South East Asia adventure begins

I thought I was packed well in advance for this trip, but having finished work at 10pm on Thursday night (polling day), I came home realising just how much I needed to sort out before leaving for the airport the next day.

I was not really in the mood for a 9am meeting the next day, especially as the details I needed for the meeting I'd received at 5pm and had hardly had time to digest.

Never mind.

I struggled in during morning rush hour with my rucksack, sweating like crazy.  Why has England started being warm just as I am planning on leaving it?

It was a relief to finally get to the airport and be rid of my backpack (only to have the realisation that I would of course be lumbered with it for the next few weeks).
Emirates were lovely to fly with.  Really friendly staff and the airline was very comfortable.  But best of all.  The movies!!!!!!!!!  LES MIS.  LES MIS....LES MIS!!!!  I have been wanting to rewatch that for so long.
And Skyfall...there were loads of others I wanted to watch.

I arrived at Dubai international airport, and the first thing I noticed was this warmth.  How hot was it!
We got on the shuttle bus, and spent like half an hour driving round the airport.
Seriously...where was this bus driver going...

The Dubai terminal was just as extravagant as I anticipated.  Marble everywhere, and a luxurious fountain.
Beautiful, but so much wealth.

I slept for most of the second flight.

Arriving in Bangkok wasn't as frightening as I had anticipated.  Everywhere spoke English, and it was easy to hop on the train.  No problem.
I connected to the BTS Skytrain, which took me to Chong Nonsi, the area where Lub D my hostel was located.
Getting off the train in the midday sun, I was literally baking.  I hoped the hostel wasn't far away...it wasn't, but finding which direction, and which exit from the station was another issue entirely.

I walked for at least half an hour with my rucksack trying to find the hostel, until I finally wound onto the right street.

Lub D was so welcoming when I arrived.  So clean and friendly.  I was happy to be here.
I got chatting to a Canadian and we made plans to head off to the Grand Palace and temples the next day.

Had an early night in preparation for an early start.