During November 2017, we flew back to the West Coast for my aunt’s wedding. She chose beautiful Sea Ranch, CA and it was the perfect locale. We flew into San Francisco and drove a few hours north to get there. The drive was scenic, as it took you north, along the coast. As beautiful as it was, it was a nerve wracking drive. There were many spots on the road with no guardrails and just cliff straight down to the water. It was a very thrilling ride up, and, fortunately we had the sunlight most of the way there.
Back in Phuket
Our new hotel was clean and very modern, but had terrible wifi. We were both very tired after the problems from the previous night. Denali at this point was being extra annoying so I chose to let him go to breakfast alone. I sulked in my room and tried to navigate the terrible wifi. He came back, and I was still annoyed. I left and did some shopping for last minute gifts. Two hours walking around the touristy area of Phuket in the heat, and I was ready to go. I hailed a tuk tuk back to the hotel and soaked up the AC. Denali went to the pool and when he came back, we were friends again. Continue reading “Back in Phuket”
Leaving Laos
Enjoying a very late morning, it was nice to sleep in. We had breakfast packed and took a shuttle to the airport. Afternoon flights are wonderful. Getting to the airport was easy, but inside the airport was not. It had a weird set up. We waited on a security/passport control line, only to be told when we got to the front, we had to go check in downstairs. We found the appropriate line to be on and we waited. Continue reading “Leaving Laos”
Vientiane
We started off later than we wanted but enjoyed a simple breakfast at our hotel. We walked down the street to get to the corner where the tuk tuks wait. I saw several tuk tuks in both directions. I asked Denali which way he wanted to go, he said left and we started walking. Half way up the block he stopped and asked what we were doing. I told him looking for a tuk tuk. Continue reading “Vientiane”
Chiang Mai
We had plans to sightsee in Chiang Mai today. We had breakfast. I saw a mouse dart from under one table to another. That was it for me eating at our hotel. We got dressed and tried to hail a tuk tuk outside of our hotel. We went through three drivers before we haggled a decent price to the mountain temple and a few other temples. Continue reading “Chiang Mai”
Goodbye Siem Reap, Hello Chiang Mai.
Travel day! This morning we woke up late. It was wonderful. We had breakfast as usual and waited for our ride to the airport. There were ridiculous lines at the check in, mostly people trying to check overweight luggage or trying to bring things on the plane they weren’t supposed to. Continue reading “Goodbye Siem Reap, Hello Chiang Mai.”
Goodbye Bangkok, Hello Siem Reap
This morning we packed and checked out. I was sad to say goodbye to Bangkok. I will definitely be coming back. The bellboy asked if we wanted a taxi to the airport. We said yes, and he quoted us a decent price so we agreed. We got in the taxi and we could clearly see money changing hands between the bellboy and the driver. Continue reading “Goodbye Bangkok, Hello Siem Reap”
Bangkok Bound…and beyond.
Finally on the flight to Bangkok at 3:00 am. I fall asleep before we take off and wake up about 35/40 minutes later. That little bit of sleep was so nice! I woke up just in time for the customary tiny drink and a weird snack, especially for the middle of the night.
It was a sandwich cut in half. One side was some sort of cheese, the other was, I believe, mayo and diced pickles? And they let you use real silverware!!!! There was also bread and yogurt with a straw and no spoon. I had some of my snack and tried to get some sleep.
I gratefully land in Bangkok and walk out of the gate. There are women holding signs with names on them for transfers. I really don’t think my name would be there, but it was! They had already rescheduled my last flight. That was such a breath of fresh air. And then I realized how far I had to walk to get to my new ticket counter, back through Thai customs and to my new gate. But it was nice to not have to worry about finding a flight.
I get through customs and patiently wait for my flight. I board another bus to my plane, but by now I’m a pro. The flight was pretty much empty and it was super short. The hour and ten minutes flew by. But somehow Thai air has time to serve me the customary tiny drink and a breakfast.
The food was interesting. I ate the potatoes and one piece of broccoli, along with the yogurt again. Then it was time to land. I cannot tell you how happy I was to finally be in Phuket. I was delayed ten hours but I made it.
On a side note, when I missed my flight I realized that I didn’t have a contingency plan with Denali. And that I didn’t give him the airport hotel info, so he had no idea where he was staying when he got to Thailand in the middle of the night. It was hectic and stressful but I finally reached him through various channels and he met me at the airport. I have never been so glad to see someone…
Stranded in Beijing….
When we land, I just know I’m not going to make the next flight, but I’m wishing and hoping. I’ve never wanted to punch through people so bad. They were taking forever to get off the plane. Despite hustling as fast as I could with my ridiculous travel pack, I get to the transfer desk only to be told they closed the boarding. Continue reading “Stranded in Beijing….”
Going, going, gone…
So my flight from New York left an hour late. Of course my layover is a sliver of time but it was the only flight! But don’t let me get ahead of myself. Last I left you, I was waiting to board the plane. After getting myself situated in my window seat, I start to relax. Continue reading “Going, going, gone…”
Ashley's Good Vibes 