So the journey to Thailand is long. It was 2 hours from Columbus to Newark (United), 15 hours Newark to Hongkong (United) (1 hour layover), 2.5 hours to Bangkok (Cathay Pacific). 45 minutes in car to Hotel. It’s also 12 hours away from EST in time zone. I am literally writing to you from TOMORROW… (evil cackle).

The flight from Newark landed so late because of an air attendant that it got me to Newark sprinting in 8 minutes between gates. It was gate C72 to C103 which are on separate wings. Remember I am traveling carry-on only so I’m carting on my back 4 weeks of everything. I don’t know how much it weighs. But it ain’t light. I live in fear of my bag getting weighed.

For those who don’t know – I travel a lot and though I’d bought an economy ticket I was able to apply upgrades to get in Polaris (business/first for United) for the long segment. This is a god send because they keep you fed. I need that. I am going to be boorish and describe my Polaris experience because I know some friends won’t get this opportunity.

I did have a window seat which I swapped when a man asked… I didn’t realize he was moving away from his 8 year old who was in the seat next to me who would spend the night waking me up occasionally with banging as he was unregulated or seeing him peer over my cubicle wall. I haven’t escaped the cubicle… but this comes with food and service so I’m a lot happier 🙂

So after appetizer, dinner, dessert, cheese and crackers, midnight grilled cheese and tomato soup, 2nd Dessert. Breakfast, real coffee and 3 movies that flight was over.

I deplane in Hongkong and go to the transfer desk, to encounter about 6 Philippine young ladies on their way to Dubai with visa’s. Let’s just say there were issues. 45 minutes later I have my boarding pass and dash to the gate where the plane was 30 mins delayed. Cathay Pacific is not star alliance so i am now at zero benefits.

I said I’d be honest in this blog. I had a moment standing in the Economy line of 200 people where I thought will my bags be safe. I have flown around the world and am far luckier than most. I have never had this thought before. Unconscious Bias? I don’t know but it did make me check myself.

So I was in 8L from Newark to Hongkong. I am now in 72K… this is the last seat on the left in the plane -which is where it starts to narrow.

However they did have a nice pork balls and rice dish.

So for those who aren’t aware. Hongkong is a significant part of my childhood, the new airport didn’t invoke any memories but the lights as we took off and some of the signs triggered some memories and nostalgia.

My father was a pilot for Cathay so they are how we flew between the UK and Hongkong. Now 25 years later roughly I am on a Cathay plane again.

Landing in Bangkok where we were deplaned to the tarmac and buses, the humidity, the smell catapulted me back to Hongkong in memories.

Arrived in Bangkok, I know I’m in Asia. How many people can you fit in a SIM card booth. 6. It’s about the size of a small perfume counter.

So finally at my hotel. How do I know I’m in the Far East. Well my VPN looks a bit different.