Thailand Here we Come (Part 2)

Our Scoot Airline flight to Bangkok was a mere two hours so after all of our recent long haul flights this one was a piece of cake. The flight was a good one and went without incident. We flew into Bangkok in the early evening and were amazed to see how big and bright the city was. Major roads criss-crossed the city and each one was chockerblock full of slow moving cars. 

On landing we gave each other a kiss and acknowledged that we had finally made it to Thailand. Just a little more than three months ago neither of us knew that we would be heading off to the Kingdom of Smiles to live, but here we were ready to start a new adventure. 

We cleared Thai immigration and customs without a worry and were relived to see our bags coming down the baggage carousel. My bag was actually the first bag off a first for me!

Arrival Hall Don Muang Airport

We had read that you order a taxi in the arrival hall, so when we saw the taxi sign we headed for it. this was to be our first Thailand mistake as the taxi we ordered was a private car a Toyota Camry. It was very nice and convenient but expensive (by Thai standards at 700BTHB ($21.50USD). What we should have done was to take a local metered cab just outside the entrance and that would have cost around half the price. 

No doubt this will be the first of many mistakes we will make in our quest to live in Thailand.

Bangkok is serviced by two airports. We landed at Don Muang Airport which is one of the oldest operational airports in the world. These days Don Muang services the discount and domestic airlines. Suvarnabhumi Airport was completed in 2006 and it services the major international airlines.

We boarded the taxi and the driver shot off at an exceedingly fast clip. A little way down the road he asked if we wanted to take the expressway and if so that would cost an additional 120THB. Annie and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulder and said okay as we wanted to get to the hotel. 

Bangkok Taxi

Our driver paid the first toll of 70BHT and took off down the expressway like a startled gazelle with a pride of lions on its tail. In no time at all we were doing 140KMP and we both decided it was time to put on our seat belts!

At the end of the expressway the driver paid another toll, this time 50BHT. We had now entered the city proper and we were amazed at how modern everything was. Huge big screen TV's hung to the sides of skyscrapers pumping out advertisements for all types of things. The city was alive with people and it was a matter of where to look as the centre of the city was alive with Christmas lights and displays. We were both enthralled by what we saw. 

We arrived at our hotel after a 35 minute trip and were warmly greeted by the staff at our hotel LiT Bangkok. It is a new and trendy hotel ranked 24 out of 750+ hotels on Trip Advisor and at just $110AUD a night it was a great deal. 

MBK Mall just around the corner from our hotel

Our room was on the 7th floor and it was particularly funky. The room was an amalgam of odd angles and had a variety of nooks and crannies. the bathroom was a strange shape, long and narrow and opening out to the bath and separate rain shower. The bathroom was complete with mood lighting and plants. One strange detail was that the bathroom was separated from the bedroom by a heavy curtain and the toilet was right at the door. So dependant upon ones bodily functioning using the bathroom in this hotel could cause acute embarrassment. 

LiT Hotel Bangkok

After poking around in the room for a little while we decided that we would eat in the hotel as we were too tired to go out and explore. The hotel restaurant was located on the lower level and we selected an outdoor seat. The menu was extensive and this was our first opportunity to eat Thai food. 

The service was great everything down with a smile and a traditional bow. The meal was excellent, though a little expensive by Thai standards. If to eat Thai for the next 12 months of so is to be our lot in life then bring it on.

Tired after a long day of cars, airports and aeroplanes we stumbled up to our room and climbed between the fresh, scented sheets to dream of what adventures lay ahead tomorrow.