Coming Home - 8 September 2023!

It's taken a year, but we are finally back in Thailand; after travelling here last year and falling in love with the place, we made the choice to return, at the earliest opportunity. It has been a tiring twelve months for Darrell and I, so having a few weeks to just chill and relax, after all we have achieved, is welcome. Returning to this wonderful country is yet another opportunity, we wouldn't otherwise have had living in the UK. As I said to Darrell yesterday, this holiday is rather like making our yearly pilgrimage to Benidorm or Ibiza in Europe, and this is done, very much in the same vein.

It has been a long time since we have had time to ourselves. Having worked solidly in my job for the last seven months without a break has at times been exhausting, but it has been a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow, in a position I am beginning to love more and more.
 
The fact is, you get less holiday in Australia a year than you do in the UK, so when you do take a break, it is all the more precious.

A cold beer, the day before I flew, was the official start of our holiday, and the happy memories yet to come. Both Darrell and I have worked exceptionally hard in our new jobs, so this is a time to dedicate to us and our wellbeing, in the same way we always used to!

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The flight to Kuala Lumpur, on the first leg of our journey, was pretty uneventful. We flew overnight from Perth on Malaysian Airlines, not my first airline of choice, I have to say. Memories of the two plane disappearances just under ten years ago, echoing in my head, sent my anxiety spiralling momentarily. Malaysia Airlines have apparently suffered a lot from the downing of these two aircraft in quick succession, and haven't fully recovered from these two tragic events, even today. My reluctance to book with them is partly to do with this, but also my hatred of flying in the first place. Actually, the flight was wonderfully smooth and there were no issues at all - not even any turbulence to speak of. The airline itself is currently in the process of contracting new caterers, so my biggest complaint would be the reduction in quality of the food provided, but otherwise it was fine.

The plane flew overnight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur, leaving at 2.10am, arriving finally at 8.15 in the morning. To be absolutely honest, I will never book this flight again. Today, as I write this blog, I feel totally jet-lagged, even after only two short flights and a subtle time difference of an hour. This is most definitely a flight for the more seasoned traveller, certainly not for me or Darrell.

Both of us have been to Kuala Lumpur several times before, in 1997 and 2001, so it was great to see the airport again after so long. KL International has changed out of all proportion, and it was amazing to see how it has grown during the intervening years. From the small single building we arrived at in 1997, it has now morphed into a huge international hub, full of travellers from all over the World; it really is a sight to behold.

In the centre of this airport, stands a man-made jungle; taking a step through the doors, into the open atrium you are immediately hit by the searing Malaysian heat, at over thirty degrees. Now I haven't felt heat like that in a while and if I am honest, I love it.  The central jungle, with waterfall offers an oasis in an otherwise modern metropolis, and it was nice to take a stroll round, while we waited for our next flight to Bangkok, four hours later.

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The flight from Kuala Lumpur was an altogether worse experience. We were left sitting on the tarmac for an hour and a half before take off, and it was hot, very hot. There was obviously no air conditioning working and due to a technical error, we had to wait until the plane was clear to fly. By the time we actually left, my blood was boiling. With a lack of sleep, feeling terrible after the overnight flight, I was ready to lose my rag at any moment.

The flight itself was awful, and we had our seat belts on for the majority of the journey. The turbulence on the short two-hour hop between KL and Bangkok was the worst I have ever experienced, making me feel physically sick. Even the landing at the airport, after circling for what seemed like ages, was dreadful. Coming down through heavy cloud was rough; as we hit the landing strip we jolted violently from side to side and many of the passengers on board just sighed with relief. I have never been more grateful to see another city in all my life!

Bangkok is a mad place, full to bursting with thousands of travellers and despite the long queues at the boarder, we both got through security pretty quickly. This is, however, a city I love, and for the first time in a year I felt alive again. Perth, Western Australia is a beautiful place to live, but being the most isolated city in the World, it is rather boring at times. Bangkok is on a completely different level at opposite ends of the spectrum. Given a choice, I know where I would rather be.

After an hour taxi ride, we arrived at our hotel, the Nouvo City in Pranakorn, where we stayed last year. This four-star hotel sits in the middle of gritty pranakorn perfectly, although it does stick out like a sore thumb. This isn't an area for the faint-hearted; you can see many different shades of life here - that is, however, what makes it so special. The nature of the place is engaging, unfamiliar and a little bit off the rails, but that also gives it a charm unsurpassed and Darrell and I love it.

After freshening up, we immediately went straight to our favourite restaurant 'So Samsen' for dinner. The girls immediately recognised us from last year, making us feel welcome and at home, as they always did. The same stray cat was still roaming about, and the food was as delicious as ever. This is what coming home feels like, and we were just happy to be back amongst friends.

After a delicious home cooked meal at So Samsen, and a few well needed beers, we took a leisurely stroll around Pranakorn itself, and it truly is a sight to behold. An eclectic mix of 'diversity and distinctiveness' mingling together, in this melting pot of western and eastern culture, is absolutely fantastic to observe. Even walking around briefly, you are greeted by sounds, smells and sights, you just wouldn't get anywhere else.

There are street vendors selling anything and everything from drugs, laughing gas, deep-fried insects and snakes, dodgy looking bottles of alcohol and what I can only assume to be knock off designer clothes. This is the darker side of the area, which just adds to the colourful nature of the place, and it does make for an interesting encounter.

Darrell and I left early, after not sleeping for nearly two days, sleeping into the early hours of this morning, feeling totally refreshed, after an exhausting few days. We have finally come home and are looking forward to our stay in a place akin to home!

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