Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Rainy days

One of those red letter days, pond filled to the brim and house finished at the same time this afternoon. The rain and bad Thai beer prevented a real big celebration but I am trying in spite of those hurdles.
I know you drought guys are suffering and I don't mean to gloat. Filling this early will bring different problems for me later, my big rains are in October.
But it truly is nice to see accomplishment. Me and the fish are fat, life is good............ Sweetheart pass me another Singha.

Thats a very nice place. congrats!

A veritable Shangri-la! What a super home package...tip o' the hat to ya, Rad.
Is the "balanced double take" look your specific design requirement, or a common practice? It looks like a great hang-out for your postal carrier (if that's what it's gonna take to get timely PB delivery )
It appears as if there is more (substantial?) water, left of frame. I remember you talking about being close to big water...is this it?

Rad,

Great picture. I completely enjoy your posts which always provide insights into life in that part of the world.

Your pond keeps getting larger, it seems. Very nice set-up.

I was just thinking the same thing. If you have any more observations on pacu, please share.

Boy Rad, have you ever wondered what the pore folks are doing? It makes me want to drag my place out into the road and throw rocks at it.

The two house design is mine, the house style is Thai with a twist of Bali. The interior is western style and the two downstairs outdoor kitchens are for Thai cooking.
The pond is not much larger than shown, I laid down in the spillway to take the picture. The big water near me, 1 kilometer, is the Bay of Thailand.
Dave, funny you should mention throwing rocks, we took the rocks from the road and threw them at the pond. The banks are covered down to about 5'.
I will be moving in around the middle of September and intend to enjoy it all.
Thanks to all for your kind words.

Rad the house and gardens are great AND SO IS the water. Beautiful color and I bet fertile. Did your helpers from the prior pictures leave ?

ewest,
The regular crew is still here, they weed, trim, plant, build walls and walkways as weather permits. Help here costs between $4 and $5 per person per day and they do a tremendous amount of work in one day. I am very lucky to have their services, they take pride in their work and often add plants from their own gardens.
It is really my girlfriend and the gardeners who deserve the credit for what you see.

Rad,
I am barely a yearling on the PB forum, so forgive me if this question is stale.
I, too, enjoy your posts. Particularly the beauty of the pics of your region and homestead. I see by your profile that you are retired...congrats! Can you satiate my curiosity and share a quick life summary and what landed you in Thailand?

Rad
That is a beautiful and inspiring home! Thanks for taking the time to post and share it. Do they raise any Bamboo in the area?

Rad tell them we noticed their outstanding work and admired it (your's on the pond also). I am familiar with the work ethic and artisan quality as I was almost born in Indonesia (parents were there in early 1950's). We have some furniture built there by hand with wire saws ,chisels etc that appears seamless , along with a number of other items.

Have one gallon of Crown Royal. Will travel.
can get more crown royal if needed. Invitaton
needed.............standing by.

Rad- You are a great asset to this forum with your beautiful home and pond. Will you have internet access when you move there in September? I hope you can give us weekly updates when you are there permanently. Tell all your family how much we enjoy the pictures here in the United States.

ahvatsa,
Most people don't raise it, it grows wild, like crazy. There are several rarer types that I see in some local gardens.
Brettski,
It was a right place, right time sort of thing. My wife had recently past away and I was wallowing. A friend invited me to join him for a short trip. The place became infectious and here I am. Chumpon is unlike anything I had in the US. Remote, backward, agricultural, no memories and very third world.
ewest,
If you look closely there are 5 helpers in the picture.

LOL, just like the Highlights books...I found them, on the stairs !

Beautiful place Rad...is the lot next door taken ?

Pond Boss can be such a great tool for learning, but sometimes it's a portal to things we'd have never known or seen.

Thanks, Rad. It's gorgeous.

I have beaten the neighbor on each side of me to no avail, I do have an option on just over an acre, 30 meters east of me. If that works out I will start a new pond in January. But, the extra house is vacant, so any time....the door is always open.

Rad, sweet place.

Can you explain the house/structure. Is it one residence? If so, are the two parts fully detached?

If so, why?

Eastland, the Highlights magazine was exactly what I thought when Rad posted that there were (5) objects.

Sunil,
Thanks, the second house is a separate unit, attached only by the staircase. It's for visitors and guests, stop by I have cold beer, bait and a spare rod and reel.

...does Southwest go to Thailand?

Ahh, the selfless Brettski, volunteering to sell the first load of steel in Thailand - it warms the cockles of my heart.

BTW, do the Texas guys or me get complimentary "Brettski 2006 World Tour" T-shirts?

What's a cockle?

Rad- will it sleep two.

We have a near new modern airport in Chumpon, but I don't think Southwest flys here, come to think of it no body flies here.
Most of the residents of this province have never seen an airplane on the ground. Many have never seen the airport. Gotta train though, it was running about 5 hours late on the 8 hour ride from Bangkok last I checked.

Should sleep 2 with ease and I will throw in all of the tilapia and pacu you can catch.

Theo lends praise for my work ethic:
...a sales call in Chumpon, based outta Bangkok...interesting twist...may have a hard time writing that one off.
...when I get the bill for excavation, there should be 1/2 of a shirt available...I may have to leave it on my back.