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In a previous Video ( link here: https://youtu.be/kE6kUrBHX6Y ) I checked out Chatuchak Park; for the first time actually. Indeed it was a treat.
And as I was walking around, the guy, likely in his 20’s or 30’s was feeding the squirrels. Now, for sure, saying “I saw some guy in {the park} feeding the squirrels” (or birds, or fish or ducks.. maybe) isn’t completely odd. BUT, what I noticed was that FOR ME, since having moved to Thailand *as well as* having changing my life/lifestyle (i.e. I don’t have the standard “full-time job” or “9 to 5” as many people will call it) I find myself a LOT more open to “stopping to smell the roses”. I think Thailand in general is a catalyst for that.
Now, I suppose you could respond to this with, “Well, DUH, mikes” if we were still living at the beach in Cha-Am and my “walk to work” involved walking 1 block to the beach to do for a walk along the beach to walk a video. BUT I’m up here in Bangkok. Where we’ve been for about 6 weeks. In fact, as of this video, I will have been here about 50 days.
We are now in our “permanent” location in Bangkok. Meaning: we have a 1 year lease on a Condo and have fully unpacked. While we will still travel quite a bit throughout Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, we now have a “base of operations” and can plan or Not Plan to do anything. I’m reeeeeeally loving my life today AND its not costing me a ton of money. While the whole “retire in Thailand on $1000/month” was NEVER one of my goals I’m living VERY comfortably for about $2000/month.
And, compared to the Very Upper Middle Class neighborhoods I have been blessed to live in in my life in America, I can definitely say that for $3000/month I could indeed live like “a King” here in Thailand. Again, like everything, its relative… my Kingdom likely differs from yours. And I’m more than happy to live like a second Prince – so far it just gives me One More Reason for: WHY THAILAND!!!!?? Cuz it provides me with an environment that seems to act as a catalyst for Stopping and Smelling the Roses.
And I love that.
Thanks for watching!
Live the Dream!
~mikes

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After a successful TM47 (90 day reporting) expereience at Thai Immigration Chaeng Wattana, I decided that rather than simply jump back on the bus to the BTS and immediately head back home, I thought I should take advantage of the fact that I am essentially on permanent vacation or “retired” as some people might refer to it. I hardly feel like i’m retired. I just feel like I’m finally able to CHOOSE what I’m doing with my life to earn money and pay for my life vs. HAVING to *work* at a job, that I may in fact enjoy BUT simply to pay for my monthly expenses – a scenario all too common in the US and much of the world quite frankly.
I’m know truly taking advantage of my blessings, and let’s be clear, my decades of hard work that some years involved working (stupidly, I might ad) 60, 70 and 80 hours per week… making WORK *the* most important thing in my life.
It was a valuable learning experience but UGH… well, lets just say, I’m glad I learned FROM it and am not doing that now…
SO, as part of this real freedom, I’m taking a bit of a walk through Chatuchak Park which is right next to the BTS Mo Chit station *before* hopping back on the BTS and heading home.
…Its time to STOP and Smell the Roses! at the Park.

Here is the website for the Chatuchak Weekend Market that is indeed very well know and has a TON of shops and plenty of great deals!!! https://www.chatuchakmarket.org/
As well as a good Wikipedia summary of the Chatuchak Market:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatuchak_Weekend_Market

If you would like some more information on the park it, here’s a link to the Wikipedia Article on Chatuchak Park:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatuchak_Park
as well as some info from the Market website:

Chatuchak Park

Thanks for watching and following the journey!
Live the Dream!
~mikes

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After a LOT of questions from a bunch of you I wanted to introduce an idea I had for “getting over here”. I’m calling it “THAILAND 101”
— Stay Tuned For More —
Thanks a TON to all the folks who watched, interacted and commented on Periscope and Facebook as well as here on YouTube.
I’m HONORED to have chatted with you all.
Looking forward to many more.

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Live the Dream!
~mikes

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This has been my second experience at Thai Immigration. This time at the ENORMOUS building and Government complex of Chaeng Wattana.
It was a “walk in the park”. Each person I interfaced with was at a minimum professional and cordial, and at times, friendly and smiling.
As this was my first time at Bangkok Immigration I had pretty realistic expectations: I assumed that I would get there, not no where to go, be presenting with some signs of instruction as well as lack of instruction. I figured I would likely be confused at times, get impatient, and possibly frustrated.
I had Zero negative experiences.
Much like my experience I had at the Phetchaburi Immigration offices
(link to video here: https://youtu.be/vk8uv8eItxY )
that Gracie and I went to when we were living in Cha-Am, the people were helpful and the process was actually quite efficient. I was treated with respect and at all times felt like if I had and questions, if was patient, then I would likely get an answer within a reasonable amount time.
So, after entering the building and filling out my TM47 form, I received my number in the queue about 9:15am waited from about 9:20am until 9:50am, so approximately 35 minutes +/- and was completely done with everything and sending Gracie a smiley-face in WhatsApp just before 10:00am.
Honestly, considering this was the first time I was doing a 90 days report and therefore I *needed* to physically go into the actual office, I cannot image a way that it could have been easier… I mean, sure, I could have been the ONLY person there and there could have been zero wait, similar to the experience when I entered the Land Transport Office
( link to video here: https://youtu.be/a3NBJgH9-_A )
in Phetchaburi Province when I got my Thai Driver’s Licences near Cha-Am, but really – this was More than Acceptable!!
So, once again, Thank You Thai Immigration!
I’m happy to say that I am GRATEFULLY Living the Dream in the Land Of Smiles.
Thank You Thailand.
~mikes

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As I was uploading this the channel hit 701 Subscribers. Wow – THANK YOU!!!! I’m honored you follow our journey.
It’s amazing how a great night sleep in a new place – YOUR own new place – can really do wonders for the mood… at least this has been my experience.
As mentioned in a previous video (link here: https://youtu.be/I5cs4-czV2Q )
my priorities have changed as have my needs, wants, desires, requirements and the like.
So, I was waiting for a buddy to meet me outside my place so we could head over to, at least what he refers to as “The Best night market in all of Bangkok” and thought I would check in and share a bit of my gratitude at having a cool new place. A place for Gracie and I to call “our own” at least for now.

As I have mentioned in previous videos, this whole “retirement” thing, while indeed it involves being in Thailand at the beginning, was, by design, set up to allow for travel and exploration. As the mighty team of me and Gracie as well as me as a solo traveler.

Its a real treat to be able to meet some of you and I made this particular video after meeting one of you earlier today.
J International (link to his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSBJddo6wJ0S0bsPdPLIhrg
and I got a chance to meet up over near On Nut Road a.k.a Sukhumvit 77 and chat over some coffee, It was great to hear his successes along the way as well as share some of mine. We also chatted about the future of Thailand and how we both agree that the number of infrastructure projects is vast and widespread throughout the Kingdom.
Indeed, I’m still in my first year of living here full-time so I’m willing to accept that I might be sporting a pretty nice set of rose colored glasses but for now, I’ll accept that criticism and just share that I am grateful IN THIS MOMENT for the life it *get* to live here in the Land of Smiles.
The condo that Gracie and I have a 1 year lease on is in the Bang Na District of Bangkok. Bangkok is MASSIVE and there are pockets after pockets after neighborhoods affter sois of just great places to discover.. day after day after day.
As I’ve said MANY times, “I am *not* a city guy, but boy do I really like Bangkok.
…I type this as I sit by the pool of our condo, its about 6:30pm and there is a nice breeze which is distracting enough to keep the mosquitoes from landing on one spot for too long. So far, so good.
The weather is that of a Very Warm/humid summer night where I grew up (New England). Now I have pleasant memories combining with pleasant moments.
I’m Livin The Dream!
Hope you are too!
Thanks for watching… on our way to 800 Subs!!! 🙂
~mikes

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It looks like the $160 laptop with the $20 lavaliere mic(s) using the Free OBS streaming software are working out OK now.
Thanks a TON to all the folks who watched, interacted and commented.
HONORED to have chatted with you all.
Looking forward to many more.
Live the Dream!
~mikes

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Obviously there is a picture or assumption that many people have when they hear the word “Pattaya”. Understandable. Indeed there is a lot of “red light” that happens there. In fact, after going to Pattaya the first time, when my friends would refer to Las Vegas as “Sin City”, I would just laugh and respond, “You’re oblivious”
There is Truly, NO OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD like Pattaya Thailand – in certain areas.
I highly encourage Single Guys to experience it At Least Once in there life time.
Just make sure you go there with your head clear and your wallet in your brain and not your heart of another incorrect place.
All that innuendo aside, since meeting Gracie, my priorities have indeed changed and on this afternoon as I was chillin out in Jomtien Beach, just south of Pattaya, I realized that my priorities had changed. Pretty Significantly. Certainly from what they were during my first few trips to Pattaya.
So, I thought I’d share.
I’m naturally curious what your some of your changing priorities have been and how you feel that had possibly changed your for the better.. I hope.
Thanks for watching – I’m honored your follow the journey.
Live the Dream!
~mikes

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As I was “in between condos” and wanted to meet up with a buddy who was staying down in Pattaya for about a month, a week of “Vacation” from my vacation was clearly over due. Haha.
I met up with another friend in Bangkok and we took a Grab Taxi for about 1300 Baht down to our hotel on Soi 5 in Pattaya.
Interestingly enough it was the first weekend of Chinese New Year but given whatever factors that were affecting tourism and/or travel this season, there were plenty of Vacancies and as per usual, ~1000THB for a decent new, clean room with a/c and decent WiFi is easily obtainable in the beach city.

One of the other places I really like to go is another beach, just south of Pattaya, Jomtien beach. Here it’s a bit less “crazy” vs. Pattaya but I also have several meetings with friends I go to there.
On this particular afternoon, I decided to stay near the beach and make a few videos as well as test out some live streaming and even do a live stream (link here: https://youtu.be/LCNh7UdNvHI ).
in this video I wanted to give a quick update on what Gracie and I will likely be up to over the next few months.

The location I picked for this video was pretty cool. I bet that when this condo complex first opened, right here on the beach this fountain was magnificent. Indeed, it’s still pretty nice but it lacks water. so, a bit less “magnificent” for sure but I’m able to actually sit in here without SCUBA gear and do a video and I did t need my waterproof Go-Pro haha!

Thanks so much for following and commenting and your interest in our journey. This move to Thailand has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and sharing it with you is great fun!!!
Stay tuned for more.
Live The Dream.
~mikes

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Gracie and I went to the Golden Dome Cabaret Ladyboy Dance show.
For sure, there are more than just ladyboy dancers and performers in the show. There are indeed male dancers, like more of these types of shows.
Sadly, our review of this one is that it is The Worst one I have seen. I’ve seen both the shows in Pattaya: Alcazar and Tiffany Show. Tiffany Show is arguably one of the Best if not THE Best of these shows that all other shows model themselves afterward.
But, back to Golden Dome.
The facility is fairly old and a bit weathered on the outside however the seats inside are decent. The legroom for the average attendee (i.e. NOT a 6 foot 2″ ++ person) is adequate.
You are provided with plastic cups of water from cardboard boxes as you queue through the line into the theater. Its good enough I suppose as you really aren’t in there more than about 90 minutes.
For whatever reason the theater was filled with mosquitoes that kept biting our ankles – annoying and distracting!
The show begins with a monologue by a woman that lasted about 15 minutes all in Chinese (Mandarin, I believe) I hard No Idea what she was saying as I am sadly, completely ignorant to Chinese. My issue, not anyone else’s.
Then after about 15 minutes the “show” actually starts, as far as I am concerned with a very pretty ladyboy singing a popular western pop/dance song… well, lip syncing (which is of course what is Always done at these shows). She did a pretty decent job or about the first 90 to 120 seconds, then she missed some lyrics and was off time so, we both tried to No pay attention to her month.
While she did smile quite a bit, throughout her performance and the remainder of the show, it was quite apparent that the performers were unhappy or tired or simply did not wan to be there or perhaps were not trained properly, who knows. I was not expecting Cirque de Soleil but this was like a high school talent show in spots.
Bottom line, Gracie and I had a great time laughing together so I’m glad we went BUT we definitely Cannot recommend it if you are an English-speaking western tourist. I just don’t think you will find it entertaining.
Put it this way, at least 5 times, when the theater would go black and the curtain would close, I was hoping the show was over. But, no, it was just a scene/set change.

Sorry Golden Dome. I guess I’m not your “ideal client”.
Gracie and I are in search of our Next Show – likely Alcazar and Tiffany Show in Pattaya.
The *search* for THE SHOW, must go on! 😉
Thanks for watching.
All the best.
~mikes