I'm Back, Back, Back Again... Bangkok, Thailand!

Back to the beginning, I was in complete disbelief and feeling deflated because I had had the time of my life in Thailand! I had clocked cities, historical sites, wildlife gems and stunning beaches, I did not want to face reality! Don Mueang had been my entry point to Thailand, with my Ningbo flight scheduled the next morning, I had one final afternoon and evening to spend. 

Waking up in Krabi on that final morning didn't feel real, I actually was ready to get back to work but in the same breath I didn't want to! Air Asia gave me the juice to get back to Bangkok, did I have any plans? The flight from Krabi to Bangkok Don Mueang saw me thinking about a future trip to Thailand, I had withdrawal! I had actually gotten used to Thai life with continuous moves made through three of Thailand's airports, I had been impressed by Air Asia's operation because they happened to be my airline of choice from Chiang Mai to Krabi and then back to Bangkok Don Mueang. It felt weird to be returning to Bangkok, that signified the end of that amazing first trip to the former 'Kingdom of Siam'. I didn't want to leave the sunshine behind me, the beaches of Krabi had been blessed with the best kind of weather, I didn't want to have those warmer climbs ripped away from me! Ningbo would be freezing! Let me tell you, I was ready to cancel that Spring Airlines flight there and then, I was mad! Krabi, call me? Oh, please! 

I had grand plans in my head, I thought to myself whilst I was still in Krabi that I would head back into Silom for one final night out? Was I sure? No, I wasn't sure! Let me get back to that chestnut in a moment, yet again I was and continued to live in my delusion era! I disembarked that Air Asia plane without any issues, the boarding of that flight had been a little chaotic but all prevailed to be good in the end. I had gotten quite confused during my first encounter with Don Mueang Airport, with an older layout and a much newer train line, it had been a little tricky to get my bearings but I was fine after I had passed through the airport after getting my bag. It was seeing the sign saying "Welcome To Dong Mueang International Airport" that got me in the particulars, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Thailand! I still had one evening remaining, the beauty of it was I could do the most or nothing at all! That in retrospect now feels like the best choice! Don Mueang would be my destination? You know, stranger things could've happened! 

In a perfect world I had planned to visit 'TROK' but with two trains needed to reach Silom from Dong Mueang Airport, those plans were a non-starter. After checking into my hotel, I felt zapped and the impact of the holidays pace had gotten me good! The two trains that would be needed to visit 'TROK' didn't seem to be like a choice, I wanted to get some food and relax. Heading across the road allowed me to find a local looking hangout, I literally ordered everything on the menu! Needless to say, I had eaten my way through Thailand and that last evening was no exception! I ordered a bowl of Tom Yum Goong, a Thai omelette, some crispy pork and a serving of rice. Of course, I washed it all down with a bottle of Leo for good measure, it would be one of the last before I returned to my overseas working location. I relaxed into that local setting with the airport located in close proximity. Delicious wasn't even the word to describe that meal! I was in a state of Thai food heaven! I had a feeling that Thailand would be see me again before 2026! 

With no intentions of a night outing into the city, I had even looked at local places around Don Mueang but nothing really came up. I walked along the road towards the hotel, my heart was heavy but I refused to stay in that funk because I was going to be on a mad thing the next day! "Flying High... Spring Airlines" will hold no punches held back, I was ready to take it to the skies! I had gone soft, I had passed up the chance to see that MTR facing bar for a relaxing swim the hotels pool? I had lost my actual mind! In my heart, I now know that I was saving Silom for another night even if 'TROK' never actually happened because a 'Third Strike' is never guaranteed! Thailand had one thing to say, she told me; "You Better Work!" A refreshing swim I did have, I had not even stepped into the sea during my time spent in Krabi because I had been too busy necking those Long Island Iced Teas during my only full and free day! I was actually at peace, I knew that doing nothing was fine, I didn't need another drunken airport dash! Just, no! 

Fresh from my swim, I retired to my room for a little while. I had eaten enough? No, never! I decided before calling it a night, a walk over to the airport terminal sounded like a fine choice. I trotted over in my vest, shorts and flip flops for the final time, because a fuller outfit would be required to deal with Ningbo's freezing temperatures. I was in hot pursuit of my final 7 Eleven toastie for the trip and a Milo Kitkat for good measure! Thai tea? I needed one final sweet milk tea drink because I can't drink another, Thailand's tea brew had topped China's many brands! The airport terminal was quiet but like any airport, people were still going about their passenger business, I wanted to survey those check-in desks to see where my Spring Airlines flight would channelling the chaos one party at a time! I had booked lounge access, I already knew that a few double measured cocktails would needed to be sank before entertaining that five hour flight to Ningbo! Sure, I secured that toastie! I would find space for those final few snacks! Another Leo?

Cancelled? I almost stopped breathing for one second as I saw my destination on the departure bound for the next days flights but I had no reason to fret, that discarded flight wasn't any of my concern. I walked back towards my hotel with my snacks in a bag, I had also bought some Thai inhalers because they seemed like the top takeaway present, for me anyway! I had clocked the bar on the way over to the airport earlier, it wasn't open but on the way back it most certainly was! Make mine a large one, lad! I supped on my final pints of Leo before I called it a night. I did see a few fair Air Asia cabin crew and pilots pass by that elevated hotel bar, I did check on a certain application to see if they were 'looking?' I wasn't about to be dashing for any check-in the next day, an earlyish night would be had. That final toastie and snacks did the job, it was better than any other action that clearly wasn't on offer! It was a sedate affair but it was mindful and I got what I needed from that time. Bangkok left the door open for me, I will think about a return. 

Bye, Bab! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure