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This is it. There is a first time for everything and this is my first time for flying long haul.
11.15 hours to be exact.
I arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 3 at around 14:30.
I checked my large case into excess baggage and went to have some lunch.
The last time I was in Heathrow Terminal 3 was for my trip to ACCRA last year. I remembered the layout of the terminal well so found it very easy to plan my afternoon and get around.
I sat down in the Globe freehouse which feels like a fancy weatherspoons. The waiter Marco was very pleasant but a little too friendly for my liking. He was after a date, ha. My excuse of "sorry Im going to be in Cambodia for the next 3 months" which would usually sound beyond farfetched and excessive for a thanks but no thanks, this time was and is in fact true.
He gave me his name and asked me to add him to facebook. I doubt very much I will, but nice to chat with some one for 10 mins :-)
I was very nervous all afternoon. Im not sure what I was nervous for as I taking a plane journey is by far the easiest part of the trip! A combination of everything I suppose.
When queuing for security I started to fee quite ill. I soon realised that it was dehydration. A cup of tea, a bottle of water and a blueberry muffin sorted that our, thanks Starbucks!
I sat in the Starbucks seating area for a while and watched the begining of Monsters inc. I knew that Monsters inc university was an option on the plane so thought it best to atleast watch part of the first one.
I actually really enjoyed it (Kinda knew I would - I'm just a big kid really!). But stopped it early as I was running on battery and it was approaching 21:05 which was the time we could go to the gate.
21:30 and it was announced that the flight would be departing from Gate 32. A twenty minute walk.... off I went!
22:05 at Gate 32 It was very crowded so I found a quiet spot and sat on the floor.
A Thai family came and sat near me. I found out there there 8 year old son knew 4 languages, was 2 years ahead of his school age and has a flair for engineering and drawing. A very talented young lad and he showed me a small lego creation he had made. It was a small tower filled with peanut M&Ms. He showed me that if you added a 2pence piece and turn a wheel that it would let one sweet out. He devised this himself.... #Genious
On board the flight I was suprised to find that the Worldtraveller Economy (lowest class possible) was in fact going to be fairly comfortable! There was sufficieny leg room and we had been given a curteousy headset pillow and blanket
After a slight delay (45 mins) we were off.
The first 15-20 minuets were very very bumpy, so much so that your head hit the cusioned padding to the left then the right of your head many many times. It calmed down and it was time to get comfy.
I was seated next to a Australian guy. He had just been on a 6 week contiki tour and was now heading to Thailand for 2 weeks for some down time. He is a Elecctrician and will be moving to Sydney the week after he gets home. He kind of remined me of a Uni friend (Sean) although this guy wasn't so chatty.
Film number 1 - After Earth. Not bad, but not as good as I had hoped.
Dinner time - Thai Chicken Currey or Cheesey Pasta. I had the Chicken currey although this was actually a Pad thai so I didnt eat much. I dont like tagliatelli spaghetti so Pad thai is off the menu for me. I kind of made a chicken sandwhich instead.
Film number 2 - Admission. This was ok - I fell asleept through parts of this film and turned it off about half way through.
I slept for a while but it was very bitty. I slept for maybe 15-20 mins at a time.
4am and I put the rest of Admission on.
Another snooze then at 5am Film number 3 - Monsters Inc University - I definately slept through part of this. I remember the begining and the (almost) end but almost nothing in the middle?
I woke up just in time to have some breakfast. Fritatta or English Breakfast. I had the Fritatta which came with beans and a cooked tamoto. Quite nice!
16:00 Bangkok time 10:00 London time - touch down.
Through immigration and off to bag collection - no issues. The airport is so big and clean and fancy. The detail that has been put into the airport is amazing. The floors, windows, ceiling all looks so particular and wonderful.
When collecting my bag I noticed that the attendants were all male and wore what looked like military uniform. There were very very smart, but despite their stern authoritative appearance were very friendly. Each Banckpack came through on a plastic tray (similar to those you put your items through the scanner on) so they dont get damaged. The Attendants would wait at the begining of the carosel and move bags so the handles wer up and easy for the travellers to grab.
Through to arrivals and there were loads of people. I was looking for a taxi man with my name. There were a lot. It took me a few mins but I realised not before to long that I was at gate 9. My taxi man would be waiting at Gate 3. Off I went for a 10 min walk to Gate 3.
It was super hot (30degreeas) and with all my luggage I was starting to sweat! I was very pleased to see him when I got to Gate 3 with my name on the card. He took my bagfor me and lead me to his car.
He is a very friendly guy - but his english was not so good. Still he tried to chat with me and showed me the new stadium snd the BMW tower.
The drive to the hoteldidnt seem to take long - even though it was 45-60mins? Looking out the window to the left you could see all the new business blocks and towers that make the Bangkok skyline, but looking to the right there were very run down old buildings - quite the opposite to the left.
It was an interesting mix on the left as whilst there were some beautiful buildings they had been placed amongst some of the older run down blocks so it was a mis match of old and new, poor and rich. I guess it should the old and the new Bangkok also. There was lush tropical greenery amongs typical Asian type buildings, then next door would be a 15story (or more) high business block.
I checked in to my hotel and unfortunately had to pay for 2 nights in the hotel due to not being able to arrive yesterday. still this didnt matter to much as whilst it was 2042 Thai Baht it was just 2042 Thai Baht which is £40. And that included the taxi.
I checked in and went to my room. I cant decribe this smell? Its nothing llike I have smelt before - but it isnt nasty, perhaps a little more musty and dirty, damp and old all in one? Either way I have gotten used to it. I can taste it a little down the back of my throut when I think about it, so I wont think about it haha
I have a bed, a shower, toilet and sink. Thats all I need for now! Oh and internet access in my room.. bonus!!
I am catching the train at 5am so I plan to sleep when I get tired. It is currently 13:30 London and 19:30 Bangkok ( I think)
I walked down the road a little earlier and popped to the shop to get something for dinner. I have a Banana, Some raison bread (which I ate already) and some crisps. I dont fancy going anywhere tonight for dinner and it was already getting dark and it was about 17:30 at this point.
Just listening to the news and see that thousands of Cambodians are in protests against the elections. Lets hope this calms down - dont fancy getting caught up in that.
> Plane > Taxi
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