Dental departure

A note on travel to Thailand. First - DO NOT....DO NOT.... get Thai baht ahead. I saw rates in Hong Kong for as low as 26 baht to the USD, where here it is 33 baht to the USD. It seems there is a tax levied on overseas transactions, no matter where out of the country. There is an exchange place at the airport. Toilet paper - in the mall, it is on the way into the stalls, usually not in the stalls themselves. I guess that saves , and they only have to change 1 roll. Please learn please and thank you in Thai. It goes a long way. Sawadee ka(P) for thank you. The P is for the male, ka is said by the female. Kop kun ka(p) for thank you. Everyone says it, so you will several times a day. If you want to make sure you are clear, and understand, say ka(p). It's like the Spanish claro. or ok in English. Everyone will want you to use their massage, tuk tuk services, or want you to buy stuff. Be polite, greet them, but say no, if you don't want them. After seeing you, they won't ...

Looks like there was a communication issue. I had the graft put in when I was under. I now have my permanent lowers, and upper false teeth that is a bit hard to get used to....gag reflex. It also rubs a little on my right side but that will be a small fix. Liquids now for 8 weeks, then soft food until I come back. I can make that work. All bruising is now gone and I look like ME again. Teeth look great! I am writing this on the funeral day of King  Bhumibol Adulayadej', or otherwise known as Rama IX, of the Chakri Dynasty. He helped bring Thailand into the modern age, the longest reigning monarch - 79 years. He died a year ago, but they waited a year for cremation and funeral so they could make all the arrangements as would befit a king, with the religious rites, people coming to pay respects. I guess the small font is due to cutting and pasting the King's name so I would get it right. 

Got the dreaded impressions done. My Thai dentist is magic. Next appt., try the teeth, then bone graft, not as bad as it sounds, and I'll have laughing gas, then the final check. Yippee!

Time for the flip side, I ended up deciding on going to the hospital to get the implants. It's one of the best decisions of my life. The surgery took about 7 1/2 hours, and with a gag reflex........too bad I can't do it with impressions. Anyway, back at the hotel, quite swollen, but otherwise ok. I did find out I have high blood pressure, and am now on medication, so I'll try to cut out some salt, but it's partly age too. I look pretty scary, but it won't last. I've been binge watching Mad Men....very good. So glad my Netflix works here.If I'd known what kind of TV they had, I would have been able to use the Chromecast.

I went to the Tiger Kingdom yesterday. It was a lot of fun, but still, a little sad seeing these majestic animals in captivity, and being moved to accommodate the tourist. They took it well though. They say they aren't drugged, but sleep like our kitties. I saw water tanks the tigers can use to cool off, also there is shade, grass, and cement that can be cool. They have sticks to guide the tigers to behave. I did see one guy rap one on the nose. That was hard, but mostly the sticks are used in front of the cats to bar the way. On the other hand, how would you ever be able to interact with a tiger, feel the fur (adult fur is courser than you'd think), The tuk tuk driver there and back was about $15 (400baht), and he waited while you were there. It was such a hot day that I bought him a water. I paid to have pictures taken for the larger cats, and the smaller I could do myself. In both cases, I had my camera and phone, and they took pictures with them. I also have the CD of t...

I went to Phuket City to see what that was like....different...didn't see the beach. This city was settled by Chinese and Portuguese miners. There are still some Colonial buildings. I was pleasantly surprised to see a Cat Cafe. I've heard about them, and thought it was a Japanese thing. I guess the Thais have adopted this. I got to pet a Siamese cat...in Siam! For those who don't know, Siam is the old name for Thailand. I saw a temple. It was closed, but I got to walk around. They are preparing for the late King's funeral. It takes about a year for cremation, and special rites. I would not have planned to come at this time, but it just happened this way. I took a bus back and forth for 30baht, each way, which runs about $US1, the same price for a ride at home, in summer when the busses run. I will have pictures of my trip to Thailand soon. I understand I can get to other beaches by going through Phuket City. As long as I'm here, I would have to be sure to catch the ...

Because I was unable to get a proper recommendation, I find I must get my teeth taken care of, more than I would have otherwise. Anyone who is interested in getting work done, expect delays, and dragging of feet. It happens with the clinic, the one who will help me with the money (firewall- oops I don't know who you are), the boss with my permission to leave - she wasn't happy. I'm having this done in Thailand because it is about 1/4 the cost of having it done at home. Having done my research, both with a testimonial from someone I KNOW who went here, and online testimonials, and the 33 emails back and forth asking questions, so I would feel comfortable, I chose the Sea Smile Clinic. They have several offices here. I went to the wrong one to start, then someone accompanied me to the right one down the road. They in turn sent me to another because the work is substantial, and these are the best people for the job. My temp was taken - good, blood pressure - not so goo...