Last week I took Ton to his family’s home in Mae Taeng and then he and his brother showed me the local area – nice day trip – had a great time.  

Mae Taeng area is beautiful this time of the year – these red flowered trees are everywhere .

From here we went to the Buatong Waterfall – so much minerals in the water that they have  dropped out and coated the hill with a cement like layer- amazing.

You can walk right up the falls without slipping –

Next we went to see the 7 Tribes Village – here is their brochure and the front sign – I love this shot of a Karen girl – Ton got her to play and sing a native song for us – great

From here we went to the end of the road which ended at the Ping River – many boulders in it so white water abounds – rafting and tubing is the name of the day – Ton and his brother went swimming  – I just watched and relaxed – got a good shot of a very cute ladyboy – can’t wait till the rainy season starts and the area greens up – beautiful

Check out the SlideShow  Enjoy

Ciao

“We had a very colourful weekend here in Berlin!!

so, this months will bring much more street-party’s and gay-parades ‘CSD’ in the life-full city Berlin:))

see some nice pic’s, also from the Thai-community here in Berlin, with there traditional costumes, only one group among 135 other groups from different cultures. More than 600 000 looked on this 4 h parade in ‘Kreuzberg’, a district from Berlin, with many students, artists and different nationalities.

since 14 years always on a public- and Christian- holiday,

this parade of “ the carnival of cultures” goes on for 4 days until very late nights.
I enjoy it very much, this swinging relaxed atmosphare.”

Here’s the —— Slideshow –—-

Ciao

Sawadee Khrap

 Wow – I just got these great pictures from our friend Max — He and several of his friends spent the weekend at this great place in Lampang.  On Kew Lom Lake – at the  Wang-Kaew Isle resort.   Approx. 160Km from Chiang Mai past Lampang but before you reach Phayao.

Looks like a very peaceful place to relax and enjoy the company of good friends – he says that they took a bamboo-boat from the resort for a 2 hr round-trip tour of the lake – caves, landscapes,  – then back to the resort’s natural gardens and comfortable rooms with WC/hot showers and a balcony overlooking the lake. Very reasonable – they paid about 1200 Baht ($40 US) person/night for lodging, food, drinks and tours — not bad.

——— SLIDESHOW —-—

P.S.  I just ran across a web-site for “big game” fishing and it shows the Kew Lom lake – Don’t know how they do for the fishing, or how big they are BUT judging from the photos of the boys in Max’s shots, there must be a lot to catch at the resort ().  New and I will have to check it out and let you know – fishing and the resort – ha ha .

Ciao

Sunday and Monday were filled with picture taking at Wat Suan Dok.  52 young men from very young to their 20’s were ordained as Novice Monks.  I took a lot of shots and New used the video.  He will make a DVD of the event, both for practice and for the Temple.  He’s starting a small business of video and photos so this is a good starting project – hopefully I may be able to post it . – I’ll try

The day begins with the boys getting their head and eyebrows shaved then into the white novice robes for the ordination.  After being ordinated they then put on the traditional orange robes.  The final part of the second day is when they receive their bowels – each morning they will leave the temple to walk the local neighood to receive the offerings from the people – what they receive is what they have to eat.  It is a lesson in dependence and humility – something we in the West I think have lost with our children.  Most will be here for at least the following month.

This is a quick post and so I don’t have a lot of information to add – just the sideshow:

—— SLIDESHOW ——

ciao

 See the SlideShow – this Gay owned and operated bar just opened in Chiang Mai opposite the HillSide4 Condos.  Great crowd, music and food sparked the event.  I was having camera problems and so didn’t get a lot of pictures – but I did get some of the boys that were there.

You’ll recognize New and Narin and here is also a shot of the bartenders –  We had a great time and saw a lot of old friends we hadn’t see in a long time – maybe now there will be a place where we can meet.

There are rumors that the area will cater to a gay’er stock of businesses – who knows, but there is certainly enough room for several other venues – hopefully gay too.

Come and enjoy the evening.

Ciao

Yesterday, Friday night 3/6/09, we went to our friend Jim’s Birthday Party

And we had a wonderful time.  Great folks there and really great food at “Billy’s” place.

see the  ——— Slideshow ——-

And if you looking for excellent Italian food in Chiang Mai – Billy’s is a must visit.

This coming Friday we will attend the gay night rooftop-bar party at St. Germain Rest.

I’m told   Mixed crowd: stylish, funky, artistic and gay

straights are also welcome — let you know how it turns out  – pictures I hope.

Ciao

Just got back from a short trip to Bhubing Palace – just up the next mountain Doi Buak Ha, next to Doi Suthep.  About 20 Km from our house. 

This is the Royal family’s winter residence while they are in Chiang Mai. First built in 1961 and then enlarged to present size, it has homes for State visitors and each of the Royals.

Nu went to get some footage  (video) so he could use it for backgrounds and to use as a learning tool.  I got some good shots that I can turn into some great title and other backgrounds.  I love this shot of a gold sign with a great reflection – so I just put it here – the rest are shots of flowers – the palace is in full bloom now.

Please enjoy the

 ——– SlideShow ——-

Each year since I have been here I have made trips to the palace and have a good collection of shots – I will try to make a slide show or video using photos from each time and show what the place looks like – maybe a video walk through. 

 The “Celestial Waters” reservoir has a magnificent water fountain display – especially at night – I’ll try to get this done soon but I can make no promisses – after all I am retired –

Here’s the brochure they give for your visit – we did a walk through – about 2–3 hr to see it all.  They also have golf carts available at 300 Baht (with driver/guide) that’s about $10 US – but I needed the exercise.

It’s for sure don’t miss seeing the Palace – full day trip – morning visit the Palace and then in the afternoon stop by Wat Doi Suthep on the way back.  Amazing !!!

Ciao

So we headed out and settled for a massage ;  Damn there goes our budget.

Afterwards, we went to a great small restaurant at Huay Tung Tao Reservoir – a local lake – for a quick dinner and relaxing time

before we went to the Payap University Campus close to our house

for a Musical Concert by the students.  “Jazz in the Park”    Every Sunday they have a performance (for practice in front of a live audience) – wonderful — and free, what could be better?

Check out the       —— SlideShow ——-

That’s Nu with the video camera and friends Jim, Paul and “O” in front of him.  Paul and O run a local Dining Out Group which we will also join in the near future – but that’s another post.

First we listened to “A.J’s Jazz Group – wow – very, very good – (sounded like when I used to go to Larry Blake’s Rathskeler in Berkeley – Hope I got it spelled right – Let’s see, that was about 1958 or 9, I think)  Wow – I used to really like Jazz then and these guys were just as professional –

Next it was the Payap University Jazz Big Band – “Duriyasilp”

Again a great performance – wonderful musicians and great looking boys too – what a great combination.  The SlideShow has many closeups and Nu is going to make a DVD, so I will try to put up some snipits in the blog so you can hear how great they really were. 

I wonder how many are gay?

Ciao

Yesterday, Friday 16^th, we went to the afternoon kickoff announcement show for Pride 2009 at Tawan Trendy Mall.   Here are some shots of the affair.

—— KickOff Slideshow ——-

     Group scene first then the main organizers:

Bruce from Long Yang Club, several from M+ and Bird (see later in post) were the kickoff speakers – sorry I didn’t get everyone’s names. Then a question and answer forum was opened – but as usual there is always a spoil sport in the crowd – this time as several reps from “the city” – not really sure who they were, but They were concerned about nudity in the parade – ???  apparently they had heard about other Pride events around the world and wanted to make sure Thai culture was observed and that does not allow nudity in public.  Thank God for critics – Heaven only knows what would happen if we were allowed to lead ourselves – typical politicians.

The next shot is Nu and his friend – former Teacher – Nickie – (LadyBoy) – she invited him to be with her on the float in the parade and it appears he will – so I should have a lot of shots on parade day – backstage as well.

And I mentioned earlier “Bird” – A long time friend and a surprise to me – was there and a sponsor of the event.  Bird owns a Travel Agency in Chiang Mai  www.AsianPlusTravel.com – I had earlier posts for Asian Plus but wanted to show their new web-site here – very very nice.   Please check it out:

Well more to come in Feb on the event – stay tuned, promise more boy pictures.

Ciao

On Friday, a school holiday, we went to see and take pictures at Doi Pui.   Doi Pui is right behind Doi Suthep and has the Queen’s palace and flower gardens – and about 3Km past is a public campground. There is also several Tribal villages but that we will leave for another post.  

 If you can read in Thai here is the that version too.    Looks like a great place to camp – they have tents you can rent and a eating facility with a small restaurant.  There are a lot of great orchids and other flowers in the main campgrounds.

—- VIEW SIDESHOW —-

We didn’t have time to visit a Tribal village nor to stop by the Queen’s Palace this time but we are planning another trip soon and will have many pictures – there is a GREAT flower garden there. Maybe next weekend.

On Saturday, 10th, we went to the Expats meeting to hear a presentation by the hiking club – great photos and very entertaining.  We are planning on joining the group to go on some walks – hopefully better photographic material – no cars, motor bikes or people to scare away the animals, so we are really looking forward to capturing what the local jungles in the area look like.

Also, Nu’s birthday is coming, 27^th, but he was bugging me about getting a laptop – so he got a early birthday present – a ASUS dual core Vista laptop.  I set up a wireless network in the house so he can use it anywhere.  He has Lightroom & Photoshop installed and will be presenting his own photos shortly,  In addition he has started a blog (blogger.com) and is setting it up – when he gets it ready to go online I will post the address.

Tonight we head for dinner at Bert’s house and then Nu starts school again Monday.  Back to normal.

Ciao

Just found a new Sideshow template – TiltViewer by The Turning Gate – it’s a add-on for Adobe Lightroom and really makes neat sideshows.  I grabbed several images and just put them into a test gallery.

*** Sideshow ***

Check it out – sorry I didn’t take a lot of time setting up the Titles and Descriptions for each shot – I just wanted to see what the finished show would look like on the blog.  Look for other gallery templates in the future – it’s great to have plug-ins for Lightroom.  If you use Adobe Lightroom try these out, this is using the free version but the pay-fro Pro version is even better.

Friday night we went to see “A History of Piano Music” by Jonas Dept and Laurent Chiarelly at the AUA Auditorium in Chiang Mai.

Laurent narrated the history and Jonas performed selections from 1732 to 1937.

Here is the program:

and    *** SLIDESHOW ***

What a great evening of music – afterwards we went with Jonas & Laurent and their extended family to “The Writers Club and Wine Bar” up the street for late conservations and drinks.

Jonas and Laurent are planning on many more future presentations at different locations around Chiang Mai and we will definitely go and gather more pictures for the blog.  Great entertainment – make sure to catch these shows when you visit Chiang Mai.  I’ll try to post their calendar of up-comming events.

Ciao

Saturday night, 28^th, we had the pleasure of going to “The Gate Theater Group’s” presentation of “The Gin Game” at the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center – Kad Studio Theater.  We were invited by the Matchett’s to video tape the show and make a DVD for them.

“The Gate Theater Group is a not-for-profit volunteer network established for the purpose of bringing the performing arts to Chiang Mai.  Among their goals are the  development and recruitment of local talent, the encouragement of young people’s interest in theater arts, and above all the delivery of an enjoyable theatrical experience to our audiences”

Here is the program sheet:

We missed the previous presentation “The Dodo Bird” because we were out of town, glad we made this one – very, very well done.  Superb sets, acting and of course the play itself.  What a neat little theater and I didn’t even know it was there.  Not sure what a Dodo Bird is?

We took about 1.5 hours of tape and produced a DVD for them – We also took many photos – or I should say Nu took a bunch – I did the video this time.   Tried out several new procedures in making the cover and DVD itself and really pleased with the outcome, here’s what the DVD looked like:

And here are some of the images:

    *** SLIDESHOW ***

I’ll post future shows which I hope we can make  – Great for Nu as he has never seen live performances or any stage play for the matter.

 Ciao