Christmas in Istanbul, December 25, 2022

 Hello all.  Three weeks from today and I will be returning to Canada. Today is like every other day here, with few exceptions, like banks and such. All stores, malls and shops are open their usual hours.  Next Sunday, being New Years day, most will be closed...if they go the normal route. Kids in school only have the weekend off, but will have a short vacation mid January.

We have had nice weather compared to many places.....like Canada. Lows some nights around three degrees, and daytime temperatures up to 18 and 20 some days, but mostly around 12. The next week is also looking good. A week ago, the forecast was for 10 CM of snow for December 30, now will be around 14.

We have had breakfast at the famous Pierre Lotti restaurant, located high on a hill side where you go up in a gondola. The place has a number of restaurants ans is located above thousands of grave sites. Many of the hills here are used for grave sites and have done so for hundreds of years so I am told.

We spent one day in the huge Egyptian Market where almost anything can be found. We saw places that were selling fake U.S. one hundred dollar bills......true.. The next day, we were having a coffee at one of our favourite places and saw a pile of the fakes on the next table....they had been ripped to shreds, but we retrieved one for showing off.....except for one word, it could not be picked out of some real bills.

I have a friend coming down from Poland for a few days, and at that time we will visit the Chocolate museum, and the Grand Bazaar, etc,,,,,you know how it is....... get two or three women together and shopping will be the order of the day....here there will be ladies from Poland, Morocco, and Turkey....all great friends of mine. 

Istanbul Turkiye, December 11,2022

 Hello All. Yes, I arrived here on time yesterday, in fact we were thirty five minutes early. I was in and out of Passport Control/Customs in five minutes. So everything was ahead of schedule. We got in just before the evening rush.

In the past, I always stayed at the Ramada  Alibeykoy hotel, however it was booked for the times I needed, so my friends found a good  apartment for me. That hotel is where my friends and I set for a place to meet, and it worked out excellent. Another friend from Warsaw is expecting to come down for the first week of January, and we have set that hotel as the place to meet then also,

On the route here, we were above clouds all the way from Canada.....no ground visible until just before landing. Our route was Montreal, St Johns Newfoundland, Dublin, Munich, Belgrade and on to Istanbul.

By the way, I have spelled this country as it now wants to be identified. Travel agents and anyone dealing in that business are being encouraged to use this spelling.

We have a quiet day planned for this afternoon, and will do more starting tomorrow, when Hussian, my little friend here , is back in school for the full day. We are still good friends because I brought him 20 Birthday Cake Tim Bits.....his favourite.  We start the day tomorrow by having coffee at the Cafe Pierre Lotti which I have previously referenced.....there is several ways this place is spelled...sometimes one and sometimes two ells. That will be all for today.

Ottawa, Ontario, December 8, 2022

 Hello All. This will be a short report, as not much travel-wise has happened since my last update in November. I will be departing here during the noon hour Friday, December 9, and travelling via the VIA Rail system to Dorval, then a shuttle will take me to the airport. This ticket is included in the rail fare to Montreal. I will have a few hours at the Montreal airport, then at ten P.M., we will depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight  TK 36, for the estimated nine hours and three minute flight. 

My friends in Turkey have arranged for me to rent an apartment that is about three transit stops from where they live. My Turkish friends and another friend of theirs, (and now of mine), from Morocco, will be making plans for what activities we will get involved with. On January 5, a friend of mine from Warsaw will come over for a few days to visit that area for the first time. I have been kidding them that there will be three people bossing me around .

For those who wish to do so, you may wish to Google some of the places we see, and will do again; The Istanbul Chocolate Museum, The Pierre Loti Cafe...(the views from above an old Cemetery are outstanding on a clear sunny day.). and MiniaTurk, which is a large area of miniature models of many scenes from within Turkey.

 I should point out that now, we are seeing the modern name....Turkiye on many documents and in the newspapers.    I will report in after I have arrived in downtown Istanbul. 

Ottawa, Ontario November 3, 2022

 Hello All. It has been some time since I last had an update, however, my work and other activities have kept me very busy up to now. The Civic..(city) and school board elections in Ontario were scattered over three days in October, and I always work at them if I am in Ontario. I worked this year on October 7, 14 and 24th. My specialty was operating the voting Tabulator machines. These machines did all the counting, after voting closed on the 24th...no more counting by hand.

As soon as the election was over, it was time to start planning and booking all the components for my next adventure out of Canada. The final step was completed yesterday, when I got my Turkish Visa. I will be going to Turkey for almost six weeks starting December 9. I take the VIA rail train to Montreal in the mid afternoon of December 9, and, go to the Dorval station. At the Dorval VIA (west side Montreal) station, VIA have a shuttle every fifteen minutes to the Montreal airport. This shuttle fare is included with the main ticket. At ten that evening, I depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK 36.....for a flight of around nine hours. I may have mentioned before, but Turkish is the oldest established airline in the world. It started service in1933. (There is  now a ladies perfume called TK 33in Honor of that.) I will return with Turkish Airlines to Montreal on January 15, overnight at a hotel at the airport and return to Ottawa the next morning on VIA. The last train from Montreal on January 15 is too close to my flight arrival time to make the connection.

My friends in Turkey are looking after arrangements there and all the activities that we will be doing. My next update will probably be after arrival in Istanbul. Take care, and enjoy the holidays.

   

Ottawa, August 13, 2022

 I have now recovered from the long trip home, and am about up to date with the work I had waiting for me. From the time I departed my hotel in Bangkok to arrival at my Apartment was 36 hours, with very little sleep. As one gets older, the body takes more time to recover from the change of routines, and the different meal times, and so on. 

My time in Bangkok was limited to the times required for the dental work which in the end was five different days  spread over a month. I returned to Bangkok from Pattaya, (two hours south), to meet one appointment. This was a bus trip which cost about three dollars Canadian each way. One of the most interesting places we visited this time is a Tropical Garden known as..Nongnooch. It is located just outside the city of Pattaya, and is easily found on Google. One could spend several days there and still not see it all. In my view, they have gone overboard with the number of model birds and animals....but, who am I to say. It was very enjoyable , and, if the opportunity arises, I would go again.

My friends also took me to a mountain where an image of Buddha is carved in outline on the mountain face. This image can be seen for miles, however we drove very close and posed for photos. I am attempting to find a name for this mountain...in English. 

In the south-center of Pattaya is a range of very high hills with a huge Buddha that can be seen for miles. We drove up there and took photos out over the beach and sea, probably the best views of the area . The sight is simply called...The Big Buddha.

I had prearranged a visit to the Pattaya Orphanage, so we went there one afternoon and had a good visit with the staff. Because of restrictions around Covid, we did not interact with the children.

I knew when I booked the trip that it would be the rainy season, however, after waiting almost three years for the major dental work, decided to go anyway. The rain was no problem...mid afternoon each day, it came down so hard that all traffic just stops for the 20 to 30 minutes then out comes the sun until tomorrow, then the same all over again.....lots of water.

Hello From Ottawa, August 6, 2022

 Yes I am back in Canada, and am sorry that I could not post any stories while in Thailand. My last blog where I reported my arrival in Bangkok was an alert to the Thai government and as a result, they banned my entrance to my blog...that's a fact. In January, after working with techies and attempting to obtain a Thailand Pass, I quit in disgust, and wrote a letter to the Bangkok Post Newspaper...titled...Its Time For a Change....the letter was published. Some background...when the army took over about eight years ago, as I understand the situation, they...(army) insisted that if certain internet companies wanted to operate in Thailand, the army ... or government, would need to have control.....within Thailand. Next came a law that sets prison terms or fines for people who may criticize the government....within Thailand.

A friend in a high position in the Bangkok Tourism Office had informed me, prior to my letter to the newspaper, that over 90 thousand people had complained about the same issues that I raised. I did not know that such information was not public, and I guess the brass got excited. I was able to use my computer all the time I was away, but was not able to get onto my blog page.....my Thai friends were able, and had lots of comments about the issue. I will say no more.

My trip went  mostly as planned, no other travel problems with the exception of the time that Canada was undergoing the internet outages. I had four dental appointments set for my time there, and had all the dental work I needed completed with a smile. When Booking.com, the company I use to book hotels tried to clear my credit card for my next hotel, it was rejected and my reservation was cancelled. I contacted the hotel and they reinstated my reservation without any problem. 

During my travels, I met some new friends and at all times was treated to the great hospitality that Thailand is known for. I had a taxi reserved to pick me up at my Bangkok hotel on August 4 at three A.M. At Midnight, the power went off on my floor, but stayed on in the rest of the hotel. I went to the lobby and with others stayed there until the taxi came. After returning home, I received an email from a  counter staff member expressing her regrets of the incident....that's Thai hospitality.

I will end here for tonight, and will have more travel information in a few days as I get back to speed here at home.   

Hello from Bangkok, Thailand.......July 6, 2022

 I arrived here at midnight on July 4, Bangkok time , after a six hour flight from Tokyo. My departure from Ottawa was on July 2, at 0745, and five hours to Vancouver where I had to stay overnight. We could not get connecting flights for my westbound to Vancouver. The hotel prices in Vancouver are very high for anything within 50 miles of the airport. I was told by people at the airport that they paid 110 dollars for a taxi to the cruise ship terminal from the airport. My hotel cost for the one night was more than I will be paying here in Thailand for a ten day stay at any  of the hotels  all rated at four star. 

After a days rest, I had my first visit to my Bangkok Smile dentist this morning. After almost two hours, most of the fillings have been done, and one root to be removed....we will discuss that tomorrow. When I am finished the dental, and on July 11, I and some of my Thai friends will go two hours south of here to Pattaya for ten days. It will be seaside activities and I will also visit the Orphanage where I have worked in the past. This will be a social visit  with the staff , and I will have some time with the kids, and I will have a story about that later.  

This trip to date has gone as planned with no problems, as I did my research, and had all the papers for vaccinations, etc. From the plane to baggage pickup here was about ten minutes with the Customs/Immigration officer welcoming me back after he saw all the Thai Visas in my Passport. I do not have a Visa for this trip as I will be here only 30 days. I will update from Pattaya..                                                                    

Ottawa, June 28, 2022

 Hello all; It has been some time since my last report, but there are several reasons for that. The most important, as many of you may know, was a statement by the authorities in Bangkok that their borders would open on July 1 to all foreign visitors. That happened in the third week of June. After three days of late hours and assorted travel issues, I now have confirmed travel dates for my first trip to Thailand in two and a half years.

I will proceed to the Ottawa airport late on July 1, and at 07;00 in the morning of July 2, I will fly with WestJet to Vancouver. I must stay overnight in Vancouver, as connecting flight space was not available. This is the first time that has happened  to me in all my travels. At noon on July 3, I will fly with All Nippon airlines to Tokyo Narita airport, and after a change of planes, will fly on to Bangkok, my final destination. I will arrive there at midnight on the 4th. Remember, when we cross the International Date line at approximately 180 degrees west, we pass into the next day. On my return flights, which are the same carriers and routing, we go back a day. That will be August 4, which I will live twice.

While the "Rules of Rome", will apply to some of the activities in Thailand, I can say that I have dental appointments at my Bangkok Smile dental office on July 6, and then one or two other dates to be determined. After a week in Bangkok, I will go with Thai friends to Pattaya, which is a beach city, and while there, I will also visit my friends at the Pattaya Orphanage where I sometimes do volunteer work. For this trip, the visit is social only, as I did not get a work Visa. In Thailand, one must pay 80 dollars for a work Visa even to do volunteer work. The last ten days or so will be spent at a resort just north of Bangkok  (sixty miles or so), called Baan Dala.

 Because of medical Insurance rules, I can only be out of Canada for 40 days at a time without having to pay extremely expensive additional days. I will be doing updates as my trip unfolds.  

  

Ottawa, June 5, 2022

 Hello all; I arrived home Monday May 30, and have been extremely busy since then, so now have time to do an update. My last ten days or so in Istanbul were very relaxed and the most exciting time was on May 27 when we celebrated Hussian's birthday. His actual birthday is in the third week of June, but we had it early so that I could be present. His mother had made arrangements for a dinner party for the three of us at a famous Lebanese restaurant in Istanbul called Arada. We went by the Metro lines to this place in a busy tourist location. The restaurant staff were not busy that evening, so they went all out. They had a small cake with candles and this was on a nice tray, with Happy Birthday Hussian  in icing on the tray. At two times during our time at the table they came with bowls containing dry ice, so it set a very unique scene. The second time was when they brought the cake to the table.

 Hussian's mother and I had bought him a nice blue scooter which I had assembled in my hotel room. We returned to my hotel by taxi, and while they waited, I went and brought the scooter down...he went wild...the best thing we could have got for him.

 On May 29, I flew with Turkish Airlines to Montreal and stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. The flight was on time, and as with all my travels with this carrier, the service on board was the best one could ask for. My Travel Agent had tried to get me connections from Ottawa to Montreal for my departure and to return here upon my return to Montreal, however they wanted 900 dollars for that, and I opted to take VIA both ways instead...at a cost of 90 dollars.

One hour after my arrival home, I had a call from Elections Ontario to go the next morning for refresher update so I could work the election on June 2. I then worked the assigned poll the next day. I worked in a Seniors Retirement home. Upon arrival there, we were told that none of the residents had received a Voter Identification card. This caused many problems for the poll staff. Upon complaining to the Riding Headquarters, I was told that no one in the province in care homes or assisted living centers and so on were issued VICs . 

I had a dental problem just two days before returning to Canada, so will have that looked at on Tuesday. I need the roots of two teeth removed. 

At this time, it is my intention to go to Thailand in July if they return to normal travel rules by then as is expected . I will do an update when I know what is happening in Thailand.  

Istanbul Turkey May 21, 2022

 Hello All. There have been no great events since my last update, (remember....what happens in Rome......) We have interviewed schools and now have one where Hussian can start grade one in September. It is an English school with two sessions of Turkish a week....just what we wanted.

I have some observations as to what tourists will see when they visit this country. First is that pedestrians must give way to cars, motorcycles, scooters, and anything else that is motorised. This applies even if there is a green walk signal. There appears to be no laws for motorcycles. There are thousands of them, and they run on roads, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, everywhere. If one were to buy a car here, the signal lights and brakes would be unused...the horn would be worn out.

the city of Istanbul has an excellent bus and Metro train system and it runs on time. There is a bus service that covers the area beyond the rail system, but there is one major problem for tourists, and some locals not familiar with the routes. While there are Bus Stops every two blocks or so, not one stop has the number of the buses that stop there.

We now have continuous warm weather, into the mid twenties, and so far just one day of rain since I came here.

This afternoon, we will again go over to the park known as Miniaturk and spend some time there. It has miniature scale models of dozens of sights within Turkey.

This will probably be my last posting until after I return to Ottawa, which will happen a week from tomorrow. I actually go to Montreal on 29 of May, and to Ottawa by rail the next day, Take Care.

Istanbul Turkey Monday, May 9, 2022

 To continue from where I left off last week, we finally received a copy of the Police Report for my friend's stolen wallet. One week later, and after two visits she went to the police station with a lady friend of hers from Morocco. This lady speaks Turkish and Arabic. The ladies were treated with the greatest of respect, and had the report and translated it in no time. People at the station all of a sudden could speak English, Arabic and Turkish. The issue, believe it or not was the fact that all along, the police thought that my friend was from Syria, when in fact she was born and raised in Iraq. Two days later, the president here announced that Turkey would soon start to send a million Syrian refugees back to their home country.

Yesterday was a time for exploring, so we went by subway into the main part of this old city to the world famous Grand Bazaar. This is the largest covered market in the world, with over four thousand shops, and more than 66 streets. It covers over 330,500 square feet, and in addition to the shops, has banks,Post Office,Restaurants, police station, and its own Mosque. We walked and walked, but did not buy.  At no time did I see a price on anything. Thousands of handbags and such with world famous names, but probably all made in Asia. We were here briefly in January, and the only change is the fact that tourist season is in full swing here.

The weather is forecast to be  sunny and in the mid twenties until the weekend so we will pick a day and do a one day tour of Prince's Island. This is actually a group of ten small islands a little over an hour by boat from a dock here on what is known as the Golden Horn. The islands are in the Sea of Marmara. For about the equivalent of twenty five Canadian dollars per person, we get picked up here at my hotel, the round trip boat ride, tours on the larger islands and lunch. I will report on this adventure in my next update.

Istanbul May 2, 2022

 Today is the end of Ramadan for this year, so almost everything is closed. Tomorrow, everyone will be back to a normal routine. For the Muslim faithful, the last month required that they not eat, drink or smoke during the period from Sun up...about 05;30 to sun set now about 8;25 in the evening. Their days are spent in prayer and at their work sites. After dark, they have a large meal with family and friends, and attend band concerts, playgrounds  parades and even night markets which are open for this month only. Yesterday was set aside for shopping. The custom is to go out and buy yourself new clothes,for being good, and if you have family, new clothes for the kids also. We took the Istanbul Metro two stops to the Isfanbul Mall, which was a madhouse. Since Hussian's mother had already purchased her new outfits, it was a day of shopping for Hussian.

On the evening of April 29, (last Friday), we attended events at a nearby park with the night markets, bands and the whole nine yards. There were massive crowds. About ten thirty that evening, someone stole a wallet from my friend's purse. There were police everywhere, but these characters are very bold. We had about nine police officers asking questions and had a problem with that because not one of them could speak Arabic or English...just Turkish. My friend speaks English and Arabic. Two boys about 14 came by and offered to translate from Arabic to Turkish...this went on for an hour. The officers offered phones and any help but their phones would not work outside of Turkey.

The stolen items were a few Lira, but also a Canadian based bank debit card, Hussian's Turkish Residency card  and two store cards. Our first action was to call the bank and freeze the card from use. We had help from the Canadian Consulate office here, but had to wait for one hour on hold to speak to the bank people. We got the account frozen, and no charges had been yet made on the card. Last evening, we went to the local police station to get a Police Report but no one there could speak Arabic or English. Tonight, we will try again. This was the highlights of the trip so far....the type we do not need. I must say that everyone was doing what they could, and were most polite. Take Care

Istanbul, April 25, 2022........ANZAC Day

 Two items before I get to the current day and the activities here. For those living in the Ottawa area, and wish to do so, VIA will soon have an open house at the Ottawa train station. When I passed through there last Wednesday, I saw this new train sitting on the first track. I noticed that groups were doing tours of the train, at least of one car.  Upon questions to staff, I was informed that it was the latest in train technology,and would soon be open to all for tours very soon.

Second. A few words on airline technology. Turkish Airlines is the oldest continuous serving airline in the world. My flight here from Montreal was on their newest model of aircraft...the A350-900 model. It seats 300 , and for my flight, that model was configured  mostly to economy class. I like to set the tv to route mode, and watch where we are going on the screen in front of me. There are three external cameras on this plane, one high on the tail looking forward, and two underneath, one looking down and one forward, both about midsection. One gets a view better than they would have with a window seat.

April 25 is known as ANZAC day, referring to Australia and New Zealand, and a part they played in World War one here in Turkey. Those armies were ordered here by Winston Churchill to fight the Turkish army (as it is known today...not then). Neither side wanted to fight, but the Brits wanted control of the waterway controlling the entrance to the Black Sea). The place is known as Gallipoli , and I visited there in 2012 on my first trip around the world. When I got to Australia, on April 25 that year there were parades and such in memory of the event and the Turks. Last evening at 11 P.M. we celebrated the ANZACS here. There was a parade, flags and loud band music everywhere......and 23 degrees. The above noted battles were the events that led to the establishment of modern Turkey by a man known as Ataturk, from where the name has its origin. So the party last evening was like Canada day back home, and again.....no alcohol. Way back at the times of the battles, the two sides shared food, visits and smokes, and generally enjoyed the time.....until the order came down to fight...then they would do some shooting, then back to the relaxed atmosphere. This is how it was explained to my tour group at the time of my visit. Each year, during normal times the ANZAC dignitaries come here for the celebrations. Turkey gave all of the various Unit battle flags to the War museum in Canberra, Australia.  I saw them during my visit. Tonight, another party.

Hello From Istanbul

Hello all, VIA was on time, and a shuttle was waiting at the Dorval station to take passengers to the nearby airport. I was early and the counter for Turkish Airlines did not open until 6;45 P.M. The flight was on time for departure, and at midnight, a large dinner was served. (Air Canada staff, please note.) I cleared customs and was at my hotel an hour after landing. (a breakfast was served one hour before landing, which was three in the afternoon here.) This is Ramadan, the Holiest month   for Muslims, which my friends here are. The adults do not eat from sun up to sun down. The sun sets at eight here now so my lady friend and her son Hussian came down to my hotel at nine, after their dinner with a birthday cake....(it was my birthday.) Since the hotel staff know me from my previous trips here, they joined in the action, and had cake also. Hussian did not know that the big bag I had with me was his large Batman robot that was to big to move when they moved back here in October. I announced to Hussian with a voice that all could hear , '' I am finished playing with this toy now, you can have it''. Hussian went wild. The three of us then went to a nearby park where the music was loud, and there were singers, performers and a full night market...people with tables selling everything one could imagine. We stayed until closing at midnight .M y friends went home on the train and I walked to the hotel. At no time did I see alcohol being served. Today will be more of the same after sunset.

Ottawa, April 18, 2022

 Hello All; It has been quite some time since I updated this site, but there were BIG reasons why. What was said in the last blog posting has been vastly changed, and the final situation only became clear two days ago. After being advised by the Thailand government office of tourism in Bangkok that Canadian tourists now did not need a Visa to visit for stays of less than thirty days, I booked the flights mentioned in the March posting. The Thai government then initiated a Thailand Pass, which was much more complicated to apply for than the Visa. The material requested has never been asked for by any other country as far as I can determine. When  one goes on the government website, and  tries to complete all the application requests, such as copies of all Covid Vaccination certificates, (not just one with three dates and all information), and so forth, you then are routed to a Hotel booking company. There are around 20 Approved hotels in Bangkok for this program, and all are expensive to book. A hotel that is normally say 50 dollars a night is now 450.00. This includes the hotel for one night, pickup at the airport, a PCR test (165.00 U.S.D.), taxes, etc. One must wait until a negative test result is received before you can leave the hotel area. This is all fine and good if you are determined to go. BUT...the government has apparently given those hotels the authority to accept or deny applications. In my case, a day after receiving a thank you for my interest in Thailand, and acknowledging my application, I received an email from Thai Tourism advising me that THE HOTEL HAS REJECTED YOUR APPLICATION, and for more details, contact the hotel. For the next two days, there were many emails between me and the hotel, Thai Tourism and the Hotel Booking company which I will not name.  That booking company is a great firm, but they had to advise me that they had tried to contact the hotel in question, and, "They are not answering their phone, and we have sent them an email." Now, five days on, still no information as to why my application for a THAI PASS was rejected.

I have advised my travel agent friends of the problems for any future clients they may have.

Now, I depart Ottawa on April 20 at noon, take a VIA train to Montreal and fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flight 36 that evening. I return to Montreal on May 29 from Istanbul, where I will spend 40 days with my friends.  I will report in after getting settled at  the Ramada hotel in Istanbul

Ottawa, Ontario March 13, 2022 - A New Adventure Is Set to Begin April 20

 Hello all; Yes, I am all set to depart on another long range tour, and I would expect some excitement along the way. I will depart here on the evening of April 20 and take a short 30 minute  hop over to Montreal. After four and a half hours there, I will be on Turkish Airlines for the nine hour flight to  Istanbul. I am scheduled to arrive in Istanbul at 3;25 in the afternoon of April 21.  By coincidence, that happens to be my birthday. My little friend Hussian and his mother will come out to the airport and join me for dinner.

 At 2;00 in the morning of April 22, I will again board a Turkish Airlines flight for the ten hour flight to Bangkok. It is my plan to take two days to rest and relax from the long trip, and have a Thai Massage. On the morning of the 25th, I have an appointment with my Dental friends at Bangkok Smile.  I will be in Thailand until May 9.  I do not have any plans yet for the remaining time in Thailand, as my dental consultations may require that I need more than one appointment.

Now that the Virus situation is easing up, the rules for Canadians and 47 other nationalities are as they were before the Pandemic. That means that we can go to Thailand as Tourists for up to 30 days without the need for a Visa. Work is not allowed.

I will be returning to Istanbul on May 9, and returning to Canada from there on May 29. Our plans for my time in Turkey will be finalized when I get there. I expect that it will be a leisure time, and the only "Must Do", is to complete a promise to Hussian...Take him to Disney Istanbul. The only rule I have made it that we will NOT do the Roller-Coaster ride. It is the highest and has the steepest runs that I have ever seen. 

I will have an update before I depart. 

Thai Tourism has suggested to me that I not travel to the north, which is where my Thai family friends reside, and, not to travel to Phuket, as these areas are still in recovery from being unable to get vaccinated with a good vaccine.

In addition to the above, I am now aware of a major situation where my Thai friends live; I have not heard from them in nearly two weeks. This is very unusual, and we had  chat conferences scheduled, to plan activities, and make plans for them to come south.  

Take Care!    

Ottawa, Ontario February 12, 2022

 Hello All;  I returned to Canada on 4 February without any excitement. No storms and all three flights were basically on time, but due to icing conditions the flight from Montreal to my home here in Ottawa was one hour late. The aircraft had to be de-iced before departure. I got to my home at eleven in the evening. For those not familiar with this situation, when weather conditions are around the freezing point, and precipitation is falling at the departure airport, aircraft are deiced. This entails the aircraft, (after all passengers, luggage and fright is on board), being moved to the deice pad. There, a large spray unit similar to a fire truck with a boom, moves up to the aircraft and sprays the top of all surfaces of the plane with a green anti-freeze. This action allows for a smooth air flow over and under the wings and permits the aircraft to become air born.

The arrival procedures at Montreal were upgraded from my first arrival two weeks earlier, and I was from Plane to Tim Hortons coffee shop in ten minutes. When I checked in to Turkish Airlines at Istanbul with my luggage, it was tagged to Ottawa, and I was rather pleased to see it all upon arrival here. 

We are now into that time of year when we must complete the ritual of filing Income Tax. I also have some routine medical appointments, eyes, etc, and then I will be ready to get into another adventure. At this point in time, my plan is to visit Thailand again after a two year lockdown, and while there, I will have major dental work done at my usual stop...Bangkok Smile!.

Because of the political situation in the Hong Kong area, I will try not to go the Pacific Route, but rather via Europe. My expectation is to go from here to London, then non stop to Bangkok with Thai Airways. I will return via Istanbul where I will visit my friends again for two weeks.

I expect to do a further update around mid March when I have my next trip booked.  

Istanbul Turkey, February 1, 2022------- The last report from here for this trip

 Hello All; We have not done any new exploring of the sites because of time limits for other activities. For example, my little friend Hussian, has day care from eight to one each day. At one, his mother must pick him up at the facility. We did two more days of house Inspections for my friend's sister in London. Both ended up being a waste of time, however, considering we went about 100 miles each day, we did get to see new areas of Istanbul. The first house we were shown on Sunday was beyond description. I will do it justice and tell you only that it had been abandoned, or so it seemed, for over a year. It was left with a balcony door and a window open. The floor was covered in piles of Pidgeon feces, in every room. The second apartment was small, cold and in a very dark building. The last was occupied, but not suited for a long term investment.

Monday afternoon, we were taken to a different area. The first place was very small, poor layout and very cold. The floors here are mostly marble, and the snow had not been shovelled...no shovels, so one just waded over the snow. or slipped on a packed trail. The second place......ooops, Agent forgot the key. The third was very small, two bedrooms and a small kitchen...and maybe a table for two.                    

This afternoon, I had my PCR test for return to Canada on Friday. I depart the airport at 08;00, and have a three hour stop again in Paris, then onto Air Canada for the flight to Montreal and then home. I expect to be home around nine Ottawa time, Friday evening.

I will do a follow up to this trip sometime next week. At this time, I expect to be off to Thailand in third week of April for some much needed dental work. Due to the situation in Hong Kong, China, and area, I hope to travel via Europe. My preferred route is Air Canada to London, Thai Airways to Bangkok, if available.

Istanbul, January 28, 2022---One Needs A sense of Humor To Travel These days.

 Hello All;  Today, a few lines of recent events in my travel here. At Ottawa, when I first checked in my  Boarding Pass had me at the back of the plane; (I never pay for an assigned seat...usually 25 dollars per flight.) Later at the boarding gate, I was issued a new Boarding Pass, very near the front. The lady ahead of me was very large, but the Agent stated to me, "we are moving you to the front of the aircraft as we need more weight up front. In fact, I was moved to Business Class, and she did not want others to know. At Montreal, five minutes before the first Boarding call, they announced that everyone needed to fill out two forms, one to be handed to a flight attendant as we neared Paris, the other to French Customs officers. One was in French on both sides, the one for France was English, declaring you had no virus, and had not been near anyone with the virus. Air Canada collected the forms as they had said, but the French Customs did not know what we were talking about and would not take the forms.....I still have mine.

Here in Istanbul, I found out that there at least two large Lost and Found Companies at the airport...no wonder it took several days for them to find my luggage that they took.                  

When I went back to the airport the morning after my arrival, the taxi drove at about 40 all the way....45 minutes, and on his cell phone all the way talking to different people. On my way back to the hotel, in the sloppy and at times icy conditions, the driver stood at 137 KPM....even police cars passed us, and when I asked what the rules were, this driver told me that only people with no license drive under 100.

Some Turkish words for the traveler;  Bay=men, Bayan-women...for washrooms/kahve...coffee/Taksi is taxi/ Polis...police....thats all for this , and maybe the last of my Turkish lessons.

Tomorrow, we will go looking at several condos for my friends sister from London. After our last work, she came here and did all the paper work, and made the down payment...then was advised that the place she had bought was so tied up in legal matters with the previous owner that it would be a long time before the matter was settled. The Real Estate company returned all funds to her.

That's it for today. 

  

 the speed is posted at 90.  

Hello From A White Istanbul, January 27, 2022

I arrived here just before midnight on the 26, after a rather unusual journey. I departed my home in Ottawa at 11;00 on Tuesday morning, taking a bus, train, and another bus to the airport. Two years ago, this one bus route was the nom. Now, with high technology, and modern thinking, and to save the environment,(as some would say)three vehicles are required....for the same trip. At the screening point for bag checks, etc, I was asked to open my only bag, my carry-on....something was different. In there was a Paw Patrol Fire engine about 23 inches long, on it's side. The Agent looked in, then stated, "I did not know they made Paw Patrol toys for seniors".  To this I replied, "it is for my son, over in Paris who will be three years old on Sunday". He had no further comment and I was on my way to the departure lounge. Everything went very well in Montreal, and continued until we arrived in Paris at the Charles De Gaulle airport. It was supposed to be a three hour wait until my next flight to here in Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The departure gate, (A-43), was rather quiet, and the Board stated that TK 1822, my flight, was delayed. Upon further checking, we were told that Istanbul airport was closed due to a heavy snow storm. Nine hours later, we were on our way, about seven hours late. Upon arrival, three hours and a bit later, we parked at a corner of the airport about two miles from the Terminal, and the Captain told us that due to the severe storm, there were no gates available and we would be some time in getting to one. We waited an hour before moving verrrrry slow to the Terminal. Passport control took most another hour, then I went to Lost and Found, where I retrieved one of my lost bags. The other two were in a different room, some distance away, and the staff had gone home. I got to my hotel at 01;00 A.M. I went back this morning and retrieved the two Items and all were in excellent condition and everything was accounted for. My trip was well worth while.

Ottawa, January 23, 2022 Decisions Have Beed Made

Hello All;  I will be returning to Istanbul, with a departure from here on Tuesday, January 25, and returning February 4. After consulting with Courier companies, and looking at my options, I decided to go back, stay nine days and bring my luggage home. By doing this, I save over one thousand U.S. Dollars, and get a trip in also. My round trip airfare is under 1200 dollars Canadian.

I will be travelling light, although I do have a gift for my little friend, Hussian. He wanted a Marshall Fire truck with all the gadgets,(from the kids cartoons and the movie called Paw-Patrol.) But we could not find it in Istanbul before Christmas, so got him clothes instead...It's nice to be considered a kid's hero, even if it's right up there with a cartoon dog!!.

Today in Istanbul they had snow and one degree, so there will be no trips to the beach.

My trip will be about 16 hours from the time I depart here until I get to Istanbul . My route is Ottawa- Montreal with Air Canada, and after about three hours, on to Paris, (Charles De Gaulle airport), another three hours in Paris, then a three hour flight with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul. For those who do not get to travel much, airlines have a system called "Code Share". That is where an airline, in this case Air Canada, buy seats on Turkish Airlines, all part of the 30 plus carriers of Star Alliance. My ticket indicates AC-6690 which is on Turkish flight TK-1822. I will return on February 4th same route in reverse. 

In closing, I should note that it took one Courier company three days to express my new Credit Card to me from Toronto. This was one of the companies I contacted to price the return of my luggage from Istanbul. At that same speed, my luggage would have got here in about three years; Stay Safe.

January 17, 2022 The Unbelievable Part Two

 Since I carry a duplicate credit card in my luggage, I went to my bank and had the card frozen so that it could not be used. I carry two cards when out of Canada because I have had a card break in an ATM machine. This morning, I spent two hours attempting to get an estimate on the cost to have my luggage brought to Ottawa from Istanbul. I will not name the companies, but, the first one contacted had an Agent in Canada, she would not say where, but she had not heard of Istanbul, and I ended up terminating the discussion. Another company had their Agent in Asia, she knew her job, and gave me a quote based on the estimated size and weight of the three pieces of luggage. I will not be using a courier company to return my luggage. It would cost me between 1600 and two thousand U.S. dollars to do so.

For the cost of a courier, I can fly to Istanbul, claim my luggage, and spend a week or ten days in a hotel, which is what I am considering at this time. I already have my Turkish Visa, good for multiple entries until June 3. I also have my Turkish HES Code, which is equivalent to our QR code here in Ontario. I cannot book a flight or hotel until the mail brings my new Credit Card.

I will do an update when I get my card, and make some serious decisions./Stay safe, and watch out for those over zealous security types with the big egos!.    

Ottawa, January 16, 2022 - The Unbelievable Happened

 We had a quiet time in Istanbul for the last week that I was there. The weather was cooler, and we had some rain. On the morning of my departure, January 12, the temperature was 1 degree. As we had scheduled, a medical crew came to my hotel  the day before and completed the PCR test about 09:45. four hours later, the hotel received the email with the test report which was negative. On Wednesday, January 12, I departed for the airport in a shuttle arranged by the hotel. The quoted price would be 150 Turkish Lira, about 15 Canadian dollars. At the airport, I was charged an extra 100 Lira, which the driver insisted was the new price!. I went into the International Departures doors, and immediately into Primary Screening. I had three pieces of luggage, and put my heavy coat into a tray for the scanning. I reclaimed the luggage, and awaited the tray, but it was caught up in the scanner with another tray. I left my luggage, and stepped back about ten feet to await the coat. When I got the coat and tuned around to go to airline check-in, my luggage was gone. I have not seen it since. I came home with my passport, airline ticket, negative PCR report and my Boarding Pass. For the next two hours, I was taken from Security to the Airport Lost and Found, police, and around the same trip gain, only on this trip it was what appeared to be higher authority. Right at the beginning, I was told that, "it was probably an over zealous Security Agent" that tours on a cart. When I checked in for my flight with Turkish Airlines, the Agent told me that if found, they would put it on the next flight to Montreal and on to Ottawa....the next day. For the next three days, I was busy with emails back and forth to the staff at Istanbul Airport. I was told at the airport that because it was so large, there are several Lock-Up rooms for lost items. Yesterday morning, (January 16), I received an email that my luggage was found in one of the lock-ups. That was a great relief, but, I soon found that the Agent who assured me the luggage would be sent here did not know the rules. Since the airline did not yet have possession of the bags, they could not take the luggage without the passenger. Today, I received an email stating that I would need to either have someone claim the bags for me, or find and ship the luggage with a Courier Company. I would not ask my friend to take possession, as my luggage would still be in Istanbul. (I will continue this saga on a new posting.)   

Istanbul January 4, 2022

 I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year. Here in Istanbul, it was very quiet, probably due to the pandemic situation. On January 1, most establishments, with the exception of dining areas were closed until 2;00 P.M. To date, not many rules in place here, but we do our best to distance from others and wear a mask when outside, and in malls, etc. All must show the QR code when entering malls.

On December 29, we took metro trains to the main downtown area to explore the building known as The Grand Mosque. It is also known as Hagia Sophia, which was built as an Orthodox church back in 360 A.D. It is made of stone and cement, but for the first two hundred years, the dome was made of wood. Two fires over that time destroyed the roof, and made it unuseable for years at a time. In the year 537, the first Byzantine Empire leader, Constantine, had the roof replaced and the building was completed to what we see today. It is said that several thousand could be inside at one time. Shoes are removed at the entrance, and the floor is covered in what seems to be a seamless carpet of a pleasing green color. There are no seats. In the stone ceiling are pictures of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. This building just became a mosque a few years ago by an agreement between Muslim and Christian groups. We are told that it, and the nearby "Blue Mosque", (which also was owned by other faiths,) are the only two mosques in the world with pictures inside. 

On December 30, we went to the Isfanbul Mall, (that is the correct spelling) and explored the area. This mall is a series of round buildings interconnected with open walkways, and is located next to what is locally called Disneyland Istanbul. Since it was a rainy day, we went there while Hussian was in school so there would be no pressure to go inside the park. There is a huge Roller Coaster, Zip Line and a Castle similar to the other Disney sites. I was unable to find out if it was a read or imitation look alike. We did explore an upside-down house, which is a structure built like a house with the roof at the bottom. All fixtures in each room are mounted on the ceiling....including the bath fixtures. Quite a novelty.

I will be departing here one week from tomorrow for my return to Canada. On Tuesday, a nurse will come to my hotel and do a PCR test, and I will await in the hotel until I get the results six or eight hours later....the cost is under 20 dollars Canadian!.

We have a quiet week ahead, with my friend expecting family from London. I expect my next update to be from my home in a white, cold Ottawa . This week we have 14 degrees and sun here.