Ottawa Ontario December 14, 2024

 Hello All; I had a great trip home on 11 December, with a surprise ending at the Ottawa airport. I was up at 04;00 on that morning, and at the airport and checked in at 05;00. They need three hours for International flights. Since we had a tail wind all the way to Vancouver, this leg of the trip was just over 13 hours. While we were still climbing to our assigned altitude of 33,000 feet, a meal was served. At 09;00, one would expect breakfast...but no, Air Canada served a very large dinner!. Twelve hours later, breakfast was served.  Upon arrival we had to claim our checked luggage, then go through Customs and Immigration which was very quick....two people on duty, but dozens of machines for passport checking and declarations of purchases. I was through the process in less than five minutes, and gave the printout to a staff member on my way out of Arrivals. We then went to a counter where our luggage was to be put on a conveyer to be routed to our respective aircraft.  At that counter, there was no one on duty....they admitted later to forgetting to staff it. I found that we could go up three floors to a check-in counter and place our luggage on a conveyer, which I did, with several others following...over a hundred waiting at the first location.

As soon as we departed Vancouver for Toronto, just after 09;00, breakfast was served. Everything went smooth for the Toronto flight, and the transfer and flight to Ottawa. I waited until the last piece of luggage was delivered on the conveyer, but...mine was not there. I went to the Air Canada counter in the luggage area and discussed the situation with the chap on duty. He checked my receipt on the system and informed me that my one piece of luggage was in Toronto, and was already loaded for the next flight to Ottawa. It would arrive, if on schedule at 01;30. It was 11;30 already, so I took a taxi home, and my luggage arrived at 09;00 in the morning. All in all, it was a great vacation.

I had one day to relax and sort out a number of things, then on Friday, I worked two hours on the Salvation Army Christmas Bells, at a Loblaws Superstore. I will be doing a shift each day until 23 December.

Take care, and have a great holiday season. I will do an update around mid January, as to where and when I will travel next.   

Bangkok Thailand December 10, 2024

 Hello all. I am now at a hotel close to the airport, where I will depart for Vancouver at 08;30 tomorrow morning.  The stay at Pattaya was great, but time has run out for this trip.  I received an email from AC this morning, so I have already checked in and have my boarding pass. I had to call the Air Canada office here in Bangkok this morning, as they had made several omissions. They still had me in Economy, to Vancouver and then on to Toronto. It was a small omission, but their request to me for meal selection only applied to the flight from Vancouver to Toronto. While speaking with the AC agent at the Bangkok office, they confirmed I was in Premier Economy for both legs. Their  system was ahead of the Head Office. I explained the meal issue and said they would pass it on. The problem nowdays is the fact that technology  is replacing people, so at times we see many issues when machines talk to each other. 

I brought my winter parka with me because I expected cold wet snow when I returned to Canada, and it looks like I will not be disappointed.

I will do a follow up from Ottawa before long after I get there. I am volunteering again for the Salvation Army Christmas kettles, so will soon be back to working a few hours a week until December 24.

Take care

Pattaya, Thailand December 3, 2024

 Hello all; Greetings from a 33 degree Pattaya.  The weather here continues to be dry, and quite warm. One week from today, I will be starting the return to a much cooler Canada. I have made the decision to treat myself to a seat upgrade , for just 300 dollars plus tax, for the flights from Bangkok to Vancouver, then the flight to Toronto. I will be in Premium Economy. This move also takes me from near the back of the aircraft, behind the wings and engines,  to 14 rows from the front, well ahead of the engines.  The aircraft for these flights is the Boeing 787-900 series. The flight to Ottawa will be a regular seat in Economy, and a much smaller aircraft.

We have here at this large hotel a nine hole par 27 golf course. Because of the heat, we have not tried it yet, but I will take two of my Thai friends out there one evening and we will give it a try. The same friends must leave here this afternoon for a ten hour drive into the north of Thailand to a city called Udon Thani. They received the sad news yesterday that an aunt had passed away. The funeral will be there on Thursday afternoon....then they will drive back here.  Some live here. I declined the invitation to go with them.

This afternoon, I will go shopping for vitamins for myself and friends back home. These are the same as available in Canada, but less than half the price.

Take care, I expect to do an update before my departure from Pattaya.

Pattaya Thailand, Wednesday, November 27, 2024

 Hello all, from a warm...34 degree Pattaya. I arrived here at noon today, after a two hour drive from Bangkok with some Thai friends. Since this a high tourist destination this week, the highway was very busy.  We found out upon arrival that Friday and Saturday will feature an International Fireworks Competition.

On Monday , I had my appointment with My Dental Team at Bangkok Smile. One full hour cost me 68 dollars Canadian. As I have said before; when one sits in that chair, you get the full attention of the dentist and an assistant. They do not have five or six chairs going at the same time. The charges here are so much less than in Canada. What makes me a bit annoyed is the fact that the dental association in Canada and many of the Insurance Companies there have become buddy-buddy and now, the insurance companies will not pay a claim from outside of Canada unless the dental work was the result of an accident. One would think that it would be more economical to pay the cheaper claim. 

I and my Thai friends will be here until the 10 day of December. We will return to a hotel near  the Bangkok airport on that day, and I will return home via Vancouver with Air Canada, then on to Toronto and then Ottawa. The flight to Vancouver will be around 15 hours. I did not mention the route here to Bangkok from Vancouver on 20th of this month. From Vancouver we flew up over Palmerston Alaska, down over the Aleutian Islands to Tokyo, Hong Kong and on to Bangkok entering Asia midway between Hue and Da Nang Vietnam. A total of around 8500 Nautical miles, according to the Air Canada route map that I followed.  I will do an update in about another week. Take Care

Bangkok, Thailand November 23, 2024

 Hello all ;  I arrived here as scheduled on Friday morning after a 16 hour flight from Vancouver; As we were departing from Ottawa, the massive storm with 200 kilometer winds that had hit the B.C. coast for several days had diminished to nothing. We were in a 300 seat Boeing 787-900 type aircraft from Ottawa to Vancouver, and another of the same type here. There were no empty seats on either flight. A great many of the passengers were American, who came up to Vancouver and enjoy the long, non stop flight to Asia. Most of those I spoke with were going onward to other countries.

Upon arrival at Bangkok, we were put into a subway  car and taken at high speed for a three minute ride to the main terminal. There, I was treated to a big surprise. A Customs officer whom I had spoken with several times here was at the main entrance to the Customs/Immigration stop point. Here there are two routes to Customs/Immigration...one for Thai Passports, one for All other Passports. When he  saw me, he said...''you Canadian Thai, go to Thai Passport gate.''  I had three ahead of me....hundreds in the other line up.

Another big surprise at the hotel. After I checked in, the lady at the counter gave me a large vase of very colourful flowers. On the vase was a note...''Well come back Kuhn (friend) Donald Bedier, nice to have you back''. This morning several of my friends from the north of Thailand arrived here, and on Wednesday, we will go to Pattaya. This morning, I walked the one block to Bangkok Smile, my dental office, and confirmed that I am here and will see them Monday morning at ten.

My next update will probably be from Pattaya, a two hour bus ride south of here. 

Ottawa, November 17, 2024

 Hello All;  I do not have much new to report, but wish to say a few words before departing.

In 72 hours, I will be on my way to Vancouver, then Thailand. I depart here on Wednesday at six in the evening, Ottawa time, for the five hour flight to Vancouver. Three hours there, then off to Bangkok. 

I am in the big city for five days, then we go down to Pattaya on the beach for two weeks. The hotel we have is on the beach of the Gulf of Thailand. (Back when some of us were in school, it was known as the Gulf of Siam, as was the country).

I will be doing updates from time to time as time allows.  Take care  

Ottawa, Ontario October 2, 2024

 Hello all; I am back, and have some updates for you. My recovery from the surgery has been better than most would expect, and I have approval from the medical experts to travel after the end of October.

I have booked my next flight...to Bangkok, Thailand, departing Ottawa November 20, travelling through Vancouver both ways.  I will arrive in Bangkok on November 22. This is because about half way across the Pacific Ocean, near an Island, known as Midway, the International dateline is crossed. This is where day begins. When we cross that line, we are in November 22. When I return, after crossing that line, we go backwards and relive yesterday. Many folks fine this upsets their routines, and for many, it takes quite some time to back to get back to normal. The flight from Vancouver is about 16 hours, and returning, it will be around 15 hours. We will have headwinds on the way to Thailand, and tail winds on the way home...also from Vancouver to Ottawa.

The entire trip is with Air Canada....they fly into Thailand from Vancouver daily during the late fall  and winter months.  Since I am travelling in the off season, my ticket is just over $2000.00. 

I will be having some dental work done with my friends at Bangkok Smile dental. My family friends in Thailand will be with me for the duration of my time there. After a few days in the big city, time to recover from the flight, relax, and have the dental work, we will go down to Pattaya. This is where I usually do some volunteer work..at the Orphanage there. ..teach English, fix bikes, and so on. Since this now requires a Work Visa, I do not expect to work there, but will do an Ice Cream Day. I do this each time I go there. They call an Ice Cream truck, and the kids get to take their choice of the cold treat, Papa Don picks up the tab.

I will do an update before departing Ottawa. Take Care.

Ottawa, Friday, September 13, 2024

 Hello all;   The long summer wait is now over. After waiting 134 days, I had my surgery for the hernia yesterday. Everything went very well, in operating room and out in an hour and a half. Many tests, Ultra-sound, MRI, etc, etc were done a few days before, so the doctors knew there was no collateral damage.

Every staff member at the hospital was fantastic, and friendly, I gave them all top marks in a follow up survey today. The next four to six weeks will be to take things easy and slow, no lifting over ten pounds, etc. I will allow myself three months before air travelling again. Later in October, assuming everything is on track, I will book some flights. As stated in an earlier note, I plan to fly into Istanbul for  several weeks, and, depending on my Thai friends, I will either fly into Bangkok, or, they will come to Istanbul.

I was out walking twice today, and have family and many friends offering help and support for whatever I need. This is much appreciated....many of them just say....we are trying to pay back what you have done for us.

I will do an update towards the end of September as to how everything is going....Take care/Don

 

Ottawa, August 20, 2024

 Hello all;  Here is the latest on my situation. This morning, I received a call from the Ottawa hospital informing me that my surgery will be September 12. This came as a big , but welcome surprise, as I had been informed two weeks ago that the required Ultrasound/X-rays would be on October 3.  That is now scheduled for September 6.

If all goes as planned, I will be able to travel again two months after the surgery. It is my plan now, after talking with my Thai friends, to only travel to Istanbul for a few weeks, then return home. My friends in Bangkok will meet me in Turkiye and enjoy a visit to that area. 

This is the situation as of today. I will update after the surgery and when more of the travel components have been confirmed. Take care. 

UPDATE JULY 25, 2024

 Hello all;   My how time flies...here we are near the end of July. I had a meeting with the Chief Surgeon of the Ottawa Hospitals yesterday. The earliest that I will be able to get the operation will be in September, and no guarantees for that. In this case, the Chief Surgeon will also be the surgeon for my operation.

I filled out a long Questionair and also signed the papers to authorize the surgery when possible, so all the paperwork is ready. The doctor went over the procedures and advised me that recovery will be six weeks to two months. I will take a full two months, as I intend to travel to Turkiye and Thailand when flying is again possible for me. At this point in time, my plan is to take the VIA Train to Montreal airport, fly Turkish Airlines to Istanbul airport, then after several weeks, either Turkish Airlines or Thai Airways to Bangkok. I understand that Air Canada will again operate from Bangkok to Vancouver non stop again this winter. This routing will give us a tail wind all the way around, making the air time 3-5 hours less than the reverse. This is the project I am working on while I await that phone call.....to come to the hospital.

Take care, and enjoy what is left of the summer of 2024

Ottawa, June 4, 2024 -GROUNDED-

 Hello all; Yes, I have been grounded, possibly until the end of the year. A month ago, I woke up one morning and found a lump on my Groin. I went on line to "Dr. Google", and asked..."What is a Hernia". There was all the information I needed to confirm my suspicions. I went to the Emergency room at one of the local hospitals, waited over seven hours, and then was seen by a doctor. He confirmed it, and informed me that it may be the end of the year before I could have surgery. These are very low priority in the medical field.

Although I had not booked any flights, I was working with friends in Thailand to meet me in Istanbul in June. It was my intention to be there for Hussian's birthday on the 24th. I now have what is known as ,"a pre-existing condition", in the insurance field, so even if I wanted to travel, there would be no medical or trip cancellation insurance available. 

That is the status at this time.      Take care, and safe travels if you are able to do so. While I have advised my family doctor that I would take any cancellation time that may come available, I expect to be here , grounded until late in the year. 

Ottawa, April 12, 2024

 Hello All;  I am doing an update as best I can, but do not have any firm plans to travel at this time.

Two Days ago, I went to the Passport office here and applied for another ten year passport, which I should have in about four weeks. My old passport expired at the end of January, 2025. As many of you will know, most countries require that your passport be valid for al least six months AFTER you plan to depart their country. Therefore, I had to get a new passport for any fall travel.

I have several family members from western Canada who have indicated their desire to come here during this summer...nothing certain yet. I also have a friend from Poland who plans to do a quick holiday here, however again, no time frame for that.

My friend in Istanbul must find a new school for Hussian, so she is busy with that ordeal. From the time they returned to Turkiye, Hussian had to attend a private school, of which there are a few, but all with limited space. He now must move on, and time will tell the results there. The rule requires children who are not fluent in the Turkish language to attend private schools. The Public schools are closed to them.

It is my intention to travel to Istanbul sometime later on in the year, maybe late August or September. My friends from Thailand would meet me there, and save that rather long trip for others to do. The BIG problem in all this , is the fact that everyone is being warned about visiting the Middle East at this time...it could blow up into a larger war at any time. The pacific option for Thailand is also not a good one as North Korea is making threats again. So, for now, I will stay home and help where I can here.

I will do an update when I have some concrete plans for myself and others. Thank you.

Ottawa, January 8, 2024

 Hello all, and Happy New Year to each and every one. I do not have much to report, but I am still watching world events and will decide soon if there will be any foreign travel in the first half of the year. At this time, that looks unlikely.

The situation in the mid-east is getting more dangerous by the day, and the pacific area is also in a very precarious situation. Depending on election results later this week, the China/Taiwan area is likely to get more dangerous. The same goes for the North/South Korea airspace.

I would sooner stay here in Canada than take a chance and get stranded on the far side of the world.

My friends in Turkiye may be moving to either London or back to Canada before long, so I am awaiting the outcome there. 

At this point in time, I may do a trip to England if my friends go there; if not, I may do a hop over to Paris after the Summer Olympics. We have direct flights there five days a week now from Ottawa on Air France.

I will know more in April. Until then....I will stay here in a cold, snowy Canada.

Take Care!.