So about every year I travel to Thailand and whilst there I need to stay connected and need to do a modicum of work.

Having landed at Bangkok airport I used to make my way to the “True” shop and invest in a data SIM card. This would usually set me back about 3,000 Thai Baht.

Last year I discovered that our Aussie service provider, Vodafone, (Go figure, a communications company can’t spell “phone”) offers roaming at $5 AUD per day. (Take note Telstra)

This then makes my remote office situation so much better. By being able to tether iPad & Macs etc. Not only that but I keep my number etc. Phone registrations with 2fa are also no longer an issue.

As for taking my MacBook Pro, Air OS I use rigid shell cases as made by Thule. Swedish made and absolutely sensational. No need to remove the computer from the case. A Satechi bluetooth keyboard and Logitech Maraton 720 mouse completes the package.

Keyboard and mouse you ask? Yes, Apple’s universal control has made the ability to use the Macs as simple as a dual screen setup, an absolute joy. (Most of the time)

A Samsonite computer / carry-on bag provides transport. Enough room for the three devices and the ubiquitous cables and chargers. That said, USB C is making that a little easier. Though hotels over in Thailand here need to catch up.

VPN is also a bonus. It allows me to connect to banking etc as if I’m in Australia. The latter only used if absolutely necessary.

My usual workflow whilst OS is to use Jump Desktop to connect to my Mac mini in the office. This is a lot more efficient data wise and also much more secure.

That’s it.

When Phil Schiller uttered these words I thought he’d mozzed Apple from then on. Yeh, we had rounded corners since then. Even rounded corners on macOS windows. MacBook Pro’s that doubled as induction cooktops. (Only way to render a 4k video was to put the MBP in a freezer). Not to mention the sensational keyboard innovations. (Striving to make the MBP thinner than an 80gsm sheet of paper) reduced the keyboard to nigh on a touch screen (Oh wait, yeh, nah)

Finally then, hark some years later, we hit upon Universal Control. Yes! Innovation once again. I have my MBP M1, Mac Mini M1 with dual screens and my iPad, all on the same desk and I can control them all with one keyboard and mouse. (This will cut into keyboard sales so will it last?)

“Steve, this is simply sensational”. I say Steve, as I doubt Tim had anything to do with it.

Source – Unknown

Trace – Unlikely

Why? Politics!!

For the last year and a half the world has been struggling with Covid 19.

Melbourne is currently enduring a sixth lockdown. Politicians throughout Australia are posing / posturing as to who gives the better “Lockdown”. The ACT imposed a lockdown due to one case. Really?

Then of course we have the “non believers”. Yes, people who actually believe this whole scenario is a construct. Few words can describe them.

Most ominously, we have the antivaxers.

Who’d have thought? The “Enlightened Ones”. Words fail to explain what could possibly posses these air thieves to have such an opinion relative to subject matter they were never exposed to in an educational institution.

To all politicians and air thieves alike, I’d like to be able to travel before the decade is out.

Soaking up the local culture in small village in north east Thailand is most probably best achieved during local community events. One of the more notable of these would have to be Songkran.

What historically started out as well wishing ritual and a passing on of good luck has transformed into a nationwide, three to five day water fight.

What is not always obvious is how this event calls on local community members to help maintain a certain order. Now, the demands placed on theses certain individuals can’t be too onerous so as to not enjoy the festivities. The local constabulary will don colorful “Songkran” shirts and infiltrate the throng of revellers.

One such individual was a definite standout though and had to juggle the functions he was prevailed upon to perform. Hmmmm…… What to do, do I squirt the passers by with my water cannon or do I direct on coming traffic?

All I can report is that there were no traffic accidents and definitely a huge number of soaked locals.

Yesterday’s trip to Thailand was predominantly uneventful. Thai Airways was sensational as always and as much as I don’t sleep on planes the time seemed to pass quite quickly.

We arrived in Bangkok 6 am and the first order of the day was to obtain a SIM card for my beloved’s iPhone. This process has been made relatively easy as True now have a SIM card shop in the arrivals terminal. This just requires the owner of said device to remember their Apple ID and password. And that’s when the fight started…….

With SIM card issues resolved all we had to do now was meet up with our enterprising niece so we could off-load the near 15KG of lanolin creams and other skin enhancing products. Do check out PotterShopDirectfromUSA on Facebook.

With the import export rites out of the way it was only now that my wife realised airport personnel had singled out her suitcase with a “Heavy” tag. She seemed to be put out by this at first. I did impress upon her though, how lucky she was that Thai Air managed to get it on the same flight as us. Containers spring to mind……. (I did see “All Is Lost” last night and in the opening scenes I did think, “Hey that’s my wife’s suitcase”) BTW good movie.

Three hours later we were on a plane bound for Khon Kaen. I guess I could say that I’m now somewhat used to, no, dare I say, some what insular to being picked up from Khon Kaen airport. The event never leaves one with a feeling of normalcy and this time I was again greeted with a somewhat memorable event.

The main mode of transport here in North East Thailand would have to be without a doubt the ubiquitous pick-up. Available in all shapes and sizes, this vehicle fills a void in every Isan household. Our’s happens to have one with troop carrier accessory.

I have to side bar the ever memorable organisational skills of my wife and sister in-law at this time as without them it would have had five people arrive in Khon Kaen all at the same time. What’s the fun in that. 😄.

So not only was there no one to meet us at the airport when my wife and I arrived, we now had to wait three hours for the rest of the family to make their appearance. The locals were more appraised of our travel times than yours truelly. Or so it would appear.

When the troop carrier arrived I had to smile as twelve people got out to welcome five more with open arms. OK, I made the last bit up. They don’t welcome you with open arms. A simple sawasdee krup/ka and a smile will do.

Welcome home Johno……..