The pair of us were up at 05:30 this morning in order to get to the airport in plenty of time as traffic around Denpasar can be a bit of a ‘mare that time of morning. We needn’t have worried. When we got close to the chaos, our driver took us along a near empty expressway that didn’t exist last time I was here. The airport’s changed a bit too as it’s expanded quite a bit and looks very modern. We had to do a double take when we walked past all the shops and spotted a WH Smiths!

Our AirAsia flight was on time, only taking 90 minutes to cover what took us the best part of 3 days by land and sea. We flew into terminal one, but my flight was from terminal two and Dawn’s from three – several hours later, so I sat with her at her terminal for as long as I could before I had to catch the Skytrain back to two. Saying goodbyes at airports is always difficult and rather emotional, especially when you’re both flying, but to different places, especially after a trip like ours.

My check-in was relatively painless, and both security and immigration were hassle-free. I even had chance to get some aircraft shots before I boarded as this is a very busy airport.

Seen at Jakarta airport. Insert own joke here…

My flight to Bangkok took three and a half hours, but I dozed for much of it. We landed at Don Mueng  (there’s no time difference between Jakarta and Bangkok) and I breezed through. I was one of the first dozen off the plane. It took me less than 5 minutes to get my passport stamped with a visa on arrival. My suitcase was waiting for me on the carousel and I was out of the airport in no time. By 20:40 I was sat on the A4 bus (fare 50 baht, around £1.10) heading for the Khao Sarn Rd and my hotel.

It’s now 00:44 Bangkok time and I’m winding down after a long day. I’m staying in Soi Rambutri in a place I’ve not been in for years because Bangkok is busy right now. It’s the height of the season so many places are booked up. I’m in a place Called ‘Merry V’. The rooms are plain vanilla only without the vanilla! It reminds me of how this area was when I first flew into Bangkok from Nepal way back in 1992. Dawn would hate it! It’s not so much a room as a cell. Buddhist monks would feel very at home here. On the bright side – I’m only here for three nights before I move to somewhere with a few more amities – like your own bathroom!

I’ll have chance to blog further (and add pictures) tomorrow. In the meantime – goodnight!!

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