idle

Any one into Motorcycles in the Nongbaulampu area or Khon kean getting sick of riding alone 

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Well Rigger something in between, Udon has a lot of guys who ride and I'm involved with a small group who rides just about every Sunday, primarily Thai's nice guys. You might want to hook up with us and give it a try.

Great riding weather just around the corner. I think within the past month or so we have ridden through the Nong Bua Lumpu area. There is one American here who rides everyday, unfortunaltely in the hospital at the moment with a Knee replacement going on, so he will be down for about a month. we promised him training wheel wihtin thirty days if nothing else worked.

There are a lot of good motorcycle events going on within the next three months and some of us will be out and about for those.

Been thinking about taking a bit of Lao tour when the weather gets better myself.

Lots of thing to do and it is more fun in a group

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Yea, I knew going in I would be expected to help the family.  This was discussed with the GF before I left Thailand.  I just want the amount to be large enough to buy some nice 'extras' but not so much as to kill the incentive for them to continue to work.

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May I suggest that after you buy some nice extrs that, on your next visit, you check out the condition of those extras. Do they still work? Are they being properly taken care of. For example, suppose you buy a motorbike -- when was the last time the oil was changed? Is that bicycle you bought still being used or is it out in the rain with two flat tires? The tools and toolbox you bought -- where are they?

Geeeeesh.   And what was your life like for 2+ years with all the Farang in Pattaya?  Having said that, guess I haven't yet experienced the posted problems in Korat area to the degree that you talk about for Udon.  Sure there is the "occasional" Farang who might not be so happy, but overall, my experience of 15 years in the area just doesn't fit your decription of Udon.  Perhaps I'll make a trip up that way and "see" for myself.

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Hi Ken

I was in the Irish bar last night, spoke to Mai. I asked her why she only opened when the military were in town. She said that she was tired of all the expat farangs complaining and not spending any money. She liked to open when the military were in, as at was good fun. She does not appear to nead the money?

Edit: I recently posted 'Winging Farangs' Korat does have them too.

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Hey MPD: Yea, I know Mai's feelings about this as she has emphatically told me she does not like the Farang in Korat. But personally I see this as her problem. When Fergus was alive and running the place this was not a problem. Now it is with her. But for the local Farang...I think,no problem, most don't go there anymore (never know if she is open or not). They go where they can get better treatment....and yea, get more value for their money. That's my take on it anyway.

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I think you are right about there being a lot of ######s in Udon Thani area

All us good guys live in nongbaulampoo

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The good guys hang around Ban Dung, 80 miles northeast of Udon; they don't hang around farang bars because they moved to Issan to enjoy the lifestyleand great outdoors.

up2youbar, try to make friends with the locals and only mix with farangs with whom you have something in common.

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bannork do you know Dave from ban dung (ex Pattayaup2u) was establishing a nice meeting place (a quite drink every now and then) just out of ban dung??

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Well, the folks here in Isaan could use the tourist dollars, that's for sure. On the other hand, one of the great things about the area is the lack of tourists -- at least it is great for travellers who want to experience something more "authentic."

Last week we took a road trip to northeast Isaan: Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan.

We were surprised at the dearth of tourists. We saw almost none.

Last time I was in the area (May of 2000), I saw plenty, including loads of backpackers.

At that time the area of the clock tower in Nakhon Phanom was quite active and the riverside restaurants there were full of customers both at lunch and dinner. Now that area is dead and most of the restaurants closed. The ones that are still open are empty and making zero effort to attract customers.

Since this is summer vacation in the US and Europe I expected to see at least a few backpacking university students exploring the Maekong region, but we saw none. Zip. Zero.

The hotels we stayed at were occupied almost exclusively by business travelers; both private and government. We visited several national parks and seemed to be the only customers.

What happened?

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Do you think it would be possible to swap books by mail? I know we might get stuff we don't like and there might be occasional cheat, but I'd be willing to give it a try.

I like mysteries, usually by American authors, the occasional historical fiction and selected "literature."

Michael