FlyerTalk Forums - Thailand in the Rain

A different shape glass

Mike met me at the Westin for complimentary breakfast—I had negotiated two breakfasts as part of the exorbitant rate they were charging me. They gave us exactly the same table that I had sat at yesterday. I believe they do that intentionally because they think they are supposed to for some reason. At breakfast you have to go up and get your own water from the buffet, where two pitchers sit next to the juice. As soon as the glass is empty a busboy removes it rather than refilling it. At lunch they come around with pitchers of water and refill the glass constantly. Mike explained, “But that’s a different shape glass.”

I was having a bit of the Buddha’s revenge so we went to look for some drugs. The gift shop didn’t have anything we recognized but there was a hospital across the street so we went there. We dodged the taxi drivers and went past two hospital welcome ambassadors dressed in traditional Thai garb. Mike asked somebody where the pharmacy was and we were directed to a window. Mike asked if they had Imodium. How many doses? They wanted to know. Apparently they didn’t just have a box. I thought a bit and said four. We waited. I had carefully budgeted my Thai cash so that I was left with just the 500-baht note necessary to pay the airport departure tax. I had only 16 baht in coins so I asked Mike if he could spot me some baht to pay for the drugs. No problem. After a few minutes they waved to us and we approached the window. The clerk, dressed in glasses and a white lab coat, handed us a piece of paper and told us to go next door to the cashier. The total was 8 baht (20¢). We handed the paper to the cashier along with 8 baht. She stamped it “paid” and sent us back to the first window, where the original clerk gave us a plastic bag with four capsules in it. I had made my budget with 8 baht to spare.

We went back up to the room and I copied the photos Mike had taken of the week to my laptop so that I could post them along with my own pictures. I packed and checked out. Local calls were 10 baht (25¢) each. They had charged for one of the breakfasts but took it off when I pointed out that it was included. We sat and talked in the lounge until it was time for my complimentary minivan to the airport. I said goodbye to Mike and headed off for the long trip.

I must live right

I arrived at the airport at 2:13 for my 3:15 flight. I went to the Royal Executive checkin counter only to find a sign saying that my flight was canceled and that it would be combined with the flight one hour later. That would only give me an hour to make the international collection so I asked if I could be put on the flight that was leaving right now instead. The agent said, “flight closed,” just like they would do in the U.S. However, unlike the U.S., she picked up the phone and called the gate to have them hold the flight for me. Sure enough in five minutes I was on the 2:15 flight in seat 23J headed to Bangkok.

Service was excellent on this Airbus 330. Despite the fact that I had arrived late and they door closed right behind me, two different stewardesses offered me a preflight drink. The steward scrounged a newspaper for me and I relaxed, thankful for the longer connection. As usual they showed the airshow on the big screen throughout the flight. I had an iced tea and two mentholated hot towels.

We arrived right on time in Bangkok. I collected my luggage, which came off quickly and toward the front as always, and chatted with some nice Americans who worked for the consular corps here. They directed me to the international terminal, which required going up an elevator and down a hot and interminable walkway. But I must live right. As I approached the walkway the driver of one of those electric carts that gives rides to old people insisted that I climb on and loaded my luggage aboard. Ten seconds later two old people approached and made noises about a ride but were ignored (there was room for only one more person with no luggage).

There was no line at the checked-baggage security screener so I went through and wheeled up to the Cathay Pacific First-Class checkin. This time they had the concierge escort, who brought me through to a special immigration officer who stamped my passport without looking at me just like with Thai Airways. The concierge said they had only been doing this for a month. She brought me to the First-Class lounge where I grabbed the only desk and got on line for two hours. Toward the end I saw someone with a laptop so I yielded the desk after briefing him on the location of the one working electrical outlet hidden around a corner. The lounge was small but not overcrowded. There were some not-particularly-appetizing snacks and a full self-service bar.

Twenty minutes before flight time a girl dressed like a janitor came around to tell us that the flight was boarding. We were on our own to find the gate, so the concierge service had come to an end, not nearly as complete an experience as with Thai. This flight had a 747-400 with the old First-Class seats. I had seat 2C, the left aisle, but when I boarded they told me to sit anywhere, as there were only four customers in First Class. Good thing they didn’t give complimentary upgrades to any hoi polloi in Business Class.

This was the best service I have ever received on a 2.5-hour flight. I sat down to a glass of Krug Grand Cuvee champagne. In the air they served a full dinner starting with a choice of chicken of beef satay. The stewardess suggested I try both so of course I did, with another glass of champagne. Thai chicken is excellent and this was no exception. The beef is better in America. Next came a plate of assorted appetizers including a superb smoked duck and a seafood bouillabaisse terrine. I had a glass of white burgundy with it that was just a bit wimpy. For my main course I got a seafood stir-fry with prawns, scallops, and fish. I switched to the Pauillac Grand Cru—wow! This was a top-shelf Bordeaux and I drank it for the rest of the flight. There were fruit and cheese courses offered next, but I passed, and had just a couple bites of an ordinary chocolate cake with orange sauce (as a rule I don’t eat dessert).

I thanked the staff for the excellent flight and headed for the First-Class lounge to download email in the five minutes I had to spare. I saw that they had a pretty nice dinner spread set out. That Hong Kong lounge is very nice. I trekked all the way to gate 27 for the connecting flight.

One more leg

I got on board the 747-400 and discovered that not only was I in the same seat as I was last time but it was the same airplane! The lumbar support in seat 2A was still broken and the high score on Hangman was still 40,000+ achieved by the passenger in seat 48E. I determined to beat it but once again I didn’t leave myself enough time and only got to 25,000.

The cabin crew was once again top-notch on this flight. They all introduced themselves to me, took care of everything I wanted, thanked me for my business, and asked me how I liked Cathay Pacific. I told them I liked it very much. I must have had eight hot towels on this flight. Service was similar to the way out. When I sat down I got a Manhattan and a plate of scallops. After takeoff I said all I wanted to eat before sleeping was a plate of caviar. I got a big plate of the yummy Osetra caviar along with another Manhattan, changed into my sleep suit, watched half of What Planet Are You From? with Gary Shandling, Annette Benning, and John Goodman (not that bad), and fell asleep for about 9 hours under the snuggly duvet. I found the Betsy seat a bit more comfortable this time, now that I was used to it.

When I woke up I watched the second half of the movie, which just happened to be on again, and had a plate of delicious lobster stir-fry with abalone. I told the purser I liked that all the meals were made to order and I could have anything at any time. After the meal I tried valiantly to beat that hangman score but before I knew it we were on final approach to LAX. Traveling alone these overnight flights are the way to go. It doesn’t seem so long with a big block of sleep in the middle. Unfortunately United doesn’t have that schedule to Thailand.

Customs and Immigration were a breeze. Cathay Pacific has a separate carousel for First- and Business-Class baggage. I waited for Hunnybear in the secret place. As much as I enjoy traveling it’s even better to see her face when I come home. We dropped our bags at home and had a nice supper at the only place we could find that was open, The Terrace, at the end of Washington Blvd. by the Venice Pier. Vladimir, a portly Ukrainian, owns it with his beautiful young wife Margarita. We had some excellent calamari and I took the opportunity to have a nice juicy American steak.

The end.

------------------
Get my trip reports mailed to you! http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/liontales