I returned to Ottawa as scheduled, December 12, all flights were on time, and because of the season, very smooth travel. My checked luggage was tagged all the way to Ottawa. But, with the need to clear customs in Toronto, I claimed it, cleared customs, and then put the luggage on a belt, and it went to Ottawa. I had a scheduled layover in Seoul, South Korea of twelve hours. I was offered a five hour free trip into the city, but declined. While there were several, of various hours, most involved quite some time shopping, a no no for me.One of several hours was a tour to some cave where a lot of gold was recovered...but, Mr Don does not go into caves more than ten feet, and then only if I can see the other exit.
Before departure from Korea, as we prepared for take-off, we were told by Air Canada staff that a hot dinner would be served an hour after take off, and that a snack would be served six hours into the flight, (scheduled for almost 13 hours), and a hot "Breakfast", would be served one hour before landing in Toronto. We were scheduled to arrive at five in the afternoon. We were flying in a Boeing 787-900 series aircraft. The 787s were the first in the world to have no blinds on the windows. There is a button below the window, top is white bottom half is black. To see out, one presses the white part of the button several times, and the window is clear. If you want to darken the window, one pushes the black several times, and total dark window..unable to see out. Now, this 787 and, I suppose all the 900 series have a crew override for the windows. As we departed Korea, even before the dinner was served, the crew darkened the windows, and one could not see out. The Air Canada crew kept the windows darkened until after breakfast was served at four Toronto time. They also darkened the windows for landing...which is a no no at least, has been a no no until now. They always ask to set seats in upright position and OPEN window shades at landing on all other carriers and flights.
Thailand had been ruled since May, 2014 by a military dictatorship, who imposed very strict laws on the people with their own so-called constitution. To talk or write anything negative about the government is, in the eyes of the Generals, a crime against the king...and if caught, one is jailed for up to 15 years. In addition, for Google, and probably many other companies to operate in Thailand, under the dictators, they had to give the army full control of the internet.
As a result, every outgoing and incoming email is read, and allowed to continue, or , it disappears
into thin air. The speed is controlled..to the point that it can take several minutes for a short four line email to be sent. This control is done by them detecting foreign owned computers from the computer I.P. address. The computer will often tell you that, "Google is using the web cam". In short , spying on you. As a so called, "election", is planned for probably February, and is already fixed according to some sources, the military is getting nervous and becoming more controlling. If I were to return to Thailand under this dictatorship, I will probably leave my laptop at home, just too much trouble.
I hope to post some photos, probably mid January, after the holidays, and when my techie is free to help. In the meantime, Happy Holidays to All/Thank you.
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