Departure from Chiang Mai, April 29, 2017

My work here is finished, and I return to Bangkok tomorrow afternoon. The students go back by bus, their holiday is over, school begins may 1.
We did a lot and saw many historic sites while here. We took in two world famous Buddha temples,
Wat Doi Suthep, and Wat Kam, which is white, and over 1200 years old. Most images are gold coloured.

One morning was spent an Royal Gardens Rajapruek, which are over 500 acres of plants from all over Asia. My favorite area is the orchard garden which has thousands of different types of orchids.
My holiday is just half over, so I fly out tomorrow, on a flight called Nok Air,  and the kids go back by bus.  There are many smaller airlines here, and Nokair is a subsidiary of Thai International. The flight back to Bangkok is about 80 dollars.

While in Bangkok, I will be staying in a private home with friends that I have been working with. They do not have wi-fi at home, so each day after they go to work, I will go visit Mcdonalds.
I will do some site seeing, and relaxing. On May 15, I get to do that "day twice lived", and depart here at noon and travelling via Hong Kong, for a two hour stop, then to Toronto. I should get into Ottawa about midnight  same day.

I hope to do an update from Bangkok, but am having computer problems, so may not get to do so.
My computer keeps jumping into the middle of what I have written, and it just erased the first paragraph of this page.

Report from Chiang Mai, April 24, 2017

I came to Chiang Mai on Thursday, April 20, for a 12 hour trip. The Thai railroad system has an absolute fantastic On Time Departure record. We departed at exactly 0830, moved exactly two rail car lengths from the starting point, and sat for 15 minutes. We then moved another distance, about the same, and waited until 09;00. When later talking to the staff, they said that they had an enviable departure record. We did arrive in Chiang Mai on time. We were served drinks several times, snacks twice and lunch at noon...all included in the ticket price of 24 Canadian dollars, (641THB).

The weather here is in the mid to high 30s, with today being 37 degrees, and next two days at 38. There is no snow in site.
Yesterday, we went to the top of Mount Doi Suthep, which is a favorite Thai Buddhist site. at the top of a mountain 300 steps above the car drop off point. There is an escalator for those who choose to use it.
This is one of my favorite places in the world, Chiang Mai, with lots of historic sites, gardens and walking to do. The canal is a good morning walking site, so I go out at 0500, do an hour along the canal, thirty minutes out, then return. The hotel begins serving breakfast at 06;00, so after a shower, etc, its time to eat. Breakfast is included with the hotel room at a rate of about 40.00 dollars per night.

We stay indoors at mid day, and go out again in the late afternoon. Because we are only about nine degrees north of the equator, (540 nautical miles), the days are about the same all year, sun up around six, and setting about the same in the evening.

Royal Garden Park, and a 17 meter tall white Buddha are on the list for things to do while here.
Students decided to skip the zoo. Too many hills.
I declined to drive here, due to crazy drivers, and the fact it is done opposite to North America. I was accused of being the only person in the world with a drivers licence restricted to Right Side Driving only!!!. That was what I pleaded, but it did not sink in.
We return to Bangkok on April 30.  I will probably report again before departing here.

Update, Bangkok April 18, 2017

 I am now adapted to the time change and the weather and meal times. I have also been able to get up to date with my sleep. The temperature change is one that must be taken easily; coming from the cool climate of an Ottawa spring to this 34 degree daytime temperature must be done slowly. I only go out for a few hours at a time.

I was really impressed with the seamless travel offered by Westjet airlines of Canada, and Cathay Pacific, which is based in Hong Kong, and is about the oldest airline based in Asia. When I checked in with the Westjet counter in Ottawa, using only my passport, I was given the three boarding passes needed to get to here. They took the luggage and told me I would see it next in Bangkok. Thai is what happened. The Westjet  flight even carried a Cathay Pacific flight number, which is called, "Code Share". The only problem was in Toronto where the distance from the Westjet gate to the Cathay Pacific counter was about three kilometers, and that is Westjet figures. They do have a mobile shuttle, operating for those who cannot walk that far. All along the way, there are signs that say, "Lets rethink Terminal Three". I agree they should rethink it all!!. Because International connections are to be a minimum of three hours, and Westjet did not have a  later flight that  could meet that time allowance, my flight departed at 8;00 P.M. for the 0150 Cathay departure. On that day, Westjet had a flight at 11;00 P.M., but not a legal connection.

I flew the similar route about a year ago with the other Canadian Carrier, (Air Canada), and had to recheck in at each transfer place because they did not allow other carriers to book boarding passes on Air Canada flights. No wonder I avoid them when at all possible.

My work here begins on Thursday, so will do an update from Chiang Mai  next week.

Mr Don Has Arrived In Bangkok

I had an excellent trip here, all flights were on time, and I saw a lot of new land. My flight from Toronto to Hongkong would usually go up over Yukon and Alaska. This time, we went up over Labrador, Greenland, Spitzbergen Island, across a lot of the Russian Arctic, and down the middle of Central Russia, over Mongolia, Ulaan Baatar, over a lot of China and into Hong Kong this took 15 hours flat.,then it was on to Bangkok for a two hour flight.
My hotel gave me a two level upgrade to  an executive suite....a tough call, but someone had to occupy it. I will enjoy it for five days. It is raining this evening, but at 32 degrees, and I did not see any snow after passing Siberia!. When I got to the hotel, I stretched out for a few minutes to contemplate the afternoon.....no problem, I woke up three hours later, and most of it was gone.

Will do an update in a few days.

Update April 12, 2017

Hello all;
All arrangements are now in place for my next adventure which will start in about 24 hours from now. For the first time in my travels, I will be travelling via Hong Kong. I must state, however that my time in that city will be limited to six hours at the airport; three hours going and three hours on the return. For the first time also, I will be taking a night flight. We will depart Toronto at 02;00 in the morning and arrive in Honk Kong at 05;00 their time after a 14 hour flight...all in the dark ahead of the sun. I use the term "we", meaning the flight, as I am travelling alone, but with two hundred others!. I have window seats all the way, 66A from Toronto  on Cathay Pacific flight 829,and 55A from Hong Kong to Bangkok on same airline, flight 705.
So, I will depart Ottawa at eight in the evening on 13 April and after a one hour flight, arrive in Toronto. At 0150, we depart for Hong Kong. I will do an update as soon as possible after my arrival, but, perhaps some rest, and for sure a Thai Massage will be in order, or should I say "on order". I have had people try to walk over me in my lifetime, but that is not the same as a Thai lady walking all over you in her bare feet!.
As well as work in Bangkok, I will be visiting Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, and other things yet to be determined.
On the night of May 13, friends from Bangkok will be taking me to dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Bangkok. It is a restaurant located at the 88 floor of the Baiyoke Tower.
If interested, you can Google this place and see what it looks like. It is one of the highest buildings in Thailand.