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.