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wjmark

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    Specialized Info Needed Urgently ! !

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    Doesn't sound like the hard drive.

    Easy to find out. Take out the drive and turn on the computer. If the computer 'posts' and says something like "boot disc not found", then it is a problem with the drive.

    If you still have the same blue screen...

    it is something else (and then you can save all your data to another computer if you can't fix this one).

    Good luck

    Smooth Ferry To Koh Tao

    in Thailand Travel Forum

    Posted

    The Lomphraya catamarans are the only things running when the seas are REALLY rough (3-4 meter waves) and almost everyone is puking. Nobody is making a video!!!

    Being a catamaran (two hulls) it sticks to and follows all the swells and troughs. Because it has two hulls it can handle almost any weather. But because it has two hulls, it can make you sick easily - bouncing and jerking around a lot.

    That being said, it is the fastest way to Koh Tao. And if the water is calm, it is fine - a little noisy/buzzy - but fine.

    (Dramamine is good for sea-sickness - a little gentler than beer and (2!) diazapam. Not as much fun(!), but gentler...)

    The Lomphraya 6:00am bus from Khao San (is a little shabby), and gets to their own pier (30km from Chumporn) around 12;15pm. Their ferry leaves at 1:00pm and arrives Koh Tao just around 3:00. Khao San to Koh Tao in 9 hours. All pretty easy.

    I strongly suggest not taking the later Lomphraya bus from Bkk. I forget what time it leaves (evening sometime), but you get dumped at the ferry dock in the middle of the night, and you sit and wait for hours until the boat goes (I think at 7:00am or 8:00am).

    If you want a nice slow ride (and if the water is not too rough), the night ferries direct from Chumporn are best. They have 'mat rooms' and, while basic, are pretty comfortable. Get to the ferry early, and stake out your mat-space with your head near a window. Then it is a very pleasant crossing. And yes (probably) safe from thievery. 6-7 hours...

    ---

    I had a real thrill the last time I did it. I mailed my small off-road motorbike from Chiangmai to Chumporn (2000 baht), and took it on the night ferry (same price as a passenger 250b).

    At 5:30 in the morning we docked in the dark, and I rode my bike right off the boat and buzzed straight up the hill of the main town. Made my way to my regular bungalows, and 'Mama' was really surprised to see me show up pulling wheelies!

    That's a good hint - the Thai Postal internal system is good and cheap. Whenever I go to Koh Tao, I post one or two big plastic storage bins full of stuff to "Myself, Poste Restante, Koh Tao Post Office

    20kg - 200baht (not even EMS - just basic parcel). I pick it up when I get there, and have 20 kg of anything I want - rice cooker, olive oil, tools, small fans, big boots, whatever. Then before I go back to Chiangmai, I just dump everything in the bin, and post it back (Poste Restante, CM).

    Can't post motorcycles to Koh Tao - so Chumporn P.O. is closest.

    Bkk airport 24-hour Post Office also has Poste Restante. I sometimes get a box ready to fly, and mail it to the airport. Just pick it up and stick it on the plane - or take it off the plane, and post it somewhere.

    I am not sure why I just started talking about the Thai Postal System. But it is pretty convenient!

    ---

    I always stay at Mama Ochai's on Sairee. Cheapest (and simplest) bungalows on that beach.

    'Mama' moved to Koh Tao with her family in 1952 when it was still empty and unoccupied (it had been a political prison from '36 - '47). She was 17 then - an original inhabitant! Now she is around 80, and vibrant and hard-working as ever.

    I have spent too many hours laying in my hammock taking little videos of her.

    So I made a little video for her, and gave her some copies. (The Thai song is about finding 'perfection' in only one diamond out of a hundred. Honour, strength, honesty, loyalty etc. etc.).

    You can see that Koh Tao is pretty nice!

    Mae Hong Son Loop....In The Smoke?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    1 more quick question ?

    Wave or Ninja ? and why ?

    Sorry, but that is a pretty silly question. And one you should know how to answer yourself!

    What are you capable of riding?

    Want to have a nice slow trip with lots of scenery? 10hp Wave.

    Know how to handle a 33hp racing-style bike on crazy mountain curves, and have the reflexes to deal with with cars and trucks coming at you on the wrong side of the road? Ninja (or CBR)

    Rented Motorbike Stolen

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Pay the money....you didnt take enough care of somebody elses property.....turn the tables, you would want your money

    Nice comment.. tell me how you would take care of someone else's property in this instance, chain it up, drive it into the restaurant that you are going to rather than park where many other bikes are, order takeaway and eat it on the bike while your friends are inside.

    What steps could the OP in good faith have taken to " take care" as you put it

    You sure, so the guy must cuddle his rented bike in bed. Twonk. coffee1.gif

    I don't generally trust motorcycle rental places. Yes, there is a good chance the bike was stolen by the owners (or their agents of evil). It is an old and well-known scam.

    But given the lack of proof, and still a GOOD possibility the owners DIDN"T steal it from you, what else can you do but step up and pay?

    Transam and monty1412 - are you really saying that you would stick it to the rental place? With no proof they did it? Would you really take responsibility for somebody else's property, lose it, and then just flit away?

    (Of course it will never come down to it, but) I would never lend you guys anything...

    monty1412 - you ask, "What steps could the OP in good faith have taken to " take care"?".

    As you note, he could have used a lock and chain... No need to "drive it into the restaurant", or "cuddle his rented bike in bed" (Transam)

    Transam - I assume you don't sleep with your V8 Pontiac (if that is actually what your name means). I assume you lock it??? Twonk.

    Yes, the OP could have (and clearly should have) used a lock and chain - in good faith...

    Where To Buy Cheap Beaten Up Electric Guitars?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    The second hand market on the weekends (near Prince College, on the way to the bus station), has a stall selling used and new guitars. Prices aren't that great, but if he has something beat up, it might be cheap.

    Look at all the vendors - they might have one. I bought mine from some little stall for 2000 baht about 5 years ago (Chinese Strat knock-off - actually plays really well).

    Good luck

    Honda Scooter Service/Dealer In Chiang Mai

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    Change oil? Maybe. I wouldn't trust them to change a tire.

    ---

    Had a flat on my Wave. Went to Nat. The junior (flunky) mechanice wheeled the bike up to me, and when I sat on it I realized the wheel was pointing one way, and the handle-bars another way.

    He had put the lugs on backwards on one of the forks...

    ---

    Had them replace a dented mag wheel on my CBR 150. The kid put the tire on it with a screw-driver and scratched the bejesus out of it.. Brand new - and scratched up by Nat.

    Manager didn't care.

    ---

    One day my CBR stopped working. Just died when I tried to start it. The head mechanic ripped the whole engine apart, and told me the piston was 'slightly' oval. Needed an engine rebuild.

    Needless to say, after it would't start with the rebuilt engine, he then tested the ECU (electronic plug-in box), and lo, that was the problem.

    Of course I had to pay for the useless engine rebuild, and the ECU.

    ---

    The manager does speak English, but he is only useful if there is no problem.

    ---

    Those are some of my experiences at Nat.

    Location Of Store Selling Motorcycle Tires

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    I have put 35,000km on my Wave 125 - much on the highway. I just put on some Vee Rubber (had Thai Dunlops before) , and I think they are great.

    Sticky, strong, cheap, and made in Thailand. Get the biggest that'll fit on the rims.

    Any motocy shop in Thailand!

    35,000k's on a wave??? My hat is off to you my friend wink.png

    I bought it with 19,500 on it and it has 55k now. Still strong like bull...

    Any Recommendation For Good Indian Food ?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    Yes - the one on Loi Kroh is very good - my current favourite (even UG liked it!). They used to have dosas on the menu, but nobody bought them.

    http://www.rajdarbar...com/p/menu.html

    I haven't been to New Delhi for a while, but it used to be my favourite.

    A couple of the Middle Eastern restaurants near the night bazaar do some pretty good (and expensive) Indian food.

    Anyways, this topic is the similar to all of these. Same restaurants discussed. Same self-promoting ads for frozen curries. Same conclusions.

    http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/512285-authentic-indian-restaurant/

    http://www.thaivisa....6-curry-nights/

    http://www.thaivisa....ic-indian-food/

    http://www.thaivisa....sma-restaurant/

    Does Anyone Know Where To Take Kids Camping

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    Yes. Turn left onto 1096 from 4 Seasons rd. The right turn is about 1.5km past the X-Center (which is on the left side), but on the other side (right side).

    Turn right (off 1096) just before the PT petrol station. There is a sign for Sukantara. Go 18km (veer left on the only fork in the road - about 12km in) you are there!

    Does Anyone Know Where To Take Kids Camping

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    I was on my motorbike yesterday, and I wandered up a road that ended up at a fantastic camp-site in the mountains. Spectacular.

    It was part of a Hmong village, with a large camp-site and lots of tents overlooking the mountains. It was also quite high up. Road was not paved all the way but decent.

    Coming from Mae Rim on the Samoeng road, the turnoff is 3km up on the right.

    This right-hand turnoff is just before the petrol station (I think PTT). On the other side of the petrol station is an ATV rental place.

    From there is is about 15km to the site...

    I only came to one fork in the road (at Pang Kha), and I took the left one. It goes up and on, and ends up at this fantastic campsite.

    I just looked it up on a MAP!!! (google didn't have it!), and it is called Hmong Lodge - and it is on the Ban Hai, Pang Haeo, Sukantara Resort road...

    Really lovely up there...

    Was back up there yesterday. Just want to correct the directions.

    The turn off the Samoeng road is just before the PT petrol station. And the campground is not at the Hmong Lodge - it is about 4-5km past it.

    The fork in the road is past the Hmong Lodge, and is marked by a 'fork in the road' sign. The left road is unpaved and goes up the hill. That is the one to the campground - maybe 3km.

    Three Restaurants

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    HK restaurant has moved again and it is now opposite the grand view hotel on the super highway from 5pm onwards just saw it on the way home .

    Yup - they sure have! I just checked it out, and it is just as delicious as it was at the last two locations.

    And yup - it is right across from the Grandview Hotel in the outside food plaza that sets up in the 7-11 parking lot after 5pm. About 500 meters from Huay Keow road...

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