THE NEW ADVENTURE BEGINS

There was nothing remarkable about the three flights, except their length. It's only an hour and a half from Tucson to LAX; then 11 hours to Narita International in Toyoko. A short layover there (just enought time to find my flight to Bangkok) and then another seven hours.

I started and finished the book, "Daddy's Girl" by Lisa Scottoline. It's a good airline book, as it does keep you turning the pages. I had never read this author before, but may look into some of her previous publications.

The only NEW thing I learned was to NOT order special meals. I had ordered diabetic meals, and they gave me potatoes, rice, raisons, croissants among other things that I normally wouldn't eat. For one breakfast, I opened it up, and it was a mount of something white, and a mound of something green. After tasting each, I closed it back up.

It was about 74 degrees F on arrival, and raining. Not hard, but continuous. I had no problem getting through either immigration or customs, and found my way to the "legitimate" cabs.

The information I had from my landlord was that it would cost approximately 470THB. The actual cost, including tip was 360THB. The Baht is worth .032 to the Dollar, so 360 THB is approximately $11.20. It was a 45 minute ride; however, I couldn't see much of anything due to the rain and the time.

SO WHAT DAY IS IT?

My FIRST miscalculation was the Time. I misread the arrival time as 12 Noon, but is was 12 Midnight. Not to worry. Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport is a very busy place. I first exchanged some more money so that I could pay my rent, and then got the taxi.

I left my watch set on Tucson time, thinking I might have a clue as to when to go to sleep.
Normally, I can sleep on anything that moves, and, true to form, I slept most of the way to LAX. Then, for the next 11 hours, no sleep; of course, it was only coming up on midnight when we arrived at Narita, so I took a sleeping pill before we landed, and am happy to say that I slept most of the way to Bangkok. It sure does make the flight go faster.

On arriving in Bangkok at midnight, my Tucson watch said it was 10AM on the day before. So I missed the superbowl game and the Super Tuesday election results.

BANGKOK

I took another sleeping pill when I got to the apartment, and slept through till about 8AM. Walked down the street (don't ask me which one) and came up on a lot of "home based" food outlets, ( I don't think they could be described as either restaurants or cafes)and selected one where a women was cooking breakfast by the sidewalk. I stopped and had an egg, and some noodles. They don't seem to do coffee here, so I settled for a carbonated water. I don't know what was in the noodles, but they were good, and the meat "tasted like chicken".

I found the Bangkok Post, after breakfast, so I can get caught up on the news. The only problem was that I got lost. At least, this time, I couldn't blame it on the map, cause I didn't take a map with me. After wandering around for a couple of hours, I found I cab to take me home, and HE couldn't find the condo either. So I didn't feel so bad.

I have some pics, but right now, my Blog page is in Thai, and I haven't been able to figure out how to change it. I'll post some pics as soon as I overcome that hurdle. jw

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As promised, I'm testing my camera and ability to post pictures BEFORE I leave home this time.

Welcome to new readers, and Happy New Year to everyone.

I've had some questions as to where I'm going. Bangkok is the first stop, and I wanted to take a side trip to Angor Wat, Cambodia from there; however, it looks as if the air fare is very expensive for a short trip.....and the reviews of the "ground transportation" (mini-buses) doesn't sound encouraging at all. According to one review the mini bus was supposed to take 12 yours, but they ended up in pickup trucks, and it took 20 hours!

I sent off for my Thai Visa that I have to have since I'll be there over 30 days. I worry when I have to send my passport off in the mail. With luck, I'll get it all back in time.

After my guide books arrive, I'll make more plans as to what to do and see.

My brother Ward, and his wife, Jane will be joining me in Bangkok for eight days. That always makes it more fun! We had a good time in Buenos Aires last year, so we'll hope for the same this year.

Around the first of March, I'll fly from Bangkok to Phuket, which is an island in Southern Thailand. I have arranged for a little house on the water there. I'll return to the US on March 25th; but can't move back into my house until April 16. Yes, that's how I finance my trips....by renting out my house in what is the HIGH season here, and then going somewhere OFF season. Haven't decided what to to/where to go between March 25 and April 16.

I'm Baaaack

Sunday, December 21, 2007


Last year at this time, I was basking in the warmth of Panama City. Today it is 45 degrees in Green Valley, and I'm ready to, once again, go South for the Winter.

I'll pretest my camera with my new computer (Acer) to see if I can post pictures BEFORE I go,this time. And I'll try not to leave my electrical cord at home!!

Here's the Itinerary so far:

February 3, 2008 Lv Tus for LAX.

Northwest Airlines, Flight 1 from LAX to Bangkok (BKK), leaving at 11:40AM and arriving at 12:10PM on February 5

I still need to make reservations from BKK to Phuket, but don't think that will be a problem.

Returning from BKK to LAX

Northwest Airlines #28 on March 25, 2008 leaving at 6AM and arriving LAX at 9:15AM (same day)

Both Flights are via Narita Airport in Japan.

I'll be staying at the Supalai Imperial Palace which is a condo complex. The ad says it is close to public transportation, and I hope it is. I understand that the SkyTrain is the easiest, best, fastest way to get around the City.
http://www.perfectplaces.com/pp_find_dtl.cfm?year=2008&month=1&ref_num=29158#cal

I'll post more later, as I learn more; however wanted to get this out in the hopes that you might like to join me for a week or so, in either Bangkok or Phuket.

BACK IN THE USA

The cruise was great! Jack Claton's daughter Dawn's wedding went off without a hitch (as far as I could tell, as a guest.) They were married on board, and it was a very nice and short ceremony. I met all of her new husband's (Randy) relatives who came for the event. Dawn's mom, Paula was there with a friend, and her sister Shirley from Chicago. Also her brother Scott and his wife, Shannon and their son, Nick. It was a fun time. I finally went snorkeling off of Cozumel, and finally got to Belize. The weather was perfect, the food was excellent, and, most importantly, Dawn and Randy's friends and relatives made the cruise!!

My brother-in-law, Chuck, picked me up at the Tucson airport, and then he and Miriam and I went to Restaurant Terra Cotta to celebrate our birthdays which were on the 16th and 19th. I stayed overnight with them, and Chuck dropped me at Jack's house in Green Valley. I took one of his cars, and picked Jack and Carol at the Tucson airport, and stayed at their home for two nights. I'm now at my condo in Ruidoso until April 1, at which time I can reclaim my home.

Now that I have my computer back and working, perhaps I can post some of the pictures.

LAST DAY IN BA

I've finally found a computer that will let me add to my blog. I'll probably have to fill in some blanks later, as I remember them.

I haven't had a lot to do for the last week, since I wasn't going to school, so I was just relaxing and enjoying the Buenos Aires scene in Recoleta Village. I actually went to a movie--Babel. This was before I knew it won any prizes. After 45 minutes, I gave up. It was horrible and depressing. As usual, I didn't learn from my mistakes, and tried another movie the next day. I was looking for a laugh, so bought a ticket to Borat. That was even more boring and not funny at all; and apparently the audience in attendence agreed. I heard one guy laugh one time! Another 45 minutes wasted!

Today is my last day in Buenos Aires and South America. My flight is scheduled to leave EZE at 10PM, and I'll be there, but my money says it won't leave at 10. A couple of days ago, there was a big rain and lightening storm that took out the airport's radar. It has allegedly been fixed.

Next stop MIA at 4:30AM. Then, as soon as I can wake them up, a limo trip to the Hyatt Regency in Weston, Florida where I will spend the night of the 10th. Jack and Carol have offered to share their room with me, but they don't arrive until the evening of the 11th.

Then, on to the cruise, relatively early on Monday morning the 12th. We have to board early for the wedding, and eat first, since no food will be available until we set sail late in the afternoon.

That's it for now. I'll try to fill in the blanks on my trip to Iguaza Falls in another post.
jw

IN BUENOS AIRES

BUENOS AIRES:
I took courses in Spanish all week, last week. From 2PM to 6PM each day. Their approach, at the Academy of Reloceta, is totally different than the school in Barlioche. I know I must have learned something, because I can now order my crescent rolls (buttered) with jam without saying anything in English. But that seems to be about it.

It´s been quite here, and somewhat warm for the last couple of days. Yesterday, I walked from Recoleta to Galleries Pacifica on Florida Street, and made my reservations for a three day trip to The Falls. Then I walked over to San Telmo, and ate a hugh steak, done perfectly medium rare. Then I was so tired and full, I caught a cab home.

I´ll report more when I return from the Falls.

I´m looking forward to Dawn´s wedding cruise. It will be nice to be among friends and speak English, once again.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Today, I am in Buenos Aires, in the area of Recoleta which is the center of culture and arts. I am at an actual Internet Cafe. Most of the internet connections are at Interlocutorios, which are NOT cafes. So, I get to drink coffee while I write. I also notice that beer is available, were it later in the day.

It was a very busy and kind of tiring 10 days in Bariloche. The tourist portion of the city is like any other ski resort--full of goods, restaurants and tourists.
My host family, however, lived about six kilometers from town (3.6 miles) and it was in a nice subdivision and very quiet. They don´'t pave their roads, and I could only use first gear for about the last 1/2 mile.

I was sure glad to get rid of the rental car. It was a piece of crap, but I didn't get charged any extra when I turned it in. Traffic wasn´t all that bad, but it limited my activities, as I didn´t want to drive after having anything to drink.

My host, Mercedes served dinner at 9:30pm, of course, with wine. There was one other person staying at her home. His name was Martin, from the Netherlands. His English was good, but his Spanish was even worse than mine. We were also in the same class at school.

The course was good, with a teacher named Flavia. She was very patient and very pretty.

I decided that I didn´t like the cold, and the lack of freedom, not to mention the stress of the class, and having to get up in the morning, and driving that car. Probably this all has to do with getting old! I had to buy a fleece coat to keep warm.

So I kept my reservation on the bus on Saturday morning, and rode another 20 hours back to Buenos Aires.

I had reserved another apartment til March 9, at which time I have a flight to Miami. The apartment is nice, but has no internet service, and the only TV is in the bedroom. It is on a side street, and on the back side of the building (not street side), so it is very quiet. It is close to Vincente Lopez, where there is much activity. Ward and Jane and I had visited this area when they were here. I counted 30 restaurants within three blocks of my apartment.

I may take some more Spanish courses here, if I can find a place within walking distance, and with afternoon classes!

In case I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Charles and Carlen and Dee. It seems as if there should be more February birthdays, so forgive me and remind me if I forget.