Puff the Magic Dragon Boat

Sunday 15th

It used to be that international travel was the privilege of the beautiful people who smoked a particular brand of cigarettes, or was that the other way around? Nowadays, we take it for granted and even complain about how long it takes. There is still a sense of magic about entering what is essentially a cinema where food is served and emerging in a place with different climate, culture, language and for Thailand even a different alphabet.

The 2 trips last year were on Thai run but Star Alliance branded planes. This time it was on a Thai badged aircraft which had been specially painted out with and image of a dragon boat.

IT was essentially the same model as the last ones but it seemed as though there was just that bit more leg room than before. Business class was not much more than half full with many of us with a vacant seat beside us. They cleverly stagger the used seats so in my case there was no-one directly before or behind me.

The food was very good and even included a small lobster tail in the entrée. I was still practicing my reading by translating the menu when the hostess aririved to take my choce for mains. I quickly switched to the English page and picked the Stir fried pork with garlic and Cashews.

In the end I watched the films on the main screen - Madagascar 2 and then Australia. They say the scenery is one of the best bits of that film and we missed out a bit since the image seemd to be a bit washed out. Once that finished I caught the end of the Keanu Reeve film on the personal screen which filled in most of the time till we landed.

I had been talking to a couple in the boarding queue who have several houses here (she is Thai - he is Australian and owns several businesses in Perth). As the bus pulled up at the terminal, we saw another one had just disgorged its load so there was already a crowd ahead of us. When we emerged in to the terminal and everyone turned left for immigration, they went right, so I went with them. Bangkok has several different Immigration/passport control areas and by bucking the herd I was able to walk to a virtually empty area and didn't even have to queue.

After a visit to the ladies, I was soon down the other end of the terminal, passing the busy immigration area which still had a multitude waiting, mostly from our flight. Even though I was through so quickly, my luggage was already on the carousel and I was through customs to the arrivals hall a few minutes later.

The rep from the hotel was right there at the exit and I quickly changed some money and we headed out of the terminal. There was some delay due to traffic control, but after 10 minutes the limo arrived - a Merc - and they loaded my gear. The trip was uneventful and the ride was very smooth. I had to look at the speedo to realise we were doing 130 in an 80 zone. We even passed a motorcycle cop at one stage.

The hotel check in was smooth and I was soon in my room on the 21st floor. There was a welcome plate of fruit and the bed was turned down with a fluffy bathrobe laid out (which I am wearing now). By then it was around midnight. I read a bit of the paper I'd brought from the plane and then went to sleep.

This is a really nice hotel and there are photos of the grounds in my blog from last year so I won't put any more here. Unfortunately I only ever stay here one night on my way to or from the remote site.