Goodbye 2009 and Hello 2010

We had no plans for any big do at the end of the year. In fact I had rather hoped every one had forgotten about the whole thing and we could have an early night and let it pass. But that never seems to be the way these things work out.

In fact it turned out to be a really great evening. We decided at the last moment to have a small party. About 20 of us in all including our house guests.. Those were Owen, Charlie Lynnie Ian and Thia. So already we had enough numbers to have the makings of a good party. So no choice but to go for it.
Charlie, Owen and  I did the 'Tesco' trip to stock up with beer, gin, tonics etc not forgetting of course the plastic plates, cutlery etc.
Wanna meanwhile was far more clever. She organised the cold box for ice, extra chairs and best of all for a roasted pig on a spit to be delivered. That was it the evening was organised.

All that was needed in addition to the above was a few more friends and we were off.  And they were planning on turning upa round 7.30pm.
I might add that the roast pig seller told us he had sold 53 such pigs for this evening!  Thats a good business by any standards.

The pig arrived already laid out on the spit and was half cooked with the charcoal still hot !  Way to go... The seller also organised as part of the deal for a young lad to remain and cook it cut it all up into small sizes ready to go with our potatoes and salads all to be washed down with a couple of very cold beers. See below as pictures tell a thousand words.

And A Good Time Was Had By All

Well finally Owen, Charlie and Lynnie made it out from UK to join us for New Year. We also had Ian and Thea with us and Phuk joined for the evening. As you can see it was late and a lot of beer and Gin had been enjoyed. Great night.

Land Registry

Every year I try and set myself targets. Not silly new year resolutions but 'things'. Learn a computer software etc.

This year one of the aims was to complete the transfer of ownership of our new Condo in Bangkok. I know it happens when it hapens but it is long overdue as scheduled completion was Jul;y 2009,  and now fortunately they are completed. It was supposed to be a simple thing taking over ownership.

Saturday last weekend saw us in Bangkok at the Condo offices. Signed numerous papers and were told all was OK to proced with the formal registration with teh Government Department of Lands this Tuesday. It was to be a quick 5 minute job. Well it took all day. A long day starting with a few more signing wiht ouir bank and then the Department of Lands. It was all completed at 4.30pm....Real headache but now over. So 2009 has ended on a satisfactory note. I've added a couple of photos of their offices. As you can see they are the same as any Government offices world wide!

Daily Grind

Can't say I've been doing nothing, ut can say I've not bothered writing any posts. s apologies. As I mentioned earlier we have got my Mother over visiting and being with her plus time spend going to work means the days have flown by. Thats no excuse and I'll be getign back on trach this week.
What has kept us so busy...? Well travelling, shopping, sight seeing, work, sitting round at home and of course in our spare time doing absolutely nothing!
Last weekend saw us up in Khon Kaen where normally I take a few photos. It really is a photographers dreamland. So much colour and such different sights to see. However, and I do not know why, but my camera stayed in its pouch and we got back to Pattaya 'photoless'.
Monday was back at work followed by the usual pool evening. We lost.  Again. Getting to be a bad habit, one which we must change.
Last night saw us out again for dinner with friends. Great fun but again no photos. Again more and more food! SUper fried fish, steamed fish adn various salads and freid rice. I'll start very soon looking like my Blog title....
Anyway back to events. Which is where I started this rambling Post. I was thinking that today to add to this Blog I would go into the local town and take a few snaps of  the market and general street life. Nothing special, it really was intended to be almost a space filler for my Bolg. (I don't like leaving new postings to far apart....) So I planned ot go into town after lunch. No chance today at work things were manic and it is now time to hit the road home.  Back no doubt, to yet another busy evening.... Must take a few snaps tonight whatever we are doing!!!! Promise.... Always assuming I'm not to busy...

However and fortunately I suppose, I had earlier on the way into work catched sight of a group of school kids on their way to school. The little pick up/bus was packed to the limit. Did not seem to bother anyone as they carried on past us.

Pattaya Balloon 2009

The 2009 Pattaya International Balloon Festival is in its 4th year just outside Pattaya. Adds lots of colour and brightness to Pattaya's skyline.
So with what was a beautiful morning. I today set off to work as usual and round the first corner I spotted a set of balloons taking off. Sure enough Pattaya Balloon festival in my back garden. Even got my driver interested.

It was about 6.30am so I thought a bit early for most people so imagine I was surprised to see some many cars about. Must have been 200-300 at the very least. Seems I was not the only one interested. The air was still, not a drop of wind which I'm sure made for great ballooning. We stopped for a few photos but being so early in the day the light was not so good. Really for photo work it needed some bright blue sky as a back drop to set it all off. However a quick stop was in order and indeed absolutely necessary and a great chance for a few photos, I will be honest with you, I was glad to be gong to work and not up 'there' in a hot air balloon. I had no wish to partake thank you!

Pattaya international balloon festival.

I'll say no more as it has already been said in far better detail on this link. That s.aid I might go along again tonight to see the night balloons.

Pasta Again

I seem to be long suffering. In fact it is self imposed suffering making yet more pasta. Seriously though I enjoy making it and am getting better at it. Now I know which wheats and how to mix them etc. Sounds good and a bit professional don't it?...

Indeed I've developed some patience and have learnt to wait till the dough is ready for rolling out and stuffing through the machine!! No small achievement I can tell you.

We made some yesterday evening and left it out to dry on the broom handle. Seemed to work easy enough and came out OK. Tonights dinner will be the proof!!

Pattaya Floating Market.

Had a very pleasent and interesting trip round the floating market at Pattaya. Also know as the four regions market.  That's because it is set up to provide a sample of all the different cultures and foods etc the four main Thai regions; and it manages to achieve just that. Not tacky and not too touristy.

Its located just south of Pattaya and was built in 2008. So its a relatively new place to visit.  It really is a great place to spend an afternoon even if you are not a shopper type. There are eateries of every description selling every type of Thai food and local coffees and teas. Various shops selling crafts and of course being a floating market there are numerous boats drifting around selling various food stuffs. It really is quite something. I'm finding it difficult to convey the place in writing and can only suggest you visit!!!!

We took my Mother who is out visitng with us and we all enjoyed it very very much. She wants to go back again.

I took a few shots but really could not do it any justice. It is the sort of place you could go back to, again and again to take photos and still need to return for that one last photo. So I am afraid this time, whatever I write in my Blog entry it does not do it justice. However as I keep repeating we enjoyed it, which is the main purpose of the trip.

It does have an official site  pattaya floating market