Wednesday we had plane tickets to Chiang Mai from Bangkok's old airport (not the one we originally flew into, which was very new and much nicer). Before describing this journey, I should answer a few questions. Monique: the weather here is hot and humid, much like Hawaii. In Bangkok, it's probably 80-90 degrees with some ridiculous amount of humidity, though I've felt worse (probably in Hawaii). I have actually been fine in pants and a t-shirt, but Kane is usually hot. It's been kind of overcast, with rain on one day in Bangkok. Were there other questions? Repeat, if so.
Ok. We are in Ayuttaya and our flight is at 2:40 from an airport about 40 minutes away by train. We realize the train schedule that the guy at the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) office had given us was outdated. We check the train station's website for train times. No trains between 7am and noon. We wanted to leave earlier than noon, but oh well. The train is 30 cents each. It arrives 20 minutes late. It's ok, plenty of time. This time, we see that there are signs at each train stop and are able to discern our train stop on our own - thank goodness.
We get off the train at about 1:30, the airport just across the street. We're supposed to check in at 1:40 - we'll probably be a little late. We climb the ramp that goes to a walking bridge over the freeway and into the airport. Once we get to the other side, the rest of the passageway into the terminal is blocked by locked doors. There are stairs that lead down to the street (freeway, really), but there are fences between the freeway and the airport. We have no choice, we walk down to the freeway. We see up ahead a few hundred feet that the road splits and you can get into the airport terminal. We walk and see a bus that takes you to the terminal, which is still about a mile ahead. Free shuttle - we get on and wait. It's 1:50. The shuttle leaves at 2:00. We're squirming in our seats. We make it to the departures area with help from a security guard. They are boarding right now. We bag up our backpacks, give them to the baggage check and rush to our terminal. Another shuttle awaits at the terminal, we get on. Standing room only. It's 2:15 - whew!
We shuttle to the tarmac to meet our plane. We've flown this type of plane before to Seattle; 3 seats on one side, 2 on the other. Kane can barely fit. Even my knees hit the chair in front of me. It's only a 50 minute flight, however, so it's over before we know it. Oh yeah, dad, this country is actually pretty big. Rather, it spans a lot of miles - the southern area is very long and narrow. It's probably a 3 hour flight from top to bottom of the country, just a guess. Check out google maps; it's a neat shaped country. Anyway, we arrive at the very northern part: Chiang Mai.
Supposedly it's "cold" here but I think they have cold confused with normal. It's sill humid, but it's about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. It rained just after we arrived, but we didn't care. Our hotel sent a truck to pick us up, and we rode here with 2 guys, 1 from Canada, the other a doctor from Arizona who does lectures around Thailand and Myanmar. We arrive at our hotel and the hotel people let us know all the tours and treks they sell here, something which Kane and I were originally opposed to, but are now looking forward to. It would be so much easier to have someone show us around. I'd gladly pay them $15 to make my day go smoothly and show me some neat stuff. We'll probably do some of those trips at some point.
Anyway, our hotel is beautiful, $42 US a night. We did the buffet breakfast (included and delicious), and will do massages later today, hopefully. Forget traveling, let's vacation. We have this hotel booked until Monday, we'll see if we stay longer. There is a large festival this weekend here, should be fun. We can either hang with Kane's friend or do this thing with our hotel where they have food, drinks, and show you how to make these little paper boats that they float down the river for the celebration. Either would be fun, we'll see. Ok, onto start my day.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy your friends and family. =)
3 comments:
Angie it all sounds GREAT! (except the fish)
"Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy your friends and family. =)", says little Angie.
Hi Angie & Kane. Happy thanksgiving to you guys. I guess they don't do thanksgiving over there, do they? The familia didn't want to cook this year so, they are all going to Horatio's for din. But, me und Terri have not had great experiences having holiday meals in a restaurant. Just doesn't have the holiday feel or the special extra yummy food. So, we are just making our own turkey, stuffing and ALL the other tasty peripherals here at home. I think next year everyone might feel more like home cookin and we can divide up duties. I hope. Well, it sounds like you 2 are going to have a great weekend. Yay! Be safe. I love you!
The Haircut
One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money
from you. I'm doing community service this week." The professor is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as "How to Improve Your Business" and "Becoming More Successful".
Then, a congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The Congressman is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
Post a Comment