On 2/2/2019 at 7:39 PM, JAFO said:

For me, personally I prefer the laid back life here in the North and told my wife Its easier to visit BKK or a beach resort versus living there and fighting the tourists and chaos. 

+1.

Cities, any city does my head in these days for more than a day.

Traffic, the traffic...... (said in that Marlon Brando whisper as Colonel Kurtz - "the horror, the horror....").

How much is a meal for two?

 

20 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

How much is a meal for two?

 

I believe we put in 1000 baht per couple which included a sizable tip.  It really depends on what you order and whether you have drinks or not.

On 2/2/2019 at 9:16 AM, ballpoint said:

I've been wracked with guilt and now I simply must confess that the Bangkok dwellers were right all along and I have been living and posting a lie.  I apologise to fellow upcountry residents, but the truth must come out. 

 

What actually happens when I travel back upcountry is that I arrive at the local station on the third class train, pickin’ the splinters from the wooden seats out of my arse.  Ma brings the ox cart around and we ride on out to the farm, ‘ceptin’ when I’m lucky and Khun Somchai, the local squire, brings his I’tahn truck into town with a load of turnips and I can hitch a ride back with him.  If I'm really lucky there'll be a turnip that was missed still sittin' in the back and I can munch on that while I ride.  Gettin’ to the house, I go over to my corner of the room, the one that's divided off by the fertiliser sacks, chase the chickens out, and turn the straw mattress over to hide their droppings, and then I sit out on the porch playin’ my banjo and a sippin’ lao khao while Ma fetches up a plate of pig offal, grasshoppers and unhusked rice to chow down on.  When the sun goes down it’s time to hit the bed, as we can only afford one candle per week and we save that for Fridays when some of the other families come by.  We men play cards and chew terbaccy while the women folk gut and fillet the week’s frog, rat and turtle catch.  One advantage of being in Thailand is that it's usually nice and warm, but if it’s a cold night I grab one of the dogs that aint scratchin’ itself too much at the time to keep warm, and bed down for the night.  We get up when the cocks crow, around 04:00, and Ma lights the fire while I carry out my ablutions down at the waterin' hole.  Following a quick breakfast of crickets washed down with a cup of betel nut tea, I start my chores by mucking out the pigs, feeding the chickens and counting the children to see just how many we have now, and then start diggin’ in my garden patch.  Depending on the day, sometimes we ride the buffalo into town and trade a few veges for some batteries for the wireless, but most days we just work around our dust bowl in the morning, drink a case of homemade rice wine for lunch and sleep it off in the haystack all afternoon.  Evening time I’m back out on the porch a strummin’ my banjo and thankin' the good lord for giving me the 6th finger on my frettin’ hand, while a sippin’ the lao khao and waitin’ on Ma to finish cookin’ up whatever we shot out in the field that day.  Then the sun goes down and it’s off to bed again.  It’s a complicated life, but I can just about keep up with it.

 

 

Priceless!! 

20 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Priceless!! 

Thanks.  The sad part is, there will be people sitting in Starbucks, reading that post while sipping on their macchiato-achino-espress-lattes thinking "Yes!  I was right all along!"

1 hour ago, villagefarang said:

I believe we put in 1000 baht per couple which included a sizable tip.  It really depends on what you order and whether you have drinks or not.

Eschew obfuscation.

Were you ever in politics?

 

How about:

 

Average entree circa: xxx baht

Average main circa: xxx baht

Average dessert circa: xxx baht

 

Beer small bottle: xxx baht

Bottle wine: xxx baht

 

 

On 2/2/2019 at 2:16 AM, ballpoint said:

I've been wracked with guilt and now I simply must confess that the Bangkok dwellers were right all along and I have been living and posting a lie.  I apologise to fellow upcountry residents, but the truth must come out. 

 

What actually happens when I travel back upcountry is that I arrive at the local station on the third class train, pickin’ the splinters from the wooden seats out of my arse.  Ma brings the ox cart around and we ride on out to the farm, ‘ceptin’ when I’m lucky and Khun Somchai, the local squire, brings his I’tahn truck into town with a load of turnips and I can hitch a ride back with him.  If I'm really lucky there'll be a turnip that was missed still sittin' in the back and I can munch on that while I ride.  Gettin’ to the house, I go over to my corner of the room, the one that's divided off by the fertiliser sacks, chase the chickens out, and turn the straw mattress over to hide their droppings, and then I sit out on the porch playin’ my banjo and a sippin’ lao khao while Ma fetches up a plate of pig offal, grasshoppers and unhusked rice to chow down on.  When the sun goes down it’s time to hit the bed, as we can only afford one candle per week and we save that for Fridays when some of the other families come by.  We men play cards and chew terbaccy while the women folk gut and fillet the week’s frog, rat and turtle catch.  One advantage of being in Thailand is that it's usually nice and warm, but if it’s a cold night I grab one of the dogs that aint scratchin’ itself too much at the time to keep warm, and bed down for the night.  We get up when the cocks crow, around 04:00, and Ma lights the fire while I carry out my ablutions down at the waterin' hole.  Following a quick breakfast of crickets washed down with a cup of betel nut tea, I start my chores by mucking out the pigs, feeding the chickens and counting the children to see just how many we have now, and then start diggin’ in my garden patch.  Depending on the day, sometimes we ride the buffalo into town and trade a few veges for some batteries for the wireless, but most days we just work around our dust bowl in the morning, drink a case of homemade rice wine for lunch and sleep it off in the haystack all afternoon.  Evening time I’m back out on the porch a strummin’ my banjo and thankin' the good lord for giving me the 6th finger on my frettin’ hand, while a sippin’ the lao khao and waitin’ on Ma to finish cookin’ up whatever we shot out in the field that day.  Then the sun goes down and it’s off to bed again.  It’s a complicated life, but I can just about keep up with it.

 

 

There's turnips here?

On 2/2/2019 at 9:16 AM, ballpoint said:

I've been wracked with guilt and now I simply must confess that the Bangkok dwellers were right all along and I have been living and posting a lie.  I apologise to fellow upcountry residents, but the truth must come out. 

 

What actually happens when I travel back upcountry is that I arrive at the local station on the third class train, pickin’ the splinters from the wooden seats out of my arse.  Ma brings the ox cart around and we ride on out to the farm, ‘ceptin’ when I’m lucky and Khun Somchai, the local squire, brings his I’tahn truck into town with a load of turnips and I can hitch a ride back with him.  If I'm really lucky there'll be a turnip that was missed still sittin' in the back and I can munch on that while I ride.  Gettin’ to the house, I go over to my corner of the room, the one that's divided off by the fertiliser sacks, chase the chickens out, and turn the straw mattress over to hide their droppings, and then I sit out on the porch playin’ my banjo and a sippin’ lao khao while Ma fetches up a plate of pig offal, grasshoppers and unhusked rice to chow down on.  When the sun goes down it’s time to hit the bed, as we can only afford one candle per week and we save that for Fridays when some of the other families come by.  We men play cards and chew terbaccy while the women folk gut and fillet the week’s frog, rat and turtle catch.  One advantage of being in Thailand is that it's usually nice and warm, but if it’s a cold night I grab one of the dogs that aint scratchin’ itself too much at the time to keep warm, and bed down for the night.  We get up when the cocks crow, around 04:00, and Ma lights the fire while I carry out my ablutions down at the waterin' hole.  Following a quick breakfast of crickets washed down with a cup of betel nut tea, I start my chores by mucking out the pigs, feeding the chickens and counting the children to see just how many we have now, and then start diggin’ in my garden patch.  Depending on the day, sometimes we ride the buffalo into town and trade a few veges for some batteries for the wireless, but most days we just work around our dust bowl in the morning, drink a case of homemade rice wine for lunch and sleep it off in the haystack all afternoon.  Evening time I’m back out on the porch a strummin’ my banjo and thankin' the good lord for giving me the 6th finger on my frettin’ hand, while a sippin’ the lao khao and waitin’ on Ma to finish cookin’ up whatever we shot out in the field that day.  Then the sun goes down and it’s off to bed again.  It’s a complicated life, but I can just about keep up with it.

 

 

Oh. You've got pigs. You're on the rich side of the village.

2 hours ago, villagefarang said:

 It is a favorite around here and the owners are lovely people.

Joachim @ Chiwit Tamada?

54 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

Thanks.  The sad part is, there will be people sitting in Starbucks, reading that post while sipping on their macchiato-achino-espress-lattes thinking "Yes!  I was right all along!"

Ah but those of us who appreciate parody/sarcasm/hyperbole/wit and such will still see it for what it is.........priceless!

22 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Joachim @ Chiwit Tamada?

Yes, and his lovely wife.

Reported post removed.

 

 

For those interested in cost, to be honest, I didn’t even look at the menu.  I knew what I wanted to eat and don’t  know for sure what it cost.  I was busy talking with the other gentlemen at the far end of the table so asked my wife to order for me, to simplify things.

 

The only reason I know the final cost is because I overheard the discussion of how the bill should be equitably divided.  I am sure each entree had a different price, three men had a glass of wine, three had cappuccino, there were at least a couple deserts and perhaps something else I didn’t notice.  It was agreed that is was easier to just divide it equally and leave whatever was leftover as a tip.

 

On 2/1/2019 at 9:36 PM, villagefarang said:

iPhone XS Max.  I don't have any of my own photos going back very far but I have scanned some of the old photos of my parents and grandparents to keep for posterity.  The thing is there really isn't anyone who will want to look at them after I am gone.  At least they are not in boxes collecting dust and one click of the mouse and they are gone.

fortunately i kept all surviving pics of my childhood with my parents that were taken on a brownie box camera circa 50s, i have a large box full of em, thus my offspring will no doubt find them rather musing than a flash in the pan modern day F/B pic scroll and view without actually holding them in your hands & for me ? it is priceless.

fortunately i kept all surviving pics of my childhood with my parents that were taken on a brownie box camera circa 50s, i have a large box full of em, thus my offspring will no doubt find them rather musing than a flash in the pan modern day F/B pic scroll and view without actually holding them in your hands & for me ? it is priceless.

Yup, a photo in your hand gives a certain charm, especially the really old ones.

My dad has a vacuum cleaner box full of old photos from recently going all the way back to the 1920’s including my great grandmother and great grandfather.
The family home has gone up for sale as my dad is now in a home, so many memories will be lost, including the photos unless I can persuade my daughter to keep them.
I’m visiting next week but not really feasible for me to bring them back here, hence my search for a scanning solution.

Photos are timeless, the food photos are pleasant but only have a short shelf life ( pun intended ) , whereas photos of landscapes, family get togethers and events are to be treasured.

I took great pleasure in scanning some key photos for my dad and putting them on a digital photo frame , when I visit him I always comment on the photo slideshow and it brings a tear to our eyes I don’t mind telling you.

6 hours ago, villagefarang said:

We are not big joiners and don’t participate in all the expat activities available.  We pick and choose the activities and events we frequent based on what we are interested in and whether we are free, regardless of whether they are Thai or Farang in nature.  There are three or four Thai wives who like to go to lunch occasionally and they often decide on a theme of some sort, showing up in the same color or style of dress.  They even dress the menfolk sometimes, like yesterday.

 

With Chinese New Year coming up, yesterday’s attire was in that spirit.  Four couples, two British, two American, two working and two not.  We were all seated at one table but the girls were at one end and the men at the other, the way it often is.  With good location, good food and good service this restaurant is popular with most nationalities, Thai, Asian and Western.

 

I do of course have group photos but I’m not sure it would be appropriate to out the others in our group, yesterday.  We went upstairs for a photo opportunity after we finished eating and I will share with you some nonfood shots to give you an idea of the day.

 

Happy Chinese New Year 

 

 

 

Ya know VF, the Thai govt should be paying you for being probably one of the best promoters of the country.  :-) 

 

You are doing a great job of showing the beautiful side of the country and there certainly is an abundance of that. Thank you again. 

When/where is the Ballon Festival ?

 

Used to go all the time when I was in the USA

Balloon festival is at Singha Park in Chiangrai from February 13 to the 17th. I can send you a link later after I get home or you can just Google Singha Park they have parks in several places in Thailand

We had a few days with some smoke but the last two mornings have been beautiful.  No clouds to make for a more interesting photo but clear blue skies and a very comfortable temperature with a slight breeze.  You will perhaps notice a bit of a brown smudge on the horizon particularly on the right side of the picture.  Still not bad compared to Bangkok, recently.

 

This photo was taken just minutes ago so please no complaining about outdated photos.????

 

7 hours ago, villagefarang said:

We had a few days with some smoke but the last two mornings have been beautiful.  No clouds to make for a more interesting photo but clear blue skies and a very comfortable temperature with a slight breeze.  You will perhaps notice a bit of a brown smudge on the horizon particularly on the right side of the picture.  Still not bad compared to Bangkok, recently.

 

This photo was taken just minutes ago so please no complaining about outdated photos.????

 

We are seeing the same here weather wise. Crisp mornings as I ride my mountain bike for 15 to 20km along the river and now some of the huge trees are loaded with the red flowers that attract the birds. Its quite noisy.  Its peaceful and most of the folks smile as I ride on by. One thing about riding a bicycle in your area out here in the country is you do it enough people seem to now know you. There is a lady who sells fried bananas in the morning. I routinely pass her house and she always says Good Morning with a big smile. There is a guy that is always walking when I first start out on my ride and he always yells SAWASDEE KRUB!!!!.  My ride usually ends at this small little coffee shop near our house.  

 

Today after my ride I came back and my lovely wife was boiling up a few fresh chickens to make Khao Men Gai.  

 

Tomorrow is a motorcycle ride towards Tak through the mountains. Beautiful windy roads 

 

 

Here are a few aerial photos I took with my Drone where I ride my bike.

 

 

This pic is nearing the end of the rice season a few months back.

 

 

One of my Favorite coffee shops. The owner and I have become friends and in fact I did an aerial video and some still pics of his shop for fun and gave it to him and he uses them on his Facebook page. 

 

 

There is another topic running where everyone seems to be proclaiming that all Thais they know eat on the floor.  While I acknowledge it is normal for many Thai people, it certainly isn’t what we do in our village house.  Many of the people we know eat their meals at a table, like we do.????

 

Mornings are still beautiful but this evening we have some localized burning.  We often get these inversions where the smoke stays low and drifts across the front of the nearby hills.

 

Today was a beautiful day. I was out watering and came across this praying mantis. They are such unique insects.

 

 

 

Here it was clearly keeping an eye on me. 

 

 

It was about to grab a fly but seemed to be more interested in what I was doing.

 

 

Was heading down my wife's rose bush and gave me one more look.

 

One thing about country living, there is life abundant everywhere. One just has to take the time to look around. 

 

Tonight's sky was loaded with bats. 

 

 

6 hours ago, villagefarang said:

There is another topic running where everyone seems to be proclaiming that all Thais they know eat on the floor.  While I acknowledge it is normal for many Thai people, it certainly isn’t what we do in our village house.  Many of the people we know eat their meals at a table, like we do.????

 

That is your house VF? Ok, I'll admit it. I'm officially jealous for the first time in my life. :0) 

 

  

 

Where in Thailand is this?  Is the cost higher or lower than lets say Pattaya?  Also do you have things like a hospital, doctors, dentists, and food stores?  I would imagine you need a car since I doubt taxi's or Grab operate there. 

5 hours ago, HuskerDo said:

That is your house VF? Ok, I'll admit it. I'm officially jealous for the first time in my life. :0) 

 

  

 

 

11 hours ago, villagefarang said:

There is another topic running where everyone seems to be proclaiming that all Thais they know eat on the floor.  While I acknowledge it is normal for many Thai people, it certainly isn’t what we do in our village house.  Many of the people we know eat their meals at a table, like we do.????

 

Seeing the inside of this house along with the incredible photos of the surrounding area makes me wonder if there is a better place in the world to live.  

 

9 hours ago, Thomas J said:

Where in Thailand is this?  Is the cost higher or lower than lets say Pattaya?  Also do you have things like a hospital, doctors, dentists, and food stores?  I would imagine you need a car since I doubt taxi's or Grab operate there. 

We are located 55 east of Chiang Rai town, in the North of Thailand.  The general cost of living in Chiang Rai would be lower than Pattaya.  Yes, we have hospitals, doctors, dentists and food stores in Chiang Rai proper but again we live out of town and need to drive fifty minutes one way to get there.  There are taxis available in town but they would not be of much use as far out as we are.

 

All that said, I would not recommend where I live to a newcomer.  One really needs to spend time in more farang friendly places before attempting live in more remote parts of Thailand, in my opinion.  We have access to everything we need but it takes planning and time.  If you forget something on a shopping trip it will take you nearly three hours to go back and get it, assuming you don’t do anything else while you are there.

 

I have a nice car and enjoy my drive to town but with an old clunker it would be stressful.  There is no way you could do the shopping on a scooter where I live.

10 hours ago, HuskerDo said:

That is your house VF? Ok, I'll admit it. I'm officially jealous for the first time in my life. :0) 

 

That is certainly not my intent.????  I just get tired of people painting such a bleak picture of life in Thailand.  Yes, some people live pretty miserable lives here but I believe they are overrepresented, online.  There are many of us who live quiet, comfortable lives, with someone who loves us as much as we love them.  I am just trying to balance the scale a bit by showing the other end of the spectrum.  Some of us are happy, healthy, and in loving relationships.

We do not live as remote as VF does, we are in an older mooban with huge parcels of land which I preferred. I kind of like having neighbors. I grew up in the country so living there is no problem for me but I did not want the long drives to the "City" as some others have. Again all personal expectations and requirements.  Its no different anywhere you live. We find a location that checks off most of the boxes. If you live like that, you will likely be far more content.  For us, we have a big market near us, The Wang river is 200 yds away and being close to the river the water table is quite low so well water is always present. We also have easy access to all major roads. One big perk is we have GREAT city water and pressure and pick up garbage 2 times a week. We have a hospital about 10 minutes from us but that was not and still isn't a huge priority to me. That said 10 minutes from our home in any direction I am out in the country and in the mountains with endless roads to go ride. 

 

To VF's point its nice to see and share in a thread where its not all gloom and doom and the sky is falling. As was stated there are many of us that live a wonderful quiet life with little to no issues.