Today was a total travel day. I woke up at 5:15 a.m. and we left the hotel by boat at 6 and then took a shuttle to the airport. They unloaded our bags last and so we were the last to checkin. They said our flight was delayed an hour and no room on the other flights and the earlier one was sold out. I had this feeling, this is going to be the longest day ever! We had to pay for our checked bags over $100 and then they also charged us 2 exit fees. We settled in hoping that the "mechanical difficulties" on our plane would be resolved and in a few minutes the woman came up and said I can get you on the flight right now. That was such a blessing. I know how things go in this country and of all our months of traveling, this was the first extended good luck we have had. We rushed down and were the last to board the sold out flight and took the last 2 seats on the plane back by the bathroom. Hallelujah! So happy to be at the back of the bus to be on the bus!
At the airport in Manila we had to collect our bags, wouldn't check them through for us, and then took a shuttle to the next terminal. This was the most convoluted way to get from terminal to terminal. It made us laugh and felt like just part of the adventure- onto the runway, dodging around planes, onto the freeway, around baggage carts and then we arrived at our terminal which was under construction and totally ghetto honestly. There were maybe a hundred people sitting outside the terminal almost in the middle of the road with their bags in what looked like old orange airport seating that had been shipped over from National Airport 40 years ago. We got inside and there was no Thai Airways checkin. They said that they share with China Air and once China Air is done checking in they take over their checkin area. I decided we would wait right by the Checkin area for it to turn, although they suggested we go somewhere else to sit. Another thing I have learned, don't leave your checkin to anyone else. In about 30 mins China Air was done and I went and parked myself at the head of the line and sat on my bags. 15 mins later they opened up and switched the sign and we were first in line. Immediately like a magic trick almost there were 200 people lined up behind us all the way through the terminal!!! Holy Smokes!! We got right through and then they nickel and dime you there, you had to pay more exit fees before you could go through immigration. We got through and our flight left pretty much on time.
Bangkok was surprisingly easy to get through and get our next boarding pass, which they wouldn't give us in Manila and we didn't have to reclaim our bags, which was nice. When we walked to the gate, there was Kendall!!!! So fun to just bump into her in another country and she was just there doing her homework! So grateful she was there early and we visited and got caught up.
Our flight made it to Chiang Rai with no issues and we picked up our bags and were greeted by a lovely lady Wanna who will be our guide in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. She explained to us about the city and how it was chosen as a city by the the King Rai and Chiang means City. He then built another city which was bigger and better for him and that was Chiang Mai- new city. I learned that Thailand changed it's name from Siam after World War II since they had signed an agreement with Japan, as she explained their prime minister was surrounded by guns and forced to sign. In order to avoid war crimes and be absolved of their connection with Japan during WWII they had to change their name and they chose Thailand- Free Land. Thailand they explained has never been ruled by the west, unlike all the other countries we have been too. It is not a former commonwealth of England or Spain or America... They still have a king and their government is a constitutional monarchy.
We pulled into our hotel and Sam was so exhausted. He tried coming to dinner but then I just got him a drink and took him to bed. Long days of traveling, catching up with us about half way through our 3 month tour. He will feel better tomorrow with some rest.
At the airport in Manila we had to collect our bags, wouldn't check them through for us, and then took a shuttle to the next terminal. This was the most convoluted way to get from terminal to terminal. It made us laugh and felt like just part of the adventure- onto the runway, dodging around planes, onto the freeway, around baggage carts and then we arrived at our terminal which was under construction and totally ghetto honestly. There were maybe a hundred people sitting outside the terminal almost in the middle of the road with their bags in what looked like old orange airport seating that had been shipped over from National Airport 40 years ago. We got inside and there was no Thai Airways checkin. They said that they share with China Air and once China Air is done checking in they take over their checkin area. I decided we would wait right by the Checkin area for it to turn, although they suggested we go somewhere else to sit. Another thing I have learned, don't leave your checkin to anyone else. In about 30 mins China Air was done and I went and parked myself at the head of the line and sat on my bags. 15 mins later they opened up and switched the sign and we were first in line. Immediately like a magic trick almost there were 200 people lined up behind us all the way through the terminal!!! Holy Smokes!! We got right through and then they nickel and dime you there, you had to pay more exit fees before you could go through immigration. We got through and our flight left pretty much on time.
Bangkok was surprisingly easy to get through and get our next boarding pass, which they wouldn't give us in Manila and we didn't have to reclaim our bags, which was nice. When we walked to the gate, there was Kendall!!!! So fun to just bump into her in another country and she was just there doing her homework! So grateful she was there early and we visited and got caught up.
Our flight made it to Chiang Rai with no issues and we picked up our bags and were greeted by a lovely lady Wanna who will be our guide in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. She explained to us about the city and how it was chosen as a city by the the King Rai and Chiang means City. He then built another city which was bigger and better for him and that was Chiang Mai- new city. I learned that Thailand changed it's name from Siam after World War II since they had signed an agreement with Japan, as she explained their prime minister was surrounded by guns and forced to sign. In order to avoid war crimes and be absolved of their connection with Japan during WWII they had to change their name and they chose Thailand- Free Land. Thailand they explained has never been ruled by the west, unlike all the other countries we have been too. It is not a former commonwealth of England or Spain or America... They still have a king and their government is a constitutional monarchy.
We pulled into our hotel and Sam was so exhausted. He tried coming to dinner but then I just got him a drink and took him to bed. Long days of traveling, catching up with us about half way through our 3 month tour. He will feel better tomorrow with some rest.
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