Mousehound

I didn't know that Shimano has a factory in Thailand.

Do you know what they do here?

He told me they work on bike gear clusters. I remember when Campagnola was the thing then came Shimano and now seems to be swinging back to Campag again - at least amongst the local cyclists.

always obliging around the grassy areas of Mae Hia, CM . . .

Plain Prinia

Sweet. Obviously prime lens with that narrow dof, what did you use?

Bleedin' heck. If you took this with a bridge camera what am I doing with all my gear. This is an outstanding shot with the kit used.

This is a post I made on Chiang Mai blog as to why is cycling becoming popular in Thailand.

I made these observations on cycling generally and my experiences as a photographer for AUDAX Australia.

http://stevekeeling..../Cycling-event/

The above link takes you to some shots I did covering AUDAX Australia's 1200k in three days event. These people were from all over the world and in last years event a large number flew into Perth from SE Asia. So they are seeing a noticeable increase in interest for what is really extreme cycling. I am a follower of cycling but not a participant. As a photographer I do pick up on the reasons people do this sort of thing. Often it is reflected in a societies financial development but a lot of these people are not necessarily wealthy but a reasonable financial background is a must as the gear is not cheap. The gear is a great part of the thing. just as fishermen and motoring or motorcycle enthusiasts talk endlessly about gear, so do cyclists. There is also a great camaraderie amongst those that share an interest and a challenge and there is no doubt that serious cyclists are health conscious. Cycling is a great way to see a place as the speed is such that you don't fly past things and you notice more. I spend hours in the car following events as an official photographer and even I have found a closeness to the environment that I don't get hurtling along at normal speeds.
I first noticed a real cycling group in BKK (outside MBK) some five years back. There were about fifteen or twenty riders, well kitted out and led by an experienced rider who worked for the Shimano factory in Thailand. He was talking about the increase in interest to me. Last year I noticed several groups of road cyclists touring to the north and northeast of CM.
Other cyclists, like my son., are more into short road races or track racing. At fifteen he would cycle 50k to a venue do a flat out 45k race in an hour and then ride home. Others are more into touring and others Mountain biking. The immense popularity and TV coverage of le Tour has also made people more aware of the sport as well.

As for lycra and padded seats etc - they are for a reason - as is shaving the hair off the legs. The lycra is far cooler and dries off in the wet better than cotton. Also cotton once wet chafes badly. The shaving of the legs is so that when you come off you slide and the hair does not tear half your flesh away. It also helps keep wounds clean and aids the healing process.

Cycling is a great activity and I admire those that give it a go in whatever form.

I am thinking of lampang as an alternative to CM. I have heard it is a bit like a smaller version of what CM was like 30years ago.

There are usually two or three really nice ones parked just south of the NE corner -(inner) moat. Could ask there as someone is obviously an enthusiast. I had a black 1951n model in good condition. Sold it for $25. Please don't tell me what it would be worth now - I feel tired of living as it is.

Thanks guys - I got it. On a corner opposite "Fuji" camera processing shop and entrance to the Plaza - just as directed. Going to give this place a try. I hear that they pull no punches for farangs and the food is authentic, cheap and good.

There's a place right opposite The Plaza Hotel opposite the Kodak shop, extremely popular with Thai's and cheap.

They have it and other similar Thai desserts.

PS I think you can use the word restaurant on here, we know what it means.

The food in there is quite good value, gets packed lunchtime and early evening.

Sorry - don't speak French at all! LOL

I am having difficulty finding rahnaharn Tab Tim-Krob on Sridonchai. Would like to try the food out as I hear it is OK. Can anyone help? I tried looking on Google maps but coulsd not see it.

Thanks

Actually the Chinese have as much variety as say the Europeans. Cantonese remind me of Londoners - noisy and a bit crude but quite good fun whereas the Shanghinese are much more reserved. You can see this in the way they play mah-jong. Cantonese slap the tiles down but the Shanghinese feel the bottom of the tile and slide it forward. I employed both types in the one company and they did not get on with each other very well. Also some of the most urbane people I ever met were Chinese. But like most nationalities, if you are after sophistication and manners you tend to find it among the well educated.

So there is a good road from China to Thailand? Through Myanmar?

Once or twice I have put money on the bar and told everyone the drinks are on me - last time was 5000Bht. I never had anyone ever be anything other than appreciative. Also, I have given Thai workers a bottle of scotch as a symbol of my appreciation for their help. I have never felt they were upset by that. I should point out that I can not join them in the drinking but they seem to understand that. I really like to see them have a good time and have always had them smile and wave or at least acknowledge me if I bump into them later. So now I am a bit worried that I am doing the wrong thing and may have upset someone. But I really have never thought that before this post. I have to say that I don't make a habit of it - once a year at my birthday (which is also at a festive time for Thai people).

I've had a few of these and have to say I got what I paid for. The cheap Chinese stuff was difficult to set up with poor instruction and the fittings that hold the things all broke or didn't do the job. I eventually spent 3000Bht on an HP model and have now fitted all the family cars with them. Excellent quality and easy to use - came with GPS stamping as well. 3000Bht might seem a lot but we have had one accident that was in dispute and the camera saved the day and well and truly paid for itself several times over. Also saved my no claims bonus.

As stated - idle about 700-750rpm. If it can get to the top of Doi Suthep or somewhere similar without overheating or loosing fluid then it is probably a fair bet. Mileage doesn't mean a lot. I've had vehicles with 150k that weren't as good as those with 300k on the clock. Poor servicing (or none) and short trips are what kills an engine. An "honest" car that has been really well maintained is what you should look for. (If it looks too good to be true then beware). After all, you are only paying a small amount of monies and if you get a good year or so out of it then anything more is a bonus.

Set my camera up in the field a few weeks ago as the Cow Egrets were coming in to glean rice kernels from burnt straw. Change settings to HD if you like.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFrslhdOD0&feature=youtu.be

Nice! Cattle Egret with one Little Egret (taking off ) and two or three Grey Heron? in the far back of the paddock. Not sure about the Heron.

You could try:

http://thailand.longstayers.com/hua-hin/apartment/baan-weerut/th234.html

But I would imagine your best bet is, as in all towns, get a few nights in a guesthouse and start working the streets. You can be sure that price will go down as you get away from the town centre and the beach.

Linseed oil or any cooking oil is fine.

you should be able to get Linseed oil at a hardware store.

1. The best thing about IKEA is their free pencils.

2. I hope it will be something a little more useful than another computer outlet.

There is a special thick white paint that is now used on buildings - often on water tanks to get the temp down. Silver tarps do work but will collapse quite quickly in my experience. I get tarps to last a year at the most before sun and abrasion destroy them..

Rent a scooter is good if:

You are already experienced at riding a scooter

Have a valid license from your own country and have an international license

Don't give them your passport as a deposit

As a matter of interest what do Ausies do re documentation in CM?

I have been a couple of times in the last four years. The first time it was being used by the monks and I met the Abbot, an interesting and charming man, who spoke good English. The second time, last January, there had been a big storm and several trees and some structure seemed damaged and it seems the monks are no longer around. This is a shame as the monks really set the place off well. I like the town and people of Phemai. Not many farangs about. Both times I built a trip in to Phanom Rung in the morning,and last time a side trip to see some silk making. All in all a really good day. Coming from Phanom Rung we had lunch about 1.5k out of town at a good spot. may be on some of the travel blogs. The restaurants in town itself are very basic indeed. if you do Phanom Rung there are a group of rahn aharn near the police booth/tourist bay. These had some good food. Salted fish grilled seems a favourite - excellent. nearby are some large water tanks. These and Phanom Rung are thought to be pre Ankhor Wat. n4ear there is also a really lovely ruin (in excellent condition) with large lotus ponds. It is my favourite as in two visits I only saw one other person there - but the name escapes me. Most likely in lonely Planet though. This place is free to visit the others require an entry fee. Many of the Phanom Rung people seemed to speak Khmer.

This is a western problem as well. litter is a major problem in Oz. Two years ago I was teaching and the school head girl threw her lunch wrappers on the ground and then refused to pick them up. I spoke to her mother and the reply was "why should she pick it up? You are the teacher, it's your job to clean the place up, that's what you are paid for". I fear this is just a sign of the times. The parks around where I live in Oz are filled with dumped rubbish, including tons and tons of asbestos. having said that, there is no doubt that Thailand is really spoiled by the pervasivelitter problem. Litter clean-ups have to be handled at local levels to be effective.

Anyone using the new Canon 7D2?

Common Tailor

400/5.6 @ F8; 1/2500sec; ISO500; Man mode.

Great shot - and the info is very helpful for me as I use the same lens.