Horizon's Unlimited 2007 Chiang Mai, Thailand

Here are photos from the event and video from the group ride. If you're a youtube newbie, it helps if you start the playback, mute the volume, go away and do something else while it streams to your computer and then unmute and click Watch Again. That way it won't be jerky if you have a slow connection. Yes Eric, the photos are free but if you feel the urge to pay please contact me through my blog.

Simply choose the size photo you want and download it. The video was fun to produce, but the files worked my little computer too hard and the danged thing crashed half a dozen times. Time for an upgrade. Eric (TYNDA), are you out there?

I had fun doing the photography and video but didn't get to meet too many people since I was working most of the time.

Night Manuevers

Mom called last night and we spent some time talking about Dad's medical problems and their frustration with the medical system because they couldn't get answers about his problems. Parkinsons, PSP? No conclusive diagnosis yet.

Anyway, just as I was finishing up the call, I started hearing gunshots outside my balcony. I live next to Wing 41 of the Royal Thai Air Force. I can spit off my balcony and it will land on the air force base.

I walked out on the balcony thinking that it was only fireworks but when I looked down I saw muzzle flashes. DANG, I thought, I'm standing up here on the 5th floor and there's terrorists trying to invade the base or worse yet, Thaksin's cronies are trying to smuggle him back into the country.

I ducked down and went inside. BOOM, a large flash bomb goes off. I turn my lights off and crawl back out to the balcony with my camera. I tried ISO1600 with the Nikon and then realized that what I needed was the Sony handycam in night vision mode.

I think they were doing training that night, at least I hope they were.

Amazing Thailand...

Score: BarryBBQ 1, Manila Taxi Drivers -1

After I finished my duties at the recent Horizon's Unlimited meeting in Chiang Mai, I went to Manila for a little vacation with Dr G. We researched the urban jungle and visited some high ranking officials from Kawasaki at the factory in Alabang (south of Manila). Greg stayed on to do some motorcycle touring and I headed back home to Thailand after 5 nights.

I broke my rule about not using taxis waiting in front of hotels. It seems like the security guy at the door was in cahoots with the taxi driver as he was only too happy to help me put my bags in that taxi. I asked the driver, before I got in, if he would use the meter and his response was “of course!” I heard him start the meter when we left and then he tossed a towel in front of the meter so I couldn’t see it during the ride. As we were pulling into the airport, he started fingering the meter and I heard several beeps.

We pulled up to the terminal; I got out with my bags and asked how much. He shows me the meter which said 570 pisos. The ride should have been about 100-150 pisos. I took out my camera and took photos of the front of the taxi, the back of the taxi, the license plate and stickers in the window and his face as well. Needless to say, he was intimidated by the BBQ camera. I said “wait here, I have to go get police to help". He tooted the horn and said “no, I discount for you!”. Every taxi in Manila has a phone number to call or sms if the driver refuses to use the meter. This guy must have thought I was going to call.

There weren’t any police in front of the terminal so I went inside. Didn’t find one there either so I simply went through security and checked in. Free taxi ride – pretty cool.

Throughout the 5 days we were there we used many taxis. Most drivers would quote a fixed price only (because we were rich white people). We only used taxis that agreed to use the meter. Even then, they would often beg for a big tip after the ride was finished. Strange, they all seemed to have a little Jesus on their dashboard. WWJD?

Would I go back? Yeah, when Kawasaki gives us free bikes to ride across South East Asia. I'm proud to say that I live in Thailand. Yes, there's some dual pricing here but it is the exception, not the norm. Manila is a real hole. Everywhere we went there seemed to be people (men) just hanging out on the street. They'd eye you as if they were sizing you up. "Is he drunk enough to roll easily?" "Is anybody watching?" It felt as if I was walking the streets of Tijuana at night (for you Alan).

I get stared at a LOT in Thailand but when I make eye contact with a Thai and smile, they always smile back. Thais stare at me because I'm a freak - I'm 2 meters tall! The Filipinos stare for different reasons.