Round The World and other travels

Despite rising at what I thought was a creditable hour, by the time I'd enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the Club Lounge and got packed and organised afterwards, it was after 1000! I realised that there was no real point in trying to take in any further major sights and, to be honest, I thought I'd done very well the previous day in any case. I therefore decided to limit my ambitions for my remaining few hours in Bangkok to a quick look around some of the nearby shopping malls which, after all, represented a big change from when I'd first visited the city in the 80s.

I had a light snack before heading up to the Club Lounge for my 1300 checkout and airport transfer. Formalities were quickly completed and I was soon on my way to the airport. It was time to put oneworld on hold for a few days and remind myself that I was also a Star Gold   I checked in without queuing at one of the First Class counters and was given a Fast Track pass for Passport Control and a lounge invitation. I thought the lounge seemed small at first, until I discovered that it had a most agreeable upper level. I left for the short walk to Gate 31 with some 40 minutes to go.

(Link to flight log in side panel)

KUL proved to be a most impressive airport, even if it is situated 40 miles out of town. I was very grateful for the Premier Lane voucher handed out on the flight, as the normal queue for Immigration was huge. Although an express rail link is available for Kuala Lumpur, with taxi rates being so cheap here I had decided that this would be my best bet. Once again, I was very pleased that these were so well organised. There is a counter at the airport where fares are advertised and can be pre-paid, cutting out any possibility of hassle. The taxi journey was smooth and fast, on roads that were quiet at first, but which became progressively more busy. I was very glad of my seat belt as people were driving far too close and there was too much drifting between lanes without signalling. As for motor-cyclists weaving between cars at speed ...

Eventually I arrived at the Crowne Plaza and was shown to a very nice room indeed - probably the best CP room I've ever had. With the time change and the relative lack of activity earlier in the day, I wasn't tired at all and it turned into an uncharacteristically late night, taken up with diary-writing and DVD-watching.

Morning walk in Bangkok