Tuesday 10 April

When we planned this trip we realised that the journey from Melbourne to Phuket would be difficult. We had no idea. It didn't help with the fact that I had stayed up until 1am the previous evening, drinking beer and watching United beat QPR 2-0 to go 8 points clear in the premier league! Still - the sign of a true traveller is the ability to sustain log journeys when tired. So, to bed at 1am and then up at 4.30am to catch a taxi to Melbourne airport. Sadly waved goodbye to Simon - he is off on his own adventure to Queensland and the Great Barrier reef etc. We will see him again in 7 weeks.

The check in lady at Melbourne had a strong Cornish accent and came from Camborne. We struck up a good conversation with her and she kindly gave us great seats on our trip to Sydney. She also told us she had checked our bags all the way to Phuket BUT she could only check us in up and til Bangkok - we had to check in again at Bangkok! Immediate alarm bells and we were all convinced we had waved goodbye to our bags once again. Still, this time we had prepared and our carry on bags were full of spare underwear and beach stuff - all you need in Thailand really.

As we boarded we noticed our bags being loaded - so far so good. What could possibly go wrong? The flight to Sydney was OK and Shelley had fabulous views from her window seat of Sydney harbour and the Opera house… A 2 hour wait in Sydney allowed us to catch up on the internet news and have a quick drink before the mammoth trip to Thailand. We had been allocated seats in row 70 and so Juney thought we were back on the Airbus 380 but sadly not - this time it was a rickety old 747. Still, the movies were ok - but the Qantas cabin staff were as grumpy and unhelpful as normal. The weather was glorious and we had great views of the Australian outback - not much to look at really. But spectacular views of Malaysia and the South China seas - stunning. But the flight went on and on and on… 9 Hours worth. And no sooner had the Captain told us we were just 10 minutes from landing we found ourselves in a massive holding pattern over Bangkok and subsequently were 45 minutes late. To be placed in a 45 minute hold may suggest that Bangkok airport would be busy but as we arrived it was clear we were the only passengers there ! Bizzare but more evidence of Qantas service.

The transfer through BK Airport was smooth and very efficient - we checked through immigration easily and then the check in girl told us we could wait in the BK airways lounge - win. Sadly the lounge was dry but we did fill up with small eats and juices.

Arrival in Phuket was again very pain free although the difference between BK (an Air-conditioned airport) and Phuket - No Air-con was immense. Even at midnight the heat was intensive.

And so with some trepidation all 3 of us stood at the baggage carousel and waited. And waited…. The carousel started to move and other people excitedly spotted and then dragged their heavy bags from the moving platform… and we waited ……. All of a sudden we spotted the familiar colour of Junes shocking pink suitcase…closely followed by Shelleys bag and then mine….. We were elated. As we proudly walked out of the airport our taxi guy was stood there waving a placard with our names on and within a few minutes we were in the back of a luxurious air-conditioned taxi en-route to Kata Noi.

26 Hours Door to Door but we had made it.

Big Smiles