Hello all; I am back in Ottawa after a very extensive month on the road. I arrived here on Wednesday morning at 00;20. All flights were on time or early at arrival, so no delays that way. As stated earlier, I did have a nine hour layover at the Inchon airport,(outside Seoul) Korea. That layover was known from the time the ticket was booked. I was very fortunate, and thankful for some of the decisions made in the planning for this trip. I had originally intended to go to Asia in November, however, upon being informed that my youngest, (of two) sisters was very ill with cancer, I moved my trip ahead by two months. My sister was living at Dawson Creek in northern British Columbia, so I decided to visit her,and other family members for a week, then continue on to Asia. Upon arrival in Bangkok, I picked up a copy of the Bangkok Post newspaper and found that the National Museum would be presenting a display of the Terracotta warriors from China. A fantastic chance to see that without going to China. Another wise decision, unknown at the time, was to take the flights that my agent found, which returned via Korea instead of the normal stop I do in Tokyo. Japan was devastated by a Typhoon the weekend I departed, and I would have probably been stranded for several days.
By travelling when I did,it was the rainy season in Thailand, and therefor very few tourists. As a result prices were good, and no long lineups at major events. I was able also, to get all my dental work done, over two days, and also new glasses, the savings which much more that covered my airfare there and back. In fact, my ticket from Canada to Asia and back, with the one week stop in Edmonton, was only 180.00 dollars more than my daughter's airfare, who came with me to Edmonton, and returned home to Ottawa the same day I flew west to Asia.
As usual, I have a few comments about the service with Air Canada, both on the ground and in the air. When I checked in at Bangkok airport for the return flight, my carrier to Korea was Asiana Airlines, an AC partner. They made the point of telling me that I would not see my two pieces of checked luggage until I arrived at Ottawa. This was great for me, but was not true in the end. As we approached Toronto on an AC flight, all were advised that we must pick up out luggage from a conveyer and go thru Customs and Immigration, then those transferring to other flights would put their own luggage on another conveyer and go to their gate for the next flight. Upon arrival Toronto, I checked with a Senior Air Canada staff member, who informed me that I would not be getting my luggage in Toronto, that the in flight information was wrong. Unsure who to believe, I checked with a Customs Officer and was advised that yes, I must get my luggage and do the recheck routine. If I did not, my luggage would be kept in Toronto. I did as he said, and everything worked fine.
I will not get going on the topic of food on board the Air Canada flight,and the fact that,one and a half hours from Toronto at 4 P.M. in the afternoon, we were served a breakfast with the choice of fish soup...or scrambled eggs...called an Omelet....from the same caterer, and same menu as we had been served 22 hours before on Asiana. I gifted it back to Air Canada. Also...at the beginning of each Air Canada flight, during the welcoming spiel, they state..."Welcome aboard Air Canada flight so and so, voted the best carrier in North America". During this trip, I asked six AC staff who did the voting and no one could tell me!!!. I suspect it was dreamed up over a coffee in the Board Room.!!!
Friday 18 October 2019
Wednesday 9 October 2019
Bangkok, Wednesday, October 9, 2019
I will correct my last posting. The trip to Bangkok from Pattaya ended up being on a bus. The train, while very cheap...around 50 cents for the four hour ride, would have been nice, it was to be full of kids enjoying a school break. The ticket office only opens 30 minutes before train time, and the kids were already unruly, so I went to the bus station, and took a bus back in just over two hours.
I have had a relaxing time here, going out from time to time between the heavy downpours, but it is actually refreshing.
Today, I went to the Bangkok National Museum and viewed the small exhibit on the Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an China. Thai citizens got in for about a dollar, while all others were charged nine dollars...a fact I have no problem with. I also had no problem with the fact that seniors got in free....but only Thai seniors. I could not pass the test.....no Thai I.D. card. After we got in, they informed us that no cameras were allowed. They had a counter where you checked in the cameras, and picked them up on exit. We were allowed in by groups of 40. They had a tent cover, due to the frequent rains, and every 10 minutes, another group were allowed in. I was just in time, made the number 40th, so walked right in...it was lunch time, maybe that helped. When I came out, about 30 minutes later, there were hordes of people waiting, dozens of buses had arrived, and it was getting to be a mad house outside.
I was fortunate....I got my camera, then asked if I could go into an anti-room, the second from the exit and take some photos....the lady said yes, but go quick and no flash....so I got most of what I wanted.
I have a quiet schedule for the rest of my time here. I will do my usual walking between storms, and on Monday, will pick up my second pair of glasses. I had ordered the first pair before going to Pattaya, and picked them up the day I got back. Using my old frames, which came from here several years ago, I have been extremely happy with these new lens. I see everything in a new light!!!.
Also, on Monday about nine in the evening, I will take a taxi to the airport to begin that long day travelling home. My flight leaves at one in the morning, October 16, I cross the International Date line, and continue travelling with an arrival around ten in the evening, Ottawa time, same date, but 30 hours later. Unless there is something exciting in the meantime, for which I will do an update from the Inchon Airport, (near Seoul, South Korea), I will next update upon arriving home.
I have had a relaxing time here, going out from time to time between the heavy downpours, but it is actually refreshing.
Today, I went to the Bangkok National Museum and viewed the small exhibit on the Terracotta Warriors from Xi'an China. Thai citizens got in for about a dollar, while all others were charged nine dollars...a fact I have no problem with. I also had no problem with the fact that seniors got in free....but only Thai seniors. I could not pass the test.....no Thai I.D. card. After we got in, they informed us that no cameras were allowed. They had a counter where you checked in the cameras, and picked them up on exit. We were allowed in by groups of 40. They had a tent cover, due to the frequent rains, and every 10 minutes, another group were allowed in. I was just in time, made the number 40th, so walked right in...it was lunch time, maybe that helped. When I came out, about 30 minutes later, there were hordes of people waiting, dozens of buses had arrived, and it was getting to be a mad house outside.
I was fortunate....I got my camera, then asked if I could go into an anti-room, the second from the exit and take some photos....the lady said yes, but go quick and no flash....so I got most of what I wanted.
I have a quiet schedule for the rest of my time here. I will do my usual walking between storms, and on Monday, will pick up my second pair of glasses. I had ordered the first pair before going to Pattaya, and picked them up the day I got back. Using my old frames, which came from here several years ago, I have been extremely happy with these new lens. I see everything in a new light!!!.
Also, on Monday about nine in the evening, I will take a taxi to the airport to begin that long day travelling home. My flight leaves at one in the morning, October 16, I cross the International Date line, and continue travelling with an arrival around ten in the evening, Ottawa time, same date, but 30 hours later. Unless there is something exciting in the meantime, for which I will do an update from the Inchon Airport, (near Seoul, South Korea), I will next update upon arriving home.
Thursday 3 October 2019
Hello From Pattaya, Thailand; 04/10/2562 (Year of The Buddha ) Oct. 04/2019
I have been here in Pattaya since Tuesday morning, and will be returning to Bangkok early afternoon tomorrow by train. That will cost me about .50 cents, Canadian. I came down on a but, which cost much more...five dollars!!!. Ground transportation is not expensive...unless one uses a taxi, and is not aware of the set rates. On the way from my apartment to the bus station, a taxi cost me five dollars, and it took an hour....most of it stuck in traffic at rush hour.
The smog hit Bangkok Tuesday morning, lasting for two days...well above the health safety level. It was my choice to come here, rather than going to the site of the famous Bridge on The River Kuai..different ways of spelling this. It was forecast for rain there...more so than here at Pattaya.
Both are about the same distance out, one north-west, the other, south of Bangkok.
Since this is known as the rainy season here, there are not many tourists. Until today, I think there were only about three rooms at this hotel that were occupied....and probably over 40 units in all.
As I walked the beach and visited the new malls...two new malls....huge in size, both built in the last two years, it became immediately clear that there were few tourists...mostly locals.
This is a week of celebration for China...starting yesterday, 70th anniversary, so about one hundred thousand Chinese are expected in the next few days. In addition, the government has created a scheme to help the poorer people of the country see their areas, so ten million will see a payment made to their bank, to encourage them to travel during this slow time, and on for the following two months.
I walked the beach yesterday and today, some boating activity with parasailing, but no wind for sailing. Some of the activity on the water is staff training, and...playing during their quiet season.
I do not have much planned for the one week plus a couple days before going home, but will attempt to get to the National Museum to see the Terracotta Warriors display. Last week, they decided to shut down on Mondays and Tuesdays....not much warning for tour groups.
It is so slow here, that on three occasions when I walked into McDonald's for a coffee, I was the only customer...and one of those times was at noon!!!
I will do a report prior to my departing for Canada on October 14, at nine P.M., when I take a taxi to the airport. My first flight departs here on the 15th at 01;10 A.M....and I get home 27 hours later...same date....at ten P.M.
The smog hit Bangkok Tuesday morning, lasting for two days...well above the health safety level. It was my choice to come here, rather than going to the site of the famous Bridge on The River Kuai..different ways of spelling this. It was forecast for rain there...more so than here at Pattaya.
Both are about the same distance out, one north-west, the other, south of Bangkok.
Since this is known as the rainy season here, there are not many tourists. Until today, I think there were only about three rooms at this hotel that were occupied....and probably over 40 units in all.
As I walked the beach and visited the new malls...two new malls....huge in size, both built in the last two years, it became immediately clear that there were few tourists...mostly locals.
This is a week of celebration for China...starting yesterday, 70th anniversary, so about one hundred thousand Chinese are expected in the next few days. In addition, the government has created a scheme to help the poorer people of the country see their areas, so ten million will see a payment made to their bank, to encourage them to travel during this slow time, and on for the following two months.
I walked the beach yesterday and today, some boating activity with parasailing, but no wind for sailing. Some of the activity on the water is staff training, and...playing during their quiet season.
I do not have much planned for the one week plus a couple days before going home, but will attempt to get to the National Museum to see the Terracotta Warriors display. Last week, they decided to shut down on Mondays and Tuesdays....not much warning for tour groups.
It is so slow here, that on three occasions when I walked into McDonald's for a coffee, I was the only customer...and one of those times was at noon!!!
I will do a report prior to my departing for Canada on October 14, at nine P.M., when I take a taxi to the airport. My first flight departs here on the 15th at 01;10 A.M....and I get home 27 hours later...same date....at ten P.M.
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