Arriving i Bangkok the different climate is already kicking in. The air condition cannot hide the humidity and temperature outside. I have a few hours before my flight to Sydney and I have planned to find at least one geocache to get the souvenir and the badge on project-gc.com. The caches I chose are located at a railway station for the airport express.

But first I have to get through immigration. I got the arrival card on the plane so everything is in place. Just stand in line, give everything to the officer (no obscene things allowed into the country, but I pass the check^^) and have my stamp 30 seconds after that. Now I have to find the train and get a train ticket which costs about 35 Baht. After I found the train station I find out, they don’t accept card payment… So I have to find an ATM. Found after some time and the machine will only give me 5000 Baht… So I press a button with red writing in Thai – and am in the Thai version of the ATM as i seems, and here you can chose 200 Baht… nice. That is all I need.

Jumping on the next train to Makkasan station, about 35 minutes from the airport. Out into the humid, hot air. I sweat like hell. But now I am here and the caches must be found. Not the nicest area here. The first cache is found fast and then I take the second one on the opposite side of the station. And then I got enough. I just want to go back to a building that is cooler. Even the change of shirt on the plane didn’t help. It is wet. 35 Minutes standing to  the airport.

The security control is not very thorough and the passport control is fast and I am back in the airport. Now I want to go to the Thai Royal Silk lounge for business class. After some searching the lounge is found and I get some cold drinks and fruits. Then I remember that business class passengers have the option of a free 30 minute neck and shoulder massage. I am send to the spa opposite to the lounge.

Got a 5 minute waiting time for the massage. A form to fill out. Seated in the nice waiting area where I get a hot towel and a glass of tea. I changed my shirt to something dry. The lady doing the massage did a very good job finding all the spots that hurt. But it was very relaxing anyway. 30 minutes are fast over and I get some cake and ginger-tea in the waiting area.

Back to the lounge to write yesterdays blog. And the it is time to go to the gate. My flight is on a Boeing 747-400 and for the first time my seat is on the upper deck directly behind the cockpit. But first they check that all liquids are in a plastic bag – I don’t know why, because you can take it out on the plane again.^^ Boarding is fast and the welcome on board warm from all staff.

After taking a my seat (everybody got his/her own two seats and a secure seat at the window) the drinks – of course champagne again – are served just to be taken from us 5 minutes later because of the preparations for take off… bad planning. But the nuts were eaten before take off. The Hot towel again – very refreshing every time. It is dark outside so no filming out of the window.

Up in the air we order our dinner (after the very hot Thai dishes on the last flight I go for the beef tenderloin) and the same white wine as before (very good one). I am always addressed with name and the food and drinks are flying in.  The starter leaves my table untouched. I am not a friend of blue ceese and the whole dish is covered in it. I just eat some garlic bread. The main dish is great. Good meat and a nice lemon tea. Then a plate of cheese and crackers (to much cheese for two crackers, so you can get more). The dessert is black glutinous rice with Longan (a fruit). Very nice.

I don’t want to sleep to much on this flight and start watching a movie. But after a while I try t take a nap. This seats are not 180 degree beds, but I find a position where I can just close the eyes. After waking (2 hours later) I feel thirsty and want to get the champagne they took from me before takeoff. I comes with an additional bowl of nuts and a plate of fresh fruits. That is service.

2 hours before landing the lights are switched on and the staff is back in business. I am asked if I want the breakfast (cold cut platter this time) at once and I take it now. She even remembered that I wanted my coffee double milk, double sugar. Perfect. Just one think – they don’t know western breakfast very well. Cold cuts with croissants is not a good combination. I have to ask to get another real roll.

Arrival in Sydney is delayed because of traffic in the air. We are doing some circles before approach which costs us tie and makes my connection shorter. First thing for me is to go fast to the transfer des, but that is hidden behind a security control –  more time gone. But finally I get my bag.

Now on to the next and last leg of the trip. See you tomorrow.