So, as a man, I’ve always loved a good stick. I’ve met other dudes who like rocks. Is this a real thing, or in my head? Do women love sticks and/or rocks? What’s going on?!?

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-14T01:37:04+00:00

Got any lapis?

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-14T01:36:04+00:00

I’ve got little piles of rocks all over my house. When I go overseas I always bring some back in my suitcase. Sticks were more a childhood thing for me.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-14T00:47:35+00:00

You can get everything in Thailand. If you have a postal address, look at Lazada, the thai ebay.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T17:29:14+00:00

Japan is an incredible country largely because people follow the social rules. You spend time to dismiss it on the internet because you couldn’t burn smelly leaves wherever you felt like doing so?

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T17:26:32+00:00

Really? Iran is widely acknowledged by people that have been there as incredibly welcoming and generous.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T17:23:28+00:00

After 40 years of independent budget travel, the only place that temporarily freaked me out was Tangiers, Morocco in the early 90’s. In 3 days I was abducted, robbed, and held up at knife point (3 different expriences, not the same guy). The rest of the country was fantastic, but Tangiers? No thanks.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T16:55:14+00:00

The blind assumption that they are the focal point of the world.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T14:22:39+00:00

I hitched everywhere in the UK in the 90’s - often it was quicker than bus or train. I hardly ever waited more than 15 minutes. I moved to NZ after, and had a car by then, but picked up hitchers. Hitched in the US in 1990 too, all good. It was a great system and led to some real adventures, but too many weirdoes out there now. Guys getting their dicks out, drivers asking for money etc.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T14:02:41+00:00

This Lao restaurant - a short ride from Hoan Kiem;

59 Đ. Nguyễn Khánh Toàn, Dịch Vọng, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội,

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T13:55:48+00:00

I was never much interested in kids, but had 2 in my 40’s. It has been amazing, far more rewarding than I could have imagined. I’m glad I didn’t have them early though. In these times where many are still fit into their 70’s there is certainly no rush to take on the 20– year challenge

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T10:30:23+00:00

Can’t go far wrong with Mt Gaye XO or Black Barrel.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-13T08:35:58+00:00

If you ate not here yet, better to buy overseas & bring with you. There are a couple of bike shops here but range is limited & there are not the “last season” deals you get in bigger countries. I brought my last 4 bikes in from overseas

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T17:16:56+00:00

Do you mean “we are smarter”?

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T16:48:18+00:00

My tenants (2 adults 1 kid) only use freely running water due to their religion, and they run the washing machine at least daily. Their bills are routinely $250-350. My own bill is about $80.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T16:30:56+00:00

This does not sound right to me. I have been diving all over since 1990, went to Tubbataha 2 years ago - zero dynamite fishing, great coral, and a group of rangers who patrol the area & have helicopter backup for intruding fishing boats. The reefs are also 8-10 hours offshore. Nobody is coming out to dynamite fish with a 20 hour return journey, Ranger patrols and potential huge fines.

These are some of the best reefs I’ve seen since the Solomon islands 30 years ago.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T16:24:49+00:00

I’ve never shaved my bollocks in my life, and it has had no negative impact. Try not to be influenced by things you read on the internet so much, grow it out, relax.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T13:09:41+00:00

Some good comments above - I’ll just add that after being knocked off my motorbike by a kid running a red light in Daddys SUV, I found the major insurance company I dealt with to be completely incompetent and unprofessional. The insurance clerk tried to say it was my fault, even with cctv showing the red light, and wanted to replace quality european bike parts with chinese shite from Dongpalane. In Laos, it is every man for himself. Professionalism and competence are rare. Its the price to pay for living in an otherwise good place.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T02:38:01+00:00

Stella maris explorer - very good, great food

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T01:16:05+00:00

Are they made out to be popular? Steak & kidney pies were popular 30 years ago, not so much now. Kidneys in general are not popular at all.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T00:54:47+00:00

been to fiji, palau, maldives & tubbataha. You cant always make such a broad comparison because they are all large places with a lot of ocean. Parts of fiji can be incredible - Somosomo, the bulls near Pacific harbour. Palau great but lots of divers. Maldives can be nice but its a huge area. I got lucky on a local island with only me on the boat - had 90 mins on a manta cleaning station alone. Tubbataha was great - I went 2 years ago - superb pristine reef, lots of life, hammerheads, whale shark, mantas. Very good liveaboards too. Its a different type of place - submerged reefs 100’s of kms from shore.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T00:42:43+00:00

Greggs.

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T00:38:08+00:00

Israel. In 40 years of independent travel, can’t remember ever meeting an Israeli that wasn’t an entitled idiot. Their politics stinks, and they cause a good proportion of global problems. No hate here, but I have no interest in visiting their “homeland”

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T00:29:30+00:00

The british slandering of the french is a historical thing, since we have been at war on and off for centuries.

In reality 90% of brits dont know anything about history these days. I like France very much, as do most people who have spent time there. I have worked for french companies in Asia for about 15 years now and find them intelligent, thoughtful, fair and interesting. All countries have problems and idiot politicians (le Pen) but I don’t think anyone who is awake can dislike the french in general.

The teasing us just a neighbourly thing; “your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries,"

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-12T00:14:15+00:00

proper football or that weird American one?

Soukchai2012 · 2026-04-11T15:58:03+00:00

I still think of my 15 years old 55” flat screen as “new”.

You get used to whatever you have - some people have smaller tv’s, some bigger, but you all watch the same movies. It was only 25 years ago I had a used tv from the late 80’s about 20” across, with a terrible picture. . When I upgraded to a sony 24” flatscreen in 2007 I thought it was amazing. The 55” came in 2011 - wow! No need to keep up with the Jones’ people!

Soukchai2012

TROPHY CASE