I'm home! My repatriation to Thailand from Dubai during the COVID-19 restrictions

My ASQ Pris...room

I guess it might help to paint the picture if I include some shots of the room I was holidaying in. Here it is:

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Luxury 5-star bed

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Hard floors throughout - an ASQ requirement. This floor appeared to have been laid over the carpeting

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Luxury 5-star 32'' TV

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Luxury 5-star eating / working / contemplating topping ones self, table and chair

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some Luxury hanging space. At least they gave you all the water up front so no change to run out ( more was available but at a cost, of course)

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What can i say? Luxury easy chair and cocktail table for those cosy drinks-party-for-one occasions

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The bed was over 6 foot WIDE, enough to sleep across it, which i did a couple of times , just because i could.
It was not the typical hotel bed - brick hard with about 1cm of travel. This one was, actually comfortable but 5-star? Sorry...no way.

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luxury case storage 'area' OK... enough of the 5-star luxury 'cos it ain't!

lets check out the bathroom....

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Throwing slabs of mirror and marble at the bathroom don't make anything '5-star'
Reasonable materials but motorway services area restroom thinking

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..and i hear all the girls..''put the bloody seat down!'
No shan't... my ASQ my rules

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C'mon seriously? That is not a 5-star experience, right.

A good 3-star, nothing more

Oh, theres a fridge and tea/coffee facilities too.

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...and a safe box

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The cleaning staff only started to clean AFTER i got the 1st negative result.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

This one was, actually comfortable but 5-star? Sorry...no way.

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Very similar to my ASQ except a shower behind a glass wall instead of a bath.

Maple Hotel - Bangkok | Hotels.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

The cleaning staff only started to clean AFTER i got the 1st negative result.

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Are you sent to the balcony whilst they hose down the room?

How long after the test did you receive the result?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Very similar to my ASQ except a shower behind a glass wall instead of a bath.

Maple Hotel - Bangkok | Hotels.com


Are you sent to the balcony whilst they hose down the room?

How long after the test did you receive the result?

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Yeah OhOh, the ubiquitous knock on the door + 'cleaning!' signaling my requirement, if I wanted them to clean the room, to vacate the property and head to the garden. I needed no second instruction - of course I returned long after they had finished

Results from the test came back with 24 hours. tested at about 1017 on day 3 and got the all clear at 0700 on day 4

^Just asked the temperature taking nurse, she says i do not have the virus.

One down another in a week.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

^Just asked the temperature taking nurse, she says i do not have the virus.

One down another in a week.

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Good luck with that - you're nearly there!

how are YOU finding the incarceration?

^I was looking forward to the ability to go up to the roof today. Unfortunately on the 14th floor there is a large exhibition/event room but no external roof !

I was just told today that another brave soul colleague is lining up for his incarceration process. Just started the "Why I need to come to Thailand" request. What I did find out that is really interesting is that after they come and complete their part of the NPI and leave, if they need to return again they have to do the entire process all over again.

Man what a crazy world. Again, I sure hope that this nonsense does not become the standard like a lot of the crap did after 9/11. Traveling after that unfortunate event made travel a huge pain in the ass. You add this Covid stuff and travel will be such a tiresome process no one will do it. It will be more trouble than its worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JPPR2

I was just told today that another brave soul colleague is lining up for his incarceration process. Just started the "Why I need to come to Thailand" request. What I did find out that is really interesting is that after they come and complete their part of the NPI and leave, if they need to return again they have to do the entire process all over again.

Man what a crazy world. Again, I sure hope that this nonsense does not become the standard like a lot of the crap did after 9/11. Traveling after that unfortunate event made travel a huge pain in the ass. You add this Covid stuff and travel will be such a tiresome process no one will do it. It will be more trouble than its worth.

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When i did the 'why i need to come..'' submission, i broke it into 3 areas - 1. economic - what i will be spending - new car etc, 2- medical - the (potential) need for me to attend hospital with various ailments requiring possible surgery, at cost of course and 3 - personal - my family needs me, away for x months etc. it worked, 'cos here i am.

Your statements about the hassle etc. for coming to Thailand under the current arrangements is exactly why NO ONE is coming , and why all those trumpeted schemes have failed - but as I said earlier, i dont think they are too bothered. they did not really want people coming in until next year.

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Originally Posted by JPPR2

his incarceration process

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Currently I'm not aware of any international guidelines on opening borders. One person two weeks in a 5* hotel is a luxury to others as you suggest is incarceration. The choice is theirs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JPPR2

if they need to return again they have to do the entire process all over again.

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One cough in their vicinity maybe enough for an infection on the flight home, whilst living at home or during the return journey. It's the returning citizen or foreigner to follow whatever the government edict is. Each government is responsible for clearing up the mess that has been dropped into their laps.

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Originally Posted by JPPR2

It will be more trouble than its worth.

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Their are many reasons people fly, personal, family ... One decides oneself.

A small amount of bureaucracy and a two week stay hotel stay. Just put a all inclusive package together.

Currently in Thailand they are all Bangkok possibly 4 or 5 star.

When an entrepreneur gets the idea of making a currently empty luxury resort on a Thai Island, such as Kho Kood, suitably updated/just advertised as having full security, health services, private transport - plane/limousine, speedboat and stylish staff uniforms available, the high rollers will return.
Sure beats looking over the Bangkok skyline.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

Your statements about the hassle etc. for coming to Thailand under the current arrangements is exactly why NO ONE is coming

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My experience on the Dubai to Bangkok flight suggests otherwise. It was 100% full.

Mostly Asians possibly 90%. The flight did go on to Hong Kong so I don't know went onto there. Judging from the well organised queuing at the health stations I would suggest a large %.

One needs to breakdown the reasons.

Mines was to return to my Thai environment, my family, to a very much better lifestyle and healthy environment. The availability of hospitals, government and private.

Sure the two week mass tourist won't come, yet. The overall virus state in their home country will not allow the receiving country to allow entry.

Some Asian countries are creating travel bubbles, once the bubble countries achieve a certain level of indigenously proven infections for say 100 days.

Many western countries have not even completed their current phase two problems. Why they are having the phase two increase you'll have to ask their government leaders. They are the ones who have been making decisions not their citizens. Once they achieve the bubble threshold another group of visitors will become eligible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

i dont think they are too bothered

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Thailand is testing one increase in tourists scheme. I suspect aimed at the normal annual snowbird group. This group arrives for longer periods, months not weeks. They spend money, they are aware of Thailand's good and bad points. Let's see if it works.

Day 8, 9 and 10 6^th/7^th/8^th August
The next three days basically followed the routine.

The only difference, with the coffee shop (and gym) still closed was that we were making use of our time out ‘in the garden’, as in, extending it as much as we could. We were up to 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon! Fresh air, something to look at. OK it was only Suvarnabhumi comings and goings but was a chatting point along with other talking to my inner circle and to the wider ASQ holiday-makers all trapped in the Hotel.

The room was being cleaned every other day, my morning coffee ritual was working well, as was the 10am coffee delivery from the coffee shop.

The only other thing I tried over these 3 days was a pizza off the Pizza / pasta menu. I went for the seafood special – it was all home-made in the hotel…all the food provided in the hotel was cooked in the hotel kitchen by the in-house chefs. The pizza was actually very good – tasted freshly prepared, looked freshly prepared and was not overly expensive even before the 20% off.

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I told the guys about this, and we agreed that, after the 2^nd COVID19 test, on the 11^th day, we would order pizzas and eat them out in the garden! Further discussion, and one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we agreed we would also drink some of the beer that was supposed to be forbidden at the same time! Beer and pizzas out in the garden…this was approaching normality!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

I told the guys about this, and we agreed that, after the 2nd COVID19 test, on the 11th day, we would order pizzas and eat them out in the garden! Further discussion, and one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we agreed we would also drink some of the beer that was supposed to be forbidden at the same time! Beer and pizzas out in the garden…this was approaching normality!

Let’s see if we can pull it off.

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Proves the old saying. "boys will be boys":)

My money is on you guys pulling it off.

Our outlook – Suvarnabhumi Airport
Some look out on the hustle-bustle of central Bangkok, some (the uber-rich) get swaying palms and a private pool (and a 500,000 THB bill), some get a room with NO WINDOWS.
Residents of Siam Mandarina get this – a panoramic view of Bangkok’s principal airport.

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It might seem like not the most interesting of views but actually, having not experienced it before it, well, 'passed the time' while outside. We started playing the game ‘guess how many planes will arrive or leave in the next 15 minutes’. That game was pretty slow at the start! However, in the latter stages of ASQ, it was interesting to note the increase in the plane activity.

At the start, it was pretty much all Thai Airways (for the times I was outside) with a few cargo deliveries from Qatar and EVA.

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One could not escape the fact though in the case of Thai, just about ALL of their fleet was in Suvarnabhumi and most of it was grounded. The word was that so many foreign airports were waiting to pounce on Thai aircraft in lieu of money owed, that there were only a few airports Thai could fly to where they would be able to leave again. The 380’s in these photos did not move the entire time I was in ASQ. That line of 18 grounded Thai planes – never moved.

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We also witnessed the complete shutdown of the airport when a certain German resident flew in on a 24 hour visit. The plane, Thai of course was very late – something to do with being unable to pay for fuel, allegedly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aging one

Proves the old saying. "boys will be boys":)

My money is on you guys pulling it off.

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Afternoon!

You were too quick for me there - I edited and removed that last line, since its a 'sure thing', LOL.

...and here's me thinking everyone would be on a sleepy Sunday afternoon until the F1 starts....

The Thai planes might indeed be short of safe havens to land in but I am a bit sceptical. After all, BA just retired all of its 747s and no one is saying the same. Airport graveyards around the world are filled or filling up.
Which is not to say that Thai hasn't been seriously mismanaged for years and isn't a complete basket case. Their next accounts will be worse than awful. No passengers and the asset value of all those aircraft about zero.
Good time to be shopping for a plane or two.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shutree

The Thai planes might indeed be short of safe havens to land in but I am a bit sceptical. After all, BA just retired all of its 747s and no one is saying the same. Airport graveyards around the world are filled or filling up.
Which is not to say that Thai hasn't been seriously mismanaged for years and isn't a complete basket case. Their next accounts will be worse than awful. No passengers and the asset value of all those aircraft about zero.
Good time to be shopping for a plane or two.

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At the start of all those repat flights, THAI were 'taking the lead' as the flights were being organised through the Thai embassies / Consulates, but the carriers of those countries were also looking for ways to get in the air and, so for example at the start of repat from UAE it was THAI all the way but by the time my flight came round Emirates and Etihad were also doing the repat flights to Thailand.

I got THAI, but would have preferred Etihad as I am a silver member with them.

Day 11 9^th August
Once again, I was awake early and pre-occupied with the COVID19 testing.

Again it was scheduled for 1000 but this time there was no doubt – I knew exactly what to expect.

I drank my morning coffee but I did not enjoy it. I picked at the breakfast. All too soon, 1000 arrived and this time almost immediately, came that knock on the door.

‘COVID test…please follow me to the nurse’

What’s the big deal? You have done it here before, 1 week ago. Hell… you did it 4 times in Dubai… so pull yourself together. 5 times already. You survived them all. They were all negative. Go get it done.

‘Please sit down and relax. No dramas this time, eh!?’ the nurse was smiling.

I mentioned last time that I almost vomited, so she pointed out the plastic bag lined bin, close at hand. ‘I’ll try’.

‘Open wide’

The throat test was over in a flash, but now the moment I was not looking forward to. I awaited the instruction I knew was coming…

‘Tip your head back and breathe out through your mouth.’

The same feelings as before. The initial sense of the swab in the nose…irritating but ok. But it persisted. Deeper. The sense of discomfort rose. The swab went still further. I started to lean back again but the nurse was ready this time.

‘Try to keep still, please. It will soon be over’

Her firm hand on the back of my head and before I could move, the swab was in. All the way in. In fact, further than all the way. I remember seeing that swab. Was it 12 cm? Or more? 15? 20cm? It felt like the tip was inside my brain. I let out a sound of discomfort, opened my eyes, and saw the nurse looking at me.

‘Ok?’

The swab was STILL all the way in. I could feel it, that plastic invader. I looked at her and felt the swab retreating. I closed my eyes again. Slowly it was extracted. Why was she taking so long?

You can go back to the room now’

I opened my eyes. She was putting the swab in the sealed container. But I could still feel it! An immense sense of relief overcame me. That was it!! End of testing! Unless… unless this one was positive? But why would it be? Nah… all was going to be well.

I went straight out into the garden. Martin was there already, Dan turned up about 10 minutes later. they had both already completed their COVID19 test.

Now, all we could do was wait for the results

Second virus test negative. I am freed at 6am on the 16th.

My wife informs me that some in the village are suffering from giant mosquito bites. Possibly joint lockdown will be required at home. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Second virus test negative. I am freed at 6am on the 16th.

My wife informs me that some in the village are suffering from giant mosquito bites. Possibly joint lockdown will be required at home. :)

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Hey OhOh! thats fantastic!

Its such a sense of relief when all you have to do is wait for the release date.

Overall, how did you rate your ASQ?

for me, the SM was an 8 out of 10 (as an ASQ).

Definitely a good 3-sta hotel for normal bookings, though.

The overall journey back to Thailand I think is more useful comparison.

So here are my scores

The Thai Embassy in London assistance and delivery of the required documentation -10
The window for obtaining a negative test and delivery of the results is very tight - different countries have different test to results delivery time/definitions causing me stress.
Departure airport empty, staff "accommodating" - 10
Transit airport choice? I suggest a non-stop flight if available, although their system again was not stressful - 10
The Thai airport health and immigration checks - 10
The pickup at the airport by the hotel staff - 10
The Check-in - 10
The Room - 10
The twice daily temp checks - 10
The two virus test - 10
The food options - 10 for a 3* hotel
The exercise areas - 8

All in all other than the boredom very good. My only gripes are the food temperature at the point of delivery, my room. Often it was not "hot from the kitchen" enough for me. But as I've learnt, Thais are not particularly bothered.

The only suggestion I can make for the whole plan, from the airport arrival in Thailand to 6am out the door, is that hotels away from Bangkok should be introduced. A hotel on an island properly isolated with it's own private beach would be far more comfortable, and what many would prefer. Although on an island I wouldn't consider Phuket as a choice, although many would. The island situation may not have the necessary hospitals but as anyone who succumbs i.e. has a positive test result, they could be in a mainland one within an hour or two.

Choose a direct flight if possible, no picking up or landings of passengers and no waiting in the transit airports.

With current numbers arriving the system works well, with the Super Tourists I think it will work. For the masses of two week tourists it will not.

Possibly if and when the bubbles idea is internationally determined i.e. proven national infection rate <1 for 3 months, full negative test result prior to travel, initial arrival test - airport, track and trace technology proven and a weekly virus test. In stages and virus numbers substantiated. Any outbreaks a countries nationals are banned from boarding at their departure airport, but associated costs included in travel insurance coverage, Emirates Airline offered this insurance for free in September, but a transit stop route.

Far better than being in the UK, now and by all projections, during the coming winter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

The overall journey back to Thailand I think is more useful comparison.

So here are my scores

The Thai Embassy in London assistance and delivery of the required documentation -10
The window for obtaining a negative test and delivery of the results is very tight - different countries have different test to results delivery time/definitions causing me stress.
Departure airport empty, staff "accommodating" - 10
Transit airport choice? I suggest a non-stop flight if available, although their system again was not stressful - 10
The Thai airport health and immigration checks - 10
The pickup at the airport by the hotel staff - 10
The Check-in - 10
The Room - 10
The twice daily temp checks - 10
The two virus test - 10
The food options - 10 for a 3* hotel
The exercise areas - 8

All in all other than the boredom very good. My only gripes are the food temperature at the point of delivery, my room. Often it was not "hot from the kitchen" enough for me. But as I've learnt, Thais are not particularly bothered.

The only suggestion I can make for the whole plan, from the airport arrival in Thailand to 6am out the door, is that hotels away from Bangkok should be introduced. A hotel on an island properly isolated with it's own private beach would be far more comfortable, and what many would prefer. Although on an island I wouldn't consider Phuket as a choice, although many would. The island situation may not have the necessary hospitals but as anyone who succumbs i.e. has a positive test result, they could be in a mainland one within an hour or two.

Choose a direct flight if possible, no picking up or landings of passengers and no waiting in the transit airports.

With current numbers arriving the system works well, with the Super Tourists I think it will work. For the masses of two week tourists it will not.

Possibly if and when the bubbles idea is internationally determined i.e. proven national infection rate <1 for 3 months, full negative test result prior to travel, initial arrival test - airport, track and trace technology proven and a weekly virus test. In stages and virus numbers substantiated. Any outbreaks a countries nationals are banned from boarding at their departure airport, but associated costs included in travel insurance coverage, Emirates Airline offered this insurance for free in September, but a transit stop route.

Far better than being in the UK, now and by all projections, during the coming winter.

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Lol I agree about the food temperature but in the SM, it was remedied with one phone call, and all my meals came piping hot after that.

The Dubai Consulate-General went above and beyond to help me and my fellow 'western' repatriates get onto the so-say Thai-only repat flight. that plane was also full - not surprisingly as there are many more Thai nationals in the ME that one might imagine. I pretty much concur with your view of the process, the only downside is the unnecessary cost of it all. Home quarantine would be equally good but save 50k. A hospital link could be provided for that option if allowed.

Interesting to mention the STV and its potential. Did you see in the media that the plane load of Chinese 'tourists' who were scheduled to arrive in Phuket on 8th October, and who were then 'delayed'.... in fact, not a single one of them actually made any sort of booking to make the trip! some general enquiries were blown up into the definite trip, which had to be cancelled.

A case of wishful thinking and i wonder if this might be the fate of this scheme, same as the schemes that have gone before?

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

my meals came piping hot

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I've learnt to eat whatever is served up and smile. It stops any misunderstandings.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

A case of wishful thinking

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Not necessarily. The Phuket politician was demanding some action and the government spokesman made a statement. As for the origin of the "tourists" who knows.

A bit surprised that the initial batch failed to appear. No demand, visa demands to extensive or a failure of Phuket to get their act together.

Don't really care, Trat provincel, after all this time, is still at zero cases.

Although there are village rumours of giant mosquitoes and my wife says to stay indoors. I think my wife was worried I wasn't returning. Especially as I didn't invite her to meet me at the airport. I did explain that the hotel staff would meet me and whisk me away to the hotel. She may have thought, "Yes, but who with"?

35 hours to freedom.

My wife has a list of jobs awaiting me, she said I could choose which to do first.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

I've learnt to eat whatever is served up and smile. It stops any misunderstandings.



Not necessarily. The Phuket politician was demanding some action and the government spokesman made a statement. As for the origin of the "tourists" who knows.

A bit surprised that the initial batch failed to appear. No demand, visa demands to extensive or a failure of Phuket to get their act together.

Don't really care, Trat provincel, after all this time, is still at zero cases.

Although there are village rumours of giant mosquitoes and my wife says to stay indoors. I think my wife was worried I wasn't returning. Especially as I didn't invite her to meet me at the airport. I did explain that the hotel staff would meet me and whisk me away to the hotel. She may have thought, "Yes, but who with"?

35 hours to freedom.

My wife has a list of jobs awaiting me, she said I could choose which to do first.:)

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1. build kitchen - ongoing
2. buid master bedroom closet - not even started
3. purchase car - ordered awaiting delivery
4. concrete the drive - easy...employ k Pot
5. construct the car port - ditto
6. sort out the garden..lol trips off the tongue so easily - ongoing
7. etc etc

im looking into dubai flights to pop back...for a rest!

bless 'em...

I love being back really, no matter how many jobs there are.

Released at 6:30 am this morning, after receiving yet another virus free certificate. Every passanger on the bus had to fill in a form. Departure point, drop off point, seat number and phone number. Back at home at 12:00.

A smile from the father in law, a wave from my wife's sister, 3 dogs baying for attention - the male dog has been in the wars again one of his front legs has a been bitten. He held it up for me see.

My wife was hiding in the bedroom, fully clothed. She didn't remain that way.

A bowl of pad kapow moo followed the arrival of a welcome beer.

Good to be home again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhOh

Released at 6:30 am this morning, after receiving yet another virus free certificate. Every passanger on the bus had to fill in a form. Departure point, drop off point, seat number and phone number. Back at home at 12:00.

A smile from the father in law, a wave from my wife's sister, 3 dogs baying for attention - the male dog has been in the wars again one of his front legs has a been bitten. He held it up for me see.

My wife was hiding in the bedroom, fully clothed. She didn't remain that way.

A bowl of pad kapow moo followed the arrival of a welcome beer.

Good to be home again.

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Good news!!!

So...thats me n You sorted out.

I wonder how many other members have made the trip back, or...are in process of doing so?

Day 13 - 14 11 and 12th August

Now it was just a case of staying out of trouble and waiting...watching the clock tick down.

Yeah, I had the countdown timer on my phone!

The revised breakfast turned up each day as requested. the other meals were all as per menu and were all pretty good.

The last 4 breakfasts:

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i was a lot more relaxed, yet at the same time frustrated by still being 'locked up'

Just had to stick it out.

We met in the garden, morning and evening, the gym re-opened so Dan and Martin had another distraction, and I found my self sleeping more - i guess the stress of the situation had receded somewhat.

I was totally sick of this tiny room though. God knows how criminals cope psychologically with real incarceration, sometimes for years.

At long last, the night of the 12th August arrived.

I was going home tomorrow!