Is anyone missing travelling or even not being able to plan anything?

[Keyser Soze666]

I'm beginning to struggle now being stuck in one place with no travel, adventures on the horizon. I'm one of these that likes to go away fairly frequently, even for a few days, and had a trip to EUROPE/UK booked for June that was a long time in the planning and now chasing up refunds, etc. Love having a little beano, in the region see somewhere new or where you haven't been for a while, and come back refreshed, etc. Missing that a lot now. Cannot even plan travel, so nothing to look forward to at all, except just existing. And of course we are going to be in this situation for a very long time now, with some things never going back to what they were, ie maybe no more cheap flights, extra checks at airports, dearer hotels and destination places just feeling/looking different than before.

 

I do realise there are many worse off than me in these difficult times, so don't want to appear as a 'me, me, me' type of person, but I can't be the only one feeling like this?

 

Yours depressed, KS666

Edited May 10, 2020 by Keyser Soze666
spelling

[hotandsticky]

Agree 100%

 

 

Not got to the depressed stage yet but I fully understand the growing frustration.

 

 

Today, we should have been flying to Spain for a month. With the temperatures around here touching 40c your words resonate with me.

 

 

For many reasons I am happy to be here, but it doesn't prevent me having the same thoughts as you.

[seasia]

Hi

 

Yes, very similar feelings to yourself.

I usually have a trip to Italy every year, then sometimes tag on 1 or 2 other European countries.

I stay in a small town near the city of Como ( north lakes area), 10kms. from the Italy/Swiss border  so an easy day trip.

Stunning scenery, clean air, great food etc.

 

I liked the stay so much I had decided to re locate from Thailand to Italy. This year.

Not currently possible, maybe later this year I hope although I do not really want to arrive nor stay in the winter months.

More locally I think I would prefer to spend some time in Vietnam, prefer it over Thailand.

 

Hope not too long for each of us to have more travel freedom.

 

 

Edited May 10, 2020 by seasia

[Keyser Soze666]

1 minute ago, seasia said:

Hi

 

Yes, very similar feelings to yourself.

I usually have a trip to Italy every year, then sometimes tag on 1 or 2 other European countries.

the city of Como ( north lakes area), 10kms. from the Italy/Swiss border  so an easy day trip.

Stunning scenery, clean air, great food etc.

 

I like the stay so much I had decided to re locate from Thailand to Italy. This year.

Not currently possible, maybe later this year I hope although I do not really want to arrive nor stay in the winter months.

More locally I think I would prefer to spend some time in Vietnam, prefer it over Thailand.

 

Hope not too long for each of us to have more travel freedom.

 

 

Sounds great. I fear this is going to be a long haul, feel pretty negative about it all to be honest.

 

I had 12 days in Europe, Budapest, Warsaw, Zagreb, Slovenia and Vienna, then 10 days in the UK. All in the bin, and now just stuck in the house instead. It's pretty devastating really, but have to remind myself to try not to sound selfish with many worse off etc.

[BritManToo]

27 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

I'm beginning to struggle now being stuck in one place with no travel, adventures on the horizon.

Me too, missing my trips to Cambodia and Vietnam.

Don't get me wrong, the misses and the kids are great, just miss the whoring, smoking, $1 beer drinking sessions in Cambodia and Vietnam every few months.

 

Don't need the planes to fly, just the Poipet/Aranyapratet land border open will do, I can get the bus.

Edited May 10, 2020 by BritManToo

[Keyser Soze666]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Me too, missing my trips to Cambodia and Vietnam.

Don't get me wrong, the misses and the kids are great, just miss the whoring, smoking, $1 beer drinking sessions in Cambodia and Vietnam every few months.

 

Don't need the planes to fly, just the Poipet/Aranyapratet land border open will do, I can get the bus.

But it's still gonna be social distancing in the bars and restaurants there, so your trips won't be the same as before, not for a long time, if ever.

[BritManToo]

Just now, Keyser Soze666 said:

But it's still gonna be social distancing in the bars and restaurants there, so your trips won't be the same as before, not for a long time, if ever.

My last trip to Saigon in an afternoon bar (only customer) the girl had taken me from outside seating to inside seating with the door closed in about 2 minutes. So we could be more private ........ don't think that's ever gonna change.

[Greg O]

Social distancing with the Social Hostesses ( 1mm) is readily available if ya know what I mean ....yeah be nice to find some sanity somewhere out of here for a while the ignorance gene is highly contagious. I actually started to ride off wearing a mask and only a mask yesterday...

[Keyser Soze666]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My last trip to Saigon in an afternoon bar (only customer) the girl had taken me from outside seating to inside seating with the door closed in about 2 minutes. So we could be more private ........ don't think that's ever gonna change.

It will if that bar never opens again and the girls have gone. Don't kid yourself, things won't be the same for a very long time.

[bkk6060]

Yes, of course.

Normally I would be in the Phils now.

All the things in life we took for granted, and/or complained about now seem like luxuries that may never be possible to enjoy again.

Just being alive, well, and not starving or in need of money is a true blessing at this point.

[pgrahmm]

We were planning to do our annual RV U.S. trip from Aug-Jan.....The wife has been excited about wintering it this time out....

Flights are showing available on Kayak, but I dare not book anything until I know it's a safe, unencumbered way in and out.....

We'd also been thinking about getting her a Canadian visa so we could spend/bounce 6 months in each place....I think that's only wishful thinking now with only essential border crossings allowed.....

I want to upgrade our camper & found a nice one in BC and another one in Wisconsin....I've been anxiously watching both & can arrange storage/transport but zero clue as to timing - if - or when......

So yeah, thinking about it every day & tracking the fulltimer's and boondocker's to keep up with open areas and policy changes.....

Building a 6 month trip takes a good amount of planning/confirmations - boondocking might be more on the menu this time around.....If we get there.....

Nothing wrong with here, but the annual trips are the high point every year.....

In the meantime - the washing machine just broke down (main board) - you know - just to keep it interesting......

Edited May 10, 2020 by pgrahmm

[lee b]

My trip to South Africa went out of the window. I planned to take my wife ( Thai national ) For her first trip out of Asia. Everything was messed up. Shame.

 

But the thing I really hate the most is not being able to go or do what I wish. This really drives me insane.

[1FinickyOne]

59 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

with some things never going back to what they were,

There's something new for you... hang in there.

[Keyser Soze666]

3 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

There's something new for you... hang in there.

Creepy?

[bkk6060]

9 minutes ago, lee b said:

But the thing I really hate the most is not being able to go or do what I wish. This really drives me insane.

I guess many of us now have an idea how it feels to live in North Korea. Or any of the other purgatory restricted countries.

[HashBrownHarry]

Domestic travel is possible but as mentioned, incredibly hot at the minute!

 

Lots of great domestic trips to do

[mauGR1]

Yes, normally this time of the year i am off to home country for the summer months, but even if i could go, it's not sure i would be able to come back.

So i'm thinking and thinking, perhaps in 1 or 2 months i'll have to flip a coin and take a decision.

[NCC1701A]

1 hour ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

I'm beginning to struggle now being stuck in one place with no travel,

me too.

1 hour ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

I do realise there are many worse off than me in these difficult times, so don't want to appear as a 'me, me, me' type of person, but I can't be the only one feeling like this?

i am right there with you.

i am planning to hit the road a second they open travel to other parts of Thailand. 

one way to look at it is to be appreciative of being able to travel when you can. i was taking Thailand for granted as I had traveled so much but now i will be super happy to hit the road. 

at least there is a series of dates May 17 malls, June 1st maybe travel for Thai tourists.   

[HashBrownHarry]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

me too.

i am right there with you.

i am planning to hit the road a second they open travel to other parts of Thailand. 

one way to look at it is to be appreciative of being able to travel when you can. i was taking Thailand for granted as I had traveled so much but now i will be super happy to hit the road. 

at least there is a series of dates May 17 malls, June 1st maybe travel for Thai tourists.   

It's very possible now to travel throughout thailand from what i've seen.

[Greg O]

Ive done several road trips since this foolishness started and it's been interesting navigating to available attractions and finding accomodations but they're available. I prefer to drive over being treated like an inmate...the airlines can pound sand ! No guts to stand up to the government. Flying is the most essential modern service ( look up the essential services act ) The government needs and relies on the airlines yet inhibits them. The concept of social distancing is absurd in any business and complete lunacy in an airport or airplane but hey the embassy officials have done it for years as they're so helpful behind their airlocks , security doors and bullet proof glass ..  

[tomazbodner]

Well, here's the World Greta wanted. Now the only thing left is to deal with all that single use plastics and deforestations and we'll stop ruining her future...

[samtam]

I feel no desire to travel at all. My last trip away was over a year ago, to Shanghai. Shortly thereafter I started a major renovation of our apartment, which took up until the end of 2019, and for the duration we were staying in an upmarket serviced apartment, (which was a change in itself to living at home). I went on site every day for 6 months. After completion I redecorated (the interior design), and during that time there were snags to be sorted. Then everything was tickety-boo, except there were signs in January/February that things were going awry from Chinese visitors and the (then much-less) known about CV19.

 

Now we are able to enjoy the "new" flat, (sans pool and gym, sadly), and I have had little problem self-isolating for 6 weeks, (asking the maid not to come in, altho' still paying her in full), and that experience has curbed my appetite to be in any crowd, (especially ones associated with air travel, or travel at all). I find my daily routine is filling every waking hour; cleaning all the balcony doors this morning, (which are one side of the apartment) was a major workout in itself. 

 

Take one day at a time. Make everything work now. 

 

Luckily I am in a happy relationship of 35 years, and we are able to enjoy the flat, cooking and prepping for dinner with a cocktail or two...stirred not shaken. 

[totally thaied up]

I go to Australia with the wife each year. This year it is a no-no. Only benefit is I am saving a shed load of money at the moment and that is good.

 

Things are not going to be the same for a long time, so we better get use to it. I hope they will have some cheap hotel deals so later on, the wife and I can hit the road for a few days every month.

 

Just to do something different yesterday, we bought some food and ate on a park bench. Most likely really not allowed to do it but spending the last two months inbound at home was too much and needed a time out. Being cloistered inside all the time is no good for the brain. 

[Keyser Soze666]

11 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

It's very possible now to travel throughout thailand from what i've seen.

But there will be restrictions, checks in place, etc. Places closed down, social distancing, 10pm curfew, everyone wearing masks, avoiding each other, the list goes on. What really is the point as don't sound like much fun to me??

[HashBrownHarry]

2 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

But there will be restrictions, checks in place, etc. Places closed down, social distancing, 10pm curfew, everyone wearing masks, avoiding each other, the list goes on. What really is the point as don't sound like much fun to me??

It's certainly good to get out that's for sure.

 

You'll need to get used to masks being in place for a while yet, don't think they'll go away anytime soon.

 

I was recently away, went out for beers / food / saw friends i'd not seen in a while it was great for morale. I will head off again in a couple of weeks for another 4-5 day break somewhere, trying to figure out a trip to Krabi ATM.

 

Agreed about curfew but i'm up early, go do stuff early then drink in the afternoons so the curfews not an issue for me.

[Keyser Soze666]

10 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

It's certainly good to get out that's for sure.

 

You'll need to get used to masks being in place for a while yet, don't think they'll go away anytime soon.

 

I was recently away, went out for beers / food / saw friends i'd not seen in a while it was great for morale. I will head off again in a couple of weeks for another 4-5 day break somewhere, trying to figure out a trip to Krabi ATM.

 

Agreed about curfew but i'm up early, go do stuff early then drink in the afternoons so the curfews not an issue for me.

Sure, maybe still better than nothing, but think I would find the whole experience frustrating, and it's very much settling for second best. And no bars or restaurants are selling beer, so left with the 'back door' option, sorry but just don't see the point.

[NCC1701A]

54 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

It's very possible now to travel throughout thailand from what i've seen.

have you done it? 

i don't think they want anyone traveling unnecessarily until the state of emergency is over.

 

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

I do realise there are many worse off than me in these difficult times, so don't want to appear as a 'me, me, me' type of person, but I can't be the only one feeling like this?

Yes feeling it very hard of late, never one to ponder or be depressed, but being cooped up in the house since the kids (4) started school holidays around 5 March, although we do have a big house, it's cool and the kids have lots of gadgets, games and toys to amuse themselves with, albeit it the 2 girls have their cat fights daily....lol.

 

We did have plans to go south to Hua Hin, Ao Nang and then onto Ko Lanta when the kids school holidays started, but we didn't book anything as we waited to see how this Covid-19 was panning out, then they closed the waterholes down on the 20th March that I frequented at least 3 times a week, then the following month they banned alcohol sales for 3 weeks as we know, not a big drinker, but was starting to worry if they extended it because I was down to my last nips, then they lifted the ban, hip hip hooray, I like to know I have the option to pour me a drink at night when watching TV, the thought of not having one when I want one, wasn't pleasing, that said I do go nights without, so I am no alcoholic.

 

The weather of late hitting the 40's is yuk, but like I said, indoors it's cool although had put on 2 A/C's around 12pm and 2 pm just to send that cooler feeling throughout the house.

 

I miss going out to the waterholes and listening to the BS and the local gossip, playing pool, as opposed to staying home, although not complaining, have a fantastic energetic wife who doesn't stop cooking, baking etc etc and both the foods and sweets she makes are to die for. We sit at the front and have our morning coffees, talk, and then have a game of badminton for 30 minutes before it gets to hot, then she will go for her workout while I hit the laptop.

 

We are now planning to go down to Hua Hin, Ao Nang and onto Ko Lanta for 10-14 days, 10 will be on Ko Lanta, just want to sit on the beach under some shade sinking a couple of cold ones, dropping in and out of coma's while the kids have fun on the beach, eat at restaurants, look at some eye candy, get a massage and maybe a boner ????

 

I also don't want to sound ungrateful as we have all the luxuries one would want in a village in Isaan and when I see my neighbors and how they cope in this weather in their timber huts with iron roofs, I tell myself that prison life in our big prison cell is good and we will get out of here soon, hopefully by the end of the month.

 

Went and got my flu and pneumonia vaccine today, so ready to go, and when the Dr was jabbing me, I said can you also give me the Covid-19 one as well, she looked at me, thought about it and then started laughing, who said Thai's don't have a sense of humor ?

 

Hang in there, we are all in the same boat and we are all going to the same destination. An old Greek saying my mum used to say to me when things were down, e.g. "as long as we have our health, nothing else matters", a lot of truth in that.

Edited May 10, 2020 by 4MyEgo

[Greg O]

Hua Hin beaches never closed. Most hotels closed but several guest houses and Airbnb, Oyo are available. Many restaurants are open now as well. Come on down ...

[Puchaiyank]

Never lose your sense of adventure.  This lockdown will pass soon enough.  Travel restrictions may still apply in some form until there is a widely distributed vaccine.

 

In the mean time...plan your next adventures!