My wife and I are going on vacation to Thailand (see http://gardkarlsen.com/thailand2007.htm ) but on May 1st we got the sad news that my wife's uncle has died. So we have decided to go to South Africa for the funeral and since the tickets to Thailand can't be changed or refunded it will be a hectic travel week ahead for me. Tonight I'm going to London, from there I fly to South Africa. Then I will fly back to Norway again next week and the day after I come home I'm of to Thailand. So I will spend a lot of time in the air this coming week. I will give you a report when I arrive in Bangkok in the end of next week.
Greetings from the SAS lounge at Heathrow. I'm now on my way back to Norway after a too short trip to South Africa. And tomorrow I'm of to Thailand...I'm getting sick of airline food
It was very nice to see the family in South Africa again even though it was not the best circumstances. And it might sound a bit macabre but it was also interesting to participate in a funeral in South Africa and learn this part of the culture as well. There were hundreds that came to the wake(?) to see the uncle in an open coffin. And there were hundreds in the church and at the cemetary. There were many nice ceremonies but it was of course sad to see a family member gone.
This was my 5th visit to South Africa by the way and I still think that it is an interesting country with so much to offer. I hope that they get a boost of visitors in connection with the 2010 world soccer championship.
Please accept my condolences, Gard. I hope you have a nice trip to Thailand and report back soon. Gard, it is mango and fruit season in Thailand ... enjoy!
Posts: 657 | Location: Palmyra, NJ, USA | Registered: 29 July 2003
Slow Travel Talk 
. Hope your time in Thailand restores your peace.
