A Massive Trek to Central Thailand

40 hours of transportation

Leaving Chicago

Talk about anxious and nervous.  I am taking a massive risk and it is all starting now.  All the prep, all the planning comes to a head when I have to step out the door of my comfy little box, and head out to the other side of the world to see if my plan will even work.  At least the weather was helping convince me to get the hell out of Chicago!

The weather wasn't helping my nerves much.  I was nervous my flight wouldn't get out, they were plowing the runways as I left!  Obviously, we took off.  Once we were in the air, I was very concerned about my 50 minute layover in San Francisco heading to Japan. 

A major bonus was that I actually had the entire row of seats to myself!  Maybe I could actually get some sleep on a plane!  

San Francisco

The entire planning of this trip, I knew I had a very short layover in San Francisco.  I also knew that it wasn't a massive airport, and I am flying the same airline.  Still, if the flight coming in was delayed too much, or cancelled, what then?  I had insurance, bought premiere boarding,  and sat as close to the front as I could.

While we were on approach into SFO, I noticed the people in front of me were actually on the same flight to Tokyo as I was.  I struck up a conversation, and found out they have done this same flight before.  They fly to the Philippines regularly, and said they have not yet missed the flight to Tokyo.  Not only that, but they will hold the flight until we are on it.  This eased my worries, but I still walked at an extremely brisk pace to get on that damn plane.

And I made it.  Better yet, I got the entire row of seats to myself, AGAIN!!  THIS was the flight I needed it on.  an 11 hour flight with a row to myself!  JACKPOT!!!

At this point, I was feeling relieved, but I still had one more hurdle to overcome on this trip, Bangkok.

Tokyo

The flight into NRT (Tokyo) was very uneventful.  Exactly how I like my flights.  Even with having the row to myself for this flight, I was still unable to get more than maybe 30 minute cat naps a handful of times.  I have problems sleeping in planes.  Not sure why.  I only watched 2 movies, I forget which ones.  LOL.  I also read a little bit.  I did have some internet for messaging, so I was able to chat with friends and my girlfriend on WhatsApp on and off.  That helped pass the time.

From the time I booked this trip going through Tokyo, I have been looking forward to having some Ramen at the airport.  I have had the ramen before in this airport because of a recommendation from a friend.  It was very good, so I was looking forward to it again.  I walked high and low in the terminal and could not find much of any food, let along ramen.  There are Duty Free stores as far as the eye could see, but no ramen. A bit disappointing.

Bangkok

A few days before I took off, I was going through my itinerary and noticed I made a mistake.  My last flight was booked outside of my other 3, since United or any Star Alliance flights went to where I needed to go.  My last flight was leaving out of DMK in Bangkok, not BKK, which is where I was landing.

There is a free shuttle to get to DMK, and they start running at 5:30 AM.  My flight was at 7:05 AM.  That would not work.  I could take a taxi, but that is a bit risky as a foreigner, taxi scams do exist in Thailand.  My girlfriend got on the phone with people she knows in Bangkok, and got me a ride.  He didn't ask for anything, but I gave him 1000 baht ($30).  Which is just a little more than a legitimate taxi ride.  I was very grateful for him to pick me up.

I am so glad there was 8 hours between the 2 flights.  Next time I am going to probably get a van to take me straight to the townhouse.  It will be faster.

Phitsalunok

The flight to Phitsalunok was only 50 minutes via AirAsia, their version of Jet Blue.  I had to pay extra for my checked bag when I bought my ticket, then I find out there is a carry-on weight limit of 7 KG (15 lbs) TOTAL for BOTH bags.  My bags were both over that.  They made me check in one of them for 1700 baht ($50).  The most annoying thing was the guy at the gate that made me do it.  He made me feel like I was back in the US.  He was rude.  I was a little put back by this.  Today was the first time I had encountered rude Thai people, and he was the SECOND one today!  

Arriving at Phitsalunok, there was no gantry, just stairs off the plane.  You know you are not in a huge place when you are waling down stairs onto the tarmac at an airport.  I almost asked which baggage claim I needed to go to, until I got inside.  There is only one, and it is about as easy to use as anything.  I would not like to see this on a rainy day.

I was so happy to be here, I knew that I was going to see my girlfriend very soon!  I could barely wait.  I had little to no sleep for 3 days, I just wanted a shower and a bed.  I texted her to see how far out she was.... 1.5 hours.  Shit.

What a journey

It took more than 40 hours from the time I left my apartment in the US, until I arrived in Phitsalunok, and the trip wasn't quite done.  I will put up another post about my first day living in Thailand in a day or two.

Upon arrival at BKK, I tried to get my visa extended, and that is where I met my first EXTREMELY rude Thai person.  Since I am American, I don't need much, but I wanted that extension, so I could stay at my townhouse for the full 90 days, I didn't want to have to leave the country for a day and come back the next day.  I couldn't even try to explain, she was VERY adamant that I am not to do anything at that location and to go to immigration and they will extend it.  I reluctantly went to immigration, and asked nicely, and he did NOT give it to me.  So, before the 60 days, the Girlfriend and I have to go away for a day and cross the border.  Not ideal, but tolerable.

I have more stories to tell, make sure you follow the blog to see what is next, and read about my first day and first week in Thailand.  It has been a busy week!

Thanks for reading.