From Dubai to the River Kwai

A trek through Asia in search of the bridge over the River Kwai

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Home Sweet Home

I spent most of Sunday recovering from the tiring journey. It was a fantastic experience, at times tiring and challenging, but nevertheless very rewarding. Dubai was interesting, Yangon was unique and Thailand was familiar. Highlights of the trip include climbing the Burj Khalifa, marvelling at Shwedagon Pagoda and Yangon’s colonial architecture and finally seeing the Bridge on the River Kwai with my own eyes. 

Initially I planned to visit Luang Prabang in Laos, but doing seven flights in two weeks made me realise that this was too ambitious. After extensively travelling Asia over the last few years, visiting Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Dubai I feel that I have seen enough of Asia for now. However, I would like to visit Luang Prabang, Laos and Penang, Malaysia at some point in the future. For now I would like to experience something new, perhaps Africa, Canada or parts of the U.S. which I have not yet explored. Regardless, there are lots of new places to explore.  

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Flying Home

The mini-van collected me at 7am and dropped me off at the airport. After navigating my way through departures I decided to grab a Burger King before I boarded my flight. This wasn't such as good idea, because I departed the majority of it in the airport loo before I boarded my flight. It really was time to go home!

My flight to Dubai was pleasant and I managed to listened to the encyclopaedia of music available to me on the inflight entertainment system. Upon arrival at Dubai airport, I literally had to run to made my connection. It turned out that this wasn't entirely necessary, because we spent an hour on the plane before taking off. As one man exclaimed “An Hour!!”. They had to change a part of the plane, but I didn't mind, as long as we were safe. Despite a little unsettling turbulence over the Persian Gulf the flight was relatively smooth. We even made up some time so the total delay was forty minutes.

Upon arrival at Heathrow I swiftly navigated immigration, but had to wait a long time to collect my backpack. Once I had collected it, I made my way to the coach station. Unfortunately, the 21:20pm National Express coach to Swindon was fully booked, so I ended up getting the Heathrow Express to Paddington, and then the train back to Swindon.

When I boarded the train to Swindon, I thought that the journey was nearly over. I was wrong. After acquiring a seat, I was accompanied by a rather intoxicated man, who hesitantly ate his Burger King next to me. To stop him from doing what I did after my Burger King earlier in the day, I offered him some water. It turns out that he had his own. When the train pulled into Reading, I swiftly changed seats, and the rest of the journey was relatively trouble free. After an hours journey, the train pulled into Swindon, where my feet swiftly arrived on the platform floor. Ahhhh, I was home.

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Time to fly home 🏡

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Back in Bangkok

After another short pleasant flight I arrived in Bangkok. My first challenge was to change my flight with Emirates. This was relatively easy but set me back 214 pounds, but I saved money by going home early. 

My next challenge was to book a hotel in or near to the airport. The only hotel in the airport was the Novotel which cost 150 pounds per night, so that was out of the question. I eventually found a booking kiosk in the airport and booked a cheap hotel a ten minute drive from the airport. A mini-van collected me and whisked me off to the hotel. 

The hotel was situated under the motorway and skytrain and I went to sleep with the sounds of stray dogs barking outside my window. This didn't matter though, because I was going home. 

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Day out in Chaing Mai

After an ‘American Breakfast’ basically a full English I head out for a day in Chaing Mai. It was a pleasant day, but sooooo humid. After exploring the city I had to retreat from the heat and the sun in a Starbucks for a while by the Tha Phae Gate. After having a relaxing coffee I head back to the hotel.

After hiding from the midday heat, I decided to explore the city by night when it had cooled down and was less humid. It was nice, walking through the city seeing all of the ancient relics. I purchased a Beer Leo and took a stroll by the North Gate, before heading back to my hotel.

Upon arrival at my hotel I released that I had been quite badly bitten by mosquitos. This combined with the heat and humidity made me realise, that it was time to go home.  So, I booked a flight back to Bangkok.

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The band

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Monsoon Raindrops

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Arrival in Chaing Mai

After a relatively easy flight, I arrived in Chaing Mai! Upon exiting the plane I was taken by my surroundings of blue skies and dense jungle. 

I took a taxi to my hotel, which upon arrival informed that my room wouldn't be available until 2pm. To kill some time I went for a short walk around the local neighbourhood. The town is pleasant with ancient temples and relics scattered around every corner, its just unfortunate that the traffic congestion and pollution is so bad in the town. 

After eventually checking into my hotel, I had a quick nap and head out for the evening. Within minutes of leaving my hotel I got caught in a monsoon, fortunately I had my umbrella! I strolled through town avoiding cars, stray dogs and sparking electricity pylons. After spending a great deal of time sheltering from the rain, under a shop front I decided to head back for the evening.

As I was approaching the northern gate of the city, through the patter of the rain I heard the sounds of a jazz bands setting up. I managed to find the bar and sat down for a few beers. I managed to try a Beer Laos, and it has to be one of the best beers I have ever tasted. After faffing around for 45mins the band did finally start to play. They were a very impressive jazz band and I stayed for their complete set before heading back for the evening. 

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Flying to Chiang Mai

I was awoken at 4am by a text message from Bangkok Airways, which notified me that my flight was delayed by 1 hour. Thats fine with me, and extra hour in bed. 

After checking out of my hotel I made the very sweaty journey to the airport via. the skytrain. The skytrain was very clean and efficient and took me to the airport with relative ease. 

After checking into my flight I decided to quickly grab a McDonalds before boarding my flight. I requested a meal number 4. A ham and egg McMuffin with a hash brown and a drink. With a four fingered gesture, I thought that I had ordered my meal with relative ease. The wait for my meal was exceptionally long, and I soon found out why....I had ordered 4, number four meals :D to McDonalds credit they did promptly refund me, and I quickly ate my meal before heading to the departure gate.

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Arrived in Chaing Mai

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Chaing Mai bound

After finally recovering from the horrendous train journey back to Bangkok, I will be flying to Chaing Mai in Northern Thailand tomorrow.

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The wildlife in Benjakiti Park

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Bangkok's skyline

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Benjakiti Park. Bangkok's answer to Central Park.

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Relaxation

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Relaxation

The train journey back to Bangkok completely took it out of me. I've had to spend the last two days relaxing and recovering from the train journey.

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Don't worry, in Thailand the trains sometimes get there on time. Sometimes they don't.

Thai lady on delayed train.