good to know. However, everytime I tried calling, no one answered the phone. And it is the same # as I used before. I will keep trying as I really like their bread. I will also try the other bakery north of the new clock. Again, thanks for the info....ett

We only use the Namkok for boating, but have seen lots of fish spry in the shallows, some big catfish and little silvery fish - can you tell we are not experts? Most of the locals we see fishing are doing so in the ponds and monsoon drains, but we sometimes see people with rod and line on the river. I think the fishing season is January till May, but my advise is to go to the 'Fishing' sub-forum on here- you will find it under the main heading 'Sports, hobbies and Activities Forum', I'm sure someone there will be able to give you proper advise. Good luck.

many fish the river with nets and sometimes you see the odd Thai with a rod.

I have never been stopped ,questioned, fined or anything when I have thrown the line in.

I think its ok to fish and if your lucky you may catch one . Try the local lakes, they seem to be

the places many Thais do fish from .

We'll see you there. Thank you for offering an alternative site for this.

All very welcome at my house for next Sunday at 1 o'clock.

There's plenty of room and parking no problem.

I'll post a map and directions later in the week.

We took a chance and went to Chiang Saen today. Boat racing (!). Some in morning, more in afternoon. About a kilometre course -two very long boats each race. Great fun. Lots of noise, mass picnicking and food stalls along the Chiang sean side of the Mekong. Parade of floats, drums and a final flurry of water blessings via hose pipes, buckets. Believe there is more tomorrow.

Looking for information about the 4 nation boat races. have been on all the official tourist sites i can think of but info. is patchy. So far I've gathered they are near Chiang Sean and possibly on the 16th/17th/ 18th of this month. Any further clues would be welcomed.

Took a ride today. Thanks to the Harsu gang for showing us the way to some cool stuff. I hope they can go on future trips with us. They are good company.

Riding, sightseeing, eating, drinking coffee, self guided tour at Doi Chang and visiting. What a complete day. We didn't get wet. Took in the zoo, the reservoir and the reservoir dam, DC, the bakery and, up high, took in some smoke when the mountain was burning. Two of the more adventurous riders struck out for home the back way from DC. I'll give that a route a try next time, in the not too distant future.

Great company today, as always. We were missing a few of the previous riders and gained a few new companions on this ride. Super people to spend time with, all of them.

Thanks for sharing the trip photos.

It reminds me of our visit when we say you both :jap:

You'll have to make a trip with us one of these days. Always a nice day of getting to know people. For me, it really is about the folks more than anything else.

Lannaman - please don't feel you need to apologise. It was just me pulling your leg. I always try to be the photographer not the photographed one! J. says I should have used a smiley face - here it is- belatedly.

lannaman, I demand a removal of me drooling over the pie. What a horrible photo!! Reality hurts. Next time I'm wearing a burka with pie slot. It was a nice day though.

Cannot remove, If you have a camera next time I'll be hiding!

With tail between legs Lman publicly apologises.

Click on "My Settings", proceed to "Manage Attachments", check the offending image and then delete. Easy-peasy, you have learned how to do something new.

You can even replace it with a photo of a burqua...no one will know it is not her.

I agree about the dedicated parking Harry, we found two spaces by the lifts in the middle of complex that have w. chair only parking, but couldn't find any more than that. But- aside from that - Central seems to have done well. We did a recce before taking our 'user' and found three lots of lifts that are big enough for w.chairs of any size and manoeuverability room as well! So you can turn around and face outwards once you're inside. The disabled loos are nice and roomy too. The aisles in Robinsons aren't too close together either. So it gets my family's thumbs up.

Agree about the wheelchair facilities except for one thing... or maybe two. There is currently no dedicated wheelchair parking and they told me that is because they did not think there were many people in CR with wheelchairs. I need it as I have tho be able to ener my vehicle with a wheelchair so needs space on the right hand side and space at the back for my lift/ Also the security had no idea where to go and took me to 5 non accessible doors before I got to one I could use. I now know where to go but a little signage and training would help.

Of course it takes time for people to realise that people in wheelchairs can drive and manage by themselves without having to be driven everywhere or left at home as it is too dificult. I was a little disapointedas i know how good Central is in regard to access generally ans is Tesco and in its newer stores BigC.

lannaman, I demand a removal of me drooling over the pie. What a horrible photo!! Reality hurts. Next time I'm wearing a burka with pie slot. It was a nice day though.

First time out with the bikers of TV Crai, and a most enjoyable day it was with the best of company. Here are the promised pix, just look at that lady drooling over the lemon pie!

For those wondering what kind of female company their wives may have on this trip, my wife says she believes she will be going. But because it is a lengthy ride, she will insist we stop often for a rest. She and I will stop when she needs to stop and if we have to catch up to the others later, that is no problem.

T. came by late p.m. with a map , but missed you. He will drop it in tomorrow (with full instructions) .......if you're not in. The apple or mango cheesecakes at the half-way stop are to be recommended. Enjoy your ride.

We will drop off the precise directions to the routes to Kandahar and Woraphat. They're very straight forward. probably tomorrow if that's not too late.

I like the harsu suggestions. Is it straightforward as far as directions?

Didn't like that, and a few little shivers since. Anyone know where it was centred?

My first

Been though many and i would say that was a 5.8 not too severe a shaker is what we call that type. The other type is a roller.

You could leave a PM for Woraphat on the forum - I can't remember if she has helmets in her shop, but she's certainly got all the other proper protective gear for biking.

Try the shop near Da Vinci restaurant on the old bus station road, its a few door up from the Tesco Lotus Store, on the same side .

Another suggestion. Took the 3037 up past Wawee (วาวี) today in the truck. Turn off the C.M road at Ban Huai San. A longish drive. Major curves and hills but all paved (except for one 75 metres stretch being repaired). No pot holes. Should be great on bikes but not in the rainy season as the hill sides look subject to slides and some of the bends are bendy! First part takes you around and over the end of the big reservoir.

Pine trees, bananas, tea shrubs, lots of native poinsettia and water buffalo. Only saw two vehicles on the way up. Air quality wasn't so good so views not as spectacular as I'm sure they can be but still some fab. vistas.

Very Thai/Chinese area like Mae Salong. Had a refreshing pot of oolang (and another family member had the strongest cup of coffee ever and is still buzzing now)at the Lao Lee resort 4 km past Wawee. Spoke to some people originally from Taiwan but who now grow tea up there. Then headed back to Chiang Mai road and fav. resort for strawberry cheesecake before home. Good trip, lots of different vegetation, lots of places to stop and look.

The Wawee road signposted a turning off to Doi Chang along the way but we don't know what condition this linking road is in. If it was good, you could do a round trip rather than going back the same way. As it was it took less than half the time to come down as to go up, and, anyway, the views were worth it.

I haven't been on a motorcycle since 1975, I'm dangerous enough now on a bicycle. But I'll be happy to look out for more routes from the comfort of the truck.

So dust off your Saddle bags Harsu, and lead us on that trip (those trips) . T can stay home and do the chores for the day

Somewhere else that is a nice easy (rainy season)drive is to go down to Chiangrai zoo off the old C.M road (stopping to say 'hello' to the toucans and talking mynha birds) then back down to the C.M road where you have the option to head up to Doi Chang coffee up the hill if it's dry, or to go a little further along the main road to access the dam/ reservoir off to the right for a breather/coffee/ lunch. After that it's down to Mae Suai to stop off at the Charin resort on the left hand side of the road who do great cakes. Then it's straight back up the road to home. Should take the best part of a day at a very comfortable speed. The roads are all paved. Another nice route is to go up past Doi Tung and visit the captive breeding place and the Arboretum, then carry on over the hill to meet back up with the superhighway near Mae Sai. You need to take I.D with you if you are using this back road as there are a few military guard posts. Great views.

Nice offer Harry. Thanks and keep us posted.

raylo just joined the long list of guys who are more interested in my ass than I am. I don't understand it.

VF's statement, the original, basically said the request was redundant because of previous posts. And it was a bit redundant. But the statement with the word "redundant" wasn't an attack on TB, as near as I can tell. Maybe just a not-so subtle reminder to pay attention. The same statement would have fit me in lots of instances in the past. I don't see what the grumbling is about.

I agree with having trips that involve local attractions. I discovered the elephant camp on the last ride and today, my MIL, FIL and Aunt IL went out there with me. They had never seen it. FIL and his sister went for the 30 minute elephant ride, in the river and all and had a blast. So, discovering the local stuff gives my butt a rest and allows me to stretch my legs and it gets passed on to a few elders who have never seen some of these things. BTW, the FIL insisted on taking his machete on this trip when he heard we were going to see elephants. I don't know what he thought we were going to be doing but the wife could not talk him out of taking it. Cracked me up. Anyway, I think these three senior citizen Thais enjoyed the camp more than the youthful tourists that were there.

So, I think woralak has the next ride on his plate, in the CK area. Is that right? If so, I'm in but will go up the day before. If anyone wants to join up and go together the day before, let me know. I do know rooms aren't too expensive there. Maybe I'll just take a hammock and hang out out someone's house where I can get a shower. Can't speak for the wife at this time; don't know if she will go or not. Will have to wait until we get closer to the date.

i've just been reading the newsletter bit of www.chiangraitourist.com/ Apparently Central is 90% complete. They will have over 200 stores including Robinsons, Tops, something called B2S etc a foodcourt, cinema and a bazaar with 50 kiosks and 42 take away stalls. Weather proof surroundings -and -most importantly for my family - accessibility!!! I'll be able to take one person in their wheelchair. They'll be able to do their own shopping much more easily. Chiang Rai is a great place to live, but this help will open up socialising opportunities for some of the less able members of the community

All good to me. I'm a Maccas junkey and I hope Starbucks shows as well plus a Cineplex where a westerner can go to and not get treated like a POS eg: Big C cinema

Failed miserably to sample everything today. We were tempted by a spread of green curry, two types of pasta, three different potato bake dishes, baked chicken, two types of meatballs, salad, couscousand tagine, boston bean casserole, sausage and onion bake, apple cake, peach crumble, flapjacks and strawberry and cream dish. No doubt I have missed out others as the afternoon heat has affected my memory. Another very pleasant social and dining afternoon. Two dogs to entertain us , one of which occassionally blessed us with a cooling shower of lake water. If the decision is taken to continue them into the rainy season or at a different venue which offers more protection from the elements then you won't hear us protest.

Dear Jubby, This will not work. T. has been attempting to improve my disposition by letting me have my choice of dogs for years. The effects of female hormones/lack of hormones are resistant to all bribes and compliments. Even cute little dogs who let you put ribbons in their hair will not help. Just learn to recognise that there are times when you need to operate a quarantine -no approach - totally silent- zone around the afflicted person, and at all other times, be nice. The monster inside us strives to get out, it is beyond our control.

Having spent the last ten minutes being castigated by our resident expert on game systems for showing my ignorance on the forum, I will now try to correct what I said.

Playstation 2 games are everywhere, but BigC is the'best place to get them'. Playstation 3 games - there is a limited supply kept in stock at the Sony store (on the main shopping street where Da vincis and Boots are) but they have a brochure and they will order in what you want - it takes 2-3 days. The Tesco lotus, on the left hand side of the Superhighway going up to Mae Sai has some new and secondhand Playstation 3 games on a small independent stall at the front of the shop (before you actually go into the main shop. They also have some Xbox and Xbox360 games.

Hello from another relatively new arrival. What sort of games are you looking for? If its for PSP 2 you can get some up here, but for PSP3 there is a very ,very limited supply north of ChiangMai . If you let us know, my younger informant may be able to tell you if or where you might find some. Maybe when Central plaza opens a Games shop will open too.

Be careful, very,very careful. I still have some steel-capped stilettos in the bottom of the wardrobe.

Abso(bloody)lutely brian. ! Thanks for that. Women should be all 'sweetness and light'

Given me an Idea for a thread

See you all on Sunday. So far it looks like couscous, a beef balti and a peach tart/crumble sort of thing are the contributions to the fare. Tell Woraphat to make that cream/fruit dish again, Kandahar - that was seriously good. Actually, everything people bring is -haven't eaten anything there that I wouldn't be very happy to put my name to.

We'll return the Dexter dvds we borrowed last time and a couple of series of Fringe, and some Prison break, and anything else we dust off.

Hello from another relatively new arrival. What sort of games are you looking for? If its for PSP 2 you can get some up here, but for PSP3 there is a very ,very limited supply north of ChiangMai . If you let us know, my younger informant may be able to tell you if or where you might find some. Maybe when Central plaza opens a Games shop will open too.

Last I heard , it was scheduled for official opening at end of March.

I've heard hearsay evidence that it may be April.

I always like reading this forum thread, it's like being transported to an alternate universe.

a Dodgy Ducatti with some Harmonic frequency inbalance.

VF's Ninja .

and another Ninja with what looks like a wafer of a seat. whats the story behind that. Bike too comfy !?

I know nothing about Harleys but I guess thats a custom Job. That Back tyre is for show or designed to transfer some serious torque !?

I wonder who the tail end Charlie was who was riding the unassuming black step through behind the Duke, is this your new ride Jubb

Didn't spot the step through. nah. mines white and green, not so much white at the moment. Black would be better for sure. I'll give you Tail end Charlie though

You worry me with your tail end biz