Good Things Topic.

[kandahar]

Good job, pomchop.

Some of the best reading I have had in days and it brought lots of smiles and "uh, huh's".

What are you doing in the states? Being there only makes one more bitter about what used to be good there.

Come back to where you belong.

kandahar

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Pomchop, you sure make "The Rai" sound like a very appealing place. And I thoroughly enjoyed your list because, like Kandahar, it made my day. I'm sitting here waiting for the Big White Bird to take me "home" to Thailand, well, in 2 months. Will be up in CR. Looking forward to visiting Big C

[Garry]

pomchop you have inspired me to respond with some of my own on rural & not so rural Chiang Rai:

Waking up beside my 'calming influence', my wife

Hearing the children play around the house in the early morning

The smell of morning cooking fires

Cringing under my pillow as the village headman tells the news at 6.00am over the Wat PA system at 130 decibels

Coming home, seeing the children all excited in the backyard, as two King Cobra's are tangled in a loving embrace in the bamboo

Getting my SUV serviced at Isuzu and being waited on hand and foot by courteous staff

Coming out of arrivals at CR airport and seeing my family there waiting for me

Going to the baht shop next door to Big C and buying a bunch of the same stuff at a tenth of the price

Watching 7/11 girls working out basic change with a calculator

My stepson telling me I should be teaching math at his school

Parking my bike at the big bike parking at Big C and the small bike park attendant watching it like a hawk for me.

Going to the local markets and seeing all the smiling faces when you walk in

Using the bike lane for a police checkpoint and not having to stop

Getting my bike delivered by van from Bangkok to home for a paultry amount of money

'being able to sometimes go for days and not hear another person speak English or hassle me'

one of my favourites Edited July 22, 2010 by Garry

[villagefarang]

I like coming home from, anywhere. We just got back from having a great time in Chiang Mai, but it is still so nice, just to be home.

[villagefarang]

I like being "all back-of-the-buss", watching how everyone is contributing and doing such a good job, on the Chiang Rai Forum.

Edited July 22, 2010 by villagefarang

[sceadugenga]

You've been away?

[Paul888]

Superb stuff pomchop.

[svenivan]

knowing five of the dancing shrimp's sexy waitresses by name

Where is that ?

p.s. Good post !

[pomchop]

Wow, Don't hold back on us Pomchop

I've never seen female office workers drink whiskey with their lunch. Must be a stressful Job I Guess

And where exactly is this 'dancing shrimp' place , just out of curiosity

Like i said, bored in the usa and just doing some 'chiang rai dreaming"....dancing shrimp is on the lake over the hill past the old airport and buffalo resort hotel...no english sign....goong dten.....and that is also where you can see the gals drinking whiskey with lunch....

[bifftastic]

great stuff pomchop.

I'm also 'in exile' in the UK and your lists have triggered off some CR dreaming for me too

So, here goes

The short motorsi ride back to the village from Chiang Saen, as I leave the town behind and the road snakes around to the right, the mountains across the Mae Nam Khong loom on the horizon, we give a little 'beep beep' going past the shrine where we had a 'good luck' ceremony and I feel I'm 'home'

Big grin and a wave from the monk who blessed the motorsi, every time we go to Wat Phra That Pha Ngao.

Walking 50 yards from the house to Mae Nam Khong and just standing and looking as the water slips by whilst I contemplate all the events that have culminated in my being exactly where I am at that moment. (I have been known to stand there with a big grin on my face and my arms outstretched)

Catching Ms Tastic looking at me grinning at a river out of the corner of my eye.

Having a policeman wave and smile when I go past with 3 kids, 2 puppies and the mrs on the phone on the motorsi, rather than triggering a helicopter/police emergency that will end up on 'Broken Britain's Worst Scooter ASBO Nutcases' on TV

Going past a group of teenagers and instead of them wanting to stab me and rob me, they wai respectfully.

The local 'gathering' at dusk when I hear 'Bipp! Bipp! ma leaw ma leaw gin lao!

Being reliably informed that mosquitos won't bite me if i sit on a platform 3 feet off the ground, but only if I sit with my legs crossed 'nang dee dee na, jung mai cat'

Having everyone agree that my mosquito bites that weren't there yesterday, can only have been from mosquitos in Chiang Rai City, not from last night, because I sat on a platform 3 feet off the ground last night!

Seeing my g/f's face light up when I spend 130 baht on a dress (for her not for me! Mine are much more expensive!)

The looks of approval and understanding after explaining, and demonstrating, that beer bottles can be placed in a bucket full of ice, rendering the contents just as cold as if ice had been placed in the beer itself, (nods and 'aaahs' all round) then having to drink all the beer myself as they pour warm beer into a glass with ice

Spending 200 baht at the market and ending up with enough wonderfully cooked, beautiful food to feed 5 adults. 4 children and 4 dogs that would cost around £150 if bought in a restaurant in London.

Laughing to myself as I mistake the early morning 'loudspeaker truck' for something spiritual and meaningful from the local Wat when, in reality, it's some bloke selling spanners! ( i mean <deleted>! who buys spanners at 6am!)

Hearing the monks in the morning passing on a blessing to the neighbours.

Popping in to the Wat to visit 'Pi Sao' and hanging out there for an hour or two

'sawatdee ka!' from my step-daughters when they come home from school.

Being banished to the bedroom for asking 'bok wa arai' too many times during a Thai movie

G/f and kids laughing at me when something flies into the house and I have a look on my face.

All these things, and more, remind me of Chiang Rai.

:jap:

Edited July 22, 2010 by bifftastic

[pomchop]

Good job, pomchop.

Some of the best reading I have had in days and it brought lots of smiles and "uh, huh's".

What are you doing in the states? Being there only makes one more bitter about what used to be good there.

Come back to where you belong.

kandahar

back in september....i also have a nice time in usa a few months a year but for sure it is a VERY different experience than CR....

[jubby]

Biff, I've never been wai'ed by teenagers mate, maybe its something to do with the close haircut and shaved eyebrows.

Thanks for the Visualisation of you in an expensive dress I've just unfortunately had

and Garry tell us more about the Big Bike from Bangkok, slightly off-topic maybe , but we have a few enthusiasts on here

[Garry]

Biff, I've never been wai'ed by teenagers mate, maybe its something to do with the close haircut and shaved eyebrows.

Thanks for the Visualisation of you in an expensive dress I've just unfortunately had

and Garry tell us more about the Big Bike from Bangkok, slightly off-topic maybe , but we have a few enthusiasts on here

jubby, I have a 2004 Ducati 999S. I don't try and terrorise the roads around the village that much :jap: , but going down towards Mae Suai way along rouute 118 is a different story

Is there a 'Big Bikes in Chiang Rai' thread or at least people with beastys?

Edited July 23, 2010 by Garry

[jubby]

jubby, I have a 2004 Ducati 999S. I don't try and terrorise the roads around the village that much :jap: , but going down towards Mae Suai way along rouute 118 is a different story

Is there a 'Big Bikes in Chiang Rai' thread or at least people with beastys?

Some people have mentioned having a new Big bike previously in other threads, maybe the Good day thread. I'm looking for something not so big and more forgiving of the inevitable ;-)

[Garry]

jubby, I have a 2004 Ducati 999S. I don't try and terrorise the roads around the village that much :jap: , but going down towards Mae Suai way along rouute 118 is a different story

Is there a 'Big Bikes in Chiang Rai' thread or at least people with beastys?

Some people have mentioned having a new Big bike previously in other threads, maybe the Good day thread. I'm looking for something not so big and more forgiving of the inevitable ;-)

Fair enough jubby. Thanks for the info and I'll do some more research on the CHiang Rai threads

[skybluestu]

Biff, I've never been wai'ed by teenagers mate, maybe its something to do with the close haircut and shaved eyebrows.

Thanks for the Visualisation of you in an expensive dress I've just unfortunately had

and Garry tell us more about the Big Bike from Bangkok, slightly off-topic maybe , but we have a few enthusiasts on here

jubby, I have a 2004 Ducati 999S. I don't try and terrorise the roads around the village that much :jap: , but going down towards Mae Suai way along rouute 118 is a different story

Is there a 'Big Bikes in Chiang Rai' thread or at least people with beastys?

Holy Cow, there's a Ducati owner in our midst! And here's me thinking I'd be lucky if I saw a mediocre bike like, I don't know, maybe a Ninja. VF.

But what's that I just read on another post, you're out of town for a month? Well as a Ducatisti surely you want your bike to be taken good care of so, although I'm fairly busy at the moment, I'd make time to look after your bike and keep her ticking over while you are away

I'm currently saving my satang for a Kawasaki D-Tracker, when I finally get one I'll keep my eye out for you on the 118.

[Garry]

Holy Cow, there's a Ducati owner in our midst! And here's me thinking I'd be lucky if I saw a mediocre bike like, I don't know, maybe a Ninja. VF.

But what's that I just read on another post, you're out of town for a month? Well as a Ducatisti surely you want your bike to be taken good care of so, although I'm fairly busy at the moment, I'd make time to look after your bike and keep her ticking over while you are away

I'm currently saving my satang for a Kawasaki D-Tracker, when I finally get one I'll keep my eye out for you on the 118.

Ha ha ha, thanks for the generous offer . Yeah it's my pride and joy and as many have said before with their motorcycle persuasion in Thailand: 'my mia noi'

At least I can tell my wife I'm going to ride my mia noi and not be waking up like Bobbitt the next day :jap:

This also gives me a good excuse to show if off again...picture whoring below

[jubby]

I'm speechless ...... Almost .... SexyMoto indeed

I quite fancy a D-Tracker also. with or without a Bobbit

Edited July 23, 2010 by jubby

[Garry]

I'm speechless ...... Almost .... SexyMoto indeed

I quite fancy a D-Tracker also. with or without a Bobbit

Thanks, don't tell my wife but I really would like to get myself an Africa Twin in the future to go to all the remote places on the map.

D-Trackers have a good reputation in Thailand. I reckon you couldn't go wrong there with one. I even thought about one at one stage, but I like a bit more power.

The Sexymoto frame plugs are made (CNC'd) for Kuhn Boy at Chicane Moto in Bangkok. He did the last full service on the Duk.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Garry

[jubby]

The D-trackers affordable but not cheap, sort of european prices, If we're talking money no object then a BMW at 2-3 times the price of one in Europe would probably be parked on my drive.

No 250's enough for me, maybe in a few years I'll progress to somwthing bigger.

I can't see myself going from Honda dream or to Phantom to SuperBike all in one go.

I've always been happy with 0-60 in 15 to 20 seconds , I suspect w're talking 4 with the ducati. In inexperienced hands . well. .... what can I say

[skybluestu]

Wow, cheers for the pics Garry, beautiful bike indeed! Is that a GSX-R behind it?

I watched Twist The Throttle on discovery turbo a few days ago and it was about Ducati, they started out making radios believe it or not.

I'm actually saving for a Ducati Hypermotard 796 (my dream bike) but as that's likely to take me about 100yrs I will get the D-Tracker and then possibly move up to a Versys in a few years when I'm a bit more experienced. I heard they will release the Versys here soon which, IMO, is the perfect bike for the roads up here in Northern Thailand and with some on/off road tyres then the remote places wouldn't be a problem either.

Yes Jubby, it is affordable but not cheap, I thought about one of the chinese options (zongshen or lifan) as an alternative but would rather pay a bit more and go with kawasaki.

[Garry]

The D-trackers affordable but not cheap, sort of european prices, If we're talking money no object then a BMW at 2-3 times the price of one in Europe would probably be parked on my drive.

No 250's enough for me, maybe in a few years I'll progress to somwthing bigger.

I can't see myself going from Honda dream or to Phantom to SuperBike all in one go.

I've always been happy with 0-60 in 15 to 20 seconds , I suspect w're talking 4 with the ducati. In inexperienced hands . well. .... what can I say

In inexperienced hands . well. .... what can I say

Definitely agree there, seen to many young and old guys alike bite off too much than they can chew. Get themselves on to too powerful a bike with no real road experience and go to the hereafter. I've been riding sports bikes since I was 18 years old and just turning 50 this year, I still give them the respect they require.

[Garry]

Wow, cheers for the pics Garry, beautiful bike indeed! Is that a GSX-R behind it?

I watched Twist The Throttle on discovery turbo a few days ago and it was about Ducati, they started out making radios believe it or not.

I'm actually saving for a Ducati Hypermotard 796 (my dream bike) but as that's likely to take me about 100yrs I will get the D-Tracker and then possibly move up to a Versys in a few years when I'm a bit more experienced. I heard they will release the Versys here soon which, IMO, is the perfect bike for the roads up here in Northern Thailand and with some on/off road tyres then the remote places wouldn't be a problem either.

Yes Jubby, it is affordable but not cheap, I thought about one of the chinese options (zongshen or lifan) as an alternative but would rather pay a bit more and go with kawasaki.

Hi Stu, Thanks mate but wash your mouth out , that is my buddies brand new Ducati 1198. I bought the 999S off of him. The photo was taken with my Nokia N73 down on the beach in Hua Hin.

Beautiful bikes and I won't be getting rid of this one anytime soon. She's a keeper

You would be talking about this:

In 1926, three brothers, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, founded Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati in Bologna to produce vacuum tubes. condensors and other radio components, becoming successful enough by 1935 to construct a new factory in the Borgo Panigale area of the city

Please please please don't get Chinese bikes, I've heard nothing but bad news about them.

Cheers Garry :jap:

Edited July 23, 2010 by Garry

[jubby]

But garry, Its... well... you know ... sort of ..... well..... ....... WHITE !? .... <deleted> !?

A W ....W... White Ducati .... Its s S S ... So Wrong !

[Garry]

But garry, Its... well... you know ... sort of ..... well..... ....... WHITE !? .... <deleted> !?

A W ....W... White Ducati .... Its s S S ... So Wrong !

I have to agree actually, its like Ferrari, who the hel_l wants one other than painted red!? I hear that my buddy has some red on it somewhere and he did get the bike as a demonstrator, so the price was good. I'll keep you posted

[bifftastic]

Biff, I've never been wai'ed by teenagers mate, maybe its something to do with the close haircut and shaved eyebrows.

Thanks for the Visualisation of you in an expensive dress I've just unfortunately had

and Garry tell us more about the Big Bike from Bangkok, slightly off-topic maybe , but we have a few enthusiasts on here

Maybe I get wai'ed because they know me, or, more likely, the family I'm staying with. You could be right of course, it could well be the monks haircut

I knew the image of me in a 300 baht dress would appeal to you

[skybluestu]

I'm spitting out the soap as I type this Garry, can't believe I confused a Suzuki with a Ducati, schoolboy error! Personally I quite like the white but wouldn't say no to red either.

So now we have a Lamborghini and a Ducati up here in CR we should make our own version of Fifth Gear's Lamborghini V Ducati races they've done. The twisty mountain roads would be ideal and with the ocassional long straight included too it would be a youtube sensation. I'm sure the BIB would turn a blind eye for a few bottles of Blend and we could send the hashers out beforehand to tie up the soi dogs to stop any roadkill. Don't dismiss it without watching the video below and picturing the faces of the local kids as they line the streets waiting for the two blurs to flash before their eyes.

[sceadugenga]

^^ I'm surprised the checkout girls at Big C don't give you a wai, they seem to everyone else.

Edited July 23, 2010 by sceadugenga

[skybluestu]

^^ I'm surprised the checkout girls at Big C don't give you a wai, they seem to everyone else.

They don't wai me, they just stroke my hand while giviing me my change and receipt with their phone number on the back.

[sceadugenga]

Not a silly as it seems, a girl in the phone shop put her private number on my phone last year when changing the card.

We must be hansum guys mate.