I have updated both Bandunglife and eddies-bar web sites with new themes which I think make the sites easier to read. I have also re-started work on www.Isaanlife .co.cc and migrated some of the pages off bandunglife onto it. However it will take sometime to complete
Andrew
Rice Update
Went to do some weeding down in the Rice paddy’s. The crop is progressing OK – The main problem is that the rains are very intermitent this year.
A week in Kata – Phuket
Monday
Queuing up to check in at the airport an American tried to chat up Tim, he didn't realise we were together & Tim didn't realise what he was doing. Tim had decided to take some vegatables (mainly Bamboo) for one of her friends. The bag must have weighed 25kg so I made her take it on as hand luggage. We took a mini bus to the hotel but by the time it had dropped everybody else of in patong it was nearly 2hours before we arrived at our hotel the Phuket Chaba Hotel. However the Hotel was very good and quiet. Our room overlooked the small swimming pool.
Tuesday
Next day we went for Breakfast but is was not open , we were the first people up as we are used to getting up early every morning. After breakfast we walked around Kata and then went down to the beach which was approx 300m from the Hotel. I went for a swim while Tim relaxed.
For lunch we went to one of the local eating places and had chicken and rice and then we went back to the hotel and sat around the pool. Even Tim went for a swim.
Wednesday
We went for breakfast later today and everything was open & quiet. There seemed only to be about half a dozen couples in the hotel which suited me. We then went and hired a motorbike which cost 1000bt for 4 days and went to Karon for a look around and Tim went and visited one of her old friends. After wards we went to Rawai beach for a meal. This has changed since the tsunami and all the beach restaurants have moved to permanent buildings across the road and the beach is lined up with boats for hire.
From there we went to Phromthep cape for a look at the views and finally on to Katanoi where we had a walk along the beach.
Thursday
Today we went to Went to Wat Chalong as I had never been before. The weather was hot again and I tried to keep in the shade as much as possible.
After a slight Detour we went to see the Big Budah which is still being constructed and which overlooks both Chalong and Kata Beaches.
In the afternoon it was back to the beach for me for a swim although the waves had increased since yesterday. Tim went to the market to do some shopping .
Friday
Went to Patong and just walked along beach however it was very hot again so we did not stay long .
When we got back to the hotel it was the beach again for me while Tim went to the
hairdressers. When I got back I think I had a little to much sun and had an early night.
Saturday
We Went to phi phi today setting off at7.00. I was curious to see what had changed since the tsunami. When we arrived there some passengers were dropped off while we stayed on for a look round and then we had an hour snorkeling however it was not that impressive. I was surprised by the number of people that chose to wear life jackets , well over 90% . By the time we returned to Phi Phi and had lunch we had less then an hour to look around.
On reflection we should have got off with the first party and had longer to look around the Island . Most of the infrastructure has been rebuild with a new pier but I didn't really have time for a good look. By the time we had walked to the end of the beach so Tim could feed the monkeys it was time to return the boat. We got back to the hotel at 17.30 – a long day for a short look round the island.
Sunday
People kept telling Tim about this store called Supercheap which sold everything at low prices. When we got there it was a huge outlet but under a tin roof with no ventilation. Tim bought some dried fish and other things which she assured me were bargains. However it cost me 1000bt in taxi fare so she could save a few baht.
In the afternoon back to the beach for my final swim of the holiday. The big waves had returned again but it was alright once you got out past them. After wards I went to a nearby bar for a few beers but prices were expensive compared to Bandung.
Monday
Return home and yes – Tim took 15kg offruit & vegatables back home. However she had some confiscated by customs at Phuket. Got back to Bandung at 18:30,
This week on the farms
I have been down to the lake clearing the weeds again. The lake at the moment is full again and teaming with life, small fish,insects and there are about 20 large catfish in it which must have have escaped when we had an enclosure full of small catfish.
Tim has also moved the ducks she had at the house in Popan to the lake and built a small enclosure for them. Originally she had 100 but some have died which is why she has moved them to the lake where conditions should be a lot better for them.
In addition we have also had to go and make sure the rice is Ok and repair the banks in places where the water has burst through and do the occasional bit of weeding & fertilising.
Eucalyptus
We have planted 250 more eucalyptus trees around the lake. The reason is three fold
1) Utilise the unused land which is unsuitable for rubber trees
2) Help keep the weeds down
3) Help stabilise the soil and reduce erosion.
[singlepic id=953 w=300 h=300 mode=watermark]
In addition in 4 years time when they are mature they will provide an extra bit of cash
Obtaining a Thai 5 year driving licnse
I went today to renew my 1 year licence with a 5 year License. Myself and Tim assumed it would be the same procedure as she had to do a month ago. Simply turn up with your old license sit through a talk with a small test at the end & be issued with a new license. – WRONG.
When we arrived at Nong han licensing center we were informed I needed a medical certificate and a Letter of proof of residence from Thai immigration in udon. i.e the same paperwork as I needed for my temporary license 1 year before.
So first Into Nonk Mek town to the Clinic – No doctor – we were told he would be arriving at Midday from Udon so we decided to come back after we had all the other paperwork
Then because we didn't have the Blue house book with us we had to go back to Bandung and pick it up – and then all the way to the Immigration department in Udon.
We went to the lady behind the counter and she gave us another form to fill in – Different than last time that required a passport photo. Guess what- I didn't have one with me.
Into Udon Town center to find a photographers to get some passport Photos ( 150 baht) and then back to the Immigration department.
We went to the same lady again (no queuing) and 15 minutes later with the certificate of residency ( 300baht) in hand we returned to Nong Mek and the Medical center. We were informed that the doctor had already left for Udon – he had only been there for an hour. After a bit of persuasion Tim got one of the medical staff to issue a certificate without having to see a doctor.( 50 baht)
Back to Nong Mek license Center – we arrived at 2 o'clock the last time they did the test for the day. However by the time the paperwork had been processed it was too late the test had already started.
However instead of turning us away he simply issued me the license without having to sit through the talk and test. (650 Baht) . He just said it was my lucky day – Sometimes I like how the Thais work
Total cost 1150 baht and it took us 7 hours,
90 Day report & New Bike
Went for my 90 day report to Thai immigration in the old Airport terminal building. Then went to buy a new Bike . I bought it from the same shop as before ( The next intersection down from Robinsons Department Store as you come from the station end). The main reason for buying here is it is the only dedicated Bike shop I know in Udon,the prices are reasonable & he services Bikes as well – He also keeps in a good stock of Shimano parts along with other items.
The Bike I bought was a Merida 80D ( Disk Brakes) which is a new model for 2010.
Checking the Rice
Went to see how the rice is progressing. We have sewn up half a dozen paddies and the seedlings will then be transplanted into the others .
This is more work than just broadcasting the seed as we have done in the past. But you get higher yields because you ensure the rice is planted evenly and to its maximum density. However the rains still haven’t kicked in – in earnest so there is still insufficeint water to flood the remaining paddies for the seedlings to be transplanted yet.