Moving to the Moo Ban - Permanently????

[Marmite the Dog]

Do you want the 'Permanently' removing from the thread title?

[dirtydog]

or "Semi" added to the title

[El Gibbon]

I had thought that the following would be a good header.

Moving from the Moo Ban - permanently ????

When I get some time I'll get my head around the REST of the story as Paul Harvey ( for those familiar with US radio personalities) would say.

E. G.

EDIT: As it turns out I'm "busier than a one-armed paper hanger in a fart storm" as my dad used to say. lol

[El Gibbon]

OK... I had promised to fill in the blanks on the move so here it is. Late, but I've been busy as hell. Actually doing a little 'work' that I enjoy.

As I mentioned earlier the RAIN was the major influence on the move. The rain itself wasn't too too bad but it brought BUGS. Bugs like I've never seen, all they wanted was to eat and enter my house for shelter. No shit, there were things you only see on Nat. Geo. For instance the night before I left I found what looked like a giant locust sitting on the porch rail. This sucker was at least 5 inches long and stood about 4 inches tall and wasn't the least bit afraid of humans.

The flooding brought every imaginable ant, roach, spider, scorpion out of their holes. They were all looking for some place dry, guess what was available?

The inability to work with my plants or do any type of outdoor photography meant that I was pretty much housebound. Yes, I had my computer set up but you can only spend so much time looking at either a computer screen or a TV screen without going completely batty in the process.

For the several months preceding the rain I was quite happy with spending a lot of time outside, with occasional visits with the family or a friend down the road or going into Chantaburi. It really was quite pleasant. Being totally isolated by the weather conditions for months at a time just wouldn't do.

Already I miss my bro-in-law even though we needed a translator most of the time. A neat guy with a good head on his shoulders and extremely smart in the ways of the jungle/orchard.

When I first broached the subject of a move I thought I would get immediate push-back from the Ms.. Didn't happen, she wasn't anxious to move, but come to find out she wasn't all that happy with living in such a small village that was basically all her relatives.

Apparently she got tired of being questioned whenever she was alone in the village either shopping or visiting her sisters. It never occurred while I was around, but on most occasions (funerals etc.) she was constantly getting grilled as to "when is the falang going to buy you a house", "when is the falang going to buy you a car", but what she hated most was the "when are you getting married - having a wedding party?" That one drove her up the wall. None of these comments came from immediate family but rather the distant cousins, and aunts and uncles, very few of whom she even gave two shits about.

So it comes down to being isolated, not speaking the language, no immediate transport, being looked at as the next sucker when looking at property and the weather. Now I can handle each of the mentioned 'issues' without a problem but pile them all in one sack one on top of the other and it becomes a bit much. As I'm an independent sort, I don't put up with situations I'm uncomfortable with, no need to at my age.

So, here I am living in a 20sh year old condo complex (quite nice actually but needs the original paint job done again - but security is excellent and the grounds are clean and neat - pool, store etc.), with a taxi rank outside the gate. I'm close enough to Foodland that we went the other night again and loaded up the larder and it took less than an hour from the time we left the apartment till the time we were back and all the groceries put away.

Carrefour is even closer as is Macro, Central is up the boulevard a couple of klics and Seacon Square a little further along. Golf within a few minutes etc. etc. And I can get to a book store (Emporium - I won't try and spell it ) get to computer shops and have a beer with friends in the evenings by walking across the parking lot.

No butterflies and no garden but I'll do quite well thank you.

I also have no regrets about the attempt to "live in the Moo Ban", I actually enjoyed it most of the time. Might consider it again, just not in that exact location.

Most of you probably followed CG's thread about the reasons for NOT retiring in Thailand. He had all the reasons laid out nicely, but I found that most of them can/would be overcome with a solid partner and it can be an enjoyable life style if your a bit of a loner or a bit of a naturalist.

E. G.

[buad hai]

Great thread EG. I hope you'll continue.

[a. boozer]

Great thread EG. I hope you'll continue.

......................................................................

[El Gibbon]

BH and a B

Never fear, I'll still hang around Teakdoor. I find most folks here to be a cut or two above the norm as far as posting on Asian forums go.

Some are particularly helpful and entertaining, specifically those that record their journey into the hinterlands and those with expertise in areas such as computers and cooking.

Actually have a thread idea in mind about cooking, we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the tremendous amount of nice comments and encouragement that I've received from all of you.

E. G.

[El Gibbon]

For those that followed along on my journey to the moo ban. It has been some time since I last posted so thought I would update.

Turns out I've been quite busy for the first few weeks here. Where does the time go.

Started playing some golf again, doing a little work and fighting with my computer, keeps me busy it seems.

Life here in the condo (which is actually in Samut Prakan, just barely) is just as I expected. It is nice to have resources close by and a taxi available just about full time any time between 6 AM and 9 PM.

The Ms surprised me and brought a couple of my favorite orchids along to break the monotony AND I've seen several butterflies flitting among the tree tops. One of which I'm sure is a Golden Bird Wing. Beautiful creature.

I've still got some pix from the old house that I need to upload when I get my "brain" situated, yep this ole laptop is doing its last rites thingy. Should have a 'new', to me at least, machine up and running within a week or so. Even considering going over to the dark side and doing the Linux bit, just to see if it works for me.

Will keep you posted.

E. G.

[sabang]

It will be interesting to hear about the pro's and con's of urban life after your MooBahn sojourn EG.

[Panda]

I just put a new hard drive in my PC when it starts acting up. Cost is very little -- about AUD $50 or 1,400 baht. Of course you need to set a day aside reloading everything. A remote hard drive to save all those things dear to you costs about 3,000 baht. But well worth it I think.
I dont have any programmes that cost money, so I dont lose anything.

[HAMILTON]

I'm a late arrival to your story EG. It was really excelllent. Thank you.

[geoff]

A fantastic thread Mr EG. I complement you on your achievments, and the way you go about things, as specially how you first moved out to the MooBan. All members of TD, can certainly learn a lot from you. The way you laid out your tasks, and strategies.
I presume, that you are from the USA. I am an Englishman, and if ever i get the chance I would like to shake your hand, and buy you a big drink. well done mate.

[El Gibbon]

Well, its coming up on the six month mark for moving back to the "civilized" life of the urban dweller. Thank you all for nice comments and a couple of PMs regarding the thread.

Pretty much settled in and living like a semi-city dweller. As I'm a very adaptable type, not a lot of issues with the move. Yes, it is slightly more noisy and the air isn't as good as Angkrilli but overall I'm quite happy.

I don't have the garden, orchids and wildlife to observe but I find other avenues to keep me occupied. (Ploenchit fair was an excellent example of watching the world go by actually.) The golf game is picking back up again and I find it especially convenient that when I need ingredients for cooking (breads soups and various other stuff) I can go to Foodland and be back within a half hour, even with traffic.

It is also great to be nearer the computer resources. I needed a back light for my laptop and had it replaced within a couple of hours up the road. The broadband here is great, of course I'm only a hundred yards from the CO which doesn't hurt at all. I was pretty well satisfied with the TOT satellite hookup I had but the TOT infrastructure was weak at best. Serviceable but just.

Turns out that over a several month period, the actual out of pocket costs of living here is slightly more than 10K baht. That includes all utilities and UBC. Not bad for a two bedroom furnished place with two aircons and the convenience of the facility.

This location is similar to when we lived in Din Daeng, I don't do the Sukumvit area much unless its for the bookstore or some other specific shopping needs. We go in on occasion but seldom. 200 baht by taxi, including highway toll and tip. Not too bad at all, plus they are building a skytrain station behind Bitec which will make it easier eventually.

The missus loves it, turns out she had friends close by that are NOT family

All in all it was the right thing to do at the time.

I do miss some aspects of the village life. Taking the Motosai to the village store, doing sign language and beers with the bro-in-law, picking fruit when I wanted it, sitting around the cement table with neighbors/friends without mozzies bothering you. Most of all I miss the wandering about via motosai or on foot with my camera, being somewhat of a loner I could/can wander for hours without a care.

If push came to shove and I had to decide on a permanent location between the two I couldn't make a choice right now. We've actually talked about this a little and the current consensus is a little of both. Time will tell.

Thanks again and hope its been an enjoyable trip for all.

E. G,

[Jet Gorgon]

Definitely a fab personal trip you shared, EG, thanks kindly.

[peterpan]

I lived in Bangkok for 14 years and moved to Baan nawk (udon) a year ago, while I was dreading the move, ending up quite enjoying it.
Its quiet, clean (air) and boring but for my children its a great place.
Must admit while there is some I miss about Bangkok, the transition to country life has been much easier than expected.

[skycop51]

Very nice story enjoyed it. You are a Brit I suppose!:} American here hope thats ok with? I hope to be back in LOS soon for a long time.

skycop51

[Marmite the Dog]

You are a Brit I suppose!

Just because he can write doesn't mean he's a Brit.

[Reaper]

Great Thread! Thanks.

[a. boozer]

You are a Brit I suppose!

Just because he can write doesn't mean he's a Brit.

What, not even with joined up lettering?

[Marmite the Dog]

What, not even with joined up lettering?

OK, if he had used joined up writing, then for sure, he's a Brit, but he typed it, hence all the confusion.

[jizzybloke]

I used to enjoy actual writing when i was a kid!

[panama hat]

Well, EG - you were right, it hasn't rained a drop since the rainy season - but it makes a nice change.
The sea is nice and uncrowded, big-city Chan is still pulsating with life - - - we'll have to have some more doughnuts when next you are back.


(Hey, at least we have clean air!)

[El Gibbon]

^
Must admit, though the air here isn't too awful bad (such as Din Daeng), I do miss the clear sky/fresh air there. More interestingly though is the fact that I miss the in-laws a lot more than I thought I would.

Each has its own points and problems, just have to decide which are the overruling factors. For now it seems Samut Prakan is the place for me.

I've been contemplating a trip down but the Ms. is reluctant for some reason. Maybe afraid I can 't hack the "country" life style (sleeping on the floor etc.) for a couple of days. We will have another doughnut.

E. G.

[sunsetter]

It's been a few days since last posting but have been busy yikes... a word not normal around here. lol

I've been baking bread for awhile now and have a recipe that seems to be repeatable. Now I'm interested in finding a recipe for hoagy/grinder rolls. If you don't know what a hoagy or grinder is: they are long sandwiches that have loads of stuff crammed into them. Think onions, provolone, swiss, tomato, lettuce, salami, ham, bologna, pickles and dripped fresh olive oil.
Fold it up squeeze into your mouth and chomp away.... wonderful finger-lickin good.

The roll has to have certain qualities to be really up to the task of holding the ingredients without breaking up, yet being light enough that you aren't just eating a loaf of bread. Small loaves of bread just don't hack it.

The crust has to be tough and chewy without the texture of a baguette, the center must be soft and collapse with the pressure of the hand. Basically a hot dog bun with a tougher crust that isn't too tough.

On the last batch of bread I reserved 1/2 of the dough in the freezer prior to the first raise - a good way to hold the dough if your oven is only big enough to hold a loaf at a time.



This was the result. I held the raise on the first time to slightly less than double in size. I punched it down then ripped it into three separate pieces and let raise until double. The dough was still "cool" to the touch when I put them in the oven and started the oven.

The result wasn't too bad, the crust was almost exactly what I was looking for. The inside was not as light as I wanted but fairly close. Yeah, they don't look pretty since I was experimenting I didn't bother with making them look good.

I think the next time I'll reduce the size slightly and start them in a hot oven, see what happens.

On another note, one of the reasons I've been busy is it is the start of the harvest season here in the south. Durian and mangosteens are coming on strong. Below is a couple of hours work for two people harvesting mangosteen.



This box holds about 40 kilo of fruit. It is delivered to an aggregatoin point where each fruit is graded by size, weight and color. This box contains a real mixture as is usual coming from the orchard. Once graded the current pricing is #1 62 -64 baht a kilo, #2 37 -38 baht, #3 34 baht, #4 28 baht.

This pricing indicates a 'normal' season in terms of quantity of fruit available. Unlike last year when #1 was getting 95 baht due to the shortage in fruit. This is also the 'early' price, if all goes well with the harvest the #1 price will gradually drop into the high 20s low 30s.

This is truly a great fruit, would love to figure out a way to can them. You see lychee, rambutan and longon in the stores canned, but no mangosteen.

We've also had a couple of visitors to the neighborhood. This devilish thing appeared under one of my tomato starter pots. Evil looking sucker with vicious looking pincers and a tail that indicates ouch!



Also this guy was found resting on the front porch this morning.



Other than that its been pretty quiet here on Moo Ha.

E. G.

is that blach sucker a whip scorpion? nasty!!

[sunsetter]

very cool thread, i love all the cooking tips, cant leave this one alone!!!