With huge crowds, Shanghai was one lineup after another. I had to wait in line to run my checked bag thru the scanner, lineup again to have it checked in, then again because they wanted a second scan. I finally got that done and waited at the departure lounge until flight time. I went for a bite to eat, but...did not like the BBQ eel on rice, nor the several items that could not be reasonably identified. I did however see another little girl running wild, with no parental control. I was sure that the same thing could not happen twice on the same trip. How wrong I was. I am in seat 5A, window, and in 5D, E, and F, is the little one and three adults. It was the same crying for the next four hours to Bangkok. I swear that I saw more crying on these flights, than all the crying and acting up I have seen in my life...including when I was young.( I dont do that anymore), but may have once or twice when I was small.
Some words about the route here from Montreal. We departed and headed north, in a direct line to the North Pole, passing along the west coast of Greenland, and continued north over the Russian arctic. We then headed south east, down over central Russia. Eventually, we were over lake Bakal, and on to near Beijing, but not over it. We seemed to go westward and around all the major cities until Shanghai....with its massive airport. From Shanghai, we went over Da Nang, vietnam and into Bangkok. That is about all for now. I will try and do an update about once a week, unless something very exciting happens that is noteworthy. By the way, here we are having 30 degree days, and no snow in the forecast for the next month!!!.
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Monday, 12 November 2018
Bangkok, Thailand 13 November 13, 2018.
Hello All; I arrived here a few minutes early, at 01;00 BKK time,, which would have been one in the afternoon, Monday back in Ottawa. All flights departed on time, and arrived early. The Air Canada flight from Montreal to Shanghai provided the Adventure, for what was to be just a venture. I expect the unexpected with them, and they NEVER fail to do just that. It all started at the Ottawa airport at check in. I went to the check in machine...no people check in these days, just an ATM type machine, no personal contact. I put my passport in, face up, touch Air Canada, then answer two questions, while passport in machine...first name, flight route is displayed, then number of checked bags...one for me...two allowed.
Out comes the three boarding passes for the full route, and the tags for the luggage. BUT, the baggage tag is good only to Shanghai, while I get the boarding passes all the way to Bangkok. With all other companies, I would not see my checked luggage until destination. I know about a thousand airport codes, so no doubt about this tag. I question an airline representative, and am told that there is no baggage arrangements for automatic transfer at Shanghai with that airline. Anyone not knowing the code would probably have missed this. Ok, look forward to a surprise at Shanghai. Flight to Montreal is short, 20 minutes. Arrival and departure gates very close, so no problem there. I notice a young girl, about two, running rampant in the waiting area, and she shrieks and whines when her parents stop her. I pray that she is in the back of the plane to Shanghai. On Board, my worst fears are realized...I am in row 35, seat 35A, a window seat on left, (port) side of aircraft, and guess who is in 34A....the seat directly in front of me. For over 13 hours of the 14 hour flight, she did a rant about every five minutes, until we landed in Shanghai and she fell asleep as we taxied to the terminal.
Shanghai airport is huge, and thousands of travelers at any one time, half looking for directions.
Since I was in transit, with no plan to leave the airport, I did not require a visa, but did require a landing/departure card. All onward passengers, about 20 on our flight, were directed to a special check in.... for customs and immigration to fill out the cards and be finger printed, photographed, etc. This took over one hour for me, as only one counter open, and half the group were behind me.
After that, I had to try and find my checked luggage, as the conveyer belt had finished unloading.
That process took another hour, and my luggage was with a lot of other baggage that was left because people did not know they had o claim and rebook their bags...from my flight.
I will do another page of this saga later today.
Out comes the three boarding passes for the full route, and the tags for the luggage. BUT, the baggage tag is good only to Shanghai, while I get the boarding passes all the way to Bangkok. With all other companies, I would not see my checked luggage until destination. I know about a thousand airport codes, so no doubt about this tag. I question an airline representative, and am told that there is no baggage arrangements for automatic transfer at Shanghai with that airline. Anyone not knowing the code would probably have missed this. Ok, look forward to a surprise at Shanghai. Flight to Montreal is short, 20 minutes. Arrival and departure gates very close, so no problem there. I notice a young girl, about two, running rampant in the waiting area, and she shrieks and whines when her parents stop her. I pray that she is in the back of the plane to Shanghai. On Board, my worst fears are realized...I am in row 35, seat 35A, a window seat on left, (port) side of aircraft, and guess who is in 34A....the seat directly in front of me. For over 13 hours of the 14 hour flight, she did a rant about every five minutes, until we landed in Shanghai and she fell asleep as we taxied to the terminal.
Shanghai airport is huge, and thousands of travelers at any one time, half looking for directions.
Since I was in transit, with no plan to leave the airport, I did not require a visa, but did require a landing/departure card. All onward passengers, about 20 on our flight, were directed to a special check in.... for customs and immigration to fill out the cards and be finger printed, photographed, etc. This took over one hour for me, as only one counter open, and half the group were behind me.
After that, I had to try and find my checked luggage, as the conveyer belt had finished unloading.
That process took another hour, and my luggage was with a lot of other baggage that was left because people did not know they had o claim and rebook their bags...from my flight.
I will do another page of this saga later today.
Thursday, 1 November 2018
Update November 01, 2018
What a difference a day makes. I went for my laser Retina work on October 15, and everything went very well. In fact, it was better than I had expected. While the doctor was going over the work he was to do that day, he asked if we could do the lens brushing that was scheduled, (with another doctor), for January 31. I was only too happy to agree. After the deep laser work on the Retina, with a bright green laser, we went into the next room, where there was a a different laser machine. Once I was settled in to the chair and adjustments for height, etc, the doctor used a very low power laser and cleared the film from the lens in both eyes in a procedure that in total was about one minute. What a difference. With the gradual deterioration of the eyes, one does not realize what they are missing until the problem becomes very noticeable. I had a follow up check on 29 October, and everything is now back to normal. As A result, I can fly again, and intend to do so very soon.
I will be departing Ottawa on November 11 at nine in the morning, with Air Canada to Montreal, then, after a change of planes, etc, off to Bangkok, with a three hour stop over in Shanghai China.
I will get to Bangkok at one in the morning of November 13 their time, one in the afternoon of November 12 here....27 hours. The flight to Shanghai is 14 hours.
I have some business matters to finish up, and also will be having dental work done while there. In fact,I have just received confirmation of first dental at ten on morning of 15th. I will be busy in Bangkok for about ten days before going to see family friends in the northern part of the country.
I return to Ottawa on December 12, departing Bangkok at 11:40 in the evening of December 11, and, travelling via Seoul, (Inchon), South Korea, and Toronto, should arrive about 10:15 in the evening.
I have found a computer techie who will show me how to post photos on this site when I return. I will plan to display some of those after returning home. My next update will be an arrival report from Bangkok about November 14. Thank you all....now 8109 contacts to this site.
I will be departing Ottawa on November 11 at nine in the morning, with Air Canada to Montreal, then, after a change of planes, etc, off to Bangkok, with a three hour stop over in Shanghai China.
I will get to Bangkok at one in the morning of November 13 their time, one in the afternoon of November 12 here....27 hours. The flight to Shanghai is 14 hours.
I have some business matters to finish up, and also will be having dental work done while there. In fact,I have just received confirmation of first dental at ten on morning of 15th. I will be busy in Bangkok for about ten days before going to see family friends in the northern part of the country.
I return to Ottawa on December 12, departing Bangkok at 11:40 in the evening of December 11, and, travelling via Seoul, (Inchon), South Korea, and Toronto, should arrive about 10:15 in the evening.
I have found a computer techie who will show me how to post photos on this site when I return. I will plan to display some of those after returning home. My next update will be an arrival report from Bangkok about November 14. Thank you all....now 8109 contacts to this site.
Friday, 28 September 2018
UPDATE, September 28, 2018
I have completed the checks at the Ottawa Retina Center, and it was discovered that yes, there was one location where a Retina detachment happened on a very small corner. I have been scheduled for that laser surgery on October 15 at the Riverside hospital here in Ottawa. Since the Riverside is where my family doctor is located, and my diabetic team....they monitor me and check on what I eat, etc every six months. Both have decided to see me after the eye surgery, so I will be there for three appointments on the same day.
I will also still have the lens cleaning, or brushing, on January 31.( I have had both terms used).
The follow up to all that, just for checking, that all is ok, will be February 27. At that time, they will do a check and prescribe new glasses, if required. All this means that I will not be travelling very far until after next March.
will probably do an update in late November if there are no significant changes.
I will also still have the lens cleaning, or brushing, on January 31.( I have had both terms used).
The follow up to all that, just for checking, that all is ok, will be February 27. At that time, they will do a check and prescribe new glasses, if required. All this means that I will not be travelling very far until after next March.
will probably do an update in late November if there are no significant changes.
Thursday, 20 September 2018
What a Difference a Day Makes; Ottawa, September 20, 2018
There has been a very abrupt change to my travel plans caused by medical priorities.
I had my annual eye examination on September 10, and during that examination, my Optometrist found a film build up on my right eye lens, with some also starting on the left eye. She also found some possible Retina damage, and ordered a follow up with the Specialist. I will be doing that visit
to the Ottawa Retina Center tomorrow morning at 0835. The Retina Center is a ten minute walk from where I live.
The lens cleaning work will be a much longer wait. I have been given an appointment with the specialist for that work on January 31, 2019.!!! I am still cleared to drive a vehicle, but long flights are discouraged, and the Travel Insurance Companies do not like clients travelling with what is now a "Pre-Existing Condition".
As a result of these developments, I will not be crossing any oceans until at least next March. With friends, I am looking at a possible trip to Cuba before the January appointment, but that will depend on many issues, including any need for followup to either visit.
I will now have to stay in this area and try to tolerate any snow and nasty weather with everyone else unable to escape. I will probably not do another update until late November. The "Reads", on this page is now well over eight thousand. Thank you, all.
I had my annual eye examination on September 10, and during that examination, my Optometrist found a film build up on my right eye lens, with some also starting on the left eye. She also found some possible Retina damage, and ordered a follow up with the Specialist. I will be doing that visit
to the Ottawa Retina Center tomorrow morning at 0835. The Retina Center is a ten minute walk from where I live.
The lens cleaning work will be a much longer wait. I have been given an appointment with the specialist for that work on January 31, 2019.!!! I am still cleared to drive a vehicle, but long flights are discouraged, and the Travel Insurance Companies do not like clients travelling with what is now a "Pre-Existing Condition".
As a result of these developments, I will not be crossing any oceans until at least next March. With friends, I am looking at a possible trip to Cuba before the January appointment, but that will depend on many issues, including any need for followup to either visit.
I will now have to stay in this area and try to tolerate any snow and nasty weather with everyone else unable to escape. I will probably not do another update until late November. The "Reads", on this page is now well over eight thousand. Thank you, all.
Thursday, 6 September 2018
Ottawa, September 6, 2018
I do not have set plans yet for my next adventure, however, the picture has changed.
I will only be out of Canada for a maximum of 40 days, due to our medical insurance rules. For me to stay another 30 days or so would cost over two thousand dollars more than the 40 days. At my age, I can go out of country for as often as I wish for up to 40 days, and the yearly cost is just under 500 dollars. That jumps thousands after the 40 day period. The insurance companies are all in cahoots on this, so I decided not to play their game. I could come back home for 24 hours and go again, at a thousand or more LESS that the insurance cost!!!strange but true.
I will depart here around December 25, and fly into Europe, probably Frankfurt, Germany, meet my Friend, and go on to Bangkok. When they return home, I will visit with my Thai family for the remainder of the available time. We will take the kids and go to a beach for a relaxing week or so; Will go into the Philippines another time.
The plan is that upon my return, I will go with a friend to Cuba for ten days or so, to get away from the cold.
This site now has well over 8000 reads, and I again thank everyone for their interest.
As soon as my friend in Europe is able to get confirmed vacation dates, in a week or so, we will do the bookings, and I will have an update....before the end of September. Fall is here. In two days we are expecting lows of about 5 degrees for two nights. Time to think Asia and Cuba!!!.
I will only be out of Canada for a maximum of 40 days, due to our medical insurance rules. For me to stay another 30 days or so would cost over two thousand dollars more than the 40 days. At my age, I can go out of country for as often as I wish for up to 40 days, and the yearly cost is just under 500 dollars. That jumps thousands after the 40 day period. The insurance companies are all in cahoots on this, so I decided not to play their game. I could come back home for 24 hours and go again, at a thousand or more LESS that the insurance cost!!!strange but true.
I will depart here around December 25, and fly into Europe, probably Frankfurt, Germany, meet my Friend, and go on to Bangkok. When they return home, I will visit with my Thai family for the remainder of the available time. We will take the kids and go to a beach for a relaxing week or so; Will go into the Philippines another time.
The plan is that upon my return, I will go with a friend to Cuba for ten days or so, to get away from the cold.
This site now has well over 8000 reads, and I again thank everyone for their interest.
As soon as my friend in Europe is able to get confirmed vacation dates, in a week or so, we will do the bookings, and I will have an update....before the end of September. Fall is here. In two days we are expecting lows of about 5 degrees for two nights. Time to think Asia and Cuba!!!.
Sunday, 22 July 2018
July 22, 2018
This will be my last posting until about the first week of September. At that time, I expect to have some definite plans for going into Asia in the winter...(here). Always summer over there.
It is my intention to go into Bangkok and from there, into other Asian places about the first of January. I intend to stay for 75 days without returning to Canada. I had mentioned this very basic plan to many friends over the past few months, and am now working to pull it off. I have a very good friend residing in Europe that will be also visiting Asia for a period of time in the winter. While we do not expect to be booking flights until late September or early October, the plan is simple. The intent is that I will fly into Europe, and meet up with my friend, then travel to Asia on the same flight. We will spend a month, or whatever time my friend has, then they will return to Europe and I will join up with some of my Thai friends.
My Thai friends and I will go over to the Philippines for several weeks and visit there for the first time, for any of us. Whatever time is left will be spent back in Thailand. I will return to Canada via Europe around the middle of March.....about the time the snow starts to go away.
There are many details to work out for this to happen, but there is no doubt that it will. The concept is outlined here. Now, we will define what area we will visit in Thailand, so my friend will have a good look at Asia. While there are over 30,000 temples there, we will limit our visits to three or four, although most are fabulous to see. I usually take guests to see the Golden Buddha, which is tons of pure gold, and is part of the Royal Palace, and the nearby Buddha, of pure jade.
This is my plan to avoid most of the cold weather that we get here in Ottawa. I hope to return to this site in September, (which is just over a month away), and put up some photos of my last trip. I need to find someone to come over and walk me through the process with Windows ten and this website.
At that time, I should have more details of the next adventure.
See you in September.
It is my intention to go into Bangkok and from there, into other Asian places about the first of January. I intend to stay for 75 days without returning to Canada. I had mentioned this very basic plan to many friends over the past few months, and am now working to pull it off. I have a very good friend residing in Europe that will be also visiting Asia for a period of time in the winter. While we do not expect to be booking flights until late September or early October, the plan is simple. The intent is that I will fly into Europe, and meet up with my friend, then travel to Asia on the same flight. We will spend a month, or whatever time my friend has, then they will return to Europe and I will join up with some of my Thai friends.
My Thai friends and I will go over to the Philippines for several weeks and visit there for the first time, for any of us. Whatever time is left will be spent back in Thailand. I will return to Canada via Europe around the middle of March.....about the time the snow starts to go away.
There are many details to work out for this to happen, but there is no doubt that it will. The concept is outlined here. Now, we will define what area we will visit in Thailand, so my friend will have a good look at Asia. While there are over 30,000 temples there, we will limit our visits to three or four, although most are fabulous to see. I usually take guests to see the Golden Buddha, which is tons of pure gold, and is part of the Royal Palace, and the nearby Buddha, of pure jade.
This is my plan to avoid most of the cold weather that we get here in Ottawa. I hope to return to this site in September, (which is just over a month away), and put up some photos of my last trip. I need to find someone to come over and walk me through the process with Windows ten and this website.
At that time, I should have more details of the next adventure.
See you in September.
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