Saturday, March 3, 2007
Makha Bucha Day Saturday 4th March 2007
Makha Bucha Day marks 4 events that took place during Buddha's lifetime:* 1250 Buddhist monks from different places came to pay homage to Buddha, each of his own initiative and without prior notification or appointment.* All of them were enlightened monks.* All of them had been individually ordained by Buddha himself.* They assembled on the full moon day of the third lunar month.On Makha Bucha Day Thai people go to their local temple in the morning to make merit, listen to sermons and also to take part in a candle-lit procession around the chapel. However, judging by the number of people in the shopping malls and restaurants it seems that going to the local temple isn't as important as it was in the past. Most bars will be closed this Saturday.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Royal Flora Chiang Mai
2006 brought the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty The Kings accession to the throne.
The celebrations were numerous, and in Chiang Mai it was especially marked with the Royal Flora exhibition.
On the outskirts of the city a once barren and desolate area has been transformed into the most stunning of gardens with around 2,500,0000 plants and trees.
Many exhibits demonstrate the many projects supported by HM The King to develop the quality of the Thai peoples lives. These are numerous and cover many aspects of life from fuel to farming. Many countries contributed to the event, building exhibits portraying a typical garden from their homeland.
For a more in depth view of this project visit http://www.royalfloraexpo.com/ where there is a wealth of information, plans of the site and glorious pictures.
Loi Krathong
Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival
“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.
The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.
It really is one of prettiest festivals in the world.
The Lakes Rivers and even the moat in Chiang Mai are used to launch the Krathong's and the skies are ablaze with paper lanterns that raise like hot air balloons often with firecrackers set underneath and ignite when high in the sky.
In the streets you will find carnival style processions, floats of flowers and Thai people and tourists alike enjoying this most popular of festivals. Fireworks fill the air and the city is adorned with floral exhibits.
Certainly NOT TO BE MISSED
Last year i spent it at River Ping Palace ( see food glorious food) and Khun Esther provided a great buffet and plenty of Krathongs and Balloons for all to enjoy. I had my Father and friends of the family Howard & Heather here which made it extra special.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Rude behaviour
In Thailand there are a few Do's and Dont's. The beginning may seem boring but it gets better.
Never point at images of the Royal Family or Buddha.
Always respect your elders even if your 70 and they are older, and those in high official positions.
Always remove your shoes before entering someones home or a Temple, even some local village shops, now you know why so many people wear flip flops!
Never point with your feet or sit with your feet pointing at people, and never never never at an image of Buddha, they are considered the worst, most dirty part of the body. Strange how there are so many places to get a foot massage.
Never touch males on the head, it is considered the height of rudeness as this is akin to stealing their positive energy, especially in children.
Keep yourself covered up apart from on the beach, cities are not the place for topless men (or women) never enter a temple in shorts or sleeveless tops.
Do not be affectionate in public, really not the thing to do.
When using a tooth pick cover your mouth.
However it is not frowned upon to pick your nose or blow snot onto the street. Told you it got better.
Never point at images of the Royal Family or Buddha.
Always respect your elders even if your 70 and they are older, and those in high official positions.
Always remove your shoes before entering someones home or a Temple, even some local village shops, now you know why so many people wear flip flops!
Never point with your feet or sit with your feet pointing at people, and never never never at an image of Buddha, they are considered the worst, most dirty part of the body. Strange how there are so many places to get a foot massage.
Never touch males on the head, it is considered the height of rudeness as this is akin to stealing their positive energy, especially in children.
Keep yourself covered up apart from on the beach, cities are not the place for topless men (or women) never enter a temple in shorts or sleeveless tops.
Do not be affectionate in public, really not the thing to do.
When using a tooth pick cover your mouth.
However it is not frowned upon to pick your nose or blow snot onto the street. Told you it got better.
My biggest irritaion
Finding the perfect place to live must be near to impossible, and if anyone has found it congrats. Chiang Mai is not far off for me, but it does have it's flaws, the main and only one that gets me going on a daily basis is the driving. Even after all my time here i still find the lack of concern for their own or anybody else's safety most infuriating.
M.I.L.T. ( not to be confused with our dear friend) is my term for Thai driving, Move, Indicate, Look, Think. the later 2 are not often put into play, and it amazes me on a daily basis the amount of near misses that happen, but nobody seems to learn from it or care, in fact you will frequently see a bike full of girls just giggle having narrowly escaped the wheels of a Juggernaut and a sure death.
2 wheelers, Boys and Girls alike will happily dodge in and out of cars in heavy traffic, with mirrors pointed inwardly so they may pick spots and groom their hair whilst travelling along with a mobile firmly planted to their ear with the other free hand! Oops who's steering the bike!
On the other hand we have the people on 4 wheels!
For some reason, a large number of the population drive large pick ups and 4x4's the bigger the better, even when working in an office. For traders and farmers it is understandable to need such a vehicle ,but with traffic and pollution growing why on earth does some 4 ft nothing Thai lady need a massive vehicle they can barely control let alone see over the steering wheel, especially when she has phone in one hand and face in the mirror preening her hair, a recipe for disaster if ever there was.
Drink driving to the state of oblivion then trying to control one of those vicious machines is normally a male trait and i have on more than one occasion witnessed some of the most horrific accidents i have seen in my extensive world travels. Road sense is not a local strong point and my only real bone of contention with life here. There whinge over, when driving develop eyes in every possible part of your body and do not loose concentration, no matter how cute the people on the side walk.
M.I.L.T. ( not to be confused with our dear friend) is my term for Thai driving, Move, Indicate, Look, Think. the later 2 are not often put into play, and it amazes me on a daily basis the amount of near misses that happen, but nobody seems to learn from it or care, in fact you will frequently see a bike full of girls just giggle having narrowly escaped the wheels of a Juggernaut and a sure death.
2 wheelers, Boys and Girls alike will happily dodge in and out of cars in heavy traffic, with mirrors pointed inwardly so they may pick spots and groom their hair whilst travelling along with a mobile firmly planted to their ear with the other free hand! Oops who's steering the bike!
On the other hand we have the people on 4 wheels!
For some reason, a large number of the population drive large pick ups and 4x4's the bigger the better, even when working in an office. For traders and farmers it is understandable to need such a vehicle ,but with traffic and pollution growing why on earth does some 4 ft nothing Thai lady need a massive vehicle they can barely control let alone see over the steering wheel, especially when she has phone in one hand and face in the mirror preening her hair, a recipe for disaster if ever there was.
Drink driving to the state of oblivion then trying to control one of those vicious machines is normally a male trait and i have on more than one occasion witnessed some of the most horrific accidents i have seen in my extensive world travels. Road sense is not a local strong point and my only real bone of contention with life here. There whinge over, when driving develop eyes in every possible part of your body and do not loose concentration, no matter how cute the people on the side walk.
Welcome to Beautiful Thailand
Welcome to my blog.
Having been here for so long i thought it was time to share some of the fun and frolicks that makes living in Chiang Mai so much fun.
There will be a historic entry for all our old photos of parties and events and then regular updates on happenings and events and reports of them after the event.
Who knows the expat community may grow by mammoth proportions when the world see's how much fun we have. Maybe i should stop right now! Oh ok maybe not, it's fun to share.
Happy reading, and if anyone wants info or anything in particualr covered get in touch.
Oh and just a side note there will be lots of coverage of our social secretary Steve, better known as Betty, because he hates it, but he does such a good job of keeping us busy and raises lots of money for charity.
Having been here for so long i thought it was time to share some of the fun and frolicks that makes living in Chiang Mai so much fun.
There will be a historic entry for all our old photos of parties and events and then regular updates on happenings and events and reports of them after the event.
Who knows the expat community may grow by mammoth proportions when the world see's how much fun we have. Maybe i should stop right now! Oh ok maybe not, it's fun to share.
Happy reading, and if anyone wants info or anything in particualr covered get in touch.
Oh and just a side note there will be lots of coverage of our social secretary Steve, better known as Betty, because he hates it, but he does such a good job of keeping us busy and raises lots of money for charity.
Food glorious food
In Chiang Mai in fact the whole of Thailand we are so lucky at the variety of dinning opportunity available. No matter what your budget or taste i am sure you will find it here.
Food stalls on the street offer a diversity of Thai dishes and are usually found in groups each having it's own speciality dish and tables and chairs to eat at or you can get it bagged up for take away, and such a bargain at around 25 baht a dish, and freshly cooked and hot off the stove! They are everywhere.
We have MacDonald's, KFC, Dunkin Donuts and most if not all western fast food outlets should you really feel the need for a junk food fix.
Mikes burgers may be a preferable alternative and in my opinion a bit more tasty and can be found on the moat just before Tha Phae gate, Nimmanhaemin Rd and a new one by the climbing wall at the peak, in the Night Bazaar.
Classy restaurants abound in Chiang Mai serving both Thai and western food and the best places to check them out is City Life magazine or Whats on Chiang Mai which also carry loads of useful information for tourists and back packers alike, including emergency contact numbers for police embassies etc.
http://www.chiangmainews.com/
However MY favourite non Thai restaurant in the inexpensive but excellent range is Tsunami on Huay Kaew Rd, serving freshly made/ cooked Japanese dishes and the sushi and sashimi is amazing and so inexpensive, try and get a seat by the outside cooking station and you can watch the very talented and friendly chef / owner preparing the sushi and sashimi. Very busy from 7pm till 8-30 with queues waiting to be seated, out of those times is easier, but it speaks volumes about the food.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webblog/view_blog.php?uid=554&bid=2037
My favourite CLASSY venue at the moment is D2, stunning design and a menu to match with a mix of Asian, Western and Fusion cuisine with a very reasonable price tag you wouldn't expect from a venue of this calibre. With an extensive wine collection and great staff topped by the beautiful and elegant and very hospitable Angel, deputy manageress an out and out winner.
http://www.d2hotels.com/z847/index.shtml
For Thai food and in particular northern Thai food you need to pay Kuhn Esther a visit at the River Ping Palace, just over the river from the Sheraton Hotel, this River Bank setting is so romantic, the staff are friendly and the food is wonderful, and if Esther is in the house you will be spoiled rotten. Bubbly and chatty Esther has everything it takes to make you feel welcome and more. Try the Gang Hung Lay, delicious.
http://riverpingpalace.tripod.com/id7.html
For small cosy and Thai just opposite the Nakornping Apartments is a great little restaurant, Nawaree, where home cooked food will woo your senses and the bill will please your wallet, small prices big food and service! All new menu just started.
For British Pub Grub and a great Sunday carvery try the PUB where Graham will welcome and entertain you, on the Huay Kaew Rd, just after the junction of super highway heading from the city centre on the left hand side.
For an elegant night out, i am informed by reliable sources that top of the pile are The Chedi and Le Crystal.
Apart from Le Crystal, which i have not as yet visited the above are a reflection of my personal taste and are by no stretch of the imagination the only good dining experiences in Chiang Mai.
Food stalls on the street offer a diversity of Thai dishes and are usually found in groups each having it's own speciality dish and tables and chairs to eat at or you can get it bagged up for take away, and such a bargain at around 25 baht a dish, and freshly cooked and hot off the stove! They are everywhere.
We have MacDonald's, KFC, Dunkin Donuts and most if not all western fast food outlets should you really feel the need for a junk food fix.
Mikes burgers may be a preferable alternative and in my opinion a bit more tasty and can be found on the moat just before Tha Phae gate, Nimmanhaemin Rd and a new one by the climbing wall at the peak, in the Night Bazaar.
Classy restaurants abound in Chiang Mai serving both Thai and western food and the best places to check them out is City Life magazine or Whats on Chiang Mai which also carry loads of useful information for tourists and back packers alike, including emergency contact numbers for police embassies etc.
http://www.chiangmainews.com/
However MY favourite non Thai restaurant in the inexpensive but excellent range is Tsunami on Huay Kaew Rd, serving freshly made/ cooked Japanese dishes and the sushi and sashimi is amazing and so inexpensive, try and get a seat by the outside cooking station and you can watch the very talented and friendly chef / owner preparing the sushi and sashimi. Very busy from 7pm till 8-30 with queues waiting to be seated, out of those times is easier, but it speaks volumes about the food.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webblog/view_blog.php?uid=554&bid=2037
My favourite CLASSY venue at the moment is D2, stunning design and a menu to match with a mix of Asian, Western and Fusion cuisine with a very reasonable price tag you wouldn't expect from a venue of this calibre. With an extensive wine collection and great staff topped by the beautiful and elegant and very hospitable Angel, deputy manageress an out and out winner.
http://www.d2hotels.com/z847/index.shtml
For Thai food and in particular northern Thai food you need to pay Kuhn Esther a visit at the River Ping Palace, just over the river from the Sheraton Hotel, this River Bank setting is so romantic, the staff are friendly and the food is wonderful, and if Esther is in the house you will be spoiled rotten. Bubbly and chatty Esther has everything it takes to make you feel welcome and more. Try the Gang Hung Lay, delicious.
http://riverpingpalace.tripod.com/id7.html
For small cosy and Thai just opposite the Nakornping Apartments is a great little restaurant, Nawaree, where home cooked food will woo your senses and the bill will please your wallet, small prices big food and service! All new menu just started.
For British Pub Grub and a great Sunday carvery try the PUB where Graham will welcome and entertain you, on the Huay Kaew Rd, just after the junction of super highway heading from the city centre on the left hand side.
For an elegant night out, i am informed by reliable sources that top of the pile are The Chedi and Le Crystal.
Apart from Le Crystal, which i have not as yet visited the above are a reflection of my personal taste and are by no stretch of the imagination the only good dining experiences in Chiang Mai.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Happy Birthday Mistress Glitterkiss
For those of you who do not know it's John Cooley's, better known lately as Mistress Mimi Gliterkiss stripper extraordinaire ( retired) birthday MONTH, he has promised that it will be a month of frivolity and excitement in CNX, no change there then especially for John. I do not know where he gets the energy from. Happy birthday X X X X his birthday is actually 29th February 19** well i think it is a 19 not an 18** but as a leap year baby he only officially celebrates every fourth year, due to this, and maybe this is the reason for doing it, he actually thinks he is 17.75 years old. Happy Birthday trouper have a good month.
Snakes Snakes Snakes
Life in the country or anywhere in Thailand for that matter, may just bring you into contact with my best friend (LOL) snakes. The first encounter i had was my mail box, having had to break the lock due to a missing key this little critter had crawled in for some shade, a big presumption, but he certainly wasn't looking to take the bills and pay them for me! Some deep down instinct had fortunately made me look inside rather than just insert my hand and extract the mail as usual. This was fortunate as his head was pointing directly at me and with the absence of mail, including bills, he would have had a clean strike. After researching the Internet and asking a few friends i discovered that the specimen was a Popes Pit Viper,it has a nasty bite and a deadly effect if not treated. Now if it had got a bite at me, for once in my life i would have cursed the absence of bills in the mail box, at least i would have had some cover from him....
There is a snake with a very similar marking of black with a green / yellow stripe but a flat head as opposed to the triangular viper head, this is a Golden tree snake and as much as it is venomous it is not high in toxicity and has rear fangs making it difficult to envenomate a human being. I have also been fortunate enough to view a python of about 8ft long and 12 inches in circumference crossing the road to my house, beautiful with browns and oranges in it's markings it completely spanned the road so i had to wait for it to cross.
There is a snake with a very similar marking of black with a green / yellow stripe but a flat head as opposed to the triangular viper head, this is a Golden tree snake and as much as it is venomous it is not high in toxicity and has rear fangs making it difficult to envenomate a human being. I have also been fortunate enough to view a python of about 8ft long and 12 inches in circumference crossing the road to my house, beautiful with browns and oranges in it's markings it completely spanned the road so i had to wait for it to cross.
There is a snake farm in Mae Rim, and here you can view many specimins from Thailand and Asia as well as the show, have a Python around your neck, and stroke a Cobra, here they also milk the venom to be used in the production of anti venom, so even for those with an aversion to captive animals extremely useful.
My simple rule about snakes, no matter how beautiful, they can all be dangerous so leave them alone and view from afar.
I won't mention where i saw a Cobra but it was central and i S**t myself, but as a rule uless you threaten them they are not interested in humans, clever beasts really.
I won't mention where i saw a Cobra but it was central and i S**t myself, but as a rule uless you threaten them they are not interested in humans, clever beasts really.
If you want more information on this subject i suggest you try the links below.
A time of change
Life is never easy no matter where we decide to lay our hat, but sometimes it can be out and out difficult. After a period back in the UK earning the pennies to keep me here, my landlord has decided he wants the house back. After 2 and a half happy years in the wilderness, well it is according to most folk out here, who seem to have forgotten how long they used to commute to work in their respective land, i have to move.When i first arrived in Chiang Mai apart from a condo a friend arranged for me to see , the property i have been in since i arrived was the first of 3 i saw and fell in love with it. It is on the way to Mae Rim not a sexual activity, but a town about 15 km's from Chiang Mai, 15 minutes on a big bike, and the air is certainly cleaner and cooler than in the city, but finding an alternative has not been an easy affair and so far is not an accomplished task.
My current home has a very large garden which my 2 lovely dogs, Dang & Garrock appreciate and i have views of the mountains and forests. It has been host to many fabulous parties including my recent birthday party. The few distant neighbours may breath a sigh of relief at my departure, as the fireworks are always large and plentiful on party nights and i even had a BBQ built in to accommodate the demand for food. I will miss this peaceful place but times change and we have to move on. If anyone knows of something they feel may be suitable in the Chiang Mai area please get in touch. Might have to have a departure party!
http://picasaweb.google.com/GARETHANGEL/TheDogsAndTheHome
The Great Wall Climb of 2007
This past Friday afternoon at four (23 February), twelve brave souls set out for a very unique Chiang Mai adventure. Sometimes our trek along the ancient south wall also known as the Kamphaeng Din (probably built by King Muang Kaeo 1495-1526) was a bit dangerous and for sure strenuous but ever so interesting.
Warren and Nack were our fearless leaders. They had done their research well and had plotted our course along the entire wall, from the southwest corner of the inner city wall and moat, all the way to its current end near the Night Bazaar. (Originally the wall went all the way from the SW Ku Ruang corner and connected to the inner wall and moat at the NE Si Phum corner.)
Much of the wall has now been destroyed, fallen in, or built upon. Some areas have been preserved to some extent. Some short sections have even been restored. Most of us have seen the remnants of the wall but had no idea what it was nor what it meant to the old city of Chiang Mai. It was not easy finding a course to follow the wall all the way. Some of the walking was on top of the wall; much along the streets and beside the canal/moat (Khlong Mae Kha) as near the wall as we could stay.
The inner city wall and moat (that we all know) was built around 1100 when Chiang Mai was at war with Burma most of the time. The south wall, which we toured Friday, was built about 300 years later when an even greater threat came from the south and also to protect the expanding city and house the army and their multitude of elephants and horses.
One thing is for sure, this trek is not on the tourist maps. It was great to see a different part of the city most of us didn't even know existed.
We passed through many different ethnic neighborhoods along the way, each one unique and colorful in its own way. Warren was able to give us a lot of very interesting and enlightening information. With all the hazards - - - trees that attack you, giant ants that eat you, fear of snakes, vicious dogs, tripping and falling hazards galore, and even the occasional traffic jam to navigate - - - there was never a dull moment. Of course the danger was balanced out by the warm smiles and cheerful greetings all along the way - "sawadee jaou!"
We completed the Great Wall Climb of 2007 at around sunset; just in time for a cool drink (or three) in the garden at Warren's house - which is within a stone's throw of the wall. That was followed by dinner on the other side of the wall at Palm Beer Garden. I think everyone slept well Friday night.
It was a great group for the adventure. We helped each other with an occasional push and a tug (even a few words of encouragement now and then; "get your fat a-- up that cliff before I poke you with my walking stick!")
We all made it! No one fainted, no one fell off the wall! With a few scratches, ant bites, and a hefty layer of dust, we all made it to the finish line. Quite an accomplishment for those of us who consider two hours of Thai massage to be quite a work-out. Now we were all looking forward to the next challenge. (That challenge came for a lot of us the next night with disco dancing at D-2.) (Such a hard life in CNX!)
John Cooley
Warren and Nack were our fearless leaders. They had done their research well and had plotted our course along the entire wall, from the southwest corner of the inner city wall and moat, all the way to its current end near the Night Bazaar. (Originally the wall went all the way from the SW Ku Ruang corner and connected to the inner wall and moat at the NE Si Phum corner.)
Much of the wall has now been destroyed, fallen in, or built upon. Some areas have been preserved to some extent. Some short sections have even been restored. Most of us have seen the remnants of the wall but had no idea what it was nor what it meant to the old city of Chiang Mai. It was not easy finding a course to follow the wall all the way. Some of the walking was on top of the wall; much along the streets and beside the canal/moat (Khlong Mae Kha) as near the wall as we could stay.
The inner city wall and moat (that we all know) was built around 1100 when Chiang Mai was at war with Burma most of the time. The south wall, which we toured Friday, was built about 300 years later when an even greater threat came from the south and also to protect the expanding city and house the army and their multitude of elephants and horses.
One thing is for sure, this trek is not on the tourist maps. It was great to see a different part of the city most of us didn't even know existed.
We passed through many different ethnic neighborhoods along the way, each one unique and colorful in its own way. Warren was able to give us a lot of very interesting and enlightening information. With all the hazards - - - trees that attack you, giant ants that eat you, fear of snakes, vicious dogs, tripping and falling hazards galore, and even the occasional traffic jam to navigate - - - there was never a dull moment. Of course the danger was balanced out by the warm smiles and cheerful greetings all along the way - "sawadee jaou!"
We completed the Great Wall Climb of 2007 at around sunset; just in time for a cool drink (or three) in the garden at Warren's house - which is within a stone's throw of the wall. That was followed by dinner on the other side of the wall at Palm Beer Garden. I think everyone slept well Friday night.
It was a great group for the adventure. We helped each other with an occasional push and a tug (even a few words of encouragement now and then; "get your fat a-- up that cliff before I poke you with my walking stick!")
We all made it! No one fainted, no one fell off the wall! With a few scratches, ant bites, and a hefty layer of dust, we all made it to the finish line. Quite an accomplishment for those of us who consider two hours of Thai massage to be quite a work-out. Now we were all looking forward to the next challenge. (That challenge came for a lot of us the next night with disco dancing at D-2.) (Such a hard life in CNX!)
John Cooley
Pictured
Back row: Lynn Morris, Warren Funnell, Khun Nack, Mark Walder
Middle row: John Smith, Luigi , Gareth Scratcherd.
Front row: Julie Morris, Norm Robinson, John Cooley, Mike Grice
Not pictured: Khun Wan, Steve Yarnold
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Military Coup
September 2006 saw the ousting of the now ex prime minister, and i do not want to get into the politics or wrongs rights and the reasons behind as everyone has their own opinion. I do however want to let the world know that on a day to day basis for a tourist, nothing has changed and it is as safe as it was before to visit Thailand. Sadly the fighting in the dep south has not ceased so check on your relevant Embassies web site regarding travel to these areas.
Everywhere else use common sense as you would anywhere in the world, including your home town, a sad fact of modern life is crime is increasing not reducing.
Everywhere else use common sense as you would anywhere in the world, including your home town, a sad fact of modern life is crime is increasing not reducing.
Mistress Mimi Glitterkiss
Dear Mimi Glitterkiss, on the right of the picture.
The life and soul of a party and does he throw some.
Better known as John Cooley, he offten arranges some great nights for us with drinks dinner and snooker with an ever growing team of Thai Yai players and are they cute and such lovely FUN guys.
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