The Journey Has Begun

Our trip began with a 4:30 am wake up call and a 7 am arrival at the Vancouver Airport, courtesy of Spencer.   Thank goodness for NEXUS and eye scans.  We were able to bypass the long security lineups and sailed through US Customs.

Yes, I said US Customs.  When you travel on points you get what you get, especially when you only book two months in advance.  We flew Vancouver to Seattle, Seattle to Seoul, and Seoul to Bangkok.  We are staying in Bangkok for three days to see the sights but more importantly, to adjust our body clocks before flying to Delhi on March 7.  Our fellow travelers will arrive in India on the 7^th.

Thank goodness as well, for the fact we spend so much money on our VISA cards.  We focus so much on squirreling away points that we changed dealerships at the last minute when buying our last car.  The deal breaker was our demand to double the down payment dollars we could put on VISA.  The fellow we were dealing with for over a year said “No”.  We found someone else who said “yes”.  As a result, we are flying Executive Class on this trip and are taking advantage of the many Airport Lounges offering free food and drink.  

We are also thankful the lounges are secure.  Our trip had barely started when we had our first “adventure”.  We were in transit between the United and Asiana lounges at SeaTac when Deborah noticed she was light one carry-on.  Back on the shuttle, across the airport, up the stairs, back into the United Lounge and there it was waiting for her.  I may have to tether Deborah to my side for fear of losing her in India.

The trip from Seattle to Seoul was long but comfortable.  Eleven and a half hours, all in daylight, most over land.  This fact surprised me.  We crossed over the Pacific but via B.C., Alaska, and Siberia.  Asiana Airlines was first class; they even had five different folks in suits out on the tarmac at SeaTac waving good-bye.

Arrived Seoul around 6:30 pm Monday (1 am home time Monday).  Into the Thai  Air lounge for a few draft beers and Thai salad.  Deborah took a turn at the grand piano entertaining the other guest (three Buddhist monks quaffing beers in a corner).  

We finally arrived at our hotel in Bangkok after approximately 29 hours of straight travel time.  I think we managed about 6 hours of sleep over that time.  Dead tired now but will post before sleep.

Bangkok sightseeing tomorrow.

View from our Bangkok Hotel When we Woke.