American Airlines Feel Good Video: You Are Why We fly

AA has a video to tug the heart strings pointing out that the most disruptive event n their 94 year history is upon them:  American Airlines:  You Are Why We Fly No mention that the only reason they are surviving this storm is because of a massive  $5.8 billion government fund injection.  Four billion is in the form of grants and the remaining $1.7 billion as a low-interest loan. The airline also plans to apply for a further $4.8 billion loan from The US Treasury Department. American is one of my least favourite airlines in …

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Rainy season arrives in Bangkok

It has not rained for months in Bangkok. After weeks of build up the #first #rains of the rainy season  hit this week. , In one day, the city received  13.9mm  (just over half an inch) with most of the rain falling in just two hours Humidity reached 97%. Having grown up for part of my life in Africa, there is a deep longing for those heavy rains. Makes me want to go run in them!  

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Two Million Official Infections

It took from December to April to reach one million official infections. It has taken 12 days to reach the grim milestone of  two million. Sadly 126,839 have died. May their memory be a blessing and may their loved ones know comfort.  The good news is 485,827 have recovered. Although recovery does not look pleasant for some. Stay safe. Virus Information WHO information on the virus CDC: People at Higher Risk Communication Resources for Travel Related Posts CoronaVirus- Health Info Country by Country One Million

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Have you been to Thailand?- Help out!

The whole world has been impacted by COVID19. Economically, socially, every single person is having some impact. We think of those who have died from the virus and those currently struggling to overcome it. Some people have been impacted wore than others. In Thailand, many people have had already meager incomes vanish. A coalition of groups in Thailand have formed COVID19 AID  to help vulnerable groups across Thailand during COVID-19 through: 8,000 Care Packages for seniors, low-income families, refugees and people in need 12,500 Meals for the homeless Emergency supplies for professionals battling the virus…

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Lifemiles -no refund on booking fee for COVID19 cancelled flights

So Avianca airlines has detected that my two trips booked with points are “non operational”.  As all of Avianca’s flights are grounded and much of their Star Alliance partners, then the chances of me getting on a plane this month are very low. Can you imagine? I have had no plane flights for a month! Last year I flew seven times a month so it is a shock! The good news is that Lifemiles have offered to refund both the air taxes and  the LifeMiles points. That is nice. Appreciated. BUT they will still charge…

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Pilot draws “Thanks” in Sky for Medical Workers

Using a Magnus Fusion 212, a Hungarian pilot traced a big thank you to medical staff tackling COVID19. Taking off from Pécs, a city in southwest Hungary, the design took a fair amount of patient flight maneuvering. You can follow the flight path here. It is quite mesmerising. The Magnus Fusion 212 is 22 feet long and has a wingspan of eight metres and can carry two people.  Its cruising speed is around  217km/h (135 mph). Its range is around 800km. I visited Pécs, seven years ago. Settled 2000 years ago, it is  Hungary’s fifth…

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Travel -after COVID19

In two weeks, I was meant to depart for an around the world trip: Thailand-Egypt-Athens and the Greek Islands- Milan- Malaga- Morocco- New York- Seattle and Spokane- Los Angeles-Taipei-Bangkok-Sydney. All carefully planned from late last year, it was going to be a fun trip that included three bucket list items and a new One World partner Royal Air Maroc. Seeing many of those destinations are now “COVID19 hotspots”, this would now be an insane and impossible trip. Instead, I am grateful that I am safe and healthy and, I’m looking forward to voyaging from MBR…

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Qatar Airways getting people home

Most of the airline networks are closed, plane after plane grounded and borders sealed. One airline is experiencing a mini boom. So much so that it has expanded capacity on some routes and even put its Airbus A380 mega jumbos back into service. Following the decision by the United Arab Emirates to close its borders to all travelers including transit passengers, Emirates and Etihad Airways, ceased all passenger operations for two weeks. Doha in neighbouring Qatar remains open as a transit point but passengers cannot enter the country. Qatar airways have launched a campaign #wewillgetyouhome…

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One Million

One Million people have now officially caught the virus (almost one quarter in the USA). Sadly, 51,354 have died. All condolences to families. 37,000 people are currently in a critical condition. The good news is that 210,000 have officially recovered globally. About one in four cases are in the USA. China is officially no longer in the top three nations in terms of case numbers. Thinking of all those bravely working to combat this virus. Be nice to each other. Stay Home. Stay isolated. Stay Safe Virus Information WHO information on the virus CDC: People…

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Teddy Bears Make Lockdowns Bearable

two stuffed animals next to each other

Parents across the world are relishing the moments when the family are allowed to go outside their homes for exercise. To cheer kids up in this grim and unsettling time  people across the world have been putting their teddy bears in windows for kids to spot. Bears have also appeared on porches and in trees. The concept comes from the children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. The motto of the book s “We’re not scared” – which is relevant for so many right now.…

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