7/3/13

Bangkok->Bali

I got up before my alarm. I put on my clothes, brushed my teeth and headed downstairs for checkout. It took forever for me to get an elevator because ingot stuck behind an Asian tourist group. I headed outside to get a taxi from the taxi stand outside the hotel. The man at the desk kept trying to get me to go in his van for $25 to the airport. I asked him to get me a regular taxi and he shooed me away to the street. So I brought my bag with me and found a taxi driver right outside the gate. He offered to take me for $17 but we settled on $12 which included him paying the 2 tolls.

I jumped right in and headed to the airport. When I paid for the ride, the driver started to give me less change because he said he didn't have it. I told him he better find it or I'm not leaving till he does and I know his license number so he can't trust drive away. He eventually found some and I headed into the airport.

I was 2 1/2 hours early so I couldn't check in for 30 mins. I finally did and got my boarding pass and headed through security which went quickly.

I walked around to find a place to eat. I settled on Burger King because I didn't feel like having noodles for breakfast.

I headed to my gate which said that my flight would be 25 minutes delayed. I got worried because my connecting flight in Kuala Lampur left an hour after my arrival. I eventually boarded the plane about 35 mins. later.

The 2 hour flight was actually nice. I got a meal (chicken and rice) and the flighty crew was really nice. Once we landed I ran to my next gate which was pretty far. It looked like there were quite a few of us latecomers because there was a lot of us getting on the plane at the same time.

I got to my aisle seat and relaxed, hoping my big bag would make it on. We eventually got served another meal (yummy beef, potatoes and veggies with pound cake and a Kit Kat!) even though it was only a 3 hour flight! These airlines really put American airlines to shame.

The flight was smooth and we landed around 6:30. I got off the plane to go pay for my Visa on arrival which cost $25. I then found a Citibank ATM to withdraw cash. I picked up my bag which 2 porters quickly offered to take. I saw a sign that said not to tip the porters with a long explanation of why. I told them I could get my things by myself but they wouldn't listen. After going through security they brought my things over to a money change counter and told me to change my money. I told them know and they discreetly asked me for a tip. I said no and that they should have let me take my own stuff and that the sign says they are not to accept tips. I also had nothing smaller than a $10 bill anyway so they weren't going to get that. They got mad but I took my stuff and waited in the taxi line.

I waited a couple minutes and then got a driver to take me to my hotel. Getting out of the parking lot was a disaster! There was only one lane and 3 other lanes merging into it. It took about 30 mins. just to get out. It was another 30 to my hotel.

I checked in and was excited to my room. It had 2 beds and was pretty spacious. The bathroom had a weird smell and had tons of roaches and ants scatter once I turned on the light.

I was too tired to eat dinner so I just had some chocolate instead. After using the wifi for a while, I decided to go to bed so I could get a nice full night's sleep.

Until next time!