2014 - Shanghai Seminar & FIP Bangkok

We arrived pretty much on time, and I had almost 5 hours to get through immigration, collect the baggage, proceed through Customs, re-check the bag and then make my way to the domestic terminal.  Managed to do all this is just under an hour and was in the QC having a shower and breakfast soon after.  As I had watched all those movies and not slept, I was pretty tired, so had about an hour of snoozing.  Passed the time in the QC by wandering up and down, reading the paper and my book.  Boarded on time for flight to Hervey Bay and arrived just after 1pm.  Greg was there to collect me and take me back to Hippo Farm.  I was really happy to be home, away from the pollution, noise and traffic of both Shanghai and Bangkok.

Had another sleep-in.  As my flight out was only at 6:25pm, I had requested a late check-out (2pm) so there was no need to rush to do anything.  I met Sylvain for breakfast and then said goodbye and went back up to my room.  I did some more work on the computer and slowly packed up my things.  I checked-out at 2pm thinking it would take at least an hour and a half to the airport, but it only took just over an hour.  Lucky for me the check-in was open and before too long I was in the QC having lunch I didn't have at the hotel because I knew I would be able to get it here.  Also had a glass of champagne and OJ.  As I had almost 3 hours to kill, I opened up the computer and did some more work. It was then time to board and go home.   I was fortunate enough to have a spare seat next to me in a row of 4.   The guy on the other aisle had his arm in a sling from a MTB accident in Russia I think?   We chatted for a bit and I helped in open a...

Had a sleep-in today!  We all met for breakfast at 7:30am and then said goodbye to Trudi.  Sylvain, Jane and I then exchanged photos as we do every year and then Sylvain and I said goodbye to Jane as she was leaving earlier than us.  Sylvain and I visited the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha.  We took a taxi and were just going to have a wander on our own when we were approached by a guide with an offer that was quite reasonable. So, for the next hour, we followed and “oohed” and “aahed” at the right places.  Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside some of the most interesting places. Instead of going directly back to the hotel we had the taxi drop us at our BTS station and we walked the short distance to Maccas for lunch.  My first and only Thai Maccas and it was just the same as everywhere else in the world – funny that?! I made my way back to the hotel whilst Sylvain went to check on the progress of his shirts he was having made.   As...

This was the traditional MEPS visit day where we usually visit a military installation of some description.  Touring a Thai military installation was not an option this year, so I arranged with Noy for her to take us on a tour which included the Bridge of the River Kwai, so it did have some military significance.  So, we had to be up even earlier as the bus taking us on our tour was leaving from the BITEC at 7am.  Those of us staying at the Windsor Suites requested a breakfast-to-go, and somehow, I ended up with 2.  Not that I was complaining though, as they were tiny breakfasts consisting of a small sandwich, dry croissant, bread roll and water! We all met down in the lobby and also met Dave and Noy there and then made our way to the BITEC via the BTS.  We arrived in plenty of time and found the bus. The tour started with a drive to Kanchanaburi, and we arrived about 9am. Our first stop was at a WW2 Kanchanaburi War Cemetery where we had about 30mins to wal...