I am enjoying the relaxing pace, and the 34 degree, dry temperatures. Spent quite some time yesterday exploring a huge temple area not far from the river. Found out after that I had actually been at two temples, not far separated!.
On Monday at noon, I will fly north to the city of Udon Thani, where my friend is hospitalized. At last report, he is still in intensive care, differing points of view as to whether he is getting better, or just eating well and going down hill. His kids come for visits during the weekend, so I will arrive after they have gone home....school and such to do for them.
I am enjoying the slow pace, and visiting some areas here that are new for me...still a lot of Christmas music, and amazing pine trees....made from empty water bottles...not a real tree among them. The Reindeer are also fake!.
Wi-Fi continues to be a problem, but is good at the breakfast dining room, from where I am sending this update.
I do not expect to do another update for a week or so, when I determine what is happening up north.
I hope all had a good, safe new year celebration......I went to bed at nine.....very quiet night.
Friday, 3 January 2020
Tuesday, 31 December 2019
Report from Bangkok, December 31, 2019/ December 31/2562, year of Buddah
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Ottawa, November 27, 2019
After consultations with my Thai family, concerning the information that I posted two weeks ago, I decided that the proper thing for me to do was to go back and spend time with the family during this difficult period for them. I therefore spent considerable time with my Travel Agent looking for suitable flights back to Bangkok. My first priority was to return via Europe, either London or Amsterdam, then on to Asia. It became apparent that a flight via Europe was out of the question for the time frame I needed. To me, the eastbound flights are the better option, because one departs Canada in the evening, and, after a seven hour night flight, you arrive at the start of a new day, and move onto that 14 hour trip to Bangkok in daylight. When you go west, one departs in the morning, and after 12 to 14 hours, arrive in Asia, then a six hour night flight...to me, much harder on the body.
I will thus be departing my home about ten in the evening of December 28, and take city buses (3) to the Ottawa airport. I would sooner do this than pay the 70 dollars for a taxi. I must be at the airport at 04;00 so will just relax there, and get on my flight at 06;00. I will fly with United Airlines to Newark, which is just across the Hudson River from New York City. After three hours, I will board another United flight to Tokyo, a 14 hour journey, and arrive at Narita airport at three in the afternoon of December 30. After another three hour layover, its on to Bangkok, for another seven hour flight with All Nippon Airlines, using a code share ticket under United flight 7971. I should arrive in Bangkok at midnight, December 30, after about 32 hours in travel status.
For the information of those not well versed in air travel, I will note two general rules; First, the normal time between arrival and departing flights is set at three hours. This allows for Customs and Immigration clearance and time to get to the departure gate, which is often in another terminal building. For example, when I arrive in Newark, it will be at Terminal A, but then I take a shuttle train to Terminal C for my flight to Tokyo. Upon return, it will be reversed.
Secondly, most airlines are members of Alliances, which makes for easier travel when making connections with the other carriers in that particular Alliance. For example, my flight from Tokyo as I noted, is with All Nippon , which is a member of the Star Alliance, also including United, Air Canada, and about 30 more. The All Nippon flight will have seats for United passengers, etc, and are therefore also Code Share Flights with their partners. I am on All Nippon with flight code UA7971.
I will do an update before departing Canada.
I will thus be departing my home about ten in the evening of December 28, and take city buses (3) to the Ottawa airport. I would sooner do this than pay the 70 dollars for a taxi. I must be at the airport at 04;00 so will just relax there, and get on my flight at 06;00. I will fly with United Airlines to Newark, which is just across the Hudson River from New York City. After three hours, I will board another United flight to Tokyo, a 14 hour journey, and arrive at Narita airport at three in the afternoon of December 30. After another three hour layover, its on to Bangkok, for another seven hour flight with All Nippon Airlines, using a code share ticket under United flight 7971. I should arrive in Bangkok at midnight, December 30, after about 32 hours in travel status.
For the information of those not well versed in air travel, I will note two general rules; First, the normal time between arrival and departing flights is set at three hours. This allows for Customs and Immigration clearance and time to get to the departure gate, which is often in another terminal building. For example, when I arrive in Newark, it will be at Terminal A, but then I take a shuttle train to Terminal C for my flight to Tokyo. Upon return, it will be reversed.
Secondly, most airlines are members of Alliances, which makes for easier travel when making connections with the other carriers in that particular Alliance. For example, my flight from Tokyo as I noted, is with All Nippon , which is a member of the Star Alliance, also including United, Air Canada, and about 30 more. The All Nippon flight will have seats for United passengers, etc, and are therefore also Code Share Flights with their partners. I am on All Nippon with flight code UA7971.
I will do an update before departing Canada.
Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Ottawa, November 13, 2019
This evening as I write this, it is winter here in Ottawa. With the temperature and the wind factor, it was minus 24 at eight this morning. The beginning of a long cold four months or so.
I must inform my readers that my sister passed away while I was last in Thailand. She passed just two weeks after I departed Canada. I did not wish to relay that information until after I was back home.
Today,I received more shocking news, this time from my Thai family that live in So Phisai, up in North-Eastern Thailand. A number of years ago, I assisted this family to get over some rough times, and back on their feet. I have spent a lot of my time in Thailand there, and take the kids to the water parks, and such. Papa Don always has a good time when there. One member of the family is an underwater welder, and was not able to fine more work at home. After getting matters straightened out, he was offered and accepted a job in Abu Dhabi, working on under-sea pipelines, and at his profession, making a good salary. As with most workers in that part of the world, he was rotated home every six months or so for vacation time. The family farm is about 200 acres, 60 in rice, 200 oil palm trees, and 800 rubber trees. As with most farms, what is paid at the farm gate is peanuts when compared with the price the public pay. I met these people when they delivered a truckload donation of rice to the Orphanage where I sometimes work. Today, I am informed that my friend has been sent home, is in very serious condition with suspected Leukemia!. Three kids...under 15. I did not have the time to go up there last trip, and visit with the kids.
As for me at this time, I am looking at options for the winter and am not sure what I will be doing, but probably not sitting idle for long.
I must inform my readers that my sister passed away while I was last in Thailand. She passed just two weeks after I departed Canada. I did not wish to relay that information until after I was back home.
Today,I received more shocking news, this time from my Thai family that live in So Phisai, up in North-Eastern Thailand. A number of years ago, I assisted this family to get over some rough times, and back on their feet. I have spent a lot of my time in Thailand there, and take the kids to the water parks, and such. Papa Don always has a good time when there. One member of the family is an underwater welder, and was not able to fine more work at home. After getting matters straightened out, he was offered and accepted a job in Abu Dhabi, working on under-sea pipelines, and at his profession, making a good salary. As with most workers in that part of the world, he was rotated home every six months or so for vacation time. The family farm is about 200 acres, 60 in rice, 200 oil palm trees, and 800 rubber trees. As with most farms, what is paid at the farm gate is peanuts when compared with the price the public pay. I met these people when they delivered a truckload donation of rice to the Orphanage where I sometimes work. Today, I am informed that my friend has been sent home, is in very serious condition with suspected Leukemia!. Three kids...under 15. I did not have the time to go up there last trip, and visit with the kids.
As for me at this time, I am looking at options for the winter and am not sure what I will be doing, but probably not sitting idle for long.
Friday, 18 October 2019
Ottawa Canada; Friday, October 18, 2019
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.!!!
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.!!!
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