Sunday 27 October 2013

Airport power Wheelchair check-in

Have you ever considered travelling with you powered wheelchair? And did you decide to leave it at home because you were afraid the handlers would damage it. Then watch this movie about me and my powered wheelchair preparations at the check-in of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for my 20th flight to Bangkok Airport Suvarnabhumi. I made this movie as an example. When you want to travel you have to find a way how to prepare your wheelchair.



What do you see?
  • A small toolkit with which you can handle bolds and screws.
  • Tie-raps to tie down cables.
  • Removal of joy stick to prevent damage to steering mechanism.
  • Disconnecting the battery cable underneath.
  • Minimize size of wheelchair. Some airplane loading doors are just 84cm high.
  • Wheelchair parts in bag to prevent them to get soaked in the rain. And less weight in your suite case.
  • Luggage straps to tie down wheelchair parts in bag.
  • Instruction of airport staff how to handle manual breaks and wheelchair during transportation.
Do you have question about how to travel as a disabled? Don't hesitate to email us.

Or read more stories about travelling with a powered wheelchair on my Dutch Blog.







Saturday 19 October 2013

Thai Festivals in wheelchair; King's Birthday

Thailand is preparing for holiday season. Lights in the streets are coming. Rainy season is ending en tourist are travelling to beach resorts like Hua Hin. I like this season. It is a very good time to spend some of your days in the tropical sun and just enjoy life as it is.

On December 5 Thailand is celebrating his King's Birthday. If all is well King Bhumibol (Full name: Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkrinaruebodin Sayamminthrathirat Borommanatbophit) will become 86 years. Thai people like to celebrate this birthday with music, food en fireworks and an ice sculpture competition.

Last year my wife and I celebrated this birthday among the Thai locals and we loved it. And since it is beautiful weather in this time of year you can go out in your wheelchair too and enjoy all the festivities out on the street.



In need of a wheelchair accessible accommodation take a look here for full serviced pool villas with wheelchair access.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Thailand festivals in wheelchair

In the last post I have written about the Thai festivals and holiday season. One of the main holidays in Thailand is Loi Kratong. The festival of lights. Very luminous, peaceful and serene holiday.
Thai people also make music and sing songs. Have a look at this video made in Hua Hin to see what you can expect when you visit during Loi Kratong on 17 November 2013. Enjoy.

 
Loking for a wheelchair accessible pool villa to stay during Loi Kratong? Here you will find everything you need.
 
Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.
Loi means 'to float', while krathong refers to a usually lotus-shaped container which floats on the water. Krathong has no other meaning in Thai besides these decorative floats, so Loi Krathong is very hard to translate, requiring a word describing what a Krathong looks like such as Floating Crown, Floating Boat, Floating Decoration. The traditional krathong are made of the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate after a few days and can be eaten by fish. Banana stalk krathong are also biodegradable, but styrofoam krathongs are sometimes banned, as they pollute the rivers and may take years to decompose. A krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. On the night of the full moon, Thais launch their krathong on a river, canal or a pond, making a wish as they do so. The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits.

See you in Hua Hin at Loi Kratong.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Wheelchair holiday season

With the holiday season coming up in a few months I like to tell you something about the holidays in Hua Hin. Tourist destinations in Thailand like Hua Hin celebrate all kind of holidays. Not only Thai and / or Buddhist holidays but also Chinese and European holidays. So they celebrate in order European Christmas and New Year at in December, Chinese New Year in February and Thai New Year in April.
But they also celebrate Loi Kratong in November and Makha Bucha in February. And last but not least they celebrate the Kings on 5 December also known as Fathers Day.


We love this Festival season and like to celebrate with and around the locals. It is really fun. It is dry season. And often there is music, good food and sometimes big fireworks. 

So November till April is a really great time to visit Hua Hin in Thailand. And even in your wheelchair you can be part of these festivities. Our staff knows where to go, can take you to the best spot and likes to celebrate with you.

Hope to meet you in Hua Hin.

Jan and Hanneke
Gehandicapten.com