Travel Letters

Arrival In Bhutan

Posted December 5, 2023 by Jan
Bhutan

Thimphu

Bhutan

Tuesday

December 5, 2023

Hello,

Druk Air Flight 131 departs Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport five minutes early at 07:55 and heads northwest to an intermediate  stop in India.

 Drukair Corporation Limited, operating as Drukair — Royal Bhutan Airlines, is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan, headquartered in the western dzongkhag (district) of Paro.

After a brief stop, we take off from runway 36.*

Dramatic is the word to describe the descent to Paro International Airport.  To the west in the bright sunlight lie Mount Tichu Drake and the sacred Mount Jumolhari, snowcapped peaks towering above their Himalayan companions.

Ms. Kinga and Mr. Jimmy, my guide and driver await my arrival.  We begin our one-and-a-half-hour mountain drive from Paro toward Thimphu.

"How to Save the World?"

Posted November 12, 2023 by Jan
Thailand

Bangkok

Thailand

November 12, 2023

My Dear Friend,

I recently exchanged correspondence with Michael G., an old, old American friend.  Mike and I went to kindergarten together in the Bronx.  We attended each other’s Bar Mitzvah.

Mike is troubled by current events in Israel and Gaza. 

Mike expresses the historical perspective that is commonly held by Jews of our generation. For Gaza he blames Hamas.  He is angry with the youth and their demonstrations at universities in the United States.  He is fearful of the rise of antisemitism.

Mike writes, “It is a shame that in the last years of our lives we must deal with Covid and now antisemitism at a scale larger than anything since World War II. “

In frustration Mike confesses, “I have no answers.”

Despite our different viewpoint on some issues, my old friend still holds me in high regard:

Mike asks, “Jan, what do you think should be done to save our world?”

Travel with Gary and Pat

Posted October 2, 2023 by Jan
Thailand: Southeast

Jomtien Beach

Chonburi Province

Thailand

October 2, 2023

Hello,

My friends Gary and Pat own a home in Ban Chang, a small city in Rayong Province.

Since I have rented an apartment in Jomtien Beach, in nearby Chonburi Province, I visit them frequently.  They are marvelous hosts.

Occasionally we have an adventure to a local site.  It's either colorful or "delicious."

Cebu: Downtown and Uptown

Posted May 23, 2023 by Jan
Philippines
Cebu City
Province of Cebu
Republic of the Philippines
May 23, 2023
 
Mabuhay,
 
Despite my lackadaisical attitude, I actually got to see some water in the Philippines!
 
My driver crossed the 5.5 mile (8.9 km) Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), also known as the Cebu–Cordova Bridge.  He found a remote dockside where cheerful young women encourage their screeching  kids to swim and play.   A Waterfront Kindergarten!  **
 

Cebu City

Posted May 20, 2023 by Jan
Philippines
 
Jomtien Beach
Thailand
June 22, 2023
Thursday
Sunny, Breezy and Warm
 
Mabuhay!
 
I am disappointed.  I decided to shorten my trip to the Philippines last month.  After a day or two, I was not myself.  I felt lethargic and demotivated.  Was it physical or mental or a combination?   After several days on Cebu, I returned to Bangkok.
 
I did manage to visit lovely places:  Plaza Sugbu, Magellan's Cross, and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.  Later, the Heritage of Cebu Monument and the Cebu Taoist Temple up on a hill with a view the city. 
 
I never miss a local market so I also visited the Carbon Market.  I'll post photos from the market in a few days.
 
By the way, my 'funk' had nothing whatever to do with the Philippines.  My Philippines Airlines flights were excellent.  The Manila Airport staff was kind and considerate as they wheeled me from counter to counter. 

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