PB Air changed their caterer, a big improvement with their in flight meals..
I was tempted to ask for another.
I always get a kick when drinks are served. You are offered juices, coke and water.
But the beer isn't shown. Most people aren't aware, there is free beer.
Once a first person orders beer, subsequently there are more beer requests. Choice of beer Leo or beer sing (Singha).
Bangkok landing was unusually hard. We should have had four flats according to my calculations.
Bangkok hotel I stayed in looked like 90% vacancy. They got smart and did some remodeling, half of the restaurant is now outdoors for smokers.
The restaurant had one customer besides me. The strip joint across the alley had five customers leave after their 11 p.m. show ended. Last year the occupancy was close to a hundred.
American Embassy opens at 7:30 in the morning.
Entrance is apparently in the process of being remodeled.
I was momentarily lost.
Temporary directional signs were in fine print on regular stationary.
At the window I was told, please take a number. Next number called.. ... ... me..
Ya gotta love their bureaucracy.They added a new service window (step 3).
Didn't realize there was a step four until I heard my name being called in another room.
Total time 20 minutes. I do like their efficiency.
Thai immigration office, one hour wait. They need a bigger office and more staff.
Processing time 10 minutes. It helps when you have 'all your ducks in a row.'
They did have two new forms to fill out, which they provided.
Kinda humorous. Every desk had a computer. They weren't in use, just for show apparently.
Many desks were stacked with so much paperwork, there was no way to see the screen.
Started shopping by 11. Enough sliced bread to fill one suitcase.
Four employees where slicing and wrapping my order.
I just loved the efficient service.
My shopping list included cheeses and caviar.
The best part of shopping was finding some German berry candy and german licorice.
Shopping concluded, I returned to the hotel shortly after noon. I was getting sleepy real fast.
Bangkok's short time room rates are like regular day rates in many Sakon Nakhon Province hotels.
I slept a few hours...
At the Bangkok airport I was the third person to check in for the flight. Two hours early.
Airport domestic clearance processing has been consolidated and seems more efficient.
Instead of doing the baggage check at each gate, you are checked at the domestic terminal entrance.
Of course they had to check with their superiors when I went through.
I was carrying a glass jar of pickles which needed special clearance.
At least they are making a special effort to keep everybody safe, but you still have to chuckle.
PB air waiting room.
When the airline moved to the new airport, they forgot to bring their coffee and tea service with them.
I really miss that. The air conditioners in the waiting room were on full blast. I wasn't the only one shivering.
Departure was almost 40 minutes late. . . No coffee, no tea !! Just shivering.
Talked briefly to a Brit, now residing in That Phanom. Typical anxieties: No one watered my roses while I was gone... world monetary situation, exchange rates.
Noticed some monks in reddish - brown robes in the waiting room. Thought they may be Tibetan.
In flight food: a pickled salad and sweet baked dessert, unfortunately they had no extra, no take out.
Again with an unusual landing. Left tire made contact first.
By the time the right tire landed it felt like we had made a zigzag. Maybe I'm being too critical ?!
The monks on our flight must have been quite revered. Everyone waiting in the terminal had to lower themselves while the monks passed through. It was confirmed to me they were not Thai.
