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  1. #1276
    Thailand Expat
    Mendip's Avatar
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    A man can only take so many Christmas decorations. No way I was getting on a tram back on my own, and how the fukk are you supposed to know which one to get on? There's bladdy hundreds of the things.

    I found a taxi and we were on our way when I spotted a fabulous sight and said to the drives to go round the circuit again so I could get a pic. My Bosnian driver's eyes lit up at having such a fool to ask an astronomically priced ride to stop to take pictures. But anyway...

    Central Station was pretty cool I think.



    As was the Clarion Hotel. While my taxi driver watched his meter revolving a woman sat on the right hand side of that bench started shouting at me... upset at being in my photo. She was an old hag and wasn't in the photo for that reason. If she'd been hot I would have got a sneaky shot in earlier!





    There was a whole orchard of decorated trees on the way back, but I was starting to get suspicious of my taxi driver. No more stops.

    A quick shot at the traffic lights...



    And that was it. I hope you enjoyed a few Christmas pics. My taxi charged 68 quid... I kid you not. A 2 minute ride cost the same as a 4 hour ride from Korat to Suvarnabhum (pre Brexit). But waht can ya do.

    My Christmas haul...

    Not as good as I hoped. I'm particularly looking forward to SPAM sandwiches dunked in Heinz Tomato Soup (I've got the HP Sauce already!).

    Bisto and Chicken Oxo all ready for the Christmas Day meal... or maybe I could get some pork mince and make a chicken pie?

    I was really pleased to get the Paxo stuffing. I've been toying with the idea of stuffing the chicken with my pack of ten (unopened) bad boys for a fun Christmas dinner surprise, but I worry if Muhammad joins us it may backfire badly and I may get more than I bargained for...

    And besides, will they even work after an hour and a half at 220 degrees!

    Merry Christmas everyone!

  2. #1277
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    They, together with the Finns drink way more than they buy tickets.
    I met a Swede who used to take the Ferry from Denmark to Sweden (The Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry route) and was drunk for the entire week-end from the Duty Free booze on the Ferry. He just stayed on the Ferry!

    As the distance between Denmark and Sweden here only is around 2.5 nautical miles (approx. 4 km), the crossing time is just 20 minutes.

    I remember missing the Ferry once and having to rest on a park bench. Also vivid were the jellyfish at the Port.

    Ah ... the good old days of back-packing through Europe.


    Mendip ... Frederikshavn to Gothenburg apparently runs 3 times per day ... there is your Duty Free opportunity!
    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  3. #1278
    Member TheMadBaron's Avatar
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    This....

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    The girl who runs this place is a Scot, and I can't help thinking the picture she displayed of our lovely Queen wasn't exactly respectful.

    .... is frickin' hilarious.

  4. #1279
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post
    OH, re your dogs ... absolutely, one sniff when you arrive back in the Kingdom and every one of your canine companions will remember your scent and tails will be wagging, ears dropped and eyes wide open.
    They'll act exactly like if he came back from a haircut and a beer.

    Meaning jumping and wagging like he has been gone for months

  5. #1280
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    ^ Yep, that's my experience, and my visits were 11 months apart.

  6. #1281
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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  7. #1282
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    ^^ I certainly hope so guys. I do appreciate your comments but have been having a couple of whiskeys while typing this nonsense... and haven't eaten yet... and work tomorrow... but will reply in due course.

    What I'd give to have my dogs sitting with me right now.

    But I forgot the most important thing...

    After paying my monumental taxi fare and arriving back at my shitty student digs, I checked my messages. I had an email from the Thai Embassy... my CoE has been approved and issued and is ready to download!

    (I'll do that tomorrow in case I bollocks it up tonight).

    So, I'm good to go!

    Amazing, it took only a few hours on a Saturday. I reckon the Thais are wanting visitors bad.

  8. #1283
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    Just curious and maybe I'm stereotyping

    Do you wear a Bowler, when you're doing your shopping ?
    A dozen homesick Brits lining up to buy some canned pies - evidence of superior British cuisine.



    As an aside - not a lot masks . . . I thought Swedes were smarter

  9. #1284
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    I thought Swedes were smarter
    I didn't

    (ball-right foot-etc)

  10. #1285
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    a couple of whiskeys
    Have one for me

    Sitting here in our lockdown sofa with the boy, who likes watching dog and cat videos on Youtube, when his Screen time has experired

    I like the 'huskies'


  11. #1286
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Great pics, the city does look pretty. Are there no chistmas markets?

  12. #1287
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    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post

    I'm surprised with your dislike of Public Transport.

    I LOVE TRAMS / TRAINS .. even in a foreign language you know exactly where they are going.


    Mendip I agree with David here (not the rest of his moan) and find it hard to understand your dislike of "public transport".
    Surely when you go to Singapore you use their underground rail system it is fantastic.

    Whenever i go to a new city its the first thing I do is just jump on the first tram or train and go.
    Mind you I always make sure I have my "home" address written down in the local language to show a taxi driver if I end up lost.
    That works every time and gets you home safely.

    Obviously you are not as adventurous as your thread makes out, impostor!!


    P.S.
    When you were out and about did you have a jacket on I see in the pictures everyone else is rugged up or did you stand out as the mad Englishman in a short sleeve Hawaiian shirt?

  13. #1288
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    Agree with D48 there. Trams & trains are great! When I was new to farangland, I used to hop on a tram line from end to end, just to see the sights. A compatriot told me that was a good & fast way to see the city, and I agreed after trying it.

    The pic of The Queen at that shop was hilarious! I've seen her "dressed" several times as such in The Crown.

    Cheers & happy holidays to all!

  14. #1289
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    They, together with the Finns drink way more than they buy tickets.

    And they stab people with knives too
    but not in homemade submarines..

  15. #1290
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    No way I was getting on a tram back on my own, and how the fukk are you supposed to know which one to get on? There's bladdy hundreds of the things.
    They have a lit up number and end station sign (so that you don't go in the wrong direction) like public transport has in most cities in the world

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    My taxi charged 68 quid... I kid you not. A 2 minute ride cost the same as a 4 hour ride from Korat to Suvarnabhum (pre Brexit). But waht can ya do.
    Take the tram? The 68 quid (sterling I guess) could have bought you a public transport card with which you could hop-on hop-off trams and buses as much as you want during a whole month.
    Last edited by lom; 20-12-2020 at 11:13 AM.

  16. #1291
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I reckon the Thais are wanting visitors bad.
    Don't forget to bring your hard earned cash!

  17. #1292
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    Great pics, the city does look pretty. Are there no chistmas markets?
    There is usually plenty of them but almost all are cancelled this year due to covid

  18. #1293
    Thailand Expat
    PAG's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post

    The pic of The Queen at that shop was hilarious! I've seen her "dressed" several times as such in The Crown.
    But not like this......


  19. #1294
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    There is usually plenty of them but almost all are cancelled this year due to covid
    Indeed, but surely some enterprising business folk could arrange a socially distanced market?

  20. #1295
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    There is usually plenty of them but almost all are cancelled this year due to covid
    Same in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Austria and elsewhere . . . wonderful places to visit

  21. #1296
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    Great pics, the city does look pretty. Are there no chistmas markets?
    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    There is usually plenty of them but almost all are cancelled this year due to covid

    My taxi driver said that the city is very quiet this year and the Christmas Markets are closed. If one was open I'm sure he would have taken me there... he could sense an easy few quid.



    Quote Originally Posted by ootai View Post
    Mendip I agree with David here (not the rest of his moan) and find it hard to understand your dislike of "public transport".
    Surely when you go to Singapore you use their underground rail system it is fantastic.

    Whenever i go to a new city its the first thing I do is just jump on the first tram or train and go.

    Obviously you are not as adventurous as your thread makes out, impostor!!

    P.S.
    When you were out and about did you have a jacket on I see in the pictures everyone else is rugged up or did you stand out as the mad Englishman in a short sleeve Hawaiian shirt?
    Singapore also has cheap taxis.

    I seem to have lost my thirst for travel... for me now it's not the journey, I just want to get to the bladdy destination.

    I still use the buses between Bangkok and Korat... is that adventurous enough for you?

    And yes, I was jumpered and jacketted up... it's cold here now.


    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Agree with D48 there. Trams & trains are great! When I was new to farangland, I used to hop on a tram line from end to end, just to see the sights.
    Cheers & happy holidays to all!
    It was dark Katie... and besides taxis have windows as well.

    In saying this, I am looking forward to using the Korat - Bangkok bullet train when finished. One hour 40 minutes door to door promised and no taxi can beat that.


    But this is what it's all about. For anyone considering a return to Thailand this took lwell under a week to get from initiating the application.



    All I have to do now is stay Covid free and sort out the PCR test and Fit to Fly certificate within the 72 hour time frame, which is proving harder than anticipated.

  22. #1297
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Great news buddy

  23. #1298
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    ^^commiserate w/ you re: the winter & darkness. I saw that in one of your pics, it was only past 4 pm and dark as night! I don't miss cold winters (though the Christmas markets & mulled wine were nice). If ever I visit Europe again, it won't be in winter. Uggh.

    Btw, congrats on getting your certificate!

    To anyone interested, Maldives is open for tourism. Sri Lanka will be open by 26 Dec. Need covid test prior to flight & upon arrival. For details, see travel off path dot com.

  24. #1299
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    After paying my monumental taxi fare and arriving back at my shitty student digs, I checked my messages. I had an email from the Thai Embassy... my CoE has been approved and issued and is ready to download!

    So, I'm good to go!
    Mendip, you might need to rethink flying from the UK to Thailand on KLM (if that's what you planned). The Dutch are banning flights from the UK due to a new strain of Covid-19 turning up in Blighty.

    Dutch ban UK flights, fearing the new coronavirus variant

  25. #1300
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    ^ Aah... thanks Nev... I think.

    I thought it was going a bit smoothly.

    I had to book the flight to get the CoE, bugger.

    That news article says they will ban UK flights to at least the end of the year. My KLM flight is booked for early February... so there's hope.

    I may have to risk another moan...
    Last edited by Mendip; 20-12-2020 at 04:52 PM.

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