CNX

When you actually live in LOS, travelling can be a hassle. The problem is that -

a) you have the time of your choice (if retired)

you are in the hub of 'Traveland' - close to most countries except the Americas.

However, I have done very little - BKK, Pattaya (drove down), the North of LOS & SGP. I am going to BKK next week for the first time in years. What I am trying to say is that the world is @ our finger tips. I am upgrading to a digital SLR camera soon (after refusing to give up my film SLR) & am seriously considering going to Calcutta for Songkran (2549BE) (I have a post here seeking advice on Calcutta). I have been to Hong Kong, China, Bali, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia, SGP, Macau, Nepal, Malaysia. The absolute best was the Taj Mahal in Agra (India) & Kashmir (India). The worst would be Nepal & Sri Lanka. Next year, I might just make my first trip to Europe - Italy & Sth France? I can watch USA on TV.

Going on a holiday makes me appreciate that I am living in Paradise after numerous adjustments (& I am still a student of 'Living in Thailand').

Thanks a heap Nordlys - this topic area is so large, there must be many repeat questions.

I note that you have experience with digital SLRs. I have had a T70 - motor died. Then bought an AE-1 Program with a Tamron 28-200mm lens. It produces a great print but now it is time to go digital.

Like many, I have given myself a headache. I held the 350D & 70Ds. The Nikon was a mile ahead - great camera & superior lens. I have never seen a 20D. So I will compare the 20D with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR lens.

I am looking @ about B44-45k for the Nikon & B80+k for the Canon - an extra B40000! The Nikon looked good, felt good, menus seemed relatively simple etc. However, I would like to do a little B&W. For my usage, Mega Pixels don't matter. Functions of the 20D may be too complex for me but I always look for a camera as a long-term investment. I am definitely an amateur & a low/mid volume user. Over 8 years, the difference of B40000 is B100/week!

Any personal input /opinion before I visit the retailers would be appreciated. I always look @ value rather than price.

I am coming to BKK on Tuesday - 27th September & am in the market for a quality digital SLR. The Nikon comes with a suitable lens in the package but the Canon apparently comes with body only (I don't want the 18-55 lens). I would buy the latest 17-85mm specifically designed for the 20D. (I do not enjoy having multiple lenses.)

Your opinons on the packages are welcome! Where does one go to buy?

The Nikon is around B44500. The Canon body is about B59000 & the lens around B24000. So, we are comparing B44.5k to B83k. I held both the Canon 350D & the Nikon 70Ds. The Nikon won by a mile. Comparing the Nikon 70Ds to the Nikon 50, I was persuaded by the quality of lens provided by the 70Ds. I have not sighted a Canon 20D (reviews only). For simplicity, it seems that the Nikon is a winner (I am not into manual photography but like the idea of some B&W).

My current camera is an AE-1 program - 1981 vintage! I am not a professional photographer nor an enthusiast but nor do I wish to continually update to the latest model.

After sales service is unimportant as I do not reside in BKK.

Thanks guys.

3 days is enough! Indian food (dosas) & especially Indian tea (it is good just to watch the tea-making). Ladies - the only ones I saw were 'Thai Katoeys'. Use a taxi! I am very happy with mine - honest & prompt. His name is Muthu (Hindhu). Mobile no. is 012 462 8090. Forget the rickshaws! BS & too hot.

A 'must see' - Pinang Peranakan Mansion - purchased by VERY rich property developer. More than 1000 antiques & collectibles to see. Opening hours - Mon - Sat - 9am - 5pm. Conducted tours - 11.30am & 3.30pm (On time; not Thai time). In the low season, I was given a personal tour by the guide - very polite & informative. In fact, the people are well-mannered; speak English & Malay & Chinese for some. The cleaner @ my hotel had to speak all 3 languages to get the job! They even follow the traffic regulations.

Change THB into MYR @ the money changers in Penang - far better rates than LOS or banks.

There are some shopping plazas with quality goods (similar to that found in bazaars in LOS - 'things to listen to or watch on TV'). No bargaining much; buy more & they offer a discount.

Thanks Monty. I see the light!

'dynamic ip' provided the student with a natural conclusion. Accept it the way it is. In fact, tonight has been reasonably good. The only problem site was 'Yahoo Mail'. I can wear that. That is why we are in Chiang Mai - life is somewhat slower - similar to our thinking?

when you say you sighted your server on adslthailand what do you mean.. Are you hosting a website or what kind of server ??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No. I accessed adslthailand.com & it shows you which server address you are connected to. I know a little more than zero about this technology but it seems that the server can change @ any time as controlled by the provider? During the day, ADSL ran beautifully. Tonight, I cannot access Yahoo Mail. I checked the website again & it appears that the provider no/address has changed eg during the day, I was on 203.188.24.73. Later, I was on 203.114.103.236 & then 203.188.26.78.

My speeds per the above website are OK eg overseas - download speed is 240kbps & upload is 70kbps (New York). Locally, the bandwidth is 440kbps but then it calculates download @ 55.01kbps.

Frustration & ignorance!

You 100Mbps speed is not your internt speed, it is the speed that your computer is connected to the router via the ethernet port. Also most speed tests on the internet are inaccurate here purely because most are based so far away (marjority in the us). Your speed is rated at 512/256kbps up/down with silver cyber. That gives you a theoretical max download speed of 64KB per second and 32KB per second for upload, don't expect to get more than around 80% of this on a good day.

If you are plagued by page cannot be displayed errors etc when you think it should be working, you could try some different DNS servers, that has helped for me in the past.

There have been several suggested addresses posted here already, I am using using these two right now:

203.121.130.42

203.121.130.39

Hope this helps abit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Pomthai! Until today, I would have known ZERO about this matter. Firstly, I should congratulate TOT. Today, 2 of their staff came to my condo. They checked speeds etc & advised that my server was quite good. (However, I will retain your suggested addresses for future reference).

To display my total ignorance, I sighted my server on www.adslthailand. If I wished to change the address, what would be the steps?I only accessed ADSL yesterday for the first time & it is delightful. How could you cope without it? That being said, I will 'sit' for a month & then review. What a life!

After backing off for a few years until the broadband market settled, I finally ventured into TOT SilverCyber with their B1000 modem/router. I am not a whizz regarding this technology. Speed is stated @100.0Mbps. I have done a couple of 'real speed' tests & have had much difficulty in accessing popular websites eg Yahoo Mail, ThaiVisa & Numion (internet real speed calculator) in the evening - CANNOT ACCESS ISP). Numion has tested between 67Kbps & 113Kpbs.

A solution? New router? Upgrade to GoldCyber? On pre-paid cards, @ least I could connect to Yahoo Mail etc in the evening. Any suggestions? I live in Chiang Mai.

I have been to Delhi, Rajasthan & Kashmir - many years ago!

Now, I would like to visit Calcutta & maybe one other city.

Any suggestions on:

Places to stay - medium price & convenient

Places to see - Calcutta tours

Places & times for photography

Tour packages from BKK

Anything else that you consider relevant

Maybe a reputable astrologer

(I have an old edition of Lonely Planet)

I only watch the Aussie NRL (rugby league) and occasionally the aerial ping pong that they play down in those southern states. Only 2 more weeks though until the comp is finished.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Watched the Broncos get a 'spanking' by the Tigers on Sunday. I come from BNE but in NRL you never know - similar to Thai women (or any other women) for that matter? Played Aussie Rules for about 20 years but it bores me to tears now & I used to live only 3km from the Gabba. Never saw them 'live'. Only watch the 'finals' now but in OZ, I was a regular viewer of 'League'. Have vivid memories of a holiday in Melbourne - Friday was 'insane'. Those Melbournites are addicted.

I enjoy the 'Travel & Living' channel & News Asia (from SGP).

Chanchao, I am very interested in the location of 'Naina Indian Food'. The best I have found to date (more than 3 years) is in Soi 9, Muang Mong Rd but you turn right @ the T-junction. Not the vegetarian one owned by the Sikhs but a small one owned by a Hindhu lady. The 'prontas' or 'parathas' are delicious (she is closed on Tuesday for the holy day).

For serious golfers, I would recommend:

Chiangmai Green Valley (about 20+km from town). Membership is around B85-90k. A round of golf for a member is about B150 (weekdays) + caddie (B200) + caddie tip.

Chiangmai-Lamphun (about the same distance). They have an annual membership fee of about B7k plus about B400 per game ++.

Maejo is dealt with in another post.

Lanna - membership about B150k. Fee for member is less than B100. As a visitor, the fee (weekday) is about B900++.

Of course, you can play at any course as a visitor or guest of a member.

For the non-serious golfer, there is Gymkhana, Sansai driving range & Wing 41.

One respondee referred to the "Malaysia - 2nd home program". The requirements are well outlined in the website.

Briefly, you can buy up to 2 houses & land (each must be RMY150000 each or more); you can borrow up to 60% from the bank; you can get a 5 year multiple entry visa; you must bring in somewhat more than that required for a Type O-A in Thailand ie RMY100k from memory - about THB1.1m. You must also have medical insurance.

House & land in Penang is expensive - condos are OK!

The big PLUS - a 5 year multiple entry visa!

In summary, it is my "back up"!