I went to the Jazz festival as intended with a friend in his vehicle and we had a terrific weekend, He knew that I was going to Thailand the next day and he was surprised that I was going so far at the drop of a hat. So was I actually, but I did not say anything.
That evening, when I got back home, I did my laundry, put it in the tumble-dryer and walked up to the pub to ask a friend to keep an eye on my house while I was gone. An hour later, I was back home packing and full of expectation for what tomorrow would bring. I did not sleep a wink, but it was an afternoon flight so I was not worried. Furthermore, the prospects of a twelve-hour flight offered more than enough opportunity to sleep and I also thought it might assist me get over jet lag, but I was not sure if I was working it out the correct way or not.
The appointed hour to depart arrived later than sooner and the taxi took me the short distance to the airport, where I had another two-hour wait. Still, at least I could see progress and after checking in and buying a newspaper, I made my way to the bar, from where I could watch the planes coming and going. I ordered a pint of Guinness and tried to read the paper.
No good. So I decided to send mobile text messages to everyone I knew. That helped and then I sent one to the friend who had recommended I go to Thailand. He had gone out a few days before and he said that he would meet me in the bar below my room at 6pm Thai time.
That was a consolation too, although I knew that I would have to make my own way the 165km from the airport to where he was in Pattaya, Chon Buri. Just south-east of Bangkok. A long-haul flight is a long-haul flight and they are boring as far as I am concerned, but one thing that brightened it up was the service and food. I was on the Atkins diet at the time and when I had booked, I had ticked for special meals. They did not have a box for Atkins so I put 'diabetic'. Well, I was served first every time, had lovely food and every twenty minutes someone would ask me if I wanted anything. The best service I have ever had.
We arrived in Don Muang Airport, Bangkok at about 4pm in July and it was baking, but all right. The airport was a doddle; I picked up my bag and headed for the outside. I was instantly struck by the hub-bub and quantity of vehicles. It was bewildering with dozens of people trying to get me to go in their taxi. Being new to Asia and trying to be polite, I tried to tell each of them individually 'no thank you', but I was losing badly. I had been instructed where to go on arrival, so I walked on and said nothing. It was easier. Out the left-hand exit to the street, onto the pavement and to the taxi kiosk, where they give guaranteed prices to any destination.
That worked too and I was soon in a taxi and on my way. I had been told to pay no more than 2,000 Baht and that is what I was charged.
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