Hello globe trotter watchers from Bangkok,

Tomorrow I leave for Kathmandu aboard the Royal Nepal Airways Friday flight; there is only one so no need for flight numbers. In fact, there are only two flights per week out of Bangkok; the other is on Mondays. At 9200 Bhat ($290) that is about 40% less than the popular Thai Airways one-way flight most travel agents try to sell tourists. 

The weatherman is not cooperating as rain and thunder storms are being predicted for tomorrow and the next two weeks both here in Thailand and throughout Nepal and Bhutan. I am counting on some sunshine periodically during my few week stay in the area, but whatever happens it will be an adventure. 

As the King of Nepal just vacated his palace in Kathmandu yesterday, it looks like the place could be up for grabs. I'll look into renting the place while I'm there... though rumors are the Palace is to be converted into a museum and opened to the public. 

During my two weeks stay in Bangkok I had time for the usual medical checkups. The comprehensive physical examination at the Bumrungrad Hospital found all parts of me in workable condition, though the fee has increased to $420... still a great bargain by California standards. My irregular dental checkup provided an education into new procedures being used by dentists in Thailand. The very competent young female doctor used a salt slurry hydro-blasting technique that left my teeth looking and feeling like new.  

Last week there were again wild violent demonstrations in the streets around the Democracy Monument. People were protesting alleged government corruption and demanding the prime minister resign on threats of another military coup. Nothing happened... yet. I may be getting out of here in the nick of time.

My old Yahoo address has now completely disappeared and is unlikely ever to be resurrected. The whole distasteful adventure forced me to learn a good deal about the procedures used by ISPs to filter "spam." My address is only one of many to be unjustly terminated. Internet forums are full of reports of similar incidents. Apparently real spammers commonly hijack Yahoo servers and Yahoo "Customer Care" is unable to discriminate between the real threats and innocent victims. It is just as well because I have used that identity too long anyway.

I'll close now and finish my packing for the early morning trek to the airport. The next "postcard" will be penned when something astounding happens in Kathmandu.

Peace,
Fred