Edinburgh to Bangkok

Flying against the clock


We left the house at 05.45 on Friday 11th May and arrived in Bangkok at 06.30 on Saturday May 12th having taken two seven hour flights. Strange.

The flights were excellent. Quatar airways is to be recommended. The airport at Doha is enormous modernist and shiny new.The biggest airport we have ever seen had the biggest tv screen we have ever seen - we could have been forgiven for thinking we were in Texas. Pauline was intrigued by the Harrod's gold souk which was the centre piece of the upscale shopping experience on offer.


Doha Airport

The second flight went by without incident both Pauline and Simon and most of the other passengers slept whilst I watched a film and read my book. the flights were quite empty. Simon had a row of four seats to stretch out on. The immigration procedure passed very smoothly and quickly and before long we had arrived at the Column Hotel in downtown Bangkok at 08.00 for a 14.00 check in time. Fortunately we got into our rooms at 09.00 and 10.00 and we were able to shower and change into more temperature appropriate clothing.

The rooms at the Column hotel are really apartments. We have a fully functioning kitchen with a washing machine and a tumble dryer as well as a king sized bed with large wardrobe. Our living area is about the same size as at home. The balcony has the most fabulous views because we are on the 41st floor. Pauline is a very happy bunny. If Pauline is happy then Simon and I am happy too.

Despite the long journey, the seven hour time difference, the huge humidity and the 33 degree heat we were soon off on the nearby sky train to the Chatuchack market. If it isn't the biggest in the world then it is certainly close. It is so big they provide maps. 30 colour coded sections each of which is as big as a normal market. Pauline thought she had died and gone to heaven. Simon's thoughts remain unrecorded and I searched out a little Chines stall which sold chicken and noodles for 25 baht (50p) I ended up sat next to two Chinese girls who found my attempts to eat with chop sticks fairly amusing. It certainly stops you gobbling down your food. Maybe I should try that at home.

Pauline bought one or two "bargains" which will probably end up as raffle prizes. When we returned to our hotel Pauline crashed and slept for three hours, Simon wen to the gym and worked out for a bit and I went in search of a beer. The seven eleven store is right next to our hotel. I took the beers to the counter where the FOUR assistants pointed to a notice which said that I couldn't buy alcohol between 14.30 and 17.00. So not to be daunted I went walking to find a bar. two hours later I was hopelessly lost and tired so I took a motorbike taxi back to the hotel. It was fun. The driver weaved in and out of the totally grid locked traffic making great progress whilst I pushed us off the cars that we passed with millimetres to spare. The best £1.50 I have spent in a long time. 

I like Thailand. 

Pauline loves it.


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