Thai Trip #4: April 5 – April 14, 2003

Saturday, April 5: Well, this time, got 2 hours sleep before departing. Last minute laundry, last minute packing. I think I brought way too much stuff- 30” suitcase is packed and HEAVY! Bringing bottle of tequila, bottle of Baileys, 2 containers coffee, Bokum type coffee maker, x pairs underwear, x pairs socks, x casual shirts, x button shirts, x pairs of pants, big bag of toys, sandals and dress shoes, mini tripod, computer, digital video camera, digital still camera Woke up to Gary calling at 4:30, to tell me that he would soon be here. Gack! Not even awake yet. Rush shower, rush coffee, and try to check web-board 1 last time. Linda had called early, but slept through her call. Ended up hitting snooze 4-5 times. Next time, REMEMBER TO TRY TO SLEEP REGULAR SLEEP. OR MORE! No time to call BGs in TL

Lug suitcases out, Gary here at 05:05, get Linda, and get to airport at 05:40. Huge line for bomb scanner. See Demi and Lander family. Board plane, seat 5A (as usual).

Male flight attendant is a scream: “those traveling with children or anyone acting as a child…, …in the miraculous event of a water landing…, see Linda for more)”. Made a great start. About 50 degrees on leaving. Arrive IAD, had just had light rain, cool.

Bumped to first class!! Seat 3D. Linda 1 row behind, 6B, bulkhead seats. Airbus 320. Depart IAD a bit late. Malfunctioning sensor in right engine, indicating low air pressure, cannot start engine. ...! “We’ll be going in a moment, folks. We’re just doing the paperwork to make the FAA happy.” Finally get engine started.

18:00 EST: Have been on this plane 777 for several hours now. Watched “Tuck Everlasting”. Sucked! Good meal. Linda liked the movie, but not the meal. Will take Valium and sleep. Seats 17 H and J- bulkhead. Ah- 16:15- lights out.

Sunday, April 6:

Have crossed the International Date Line, so it is 03:30 EST (Sunday): Tokyo Narita Air-port. Local time is 14:30.

Had a good 6+ hours sleep. Ah, the miracles of Domicum. Woke up, ate a 3rd meal since leav-ing. It is 15:00 on Sunday here in Tokyo. Since VA is now on DST, BKK is only 11 hours ahead. Will leave here at 16:30 local time. Supposed to arrive at BKK at 22:50 Sunday night.

Will take taxi to Ambassador hotel, where we will stay for 3 days. Linda in regular room in main wing, me in Tower wing w/king bed (THB 3860 for 3 days. Linda is THB 3060).

Good news: Baht is 43.1/1 USD! Best exchange since last summer.