Month: September 2014

It’s LOW SEASON — No Shit

Sawadee Khrap

20140930_143305Here’s a shot at 2:30 today, Tuesday 30th down Jomtien Beach area walkway – if you look very, very, very far in the distance you may be able to just make out “Ted” on his daily walk with hands behind his back. – That is how slow it is around here lately.  This is the worse it has ever been – by everyone I’ve talked to  – NEVER this bad.

But wait  – just posted in the ThaiVisa.com newsletter is a new article with important information being mulled over to advance tourism –wrist bands   “Wrist Bands for Tourists”


Now this is a novel approach – destined to stand out as the remedy of the year.  But you need to read the article yourself. – Love the responses too.

Ciao

Blood Pressure update

Sawadee Khrap

Blackmores Omega MemoJust found and started taking Blackmores Omega Memo – this stuff is a concentrated Omega-3 nutritional oil capsule containing  500 mg DHA.  DHA being the most important Omega related to “good” cholesterols.  It is supposed to increase the level of good cholesterols while decreasing the bad, while also thinning the blood, and reducing the blood pressure.  I find that I can reduce the Valsartan from 240 mg/day to 160mg/day and my blood pressure is running about 120/60 all day.   Before I had to take 3000 mg standard fish oil to get the same 600 mg DHA – too much daily consumption of oil for the same benefit. 

So my pill regiment has become :  160mg Valsartan, baby aspirin, 1/8 Cialis tab, and 3 squares of 73% Coco after a large Oatmeal breakfast – then a 1000mg Omega Memo after dinner – this combination has been keeping my BP almost steady at 120/60 all day and also allowed me to eliminate the Plavix I was taking for blood thinning.  Of course the 2 mile/day walking work-out has a lot to do with the equation too.  Don’t forget the exercise.

Now my monthly cost is running about 1000 Baht (US $31/mo. ) for all my meds.  Far cry from where I started out in this nightmare being told I had 5 blocked artery’s and needed 800,000 Baht   (US $25,000)  operations and would need to take roughly 4,000 Baht/mo. (US  $125) meds for the rest of my life.   I supposed if I had insurance – well I don’t.  God Bless.

At the end of Sept I will once again check my cholesterol levels and kidney functions to make sure everything is still on track – but so far I feel great and that should be the best indicator. Although this combination is working for me, I have just talked to a friend that the Blackmores product didn’t work for him – so I put this up here to show a example of what could work -  I have done numerous trials and checks to determine what is working best for me and I’m just hoping my experience can benefit others.

Ciao

Back to Bang Sare – now Bang Saray

Sawadee Khrap

Took another trip with Don to Bang Sare – First we passed Bang Saray Walking street and the beach area  – different spelling even from the signs on the Hwy getting there – who knows the correct spelling  – only in Thai is it right –English translations are anything that sounds close  – that’s Thailand.     Great looking beach though – don’t miss it if your in the area.

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Then to the pier to see if the Cambodian fisher boys were out in style – Alas, just a few, mostly fixing their nets for this evenings run. But we did get to see some jelly-fish in the water, had a drink at the local pier restaurant and generally took in the sights.    Nice day

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It’s always a great trip – the area is full of color, interesting things to see, many times, great eye candy – if you know what I mean, – excellent for photography and very friendly locals.

Ciao

Thanks for the Birthday wishes

Sawadee Khrap

Well just turned 74 – still got a few years before I have another party at Adams Apple Club with the boys – a whole new line-up – should be fun.   Had lunch with Mark and Pooh (that’s Mark in the second image)   at imadgdgeCabbages and Condoms – excellent – but then got a imahdgfhgeterrible upset stomach – I think from the peanut butter sandwich I had earlier – so that dampened my evening but didn’t stop me from  going to go to the “ ?Mark”  bar and the “Birthday Party” there – not mine but a big crowd and seem like they were all there for my birthday – loud Thai music, free food, lots of boys – met Don, Ted, and Mark (from Florida – so many marks here) there – good time anyway.  Thanks to all for the good birthday wishes.

Ciao

“The Diamonds” now and then

Sawadee Khrap

Thanks Kevin for this link – but it does show my age – wow memories.

Cick on the image to start the videothe diamonds

THEY ARE STILL GREAT . . . THIS WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE…

If you were alive in 1957, and old enough to enjoy Rock and Roll, you will probably remember the group, "The Diamonds" who had just launched their super hit "Little Darlin’ ".
For you that are too young to remember – it was a time when the performers were happy, enjoying themselves, respecting their fans, dressed appropriately and their lyrics could be understood.   They did not feel obligated to scream, eat the microphone, mumble inaudible lyrics or trash the set. 
In 1957, The Diamonds had a hit with "Little Darlin" 47 years later, they were requested to perform at Atlantic City …  This link leads to both performances.  Watch the first one then scroll down for the new one 47 years later.   Tom Hanks father is much better looking than Tom, and even better looking with age. In the linked videos Tom Hank’s father is the lead singer on the left. He still has it! Hope you enjoy.
47 years apart 2 Performances —

Ciao

Bus Pattaya – to/from – Suvarnabhumi Airport

Sawadee Khrap

And here is a great video I found on YouTube showing the best way to get to Pattaya going on the Roong Reuang Co. bus  to/from   Suvarnabhumi Airport – from anywhere in Bangkok  – just take the Skytrain to the airport then.. 

bus to pattayaClick on the photo to start the video

Airport-Pattaya Bus Service (Roong Reuang Co. Ltd.) provides direct transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Jomtien and vice versa, with only 32 seats in each coach and an estimated travel time of approx. two hours. The company’s Jomtien office is located outside the Foodmart supermarket on Thappraya Road (opp. Pan Pan restaurant, just around the corner from Thepprasit Road).

The departure location at Suvarnabhumi Airport is on the 1st floor of the arrivals terminal (between gates 7 and 8).
Departure times 7h, 8h, 9h, 10h, 11h, 12h, 13h, 14h, 15h, 16h, 17h, 18h, 19h, 20h, (21h), (22h)
One-way fare is 134 Baht (January 2014). www.airportpattayabus.com

If your coming to Jomtien – get off at the Jomtien office  – easy walk to Jomtien Complex.

Ciao

Additional Son

Sawadee Khrap

Just got back from the beach and finished and got approved several new images of “Son”.  _MG_3968-Edit-Edit_MG_3997-Edit

_MG_3974-Edit-2_MG_4019-EditHe liked them  – and he’s hopping you do too.     Were trying to set up a new trip to Sai Kaew Beach with Son and his friend for tomorrow  –  If we can, with good weather,  that should render some good images of the boys playing in the sea.

Ciao

Speed Art – using Photoshop

Here is one of the reasons I love Photoshop – what creativity does it allow – I will be one happy camper when I can reach anywhere near this level of skill – I have the technical knowledge now but have to gain the artistic and imaginative talent for design and composition.  Shadows and perspective, balance and story telling – a lot yet to learn.

speedPhotoshop

  Click on the picture to start the video

Ciao

Tribute to Khun Ball at the Venue

Sawadee Khrap

Friday night I went to the special evening performance to honor Khun Ball who recently passed away.  _MG_9912_MG_1537_MG_1219_MG_1798Here are some of the numerous images I have of Ball (that was his name shown on the marque or you may also have known him as Bon.  He was, by far, my favorite dancer – always full of energy, smiling, and I thought the highest kicker in the troupe.   Donations  collected to help out the family raised over 100,000 Baht,  – his Mother, sister and brother were there and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.  Where’re going to miss him terribly and what a tragic loss.    RIP  Khun Ball.   God Bless such a warm, talented and carefree spirit.

Ciao

Ancient City trip–Samut Prakarn, Bangpoo

Sawadee Khrap

Just got the car fixed – new brakes, replaced left CVC joint and a full tune-up.  Now ready to go exploring again.  _MG_1422-PanoSaturday,  I’m planning to head to the “Ancient City” or Mueang Boran in Bangpoo (or on some maps  BangPue, everybody seems to spell places differently – even the local signs don’t match all the time ) – Samut Prakarn Province,  right off of Sukhumvit Rd – Hwy 3.  It’s almost a 200 acre city with 109 scaled down versions of Thailand’s most famous monuments and architectures.  I visited there last year but a big storm was coming in so I didn’t take many shots – hoping for better weather this time.   Above is a 5 shot panorama of the “Pavilion of the Enlightened”.  Of course, to due it justice, I replaced the sky background  with a more sunny version.  And below is a shot of the replica of the “Dusit Maha Prasat Palace in the Grand Palace, Bangkok”  _MG_1380-  

I should also be accompanied there by a new friend –  an Art and Film student  from the local University and avid photographer.  Hopefully our collaborations will produce some unique and interesting images.  Really looking forward to meeting him and maybe even exploring some of the surrounding places that Samut Prakarn has to offer.   New images posted soon.

Ciao

Bang Saray – picturesque fishing community

Sawadee Khrap

Following the advice of a friend, I took a short trip to down the coast today.  About 21K South Bang Sare-140831001-95from Pattaya is the picturesque fishing community of Bang Saray City or Bang Sare  as some spell it.  It was overcast day but no rain in sight.  Bang Sare-140831001-39-EditBang Sare-140831001-26Got there about two in the afternoon so most of the daily activity was finished and everyone was resting and getting ready for the evening fishing launch.  What a colorful scene when all the boats are moored -   I got these great Bang Sare-140831001-38Bang Sare-140831001-92Bang Sare-140831001-6shots of some young boys playing/swimming and  another one of some fisherman fixing their nets .   I plan to spend some more time there the next time and I think I should get  some excellent images to turn into paintings.   If your in the area be sure and check it out and for sure try to sample the local fresh seafood.