Day 12 - Flight Singapore to Chiang Mai, Thailand
I have a 1445 flight but was ready to go so I hopped into a Grab at 1230 to give myself a leisurely walk to the gate. Good thing too!
Easily found the Scoot kiosks to check in and get my boarding pass and luggage tag. My boarding pass said "Go to Document Check" window. Hmmm. Well, THAT person had only one customer in front of me so at least I'm skipping the long line to drop my bag. I must scan my passport, present it and she tags my luggage. No problem...so far.
On to Immigration Screening where they check my passport and airline ticket. Next stop is the Automated Gates where I must scan my passport again to get through two lockable plastic doors. They open, I enter and am now between two sets of these plastic swinging half doors. Scan my right thumb it says. I do as I'm told but no joy. Use roller pad to clean my thumb and do it again, it says. Still nothing works. Airport security has me exit back to the beginning, scan my passport again and enter and try the thumb thing again. Nothing. Try your left thumb, he suggests. Nope. OK. Exit again back to the beginning and go to another immigration check point in a glassed-in room for security to check out my problem.
As I present my passport, I tell him that I have had my fingerprints scanned back home. He looks puzzled and then says, "Why do you scan your fingers at your home?" OH! NO! I mean in the United States NOT my personal domicile! He laughs. Now he has me put all four fingers on the scanner first right then left hand. Then I have to scan both thumbs together. He checks the results and lets me through to proceed to my gate.
It's a long walk to gate C18 but they have periodic overhead notices stating the amount of maximum time it may take to get to your gate. Since I was so early, I take my time and scan the many duty free stores as I go so I can shop when I return. I reach the gate with lots of time to sit and wait. Now gate security is different than TPA. Each GATE has its own baggage scanner and walk-through portal. You place your items in a bin and each bin has a number that you take. It's like getting a number at a restaurant so they can find you at your table when they bring the food you ordered at the counter. Have to remove my computer and shoes to get everything through the scanner. Then it's time to go through the portal for my body scan and, of course, I set off the alarm and have to be wanded head to toe. I present my number and get to "claim" my bin of carry-on items.
All loaded up with my backpack, CPAP bag and personal bag from the scanner and now I have to show my passport and ticket ONE MORE TIME to enter the waiting room. The young man laughs as I say "Again?" and promises that it will be the last time I have to "dig" for my passport and boarding pass.
Now my ticket says I'm in zone 1. Back home, zones are called in number order. So they make the announcement for those needing extra time to board or traveling with small children. So I'm expecting zone 1 to be next. WRONG! After the initial announcement, the next says "Everyone can board at this time" and it's a mad dash by the crowd to get on the plane!
Once onboard this A320, I was smart to pay extra for my seat so I had two extra inches between my knees and the seat in front of me! Such luxury! Scoot Airlines, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is like Spirit Airlines in the States. There weren't many people in my seat 05D area so I could spread out a bit with my stuff.
I decide to wear my P95 mask for the recycled air conditioning in the cabin just to be on the safe side with this Corona Virus outbreak. We take off almost right on time and the food cart comes out once we reach cruising altitude. The steward asks to see my boarding pass. After checking it, he gives me the option of having lasagna or chicken fried rice for meal! WHOA! I GET A MEAL! A nice surprise and it comes with 8 pieces of chocolate and my choice of beverage.
The three-hour flight went by quickly. This no-frills flight has no movies for entertainment so I entertain myself with my phone's games and taking notes for this blog.
Thai immigration was uneventful and easy. I locate a restroom and then claim my bag. Now to find an ATM to get some Thai Baht. The exchange rate is $.03 USD = 1 THB!! The bank ATM charges me 220 THB (approximately $7 USD) for the 5,000 THB ($160 USD) withdrawal.
Now to connect to the airport wifi and order up a Grab for my ride to DeLanna Hotel. I exit the taxi stand doors and he's writing to me in Thai with an automated translation. He can't find me. He asks what I'm wearing and sees someone else similar. Finally, I see a doorway (number 11 door) as I continue walking around the pick up area and he pulls up. I start to go over and get in and four Chinese people are getting out!! Once he realizes that I'm his next customer, he loads my bags and in his VERY LIMITED English tells me that he had just picked up the Chinese family from the same hotel to which he was delivering me. He also complained how they slammed his car doors and hit his trunk and bumped trying to load their huge suitcases.
Reaching the DeLanna Hotel, a porter comes out to greet me and take my luggage to escort me to the front desk. How nice! I check-in and discover that I get a room all to myself! No sharing! What luxury again! There is a notice that they point out: NO DURIAN IN THE ROOM because other guests complain about the smell! I didn't know what Durian was so I had no problem with agreeing to the rule. Later I googled and found out: Durian is well-loved in Thailand but the fruit are also found in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Its pungent smell is notoriously powerful - so much so that it is often banned from public transport and other enclosed spaces.
I know I took photos of the room before I trashed it but they are nowhere to be found on my phone. Wonder what THAT'S all about?
We have a 1900 meeting to meet our guide and coordinator along with an overview of the next day's agenda. Then it's dinner and meeting the other 15 members of our group tour.
Encrusted toast with a spicy dipping sauce, coconut curry chicken soup and deep fried bananas with whipped cream and ice cream.
Easily found the Scoot kiosks to check in and get my boarding pass and luggage tag. My boarding pass said "Go to Document Check" window. Hmmm. Well, THAT person had only one customer in front of me so at least I'm skipping the long line to drop my bag. I must scan my passport, present it and she tags my luggage. No problem...so far.
On to Immigration Screening where they check my passport and airline ticket. Next stop is the Automated Gates where I must scan my passport again to get through two lockable plastic doors. They open, I enter and am now between two sets of these plastic swinging half doors. Scan my right thumb it says. I do as I'm told but no joy. Use roller pad to clean my thumb and do it again, it says. Still nothing works. Airport security has me exit back to the beginning, scan my passport again and enter and try the thumb thing again. Nothing. Try your left thumb, he suggests. Nope. OK. Exit again back to the beginning and go to another immigration check point in a glassed-in room for security to check out my problem.
As I present my passport, I tell him that I have had my fingerprints scanned back home. He looks puzzled and then says, "Why do you scan your fingers at your home?" OH! NO! I mean in the United States NOT my personal domicile! He laughs. Now he has me put all four fingers on the scanner first right then left hand. Then I have to scan both thumbs together. He checks the results and lets me through to proceed to my gate.
It's a long walk to gate C18 but they have periodic overhead notices stating the amount of maximum time it may take to get to your gate. Since I was so early, I take my time and scan the many duty free stores as I go so I can shop when I return. I reach the gate with lots of time to sit and wait. Now gate security is different than TPA. Each GATE has its own baggage scanner and walk-through portal. You place your items in a bin and each bin has a number that you take. It's like getting a number at a restaurant so they can find you at your table when they bring the food you ordered at the counter. Have to remove my computer and shoes to get everything through the scanner. Then it's time to go through the portal for my body scan and, of course, I set off the alarm and have to be wanded head to toe. I present my number and get to "claim" my bin of carry-on items.
All loaded up with my backpack, CPAP bag and personal bag from the scanner and now I have to show my passport and ticket ONE MORE TIME to enter the waiting room. The young man laughs as I say "Again?" and promises that it will be the last time I have to "dig" for my passport and boarding pass.
 |
| Waiting room. Left screen in the far back blocks the luggage scanner. Station on the right just before and under the TV is the last passport and ticket check counter. Oh. And the steward checks our boarding pass one more time as we board the plane! |
Now my ticket says I'm in zone 1. Back home, zones are called in number order. So they make the announcement for those needing extra time to board or traveling with small children. So I'm expecting zone 1 to be next. WRONG! After the initial announcement, the next says "Everyone can board at this time" and it's a mad dash by the crowd to get on the plane!
Once onboard this A320, I was smart to pay extra for my seat so I had two extra inches between my knees and the seat in front of me! Such luxury! Scoot Airlines, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is like Spirit Airlines in the States. There weren't many people in my seat 05D area so I could spread out a bit with my stuff.
I decide to wear my P95 mask for the recycled air conditioning in the cabin just to be on the safe side with this Corona Virus outbreak. We take off almost right on time and the food cart comes out once we reach cruising altitude. The steward asks to see my boarding pass. After checking it, he gives me the option of having lasagna or chicken fried rice for meal! WHOA! I GET A MEAL! A nice surprise and it comes with 8 pieces of chocolate and my choice of beverage.
The three-hour flight went by quickly. This no-frills flight has no movies for entertainment so I entertain myself with my phone's games and taking notes for this blog.
Thai immigration was uneventful and easy. I locate a restroom and then claim my bag. Now to find an ATM to get some Thai Baht. The exchange rate is $.03 USD = 1 THB!! The bank ATM charges me 220 THB (approximately $7 USD) for the 5,000 THB ($160 USD) withdrawal.
Now to connect to the airport wifi and order up a Grab for my ride to DeLanna Hotel. I exit the taxi stand doors and he's writing to me in Thai with an automated translation. He can't find me. He asks what I'm wearing and sees someone else similar. Finally, I see a doorway (number 11 door) as I continue walking around the pick up area and he pulls up. I start to go over and get in and four Chinese people are getting out!! Once he realizes that I'm his next customer, he loads my bags and in his VERY LIMITED English tells me that he had just picked up the Chinese family from the same hotel to which he was delivering me. He also complained how they slammed his car doors and hit his trunk and bumped trying to load their huge suitcases.
Reaching the DeLanna Hotel, a porter comes out to greet me and take my luggage to escort me to the front desk. How nice! I check-in and discover that I get a room all to myself! No sharing! What luxury again! There is a notice that they point out: NO DURIAN IN THE ROOM because other guests complain about the smell! I didn't know what Durian was so I had no problem with agreeing to the rule. Later I googled and found out: Durian is well-loved in Thailand but the fruit are also found in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Its pungent smell is notoriously powerful - so much so that it is often banned from public transport and other enclosed spaces.
I know I took photos of the room before I trashed it but they are nowhere to be found on my phone. Wonder what THAT'S all about?
We have a 1900 meeting to meet our guide and coordinator along with an overview of the next day's agenda. Then it's dinner and meeting the other 15 members of our group tour.
Encrusted toast with a spicy dipping sauce, coconut curry chicken soup and deep fried bananas with whipped cream and ice cream.
It's late and we must be in the lobby by 0615 in the morning so it's off to bed!
I'm so impressed at your "solo traveler" expertise! Well done! Isn't it fascinating how different security is from place to place?! If you get a chance, sample a small piece of durian. You'll understand the notices. I'm so excited for you and all the great things you're going to see and do!
ReplyDelete