I arrived here one hour late, but everything went well, other than that. I went to the airport as planned, and, upon arrival, just before midnight, I went to the United kiosk and printed out my three boarding passes for the three flights. Just enter passport, answer two questions and out they come. The baggage sticker for my one checked, at nine kilos, did not print. I was told at 3;45 when staff arrived for the day, that baggage tags could not print until staff on site...they must ask..."Do you have any explosives or dangerous items in this luggage". Unbelievable, but true. Security opened at 04:30, then U.S. Customs and Immigration. I was through there in five minutes. I was advised that my luggage would next be seen in Bangkok, and so it was.
I did not need to go thru security again for the remaining flights, was in secure area all the time.
The flight to Newark,...start of takeoff, until wheels touch down...one hour and 12 minutes. A shuttle bus took us from Terminal A to C. The flight from Newark to Tokyo was 13 hours and 23 minutes, while the flight to Bangkok was six hours and fifty minutes. This flight departed one hour late due to late arrival of the aircraft. We got into Bangkok at 12;30 A.M. Customs took about five minutes, then I was in a taxi to the hotel.
At Bangkok airport was met by a hustler for taxis, trying to push rides that were double the authorized rate. I told him where he could go, and just a hint...it was not to the nearest house of worship. The rate is 400 Baht, about 16 dollars for the 40 kilometer ride...he wanted 1000. I spoke loud enough that all those waiting could hear me. By the time I got to the hotel, it was 01;30, about 36 hours of travel time. The flight from Newark to Tokyo took us over eastern Ontario, up over northern Ontario, and we crossed the Saskatchewan/Manitoba/NWT border area, then onward north near Prudhoe Bay, over eastern Siberia and down to Tokyo. I did not see the ground from Takeoff until over Siberia.
I will meet with some of my Thai family members on New Years day, and we will plan the next month. Wi-fi is not great here, so not sure when I will again report in. In the meantime, I wish everyone a great and healthy New Year, and all the best for the year. It will be 2563 for my Thai friends.
Tuesday 31 December 2019
Saturday 28 December 2019
Some Technical Information December 28, 2019
I did not plan to do another update until I had arrived in Bangkok; I decided, however to provide some flight information for those who may wonder what is involved in a long haul flight.
First, because I will be in Thailand more than 30 days, including arrival and departure days, I had to get a Tourist Visa...no working while there. That is a stamp that takes one page in a passport.
This evening at about ten P.M., I will depart by bus to the Ottawa airport. I must be there at 04;00, so I go out and relax there, rather than doing the taxi trip at thee in the morning. Many have offered to drive me, but I do not like taking that route, and having others get up to do so.
At the airport, it is now a lot of do-it-yourself. I will put my passport in a machine that has been loaded with all passenger information for the next 24 hours. That is for about five different carriers.
I will be asked several questions...how many pieces of luggage to be checked, (one), any liquids, etc.
The machine will then print out three Boarding Passes, and a tag to go on the checked luggage. At 04;00 when the airline counters open, I put my luggage on a belt, and, if all goes well, will see it in Bangkok about 30 hours later. This is how it is supposed to work.
I will then proceed thru Security, and then United States Customs and Immigration. The U.S. have these facilities at ten or twelve major Canadian Airports with heavy cross border traffic. At 06;00, I will depart on United flight UA4032, in seat 23D for Newark,(EWR) and arrive at 07;56, at Terminal A. With my carry on luggage, I get on a shuttle train and go to Terminal C, where I board United flight UA79, seat 38L for Tokyo (Narita..NRT) airport. We are scheduled to depart at 11;00 and to arrive at 15;00, after a 14 hour flight. There will be no Customs, as I am in Transit, but usually one must go thru Security again.
At Tokyo, I arrive and depart from the same terminal. I will depart NRT at 18;35, on United flight 7971, which is actually on an All Nippon Airways aircraft, flight NH 805, seat 42D and arrive Bangkok six hours later, at 23;55. This is how it is supposed to go. Those seat numbers are how many seat rows back on the aircraft I will be. Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of us, and Bangkok is 12 Hours ahead. The International Date Line, where we go into tomorrow is 8 hours behind us. Confused...so was I at one time....but after about 12 of these type trips, it in starting to sink in. Will let you know how it went when I get to BKK
First, because I will be in Thailand more than 30 days, including arrival and departure days, I had to get a Tourist Visa...no working while there. That is a stamp that takes one page in a passport.
This evening at about ten P.M., I will depart by bus to the Ottawa airport. I must be there at 04;00, so I go out and relax there, rather than doing the taxi trip at thee in the morning. Many have offered to drive me, but I do not like taking that route, and having others get up to do so.
At the airport, it is now a lot of do-it-yourself. I will put my passport in a machine that has been loaded with all passenger information for the next 24 hours. That is for about five different carriers.
I will be asked several questions...how many pieces of luggage to be checked, (one), any liquids, etc.
The machine will then print out three Boarding Passes, and a tag to go on the checked luggage. At 04;00 when the airline counters open, I put my luggage on a belt, and, if all goes well, will see it in Bangkok about 30 hours later. This is how it is supposed to work.
I will then proceed thru Security, and then United States Customs and Immigration. The U.S. have these facilities at ten or twelve major Canadian Airports with heavy cross border traffic. At 06;00, I will depart on United flight UA4032, in seat 23D for Newark,(EWR) and arrive at 07;56, at Terminal A. With my carry on luggage, I get on a shuttle train and go to Terminal C, where I board United flight UA79, seat 38L for Tokyo (Narita..NRT) airport. We are scheduled to depart at 11;00 and to arrive at 15;00, after a 14 hour flight. There will be no Customs, as I am in Transit, but usually one must go thru Security again.
At Tokyo, I arrive and depart from the same terminal. I will depart NRT at 18;35, on United flight 7971, which is actually on an All Nippon Airways aircraft, flight NH 805, seat 42D and arrive Bangkok six hours later, at 23;55. This is how it is supposed to go. Those seat numbers are how many seat rows back on the aircraft I will be. Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of us, and Bangkok is 12 Hours ahead. The International Date Line, where we go into tomorrow is 8 hours behind us. Confused...so was I at one time....but after about 12 of these type trips, it in starting to sink in. Will let you know how it went when I get to BKK
Wednesday 25 December 2019
Update , December 25, 2019 from Ottawa.
In just over 72 hours from now, I will be once again starting on that long trek back to Thailand. Considering the current forecast for the weather here, it will be a change of about 45 degrees for me. I do not care for the snow, and at the same time, do enjoy the heat.
In a Skype conversation last evening, with the family in Thailand, I do not know where I will be spending most of my time. I have reserved a hotel in the Silom area of Bangkok for seven nights to January 6 checkout. At that time, I will go into northern Thailand for the next four weeks. My friend is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at the Udon Thani hospital. His family, and the family farm, are located at So Phisai, three hours by auto north-east of Udon Thani. Where I go will depend on several factors, including his condition. The week I have booked in Bangkok will give me time to rest and recover from the long trip there, and, along with family members living in Bangkok, develop a plan of action. I have booked two nights, January 31, and February 1 at the same hotel as when I arrive. This will give me time to prepare for the long flight back home...last minute shopping, haircut, relax, Thai Massage, etc. I have been informed that February 2 is also the date for the Superbowl game, the final football game of the year. Since I am not an American Football fan, I will only have to put up with a few days of the post game hype...not the pregame also!.
I will do an arrival report when back in Bangkok. I do not expect to do any more updates until that time.
In a Skype conversation last evening, with the family in Thailand, I do not know where I will be spending most of my time. I have reserved a hotel in the Silom area of Bangkok for seven nights to January 6 checkout. At that time, I will go into northern Thailand for the next four weeks. My friend is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at the Udon Thani hospital. His family, and the family farm, are located at So Phisai, three hours by auto north-east of Udon Thani. Where I go will depend on several factors, including his condition. The week I have booked in Bangkok will give me time to rest and recover from the long trip there, and, along with family members living in Bangkok, develop a plan of action. I have booked two nights, January 31, and February 1 at the same hotel as when I arrive. This will give me time to prepare for the long flight back home...last minute shopping, haircut, relax, Thai Massage, etc. I have been informed that February 2 is also the date for the Superbowl game, the final football game of the year. Since I am not an American Football fan, I will only have to put up with a few days of the post game hype...not the pregame also!.
I will do an arrival report when back in Bangkok. I do not expect to do any more updates until that time.
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