Tag Archives: travel

April 14, 2025 · 9:11 pm

“Seasons in Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • Hot Season (March-May): This is the warmest time of the year, with temperatures potentially reaching above 35°C (95°F). 
  • Rainy Season (June-October): This season brings heavy rainfall, especially in June to August, with July having the most rainfall. 
  • Cool Season (November-February): This is the most comfortable time to visit, with daytime highs around 30°C (85°F) and cooler evenings. 

Key points to consider:

  • Air Quality: During the late dry season (March-May), air quality can be affected by agricultural burning in the surrounding areas. 
  • Festivals: Chiang Mai has several festivals throughout the year, including Yee Peng and Loy Krathong in November, and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February. 
  • Songkran: The Thai New Year, Songkran, is celebrated in mid-April and involves water throwing. 

The image above is from Harvey’s and my creating of metal decorations to attach to our mailbox when we lived in Greenwood, Arkansas. This we called, “Hot Man,” and a lot of people related to him during the hottest part of the summer.

In our new home, there are three ‘seasons,’ but ALL of them are hot. Right now, the ‘hot season’ is also known as the ‘smoky season,’ because farmers are burning off the residue of harvesting crops for the season, to prepare for the next one. Air purifiers are really getting a work out now, and they do a great job. We have two of them in our air bnb. I don’t know how many we’ll need in the new condo when we move (around the end of April or beginning of May when all the paperwork is done, filed, etc.)

Our son describes the seasons as “smoky,” “rainy,” “hot,” and “hotter.” 😳

I AM starting to acclimate a bit. I used to shower in the morning and then it would take me half an hour or so – sitting in front of the fan over and over – to get dry enough to dress. This was with the a/c set at 19 or 20 degrees celcius (66.2 degrees F.) Now I have it set to 29 (84.2 degrees F). With the fan moving the air in the room, I’m comfortable. I’m taking a much cooler shower and blow drying my hair with the cool setting.

When we go to the hospital, they have the temperature set at 20 – making it feel like a meat locker. We have to put up with it in the ICU, but in the private room we found where we could turn it OFF! 👍🏻

My husband had his pacemaker installation yesterday and spent the night in ICU. Hoping he can move to his private room again today. We leave in a second.

Have a good day.

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April 6, 2025 · 8:12 am

48 Hours of Travel

I think I told you that the total time of travel from Greenwood, Arkansas to Chiang Mai, Thailad was 48 hours, but I would like to share more of the trip with you.

We drove to the Fort Smith airport and waited for the first leg of our journey. We actually went through a pretty good security check. I showed my magic card that gave information on my pacemaker implant, plus my ID bracelet and they skirted around some of the xraying. Apparently, the security check was good enough that we didn’t have to do more until we were in Bangkok, Thailand.

This was a short one hour flight to the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, where we waited again. We had to do a lot of walking we weren’t expecting to GET to the railway or whatever they call it that will whisk you to the next gate. It was a bit much for two old recently sick people.

We then flew the LONG flight – 14 hours – from DFW to Doha, Qatar. This was in the lap of luxury, our first ever business class flight. We had good food, comfortable recliners that eased into all kinds of positions for maximum comfort, including the makeup into a bed by the attendants, with a nice pillow and the best blanket I have ever slept under. I think I showed you a picture or two of the seats we had, with my husband and I sitting side by side and across from our son with the partition removed. We basically slept most of the flight after enjoying the amenities.

All of the airports were nice, but this one at Doha, Qatar, was spectacular.

This was followed by another pretty long flight, from Doha, Qatar to Bangkok, Thailand. Another nice business class flight, not as nice as the first one, but nicer than any other flight I’ve taken in my life, 2nd only to the one to Doha.

We were met in Bangkok by a team of experts hired by our son to meet us, handle the baggage change, customs check, security check, and all the other things required when landing in the main hub city in a country. Even with all that my husband’s energy gave out and we needed to find a wheelchair to get where we needed to go.

We left the Bangkok airport only minutes before the earthquake. The pilot came on saying that we would have to turn around and return to Bangkok because the Chiang Mai airport had closed. Our poor son was then trying to figure out what he would do for accommodations there, booking a new flight to Chiang Mai, meals, and more. The pilot came on again saying the Chiang Mai airport had reopened and we were resuming our flight there. Whew!

Now we find we MAY have to fly to Laos to the Thai embassy there, to get a magical stamp on our passports that the banks here will like so they will let us open bank accounts. Then we should be able to take the bank account information to the visa people and get a retirement visa. Fingers crossed!

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April 5, 2025 · 10:24 pm

Sunday 4-6-2025

This is my new computer! It looks greeen in this photo, but it’s glorious purple. The screensaver I chose is of Dubai, not only because I like the photo, but also because ‘it’s purple.’ ☺️. I’m really having to work at using the keyboard because it’s little and cute and the keys are much closer together than I am used to. I’m trying to place my fingers on the home row and then plant my wrists on the counter so I don’t flail as much. I’ll get this. It’s going to be wonderful. Any problems are user errors🤪.

We just came in from a morning walk. We did a little better today. We said hi to the koi fish, rested a bit, walked on to our people-watching steps and rested some more, and then came home. There are LOTS of steps in our walk and the streets and sidewalks are very uneven – a challenge for old, weak folks. We have to really watch where we are going, when we’d rather be swiveling our heads trying to see everything. We are getting better at doing the walk, not falling on our heads, AND getting to fish and people watch.

We are going for our first ever pedicures today! My husband is a diabetic, though he’ll deny that, saying he has a sugar problem. He has trouble with his feet and we would like to provide something that eases that and brings him comfort. Hopefully, the pedicure will solve a couple of problems for him. I’m just along for the ride, soaking up the luxury of having one.

Not sure what else is in store for us today, but it’s all good. We are solving problems daily on endless details needed for us to be legal, up and functional, etc. We will solve all this eventually, and are learning new things every day.

I hope things are good for you today. It’s Sunday here, 10:21 am.

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March 24, 2025 · 6:14 am

A Beautiful Day

Travel Pulse

This photo looks much like us yesterday. It started about 9:30 yesterday morning and continued until dinner time last night.

A bit of buying, selling, and giving away, freezer diving, and then just relaxing and visiting with lots of friends. Tears, memories, sharing, hugs, laughter – we had it all with people who have meant the world to us.

The part I clung to was that we can still communicate with text and email, plus the blog when I can get it going full speed again.

I have now shut down my Etsy site. Some sad thoughts, but mainly memories of people I’ve met, the joy of a sale, spending time in my art room, head brimming with ideas I wanted to try, and doing the work to list something on the site.

I look forward to finding out what kind of art people are doing in Thailand. I hope to find a group creating things that will allow me to watch and learn. Hopefully, I will be accepted into a group and make some new friends while maybe starting a new creative outlet for myself.

After a trip to the bank this morning, I’ll go visit another long time friend. We may have some more sales today.

There was one part of our trip that was bothering our son – the change of planes in Bangkok, bound for Chiang Mai. The time is really short. Our son would have simply RUN from one gate to the other if he were by himself. He found a service that will meet our flight in Bangkok, help us through what we have to do there, and carry us to the next gate. We are all relieved.

Leaving Wednesday evening seems a little bit surreal, still, but plans are solidifying by the hour at this point. I will try to at least leave a blurb via my phone starting on Wednesday morning, so you can travel with us, and will get back to full mode as soon as soon as we can arrange it.

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March 23, 2025 · 8:02 am

Grand Central?

Dr. Amy Johnson

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point. There are so many details left to handle, plus I want to visit my friends, get packed, etc.

Today will be a bit like Grand Central Station – though in a good way –

Our friends who adopted Amber will be here to get the drafting table in the art room. Lisa wants to choose more art supplies, and they may decide to get the roll top desk. We’re not sure when they are coming. They’ll text us. My friend Carla, who is helping to rehome Jet, may or may not be with them.

Our long time friends Dave and Laufrain said they wanted to come over for a last visit. They will text when they are on their way.

The daughter of one of the Lunch Bunch originals, who is now a good friend, too, is coming to visit around 1:30.

Re the flights – we are leaving Wednesday evening. Our son has put together the most comfortable combination of flights for us. He spent a long time researching what was available. We only want to change planes in safe places. He is arranging that we are as comfortable as possible on each of the four flights. First flight is short – Ft. Smith to DFW. There we go through security and there is a 4 hour layover. The second flight is 14 hours, but we are going Business Class, which I have never even THOUGHT about using, where we can sleep (with a pillow and blanket and reclining seats or ones that may even lie flat.) Not to mention the food and the fact that you get earphones so you can watch a movie or listen to music (which I plan to do.) The third is Doha, Quatar to Bangkok, about 6 hours, also Business Class ( :0) ), and the 4th is Bangkok to Chiang Mai, another shorter flight. 32 hours in all, but arranged to be as comfortable as our son could arrange, with the shortest layover times. Also, we’ll be leaving in the evening from here, and arriving in the afternoon there, also very good.

When I was cleaning out the roll top desk, I FOUND the Medtronic Pacemaker ID Card I need for the flights. I didn’t remember seeing it before, but my brain hasn’t been working at its best lately. So now I don’t have to worry about the one I ordered online getting here soon enough. The medical alert bracelet is supposed to get here tomorrow. It’s not needed as badly, but I’ll be glad to have it.

So people may be coming at different times – or all at the same time in a pile. We’ll be glad to see each and every one of them, and will do the best we can to direct traffic, conduct needed business, and get and give hugs.

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March 21, 2025 · 8:16 am

Running Like a Nut

DM-Zimmermann Peggy-Pinterest

Yesterday was busy, exhausting, and very good. Amber’s adoptive parents were here, plus my good friend, Carla, buying more stuff. They came twice. They’ll be back again today. It really makes me happy that they are finding things they can use and take joy in.

Carla took Jet (aka Monster Cat) and all her stuff yesterday. That was the first time we had no pets in over 40 years. Even though it seemed really empty, I was so happy and relieved that the animals will be well cared for. This morning I ordered a women’s medical alert bracelet that says, “Pacemaker” that will be delivered on the 25th – HOPEFULLY in time for me to wear it on the trip.

Conde’ Nast Traveler

We are due to get our passports today! Then the real count down begins on getting ready for our trip. Our son will start work on routing our trip and getting tickets. Before, it was still abstract that we’ll be leaving, even though we’re giving away and selling lots of stuff and I’m preparing to shut down my Etsy site. Once the passports arrive and our son lets us know the date we’re leaving, it will all be REAL.

I found a phone app on speaking Thai. I really want to be able to be polite and respectful and try my best on pronunciation. I know our son will help us, but he picks up new languages pretty easily. (He speaks English, Mandarin and Thai). We will need lots of practice and guidance before the new words sink in.

pinkpolkadotcreations.com

HAPPY SPRING!!! I forgot it was the first day of Spring yesterday and so didn’t wish you a happy one. So sorry. Thailand essentially has several different summers each year – including wet summer, dry summer, smoky summer, and so it will be an adjustment to not celebrate spring and fall. I have to admit I won’t miss winter, but will take time to look at beautiful pictures of it each year. :0)

I have my blog on my phone now, though I’m still using my computer here. I found out I can write you a note, but I haven’t figured out how to add any images yet, so I may not be able to do that. I CAN read comments and reply, so I’ll try to send you messages on what is happening until our son has the time to get computers going for us. I hope you will bear with us.

We will have a super busy day today with our friends coming to buy more stuff, deliveries, etc. An amazing time for us, for sure.

I hope that your Friday is a wonderful one, with a great weekend to follow.

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March 15, 2025 · 9:33 am

Saturday 3-15-2025

Karin de Haas via Tammy Baker-Pinterest

It’s been really busy around here. There are SO many details to handle. We are definitely making progress. A suitcase was delivered this morning. We’re going to basically pack my husband’s things in it today to see if the 2nd suitcase we’re ordering should be the same size or maybe a little bit larger. We have the backpacks our son ordered, so we can decide what needs to go in each, like a change of clothes, freshening up supplies, kleenex, tablets and charger cords, etc.

One really worrisome and upsetting thing happened yesterday. I called the vet to make sure all was good about our calling when we were ready to bring our animals and their supplies to the vet clinic, and be sure that people could help us get everything in from the truck. The rug was yanked out from under me.

The receptionist told me they weren’t set up to take our animals. They were happy to help us try to rehome them by putting their pics up on their website and would call us if there was interest, but that was it. I guess I don’t speak English anymore, because I was devastated.

We now have a post in the rehoming – Greenwood section of Facebook, but we haven’t gotten any responses. I’ve texted all of our friends to see if anyone knows anybody who wants a dog or cat and their supplies. We’ll keep adding other options as we think of them. This is a major concern for us. We haven’t told my husband, figuring he doesn’t need the stress, but we won’t be able to keep the secret for long.

Meanwhile, I’ll try to put this out of my mind as we work on getting my husband basically packed for the move.

I wish everyone a really nice Saturday.

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March 9, 2025 · 7:08 am

Sunday 3-9-2025

giphy

Today is my birthday. I’m 78. I’m especially happy to celebrate today because I almost didn’t get to celebrate this one. Because of the weird circumstance of being admitted to the ER because of shortness of breath and low blood oxygen, I was in the proper place to have good people there when my heart stopped twice on February 6th, plus the cardiology department who gave me a new lease on life with a temporary, then a permanent pacemaker. So, I’m celebrating today with a super-happy, ear-to-ear grin. If I can find a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing, you can bet I’m snarfing it down with pleasure! :0)

Kudoboard

Things are moving at a rapid pace around here on trying to get ready to move to Thailand to be with our son.

Our “emu” planters went to live with some good friends yesterday. They will need a coat of paint and some new googly eyes; but my friend loves them and they’ll have a wonderful home at her house.

I’m still busily canceling things like subscriptions, automatic renewals, automatic orders, etc., plus making lists of things to cancel when we are in Thailand.

We have a busy week ahead, sewing up lots of details, meeting with people, doctor appts, and more, but also have visits with friends scheduled and unscheduled as yet to enjoy.

Our son ordered backpacks for my husband and me to use as carry-ons until we get to Thailand. He will also order a suitcase for each of us, since the only ones we have weigh a ton and are older than he is. The new ones only have to live through one set of flights, so we should be able to get something at a reasonable price. We will each pack one suitcase and the backpack. That’s it. All else we let go.

The auctions may or may not happen while we are here. Our passports should be here in about two weeks, so we’ll be leaving soon after that. I’m concentrating on gathering as much energy as I can for the 23 or so hour trip.

I’m hoping that your life is going well, and that today – especially – you have a good reason to smile.

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November 7, 2024 · 11:16 am

One Trip, Two Trips…

I’m back.

There weren’t many people at the tire shop when I got there, so my truck got almost immediate attention! I was really happy until they guys were obviously talking, then getting the owner/manager, then coming in to talk to me.

The owner told me that the lug nuts I brought for the snow tires didn’t fit. I went out and looked at the bag my husband had put in the truck and let out a huge sigh. The bag clearly said, “Jeep Lug nuts.” We don’t even HAVE the Jeep and haven’t had it for YEARS now. I don’t even know why we still HAD these.

The guys put things back together so that I could drive back home and get the bag of lug nuts we SHOULD have brought in the first place. My husband came out to the shop when I was still out there, and I showed him the bag he had put in the truck. He was embarrassed. He redeemed himself, however, because he turned the truck around for me, something that I have NEVER been good at, and have only gotten worse at over time.

I drove back to the tire store. This time things went well. Before I left, I made sure I had the bag of lug nuts and the special lug nut that is necessary to either put on or take off our regular Honda tires. (The snow tires don’t need that.) I found it, but not the shiny socket wrench part I was looking for.) I checked again in the store, but they confirmed all they had was in the bag.

I drove home again. I took the bag of lug nuts and showed my husband where they live, right above the tires. I asked him what he had done with the bag of Jeep lug nuts. He had squirreled it into the back part of a shelf. I got it out and found the shiny socket wrench part I was looking for. I told him we should throw the Jeep lug nuts away. He was adamant we keep them. (A fight for another day.)

We got the tires back into place in the shop, the bag of lug nuts where they belonged, and I put the special lug nut and the shiny socket wrench into the bag in the glove compartment.

My husband again turned the truck around and we went to the house. We won’t have to do this again until spring (about mid-March), and now we have a way we might be able to negotiate our driveway and the roads in bad winter weather in an emergency. We agreed (and I HOPE this is still in effect) that barring emergencies, when our driveway is ice or snow covered, we will simply stay home until it melts and things are safe. One broken collarbone falling on the ice and trip to the ER is enough. My husband was telling me that I was overreacting to the danger when he fell. 10 weeks of healing changed his mind, at least then…

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September 27, 2024 · 8:58 am

Friday 9-27-2024

Ontario-Andrii Frolov-@kznsq On X

I had a wonderful slothful day yesterday.

My talented, caring massage therapist, Lynn Moody 479-629-7501, found all my sore and stiff parts and healed me, at least for the rest of the day. Ahhhhhh! After Lynn made me feel loose as a goose and happy, I went to visit my dear friend, Linda, who lives at the retirement place where Lynn’s business is now.

(Kay on the left and Linda on the right at Linda’s retirement center.)

Linda has been a long-time friend here in Arkansas. I really believe she is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. Her memory is mainly in the moment now. She recognized me, but didn’t remember that SHE was due for a massage at 1pm. Thankfully, Lynn comes and gets her so that she doesn’t miss out. She said she hasn’t seen or heard from Kay and Bud, our other Lunch Bunch core people, either. I saw our Lunch Bunch waitress at Walmart recently, and she said that she didn’t think Kay recognized her the last time they were in the restaurant. It’s sad when times change, but I’m thankful to have so many wonderful memories.

I dragged the trash can up to its spot and got the mail when I came home, then fixed lunch. When my belly was full and I was comfortable in my chair, I stretched out and enjoyed a long nap. I cooked dinner, but that was really the only other thing I did. I’m a GOOD sloth.

Today my husband and I will try to get the fluorescent bulbs in my closet changed out. The ones I have have been dim for quite awhile, so it will be good if we can do this.

Otherwise, I’ll do my exercises like a good girl today – the ‘fit sticks’ videos (warm up plus at least two more) today plus my yoga. My eating plan and exercise are finally yielding good results. I’m less than a pound away from an interim goal now. Maybe I’ll reach it tomorrow.

Fun At Home With Kids

I plan to spend time in my art room today. I have some things almost finished and a couple of things ready to start. :0)

We may get gusty winds and some rain this afternoon and evening. So far, my friend in Florida is safe, and my SIL outside of Charlotte in North Carolina, are safe from Hurricane Helene. I’ll be keeping up with news from this today.

Stay safe.

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