On the Road again.... Napa California

[Stumpy]

Well no trip here is complete without getting another Covid booster shot. With the recent increase in cases, wife and I decided to get another booster shot with the latest Moderna recipe.

We are all set with the Thailand pass and extremely happy no test and go. We can now land at Swampy, wait 2.5 hours and fly home to Lampang. Even though Thailand no longer requires a PCR test before arrival, Singapore air requires one to fly. It would be so much nicer if all the airlines would align to current country arrival requirements.

My Mom got her monthly cancer status CT scan yesterday. Appears it's stable and not spreading. I guess we can call that great news yet somehow I struggle to be excited about it. The reason being her quality of life is terrible. She is sick all the time, virtually incapable to go anywhere or do anything. All the meds required to keep it from spreading makes her groggy and she sleeps most of the time.

[CalEden]

My wife laughed, there is a Thai Restaurant and half of the menu is Chinese food. ... . You can guess the quality. A Mexican guy in the back making it all.

Been to a few Thai restaurants in CA that where Chinese run masquerading as Thais. In the Pacific Northwest where I live all the surrounding small town Thai restaurants are run/owned by Loas.

[Norton]

Restaurant and half of the menu is Chinese food. ... . You can guess the quality. A Mexican guy in the back making it all.

I like TexMex. Really must try ThaiMex.

[Stumpy]

Prepping the beer can chicken for dinner...... while enjoying





a Good Bloody Mary cocktail with pickled long beans, a dash of pepper and some Tabasco sauce

[Norton]

Looks refreshing and healthy. A variation using Clamato was one of my favs. Can't find Clamato juice in the LoS so haven't enjoyed a Clamato Mary in years.

[pickel]

Clamato Mary

I think you mean a Caesar. But i know you're speaking Americanese.

[Norton]

I think you mean a Caesar. But i know you're speaking Americanese.

Yes. My language skill is limited but you get the meaning, eh!

[Stumpy]

Well crazy weather in Calistoga and Saint Helena right now. Temps in 40's. Big Lightning and Thunder and heavy hail and rain. The Vineyard staffs are out turning on the the big fans to blow across the vines to keep them from freezing and the grapes getting mold.

That said......





Doesn't stop me from Q'ing my beer can chicken while watching NBA having beer.

[Stumpy]

From a few recommendations by posters, I bought a 6pak of the Pilsner Urquel to try (Brewed and imported from the Czech Republic). While I fully understand beer tastes are a personal preference I found the beer to be OK but not that great. The other Czech beer I enjoyed (Reality Czeck from Moonlight Beer co Brewed locally but to the old Boehemian process) was much better IMHO. But no worries, It will not go to waste...

Trip winding down. Back down to San Jose area for 5 days to see more friends. Then back to the wine country and pack up and fly home. Got some picture updates of the compound from SIL and it has been raining and sunny so it is jungle. Will return back to some hard labor work to get it back in order. Wife can't wait to have her foods again and I look forward to my moto rides and back to easy life.

[Stumpy]

Catching up a bit. Been extremely busy with daughter, wife, parents and friends. The clock to returning is winding down. Fly later this week. Mom is about the same. I feel bad for my Pops as he will have to go back to being the sole caretaker again. His demeanor shows he isn't at all happy that my wife and I are leaving. But we just can't stay.

Few random pics





The Antivaxxers were out in full force screaming at the top of their lungs that the Covid Vaccine will kill you... Was funny listening to them rant.



Wife and I met up with my daughter and my future son in law. We ate lunch at this old school Italian joint. I had baked Rigatoni with Clam red sauce before driving over to the coast area for some engagement pics.



Proud Dad here. That's my youngest and she will be married early next year. My future Son in Law is super good guy.



After stopped by my cousins and had a few Abby Ales (11.1% ABV) celebrating the engagement pics





Swung by my favorite little butcher shop and picked up three 200 day aged USDA Prime 2" thick Ribeyes to hit the grill in a few hours.

Wife is happy to go home. 1 month away is a long time to be away. Her Sister stayed at our place and just left yesterday. FIL will hang out alone until we get there.

Our planned Covid test got cancelled so wife scrambled to find a new location. A little cussing in Thai she found a place and we are back on plan. I will get to catch Game 1 of the Warriors and the Mavs on Wednesday relaxing with my Dad. All docs done, Thailand pass approved. Just chill and wait to board the big bird back home.

[ootai]

Wife and I met up with my daughter and my future son in law. We ate lunch at this old school Italian joint. I had baked Rigatoni with Clam red sauce before driving over to the coast area for some engagement pics.



Proud Dad here. That's my youngest and she will be married early next year. My future Son in Law is super good guy.






Swung by my favorite little butcher shop and picked up three 200 day aged USDA Prime 2" thick Ribeyes to hit the grill in a few hours.

Comments In order down the page.

Rigatoni looks bloody nice you bastard posting that to tease me.

What does you future son in law do, he looks like a bit of a geek.

Those steaks don't look like 2 inches thick to me I think they might be short changed in the height stakes just like you were.

Have a safe trip home.

[Stumpy]

Ootai,
You are welcome on the baked Rigatoni. It was delish

My future son in law is a Sr Software design engineer for Cisco.

And the steaks were a true 2" and cut like butter. Serious food Coma.

Thanks on the safe travels. Look forward to be home.

[bsnub]

My future son in law is a Sr Software design engineer for Cisco.

Cha-ching $$$ Your daughter cashed in there.

[malmomike77]

My future Son in Law is super good guy.

That's as much as you can hope for, hope they have a long and happy life together.

[Shutree]

Even though Thailand no longer requires a PCR test before arrival, Singapore air requires one to fly.

I am on Scoot in 12 days time and their being from Singapore I am guessing that they will demand a PCR test. I mentioned this elsewhere, there is absolutley no information on this on my booking or their website and I still haven't reached their 'help' desk. For your Singapore Air flight, how many hours before flying time is the cutoff for a PCR test?

I am with Ootai, that food looks too good to post in front of those of us who think a village chicken will be the best dinner option amongst the Isaan choices.

Have a very safe trip and prepare yourself for the jungle that used to be your garden. Around here stuff is growing like crazy.

[Stumpy]

Cha-ching $$$ Your daughter cashed in there.

Yeah snubs. Very cool laid back guy. My daughter isn't doing to bad as an Anesthesiologist either.

[Stumpy]

For your Singapore Air flight, how many hours before flying time is the cutoff for a PCR test?

72 hours prior to flight.

Have a very safe trip and prepare yourself for the jungle that used to be your garden. Around here stuff is growing like crazy.

Thanks Shu, I have seen pics and unseasonably high rains coupled with lots of sun has made the place a mess. My backforty has foot tall grass. I look forward to the exercise.

[Shutree]

72 hours prior to flight.



Thanks Shu, I have seen pics and unseasonably high rains coupled with lots of sun has made the place a mess. My backforty has foot tall grass. I look forward to the exercise.

72 hours. Thanks.

If your grass is only a foot high then it isn't trying. I have odd clumps of that broad-leaved grass they use for feeding cows. I can't even use the mower on it now, it's at least a metre. Time to get the strimmer fired up.

[DrWilly]

I am on Scoot in 12 days time and their being from Singapore I am guessing that they will demand a PCR test. I mentioned this elsewhere, there is absolutley no information on this on my booking or their website and I still haven't reached their 'help' desk. For your Singapore Air flight, how many hours before flying time is the cutoff for a PCR test?

I am with Ootai, that food looks too good to post in front of those of us who think a village chicken will be the best dinner option amongst the Isaan choices.

Have a very safe trip and prepare yourself for the jungle that used to be your garden. Around here stuff is growing like crazy.

im not sure you do need a test for Singapore. I drove there yesterday and didn’t need to show the results. Later on I needed the results to board Qatar, but not to get into Singapore.

[Shutree]

im not sure you do need a test for Singapore. I drove there yesterday and didn’t need to show the results. Later on I needed the results to board Qatar, but not to get into Singapore.

It's Scoot, the flight originates in Singapore and I think people boarding there need tests because their websites tells them where they can get tested. Although it doesn't mention what kind of test. It's still a guess but I am thinking that whatever boarding rules apply in Singapore will also apply to people like me boarding the sme flight in Bangkok.
You might think that it would not be beyond the wit of man or woman at Scoot to give out this information when you book.

[DrWilly]

Try a Singapore Air office. They might be more helpful.

I read on the cdc website that non US citizens flying to the USA need a test the calendar day before. Our flights were at 02:00 on a Monday. Tried ringing the airline to confirm day and not 24 hours, they didn’t know and suggested I ring the embassy. They didn’t know and suggested that I read the cdc webpage!

We found a place and did our tests Sunday, including Master Willy who kicked and screamed at the process. He held to be held down so they could use the cotton swab, I don’t blame him tbh. I didn’t need it for Singapore but the Qatar check in staff checked all the paper work and even took photos of it all on a hand phone. As we arrived in IAD the staff on the plane announced everyone at and over the age of 9 need a negative test.

The young fella is only 8 so didn’t need to do the test after all!

[DrWilly]

This website indicates that fully vaccinated travellers do not need to test for Singapore Travelling to Singapore - Overview

[Stumpy]

Interesting update DW. Apparently to board a Flight departing the US to layover at Changi you need to show a negative PCR covid test at SFO or you can't board. My wife and I get our tests today. Will get results around a day before we fly. I have not personally looked into this but my wife handles all this stuff and she is pretty darn thorough.

Being the test is free, we will do it. Better safe then sorry at this point. Last thing we want to do is get there and be told we need it by some employee who didn't get the memo.

[DrWilly]

Being the test is free, we will do it. Better safe then sorry at this point. Last thing we want to do is get there and be told we need it by some employee who didn't get the memo.

fair call.

[Stumpy]

I followed up on the link DW supplied and contacted Singapore Air. It does appear that you no longer need to have a PCR test to board as a transit traveler.

My wife is still uncomfortable not doing it, so we will. Again its free so other than a bit of discomfort being nasal assaulted, we will err on the side of caution.