On our way to Thailand!

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Up early to make our 6:30am flight on Jetstar airlines to Auckland. Nice airline, similar to Southwest or Frontier offering discounted flights and pay-for-everything service. But the price was right and it got us to Auckland on time to make our afternoon flight to Bangkok.

Since we had a few hours to kill in the airport, breakfast was the call. Found a coffee shop and sat down for a good airport breakfast. The flight to Bangkok was going to be 12hrs so eat a little, drink a little and get ready for an all-day sucker.

After a couple of hours killing time, we head for security. Not sure what happened but the non-existent line going through customs was now almost completely around the terminal! 2hrs to go before our flight and wouldn’t you know it, computers went down so everything is being checked by hand!!

With a near repeat of trying to get out of France last year, we made our flight with about 15 minutes to spare. Thai Airways was more than accommodating, seats were actually wider than most US carriers, and the leg room was just right for me. Settled in for a few movies and a couple of meals before arriving in Bangkok around 8:30pm.

Flight went perfectly. Not a single complaint about the service or attendants, all was just great. Guess this proves that attendants and crew don’t have to be assholes and have an attitude.

Arrived in Bangkok right on time and made our way through customs which took about 1hr. No big hassles or surprises, checked our passports, took our pictures and off we went. Collected our bags and went to arrivals door #4 to meet Bangkok Joe.

A bit about the capitol of Thailand. Bangkok covers about 1,600 sq. km (600sq.mi!) and has a population pushing 8 million (yes, million!), with an additional 6 million living close by. Earliest signs of civilization here date back to the 15th century when Bangkok was a small village along the Chao Phraya river. At that time, Ayutthaya was the capitol of Siam.

On 13 October 2016, King Bhumibol the Great, passed away after 70 years as the reining monarch. The country is still in morning for the loss of their King.