Wednesday 29 February 2012

Financial Trouble


A change of Plan....Bangkok February 29th 2012

>Kingfisher Airlines are in financial trouble, one step from disappearing into a financial abyss according to all the press speculation last week. Seems they have a lifeline for the time being but it's really a fine line and there's that uneasy feeling that the whole company might be wound up at anytime soon. I mean, stranded in Mumbai, having to fork out even more money for another ticket, and again at kochi, is not a prospect I want to consider. The whole India arrangement part of this trip has been fraught with problems, from inflexibility with the visa, no refund on a replacement visa, and now the airline issue.

The plan now then is to stay in Bangkok for a while exploring the whys and wherefores of onward travel. The backpacker trail seems to head south towards Malaysia and onto Singapore via some of the Thai islands, and that inevitably means beach time - sounds good.

A frustrating day so far, trying to change my flight ticket. It's the flight to Mumbai next Wednesday, with Jet Airways but contacting them has so far been fruitless. The staff at the airport yesterday were uninterested and told me to call the Bangkok office. 2 calls, answer phone each time. Next an email to them with the change details, as yet no response. an email to the booking agents in Norwich, 8am might be a little early to expect a reply though. So far then I've spent about £5 in phone calls, Internet cafes, and coffees with free wifi attached all to no avail yet!

Thammasatt university was the best place to eat at last time, it is this time. Typical Asian food with most dishes priced at 25 bht, just 55p, a reasonable portion too. It's a good atmosphere to as the vast canteen fills with students, lecturers and even the police turn up for a snack or two. Quite obviously this place isn't in the lonely Planet guide book although I have seen one or two tourists wander through. Thankfully the sandbags surrounding the place have disappeared so it's back to normal, until the next rainy season, not that faraway.

A new home for now anyway. It's couple of pounds cheaper, but in similar condition - monsoon damage as is evident with most of the older buildings around here. But the place has a room for £3.50, occupied at the moment but I'm the next to have it, or so they say.Good news in that the booking office have replied and offered to sort things out free of charge, so now its off for a shower and, well, who knows - this is Bangkok after all!


Tuesday 28 February 2012

Big, Big Airport Queues

Bangkok, 28th February 2012

5.15, cool and dark as I step out of the Hotel one last time. Web checked-in, boarding pass printed and bills paid all the evening before so all I have to do is turn up at the airport, in one piece and on time! They even stuck to the agreed rate of 11 $ per night, well since I made them write it down there wasn't a great deal to argue about. Laundry bill came to 2 $ and 37p for the use of their printer for my boarding pass.

A brisk 15 minute walk upto the bus station at Long Bien as Hanoi was waking up. Hanoi old quarter is as busy at 5.30am as Norwich is at 8am. Quite a few locals there, I'm the only tourist. Other transport options to the airport are available. A shuttle bus, from somewhere near the lake for 2 $, taxi for considerably more or of course hitch a ride on the back of a motorbike, and yes, they are happy to accommodate a rather large back pack, no problem! The bus duly rolls in at 5.50 and is soon on the bridge headed towards the airport,  handing over 5000 vnd to the stony faced money collector.

Fewer people around this time of the morning which means the bus is making fewer stops therefore theory go's that I will be at the Airport in good time. All is going to plan as the bus pulls up across from the terminal, it's taken just about 55 minutes. Flight is at 9 so a little time to use up a few thousand in loose change and get a coffee. And that's it, my last and final purchase with this monopoly money. Physiologically  it can be depressing having to depart with thousands in cash on a daily basis!

One good thing about Hanoi is the Airport. Apart from being the quickest way out it's neat, compact and well laid out. Small enough so that check-in, immigration and aircraft is just the shortest of walks. All the tarmac action can easily be viewed and even the air force facility opposite can be photographed at will without any attention from the authorities.

On board this Air Asia Airbus to Bangkok then and they depart 5 minutes early! It's 2 hours until I hit the tropics again as the plane climbs up through the misty overcast and breaks into clear blue sky, something i haven't seen much of lately.

Queues at Bangkok airport immigration are considerably longer this time but seem to be moving slightly faster. About 1 hour to get to the passport control point, and again I'm let in without any need for interrogation. Through the green channel in the customs hall, and a big  wide grin...I'm back! As before it's the train to phaya Thai station, but the price has risen by 100%. It's now 90 b, about £2 for the 15 minute ride. Bus 59 is the one that stops close to Khao San road, according to the transport information desk, but conflicting advice as to where it actually picks up as the bus stop outside the Phaya Thai Station is now a taxi bay. A local shop keeper directs me and another tourist to the road opposite, accessed by an overpass which actually forms part of the Sky Train system. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we wait and wait and wait along with a few other tourists. They need  the 503 which also stops by Khao San, but eventually we all end up on the number 72 which stops about 1/2 a mile short, and costs 66.6666p.

£6.50 gets an OK room with air con, water and TV. It'll do until I find something closer to the action at Khao San. A wander around some familiar little streets, the smells, sights and sounds of Bangkok have finally returned. It's a yellow curry for tea, £1.77 but it's a big plateful and delicious.