The Fugitive

Excellent point. Bag/purse snatching & pick pocketing occur everywhere. Some people don't even regard those things as real crime. Had my cash and credit cards stolen in Barcelona by what I guessed were young Eastern European women, dressed in black, using distraction techniques and making their getaway by the Metro. Spanish lady saw what happened and said; 'They're terrible people'.

Great! Will make life a lot easier. Thank you for your help.

Have received Sinovac and AZ in Thailand. Sinovac is OK for Spain. AZ manufactured in Thailand is not because it's not approved by either EMA or WHO as far as I can tell. E mailed Spanish Tourist Office asking if this remains the case and would I be refused entry? Standard reply received advising that they only accept EMA or WHO approved vaccines. Any member with any recent experience travelling to mainland Spain?

Same problem this week myself with a used ACER dating from 2009. Fortunately, was only the power supply/charger. Swapped it for a power supply from an even older laptop which fortunately had the same connector (Compaq from 2005). If possible try to get hold of another power supply to test before going to a repair shop.

Agree! You would be saving yourself and/or the Thai National Health Service some serious cash too! You have raised another good point, review/expiry dates. Will the World at some point simply stop requiring Covid vaccinations/proof of immunity/tests or will we be having to provide these for the rest of eternity?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

Think OP was referring to the present lack of reciprocal agreement to accept vaccine certificates between Norway and Thailand.

I know people from USA love castles, and so do I (from UK). There just aren't 12th/14th Century buildings, fortified walled cities and the museums to which you refer in Thailand. Spain and Portugal excel at those.

Anybody seen any updates to this? https://www.astrazeneca.com/country-sites/thailand/press-release/travelling-with-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-made-in-thailand.html PUBLISHED20 August 2021 Q: Can I travel with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca that has been manufactured in Thailand? A: COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca that is made in Thailand is of the same quality as AstraZeneca's vaccine made in Europe,

In same position myself! Don't know if AZ manufactured in Thailand is now acceptable to UK either?

Many thanks. Absolutely vital to know!

Understand that AZ administered in Thailand is now to be accepted. However, there was the issue that AZ manufactured in Thailand wasn't approved. Has this changed?

Without looking it up, it shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Can't believe it escapes unscathed the natural disasters that Haiti suffers?

Definitely all of those. Taiwan (never been) appears especially interesting and in view of recent events feel they deserve our support.

Recreational Vehicle (Motor Caravan or Dormobile).

Can see the connection; British Honduras and British Guiana.

I'd definitely go with that. Minus the hiking though!

Agree 100%. You're on the Atlantic coast and it does get cool and blustery. One Christmas stayed in Nazare. For two days we were strongly advised not to leave the hotel. By the third day the rain and wind had subsided. Most shop awnings had been torn off and the road signs were bent over. However, spent another Christmas on the Algarve in Vilamoura and it was 25C on Christmas Day.

Well thought out comments. As an Australian I’m guessing you are used to living at or near the sea? You will also prefer utilities and other services (such as door to door postal deliveries) that work reliably. A dual language Country would suit you best? The older we get the less we can tolerate cold weather. Health services become more important. If you appreciate history, culture and good food I wouldn’t personally write off Europe. Spain and Portugal offer much plus both have easily accessible Islands.

West coast of Ireland for me!

Stayed at all three plus Manizales and Popayan. My favourite was Popayan. Only in Cartegena was I warned by a builder repairing historical walls; "Don't walk in that direction, thieves!".

Colombia - Never goes too cool, very friendly, decent food and affordable. Portugal - Great cafes/coffee, dual language Portuguese/English, compact, plentiful public transport, good National Health Service. Unfortunately, can get uncomfortably cool compared to Thailand. Brasil - Obviously a huge Country. Prefer Bahia State, inland, warm and friendly. You still hear Bossa Nova played on acoustic guitars.

Magnificent post! 100% correct. We knew a poor Thai lady who took her own life because of financial worries caused by lack of tourists.

Talking about EU (or even pre-EU), my first experience of a land border crossing was (I think) France/Belgium back in 1971. Driver stopped our car and a guard came out of his border post looking puzzled and politely enquired in perfect English; 'Can I ask why you have stopped please?'. When driver explained that this was his first land border crossing and he was eager to get the officers stamp in his passport the guard practically beamed with delight and it took us ages to get on our way. The poor guy really appreciated having someone to talk to.

Agree! Not been for a while but as a non-driver I found Pattaya lacking a modern and comfortable centralised coach (long distance bus) station. Also, only one train per day?