Hope you enjoy the next 40 years just the same.

8 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Fantastic pics and by the looks of it life.

But i would also guess that you are in the global wealthiest 1% Ofcourse Thailand or anywhere else for that matter should give you all you want.

Being in the global 1% means making more than about $32K USD per year. Which in Thailand is very adequate, in the USA it would be just getting by.

I could live like this these days, I left Bangkok long ago.

 

I do like to go out for some beers in some local bar / sports bar type place once or twice a week, I have a feeling these would be a little rare around your parts.

3 hours ago, HuskerDo said:

Stunning. If I were ever be jealous of another person you would be one of them. How are the issues with mosquitoes, snakes, etc out in the countryside?

There are mosquitoes and many other flying bugs but we have good screens on doors and windows to keep them outside where they belong.  Most of the snakes I see are roadkill.  If they are swimming in the pond or slithering for cover out on the trail I don't mind.  Every couple of years we may get a snake threatening one of my pets and I kill it.  The cats are great at exterminating mice and rats.

4 hours ago, HuskerDo said:

With all the farmland around do you have huge issues with the burning there in the Springtime? 

Yes, my neighbors like to burn.????

 

20 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

Yes, my neighbors like to burn.????

 

Good morning! I have to say I envy you somewhat. We just arrived from the states the first week of November. We have a fabulous Western/Thai home in a very secluded neighborhood in Doi Saket. We went to Chaing Rai about three weeks ago and if it weren’t for my wife’s position at the Concord Unity International School, we might be interested in something reminiscent of what you have. All the best!

Umm m, you got a room fer rent?

 

A refreshing and heartwarming change reading somwthing from a happy expat.

Nice post

4 hours ago, neeray said:

Hope you enjoy the next 40 years just the same.

Forty might be a bit much.  I am 64 and my parents died in their early 90s so something less than 30 would be more to my liking.  I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome.????

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

I could live like this these days, I left Bangkok long ago.

 

I do like to go out for some beers in some local bar / sports bar type place once or twice a week, I have a feeling these would be a little rare around your parts.

We are only an hour from town (55km) but we don't drink and we are seldom in town after dark.  My wife enjoys public speaking at the local Toastmasters and we may have the occasional party or dinner but I really have no idea about the bar scene.  With the animals, we usually need to be home before sunset to feed and walk them.  I spent twenty years single and going out every night in Bangkok so I have had my fill of nightlife.

9 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

Forty might be a bit much.  I am 64 and my parents died in their early 90s so something less than 30 would be more to my liking.  I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome.????

Ah but even tho your parents made it to their 90's maybe you have a less stressful life as shown in the great photos so I say you plan on making it to 100.  :-) 

1 hour ago, villagefarang said:

There are mosquitoes and many other flying bugs but we have good screens on doors and windows to keep them outside where they belong.  Most of the snakes I see are roadkill.  If they are swimming in the pond or slithering for cover out on the trail I don't mind.  Every couple of years we may get a snake threatening one of my pets and I kill it.  The cats are great at exterminating mice and rats.

That's a question I had (mice and rats). Is the area inundated with them or only on occasion?

41 minutes ago, Respectthailand said:

A refreshing and heartwarming change reading somwthing from a happy expat.

Nice post

Thank you.  I get the feeling there are more happy expats than one might imagine but they are easily discouraged from posting on sites like this.

46 minutes ago, Respectthailand said:

A refreshing and heartwarming change reading somwthing from a happy expat.

Nice post

Indeed!

4 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

Thank you.  I get the feeling there are more happy expats than one might imagine but they are easily discouraged from posting on sites like this.

I believe there are many happy expats here in Thailand. I also believe most of the "happy" ones live outside the tourist hotspots and BKK, and it is entirely possible that many of them are not posting regularly on TV. They have more interesting things to do. I love rural Thailand, the food, the people, the fishing, and the scenery.

1 minute ago, HuskerDo said:

That's a question I had (mice and rats). Is the area inundated with them or only on occasion?

They live in the fields mainly and are food for snakes and birds of prey but if they get near the house the cats get them.  I only see the carnage after the cats are finished with them.  

 

We have lots of lizards.  There are four or five different types which live outdoors with only the little ones getting into the house.

 

 

 

 

 

They live in the fields mainly and are food for snakes and birds of prey but if they get near the house the cats get them.  I only see the carnage after the cats are finished with them.  

 

We have lots of lizards.  There are four or five different types which live outdoors with only the little ones getting into the house.

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic pics!!!!!!!

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

Indeed these are incredible photos. Are any of the lizards poisonous in any way (i.e. bacterial infection due to a bite).

4 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

Indeed these are incredible photos. Are any of the lizards poisonous in any way (i.e. bacterial infection due to a bite).

The lizards seem harmless and they are difficult to get near enough for them to bite.

These are seasonal guests and the transformation is astonishing.

 

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

These are seasonal guests and the transformation is astonishing.

 

 

 

 

 

You need to sell your photos if you don't already. You are as good or better than photographers at National Geographic. Thank you for sharing them.

14 hours ago, JAFO said:

During rice growing season the fields are stunningly green.

I would add to your description the words "vivid green".

 

Great thread and pics VF, kudos from another happy countryside dweller.

beautiful photos - great lifestyle... is there a plot of land available next door? 

1 minute ago, HuskerDo said:

You need to sell your photos if you don't already. You are as good or better than photographers at National Geographic. Thank you for sharing them.

Thank you but I don't think I am nearly that good.  I just enjoy sharing images of this little part of the world I live in.

16 hours ago, CharlieH said:

a stark contrast to the negativity

You mean normal honest families living in the real world that aren't millionaires or retirees just trying to live their lives but get shafted by immigration or their employers at every turn?

1 minute ago, villagefarang said:

Thank you but I don't think I am nearly that good.  I just enjoy sharing images of this little part of the world I live in.

I could not disagree any more with you VF. I think many folks that have seen these photos today will agree that you are indeed an excellent photographer.  :-) 

 

Again, thank you for sharing.

2 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

I could not disagree any more with you VF. I think many folks that have seen these photos today will agree that you are indeed an excellent photographer.  ????

 

Again, thank you for sharing.

I am perhaps more observant and aware of my surroundings than some and I almost always have my iPhone in my pocket to snap what I see.  Again, thank you for your kind words.????

7 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

always have my iPhone in my pocket to snap what I see.

The photos are absolutely stunning. Surely not with an iPhone tho - please share some tips how you did that?

18 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

I am perhaps more observant and aware of my surroundings than some and I almost always have my iPhone in my pocket to snap what I see.  Again, thank you for your kind words.????

Yeah - I've got that too = in reverse......

Riding the bikes with my daughters - Dad see the flowers on that tree? Me, what tree - oh yeah - pretty....Dad stop I want to pick some rose apples - me, huh - oh yeah there is fruit - & a tree there.....

 

But I do notice cars, parked or moving - cuties - doggie land mines & machine gunning birds waiting for us to ride underneath for target practice + acknowledge the same folks that wave or nod that are also our most every day....

 

Not to good with the green stuff, bugs, fruit, & flowers though....

28 minutes ago, MJKT2014 said:

The photos are absolutely stunning. Surely not with an iPhone tho - please share some tips how you did that?

I have had a few compact cameras in the past but now I use my iPhone exclusively.  I have never been one to go on photoshoots with the sole purpose to take pictures.  I like to go places and do things and if something catches my eye I take a picture.  That is why the iPhone is so great, I have it with me so it is easy.