THE ARRIVAL: FROM EPWORTH TO THAILAND IN TWO DAYS

"We will shortly be commencing our 38 000 ft descent into Bangkok International Airport, where the local time is 7.30am". This was it... one bus trip, a train journey and 2 planes later, I had finally made it to Thailand.

I was completely unaware, but 'Qatar Airways' is 3rd best airline in the world, in addition to being 'Airline of the Year 2011'. This was instantly evident on my flight - exceptional service and restaurant-class food on the menu, I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on-board at Manchester Airport. The 14 hours passed pretty quickly...given the choice of foreign-language films and insightful travel documentaries, the somewhat-stifling heat experienced at Doha airport (at 8pm it was 36 degrees!)... and me being seated next to a pleasant guy from Madrid - allowing me to refresh my ol'espanol at the same time. I was fascinated by the 'World Map' which tracked the flight as it made its steady way across Europe, The U.A.E, India and then finally this long descent into Bangkok.

The journey, however, was not over yet. My connecting flight south to Phuket was not until 1pm that afternoon...the heat struck immediately as I stepped off the plane at Bangkok...walking just up and down with my backpackoutside the airport arrivals area at 8 in the morning was sufficient for 10 minutes...until I retired to the cool of the air-conditioned departures lounge....

Fighting the jet-lagged fatigue that then overcame...I was slightly worried about missing my connection...Lonely Planet's 'South East Asia' travel guide kept me awake until boarding at 1pm.

Even then - I was unable to sleep...the view of the Thailand coast was breathtaking from the air....so many islands and rock formations jutting out of the blue ocean was captivating for the duration of the flight. Flying into the airport itself was like a paradise-destination - the typical palm-fringed beaches everywhere. Complete with a rather humid 30 degree heat.

At around 3pm on Saturday 8th July, I had reached my final destination of Phuket Island in Thailand. Let the adventure begin!...

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