kandahar

Same experience in CR as you are having. Our small Tesco is constantly out of the oil. But if you watch the news concerning oil in Thailand, you'll see why. Overall, the wife is just blown away at the recent increases. And, I just read that there is soon to be a 20% increase almost across the board in the US. It may not be as cheap to live here as it was a few years ago, but it is still a lot cheap than other places. I cannot imagine how some of the pensioners are getting by in the old countries. Sad stuff, all the way around. And sadder still, as the story almost always goes, the actual people who produce the goods aren't getting the increase for their labors or investments.

The last one pictured is currently rented. I was there for a party yesterday. It should be available again sometime next month. But, you made your point.

Kandahar, Were you and the family able to enjoy the pond and or swimming?

The place is out of town a ways on the old CM highway. I just spoke to the owner today. It will be available next month.

We didn't swim. I walked around, and studied, the pond for a bit. Then I took a nap under a tree. I'm kinda lazy at parties.

The last one pictured is currently rented. I was there for a party yesterday. It should be available again sometime next month. But, you made your point.

Today is the day and what a nice day for it.

Oh, yeah. That jubby. He's got a sense of humor alright. But I think he only does this stuff to me.

Rich, you can have them delivered to the wife's shop if you want. She will hold them until you're ready to get them put on and we can take them to whatever shop you choose for that, when you're here. No fee for that.

Let me know what price and model you go with. She may start carrying them here.

Anyway, I found the place but it took me an extra ten minutes because of the poor directions.

How much fish did you get? Is it worth the effort?

And how about the goat? Are you as interested in such things as old Jubbby?

When it comes to a daytrip the upper Hot Spring seem to be better. You can find Good food and Cold Beer there.

Going further up along the river you will find the Motorbike Bridge and can cross the river on that one and take the road passing Elephant Camp where they also have Cold Beer.

Some good suggestions, Sven. Will you be joining us?

Hi Biff.

I was going to ask for specific directions to your house. jubby just sent a PM to me with the directions, so I'll be good to go now. I will probably be about ten minutes late. I hope that is okay.

Quote: "My post was referring to your secret language of mentioning places without due thought to where they could be when read by someone not in the know. There are a few national parks around and Don could be Don Battles or Donald Duck and you were thinking to go by BrahmburgerLand. DD copyright notwithstanding."

That is a good point. I'll try to be more specific in the future. Your point hits home with me particularly well because of some trouble I had last week. I tried to follow jubby's directions to a not-so-well-known fishing spot. His directions were-

"Leave CR on that one road with the deep ruts made by heavy trucks. Follow the road until you can see the mountains on the left clearly. If it is a smoky day, you'll have to ride a little further to see them clearly. At that point, turn around and go back to where you would be able to see them clearly on a day without smoke. At this point, you'll come to the corner where the old school used to be, before they tore it down and it became an overgrown thicket. Make a right there and proceed to the intersection where that one guy crashed his motorcycle. You'll recognize it easily because there is usually a dog sitting on the road, about 500 meters past that intersection. When you get to the dog, turn around and go back to the intersection and turn in the same direction that the dog was facing and go until you see some big trees on your right. Now, slow down at this point and keep your eyes on the right side of the road. There is a small goat eating the weeds right there. After the goat, turn around and go back past the goat. You can keep circling around and watch the goat for a while if you want. I like to look at a goat. After you have had enough of the goat (is that even possible?) go to the little dirt track on your left. You will see a big, fancy house opposite the dirt track. Park you cycle a little ways down the dirt track and make sure nobody can see it from the house. Sneak across the road to the fancy house, cast your net into the concrete pond in the front yard and rapidly retrieve the net and the fish and then run for your motorcycle. Don't return to the road. That guy gets really pissed about fishing on his place. Instead, go ahead down the dirt track and at some point, you will see where I saw that huge snake crossing the track last year. If you turn there, you'll see a huge column of ants. Just go in that direction and you'll come out on the same road you were on before. Now, pay close attention on the way back to town. If you notice that the mountains are still on your left, then you're going the wrong way. That happens to me a lot."

Anyway, I found the place but it took me an extra ten minutes because of the poor directions.

Will take your word on the route. As usual you guys are talking coded gibberish to me. I live next to a National Park but no hot springs and maybe Dons' place is the restaurant not one of the tribe, so I am guessing you are talking somewhere else otherwise I move the spare expresso machine into the garage, sit on the garden swing and wait for you all to ride by. Exciting. At least I have good coffee!

No sheep around here. I could ask the district veterinary inspector to rustle a few up if you like?

I wouldn't steer you wrong. Don's can be found on the Google map. The hot springs can as well.

Check out Sven's Chiang Rai Google map creation from the pinned section of the CR forum.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=19.911303,99.835768&spn=0.019005,0.027466&z=15&msid=102422258087313895472.000466b6884458b352d35

At the left of the page is a legend, which is for the most part, listed alphabetically. You can click on Don's, Hot Springs or Hot Springs Swimming pool and the map jumps over to those locations. You can then zoom out on the map to see the route to and from CR. The springs shown there are apparently two different locations. But one hot springs out there does have a concrete swimming pool. The springs would be a pretty short day ride but, as I said, the road does continue on from there.

That photo obviously wasn't taken from my "good side".

Hot springs out past Don's sounds good. That road does continue on to somewhere but I have no idea where or what lies beyond the pot springs.

I am told that there are eating places out there at the springs.

Old jail sounds like a good meeting place. 7-eleven nearby for purchasing those last minute drinks and smokes.

If those suggestions are okay, then the next step is to find out when the rest of the folks can make it. Any of the days of the week that end in y are my sex days. Any other days are okay by me. But I have a commitment tomorrow and Saturday. Most of you probably have a commitment on Hash Saturday.

Don't fret about my ass. If it needs a break, I'll take a break. I know where to find you guys. I dunno why you guys always find my ass so interesting anyway. The women, I understand. But the rest of you?!?!?!?

The sheep thing sounds interesting. Send pics. I'll see if one will fit the grill.

So, it looks like my favorite Thai food isn't Thai. I suppose none of the dishes here are truly Thai? In that case, I will change my vote. My favorite is the Double Beef Whopper with Cheese at the CM Burger King with a side of Bic Mac from McDonald's across the street. Now we're talkin'.........

So altogether what I read is that you invite us because of the money? Being Dutch myself I remember that the Americans call this a Dutch Treat.

Americanism "Dutch treat" is when you each pay your own way.

The wife and I will be there if I'm still in country. Looking forward to it. Never been to a "traditional" wedding in this country.

Just so you know, we're only coming for the money. Make sure to have plenty on hand.

Any day is good with me, as long as I get a little bit of notice ahead of time. And the day can vary from month to month. Don't need a strict schedule. However, some of the crowd do have jobs during the week and on Saturdays (teachers) and will only be able to attend on weekends or holidays when the schools are closed. So, there might be some calls for a weekend ride occasionally.

Anyway, who wants to suggest the first date and destination? I don't know the routes and kilos to the interesting spots around here. I don't get out much. And don't let jubby suggest the destination. We'll all be whacking weeds and shearing sheep at his place for the afternoon.

Hi Rich. I hope you're doing okay.

Rich, try a PM to br549 and ask him what brand he has. He didn't buy the tires he has; they were on the bike when he bought it. They are the next size larger than the originals. They seem a bit taller but, more importantly, they are MUCH wider, giving a much larger "footprint" and, he says, much more stability. Adds a nice change to the look of the cycle as well.

Other than that, I don't know much about the after-market tires for that model.

So Kd. Got a new nickname . I guess its due to the way he walks.

'Sweet Cheeks' kinda Makes mine clench involuntary

I don't walk THAT way. But I am extremely handsome. EXTREMELY! It's a curse, you know.

Quote: "This may be off topic but this is a forum for members to interact, share knowledge and what have you within reason so no one really needs to get that anal:

Sweet cheeks (Kandy man)

If you are stocking up for riding apparel can you get hold of some Harley style kerchiefs?

Couldn't find them in Chiang Mai market anymore and the ones at the bike show were daylight robbery. To be expected I know.

Can order from OCC at $US9.95 each but the postage kills.

Let me know."

I'll ask the wife to look into it.

Several people have mentioned that they would like to find a group of laid-back biker types to do some day rides once a month or so. I'm all for it but will have to get my butt used to several hours at a time on the bike. Anyone else interested?

Would be nice if we could include some of those who know the ins and outs and want to share them.

Not looking for a road race or anything like that. Just off to a sight or two, lunch, a rest stop or two and meander back to town. Can even include a "long route and short route" scenario so there is an option on each ride.

I wouldn't even call it a guy thing. May as well be open to all. Most likely, a couple of the wives will be coming along. My wife is learning to handle her Phantom pretty well.

Khao is rice and to soy is to cut. I believe it is the rice noodle that is cut, however. In the end it probably looks something like this.

das right!

yeah, like I said, I am probably not spelling it right. I just eat it right. And it isn't rice. But if I point at it, they serve it correctly. Grand stuff, it is.

Got my licenses today, one MC, one car. No written test, no driving test. Watched a movie that was supposed to take two hours, the man said I only had to watch one hour and then he came in and shut if off after about 35 minutes. Went back downstairs, had my pic taken and got two each of the hard smartcards. Total was 360 baht. 100 baht of that was for the smartcards, priced at 50 baht each. Dunno why it was so cheap. Anyway, simple and painless.

Off subject question: Khandahar why hasnt Jubby dedicated some music to you? I would have thought "K"andy Man by Sammy D or I want "K"andy by Aaron Carter would

have typified you??

I have told him that my wife sings me to sleep with those two songs, every night, in her soft, sweet, beautiful Thai accent. But I suspect he is already searching for a nice YouTube video to dedicate to you. I can't wait!

Wife says the yellow noodle dish is called keaw sai kai. I probably haven't spelled that correctly. She says the shop is called por jai. That probably isn't spelled correctly, either. Same family as the dude who built the White Temple, the clock tower and lots of other stuff in this area.

The Khao Sai kai shop opposite Wang Come hotel on Yet Jod if famouse and people from everywhere come for their food.

It is white noodles in a soup with coconutmilk, chicken (Kai) and red curry. Then some dry yellow noodles (probably fried) on top. My favourite lunchplace too!

Yes, they have other dishes too.

Yes, that is the place and that is the dish.