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.