Preparations for the trip
I got my travel VISA to Thailand – YEAH!!!
Canadians are allows to travel to Thailand without having to have a VISA just as long as the stay does not exceed 30days. After 30 days, you will need to apply for a 60day travel VISA. It’s no big deal, I got mine in 24hours and it only cost $40CDN.
Granted I’ll only be in Thailand for 34 days, it is still better than leaving for Borneo or someplace for 24hours to come back. Dan and I figured it wasn’t worth a day or two traveling just to save $40CDN.
Here is the link to the Thai Consulate in Vancouver. Very easy to find and practically no hassle in getting the travel VISA: http://www.thaicongenvancouver.org/tourismindex.htm
The folks working there were pleasant too! You ever go to those government places and the people behind the counter, well, you just get the sense they hate their job? I always got that sense. That and they are never happy interacting with people. “Hello!!! It’s like customer service man! At least it isn’t McDonalds or something..”
Anyway, the folks here were pleasant and the little reading I’ve done on Thailand, I’m finding out that the majority of the Thai people are known to be very kind and respectful. I’ll guess I’ll find out for sure when I’m there but what other folks at work have told me about their travels, I’ll have no issues.
Also got my inoculations and for a guy who is terrified of needles (there’s nothing natural about someone sticking a piece of metal into your body), this was a big milestone. The CDC website is an excellent source for travelers health news on what you should have prior to visiting any country: http://www.cdc.gov/
Depending on if you go to Thailand or to other countries, it’s recommended that you visit this Canadian government site to view travel advisories or to see if you should register with the local Canadian consulate to where you will be traveling. For instances, there is significant personal risk to safety if traveling to the ultra southern provinces in Thailand. It’s your call if you want to go, for me though, I like the fact that I can travel somewhere to chill out and no have to worry about getting shot, stabbed, beheaded, or just getting kidnapped and getting beaten to a pulp. Just not my idea of a fun time after the beach ;)
Anyways, check out this site – it could prove useful for you in just being prepared, even if you do decide to go somewhere with a travel advisory alert: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp
Other than that, I’ve done very little reading on where I’m to go (I’m so bad). Dan and Arn, the two dogf%$kers who do everything but work while at work or are just plain living the “workless living” life plan are reading up on Thailand and coming up with ideas to visit (just kidding brutha’s…thx for looking into this! I’ll do my bit). I should do some reading and compare notes but I’m focused more on reading up on Japan; Dan and I are going to spend a week there before heading home. So far, I got this book on Kyoto (I’m dead set on visiting here) and have been giving this Lonely Planet guide a good read. Tonnes of history listed in it. We have a limited timeline for Japan so I want to get as much reading done and get our time planned prior to landing.
I met someone who had actually lived in Japan for a number of years. She gave me some great tips on etiquette (the Japanese have a polite/respectful culture, the last thing I want to do is offend anyone while I’m over there) as well as some places to visit (thanks for this Jen if you're reading my blog). At the same time, I think I could Karaoke and may actually find people who won’t mind my “singing in the shower” voice (those poor people…). One final tip I got was for bathing in the hot spring baths. You gotta be in the buff. That might be a problem for me. Ever seen Chewbacca from Star Wars naked? You guessed it…even when naked I’m not naked…I’d hate to be the guy that had to clean the drain….hahaha.
In all, I'm excited about my trip as well as feeling a little overwhelmed. I'll find my stride soon enough.
Anyway, best I get some reading done.
Harvey
Canadians are allows to travel to Thailand without having to have a VISA just as long as the stay does not exceed 30days. After 30 days, you will need to apply for a 60day travel VISA. It’s no big deal, I got mine in 24hours and it only cost $40CDN.
Granted I’ll only be in Thailand for 34 days, it is still better than leaving for Borneo or someplace for 24hours to come back. Dan and I figured it wasn’t worth a day or two traveling just to save $40CDN.
Here is the link to the Thai Consulate in Vancouver. Very easy to find and practically no hassle in getting the travel VISA: http://www.thaicongenvancouver.org/tourismindex.htm
The folks working there were pleasant too! You ever go to those government places and the people behind the counter, well, you just get the sense they hate their job? I always got that sense. That and they are never happy interacting with people. “Hello!!! It’s like customer service man! At least it isn’t McDonalds or something..”
Anyway, the folks here were pleasant and the little reading I’ve done on Thailand, I’m finding out that the majority of the Thai people are known to be very kind and respectful. I’ll guess I’ll find out for sure when I’m there but what other folks at work have told me about their travels, I’ll have no issues.
Also got my inoculations and for a guy who is terrified of needles (there’s nothing natural about someone sticking a piece of metal into your body), this was a big milestone. The CDC website is an excellent source for travelers health news on what you should have prior to visiting any country: http://www.cdc.gov/
Depending on if you go to Thailand or to other countries, it’s recommended that you visit this Canadian government site to view travel advisories or to see if you should register with the local Canadian consulate to where you will be traveling. For instances, there is significant personal risk to safety if traveling to the ultra southern provinces in Thailand. It’s your call if you want to go, for me though, I like the fact that I can travel somewhere to chill out and no have to worry about getting shot, stabbed, beheaded, or just getting kidnapped and getting beaten to a pulp. Just not my idea of a fun time after the beach ;)
Anyways, check out this site – it could prove useful for you in just being prepared, even if you do decide to go somewhere with a travel advisory alert: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp
Other than that, I’ve done very little reading on where I’m to go (I’m so bad). Dan and Arn, the two dogf%$kers who do everything but work while at work or are just plain living the “workless living” life plan are reading up on Thailand and coming up with ideas to visit (just kidding brutha’s…thx for looking into this! I’ll do my bit). I should do some reading and compare notes but I’m focused more on reading up on Japan; Dan and I are going to spend a week there before heading home. So far, I got this book on Kyoto (I’m dead set on visiting here) and have been giving this Lonely Planet guide a good read. Tonnes of history listed in it. We have a limited timeline for Japan so I want to get as much reading done and get our time planned prior to landing.
I met someone who had actually lived in Japan for a number of years. She gave me some great tips on etiquette (the Japanese have a polite/respectful culture, the last thing I want to do is offend anyone while I’m over there) as well as some places to visit (thanks for this Jen if you're reading my blog). At the same time, I think I could Karaoke and may actually find people who won’t mind my “singing in the shower” voice (those poor people…). One final tip I got was for bathing in the hot spring baths. You gotta be in the buff. That might be a problem for me. Ever seen Chewbacca from Star Wars naked? You guessed it…even when naked I’m not naked…I’d hate to be the guy that had to clean the drain….hahaha.
In all, I'm excited about my trip as well as feeling a little overwhelmed. I'll find my stride soon enough.
Anyway, best I get some reading done.
Harvey
posted by Harvey at
6:35 PM
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