Comerford Chronicles: Thai Trip Report: Day #1 (&2)

Flight #1 (Rochester - Atlanta, 2 hrs 41 mins) We left ~~bright~~ and early Thursday morning to make our 6 am flight. With all the poor weather Atlanta was having, the flights to and through there seemed to be a little backed up. They were looking for 8 or 10 (some obscene number of passengers to take bumps and seemingly no one wanted to alter their plans. As Matt and I decided previously, we would try to take a bump if one was available (hey, we are a family of four now and I like to travel... it isn't cheap!). When I approached the counter they said as we were an international flight, they would not consider bumping us for this flight. Oh well, we tried. Despite leaving late, we arrived in 20 mins ahead of schedule. The plane at our arrival gate was not as lucky. We spent 19 minutes waiting for them to pull away! Oh well, with a 2 hour layover, we were not too concerned.

Flight #2 (Atlanta - Tokyo, 14 hrs 50 mins) This was the long haul. Fortunately services on the plane were nice. To start off there were individual tvs at every seat with movies, tv shows, music, and games on demand. Don't forget Matt's favorite channel... the airplane channel. The boy loves maps and it was fun to watch our plane as it crossed the US, Canada, Alaska, etc! We were served 2 meals and a snack. Glorified microwave dinners, but they did the trick. We arrived in Tokyo to sunny skies and after 20 minutes, Matt decided he would some day like to move to Tokyo. ? We went to our gate and people watched until it was time to board our plane. Again they were overbooked and looking for a volunteer to head to Thailand in the morning instead, but only by one so Matt and I stayed on our original flight.

Flight #3 (Tokyo - Bangkok, 7 hrs 35 mins) This flight was rough. We were both tired and ready to be done with the travel portion of our trip. Plus you don't even want to know who we shared our row with. Ask us in private and we will give details. It was over the top. Another glorified mico meal. TV, movies, games at our seat made the trip more bearable, and on this flight Matt and I tried to get some shut eye - as best as one can!

We arrive in Bangkok; customs is a breeze. We head over to exchange some money, then find a cab. As I read on the internet, it is better to wait in the airport line and pay a 50 baht surcharge as this is wear the most honest cabbies are found. After a few minutes we are in the cab. I am sitting in the back seat and I can't find the meter. This is one of the common 'scams' in Bangkok. First the driver acts like he doesn't understand the word 'meter.' Nice try. Then the driver insists that the rate will be too high if we use the meter, and he graciously offers to charge us only 400 baht, (plus surcharge, plus tolls). Again nice try. Although our cab has started to move, we are still in front of the airport. I inform the cab driver that we are getting out and he quickly lifts up a bandana on the dashboard that he was using to conceal the meter. This definitely made me nervous about the rest of my trip. We just got off the plane and already I have to be on my toes. We arrive at our hotel after getting a little lost and our fare comes to 261 baht. As I've read, we rounded up to the nearest 10 for a tip: 270. Tolls were an additional 65 baht. Total: 385 baht, or 12.83 USD.

We arrive at our hotel just before 1 am. It's late Friday night. We unpack quickly and get settled in. We are so glad we upgraded to the one bedroom suite. The extra space is just what we need to spread out after 30 hours of airplanes and airports. Our room has a bedroom, bathroom with shower and huge tub, kitchenette area, a living room and 2 balconies. Before you start to think 'whoa, big money Comerfords, let me assure you that you would be hard pressed to find a decent motel in Rochester for the price that we are paying for this 5* hotel! Showers feel divine. We skype my mom and Max. Then it's time to head to bed. The tour guide will be here in 6 hours and we have a full day planned!

Our bedroom