To the land of Smiles

Flight
Jon Piett Well my stay at home in Regina lasted about 2 weeks. I had a great time seeing friends and hanging out with family. But I was awaiting my trip originally I was planning on going to do a around the world ticket. But other things have come up that wont allow me to stay away as long. So I started looking on the internet for flights to Thailand. I final found a flight leaving 5 days later. I had to get it, so 5 days later I start my 24 hour journey to Thailand. It started off at 9 am leaving Regina going to Vancouver, BC, then I got onto a flight that flew over Alaska, across the bearing sea, Over Russia, Serbia, Japan, and final landing in Hong Kong. If you didn’t know Hong Kong’s International airport is a islands out side of town. The island was man made, meaning they built it in the ocean by pouring dirt and rocks. Its is the most amazing airport I have ever see, specially because I seen the airport being built on TV years ago and I remember saying that some day I’ll see that. Now the benefits of travelling by yourself is that you can met some many people. On the plane I met this great lady that was from the Philippians’ and now is working in Canada. She gave up a business in and moved to Canada to follow her dreams. While I was standing in line to board the next flight to Bangkok I met this cool guy Dave. He’s back packing across Thailand for the first time, he also decided 6 days before he flew. A couple of this friends were already there and he couldn’t not come. So we boarded our next flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok. A 2 hour flight that we would fly over Vietnam, Cambodia and northern Thailand.

Well I finally landed in Bangkok, so excited only an hour sleep in the last 30 hours. Arriving with no place to stay over half way around the world. In a foreign country were most people would be freaked out this was a adventure for me. I ended up running in to Dave out side waiting for a taxi cab. Dave had directions to a hostel in Bangkok. So we split the cab ride from the airport. Bangkok just finished building a new airport outside of town. So with a 1 hour cab ride for only 400 baht about $12 so $6 for me. Great deal. Once we arrived at the hostel we get rooms. Dave had a could friends that were waiting to hit the town. So they asked me if I want to come along. I was excited for my first night back in Thailand so we went to a club called Hollywood’s. We all put in $300 baht a we bought a bottle of Black Label and mix. We stayed out drink and partying till wee hours in the night. In Hollywood’s it had famous Thai actors and singers performing that night. After the party we headed back by cab to the hostel. To get some much need sleep.


The next morning I woke up early couldn’t sleep it was so hot in my room. Later to figure out I had my air con set to the blow out heat. When Bangkok is 36 degrees even at night and I’m blowing heat from my air con. Nice one. That morning I met up with my 6 friends from San Fran. And had breakfast and talked about how cool the bar and the night was. They were planning on going to Koh San Road later on in the day. Koh San Road is a road full of friendly backpackers and shops where you can find anything! Everything from backpacks, cheap cloths, and even fake diplomas from your favourite schools. I’ve been before so I decided to head on a bus to Pattaya. So I left them and caught a city bus. .25 cents to ride the bus to the bus station. I was the only foreigner on this bus, which I was surprised it even ran it was so beat up. It reminded me of something you find in the Borat movie. Right before he left to America. After some how arriving at the air port and breathing in all the pollution and smog in Bangkok I was happy to get on a bus to Pattya. The bus ride is 2 hours and was 117 thai baht. ($4 dollars). So I stated my journey south.

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