#1: Departure in Germany and arrival in Bangkok!

01/15/2020 & 01/16/2020

Here we go! Wake up at 06:00am, departure at 08:00am. After the final preparations, Klaus drives us to the airport in Frankfurt. Since we have allowed plenty of time, we arrive at 9:40am, about 4 hours before departure.

We pass the time by checking in our luggage, eating something, going through a security gate, going through another security gate, and exploring the airport from McDonald's.

Boarding starts on time and we take off! Since this is our first flight without Ryanair, our expectations for the flight are quite low. However, even in our Economy class, the flight is very comfortable. Each seat has a TV with movies in different languages and an overview of the flight progress. On board, a tasty snack, a delicious lunch, and a balanced breakfast are served. After about 10.5 hours of flight time, we finally land in Bangkok.

After going through security and passport control, we receive the entry stamp for 30 days. Now it's time to get our backpacks, exchange money, buy a SIM card, and find our way to the hostel in Bangkok. Outside the airport, we feel the climate for the first time: it feels like 53°C and 127% humidity.

After a train ride of about 1.5 hours and a 10-minute walk, we encounter the first Thai 'taxi driver' in a private car. Against our better judgment, we negotiate a fixed price with the taxi driver for the hostel:

Driver: 200 THB.
Martin: 150 THB?
Driver: No.
Martin: Okay, 200 THB. (about 6 €)

While the driver navigates with my phone in one hand and has a phone conversation with the other, we are safely driven to the hostel despite the chaotic traffic.

Arriving at the hostel, completely sweaty and tired, we have to wait again. But this time only for 3 hours! Gradually, as we enjoy a well-deserved can of caffeinated soda, we realize that the taxi driver must have made a good deal with us. The normal fare according to the 'Taxi Meter' would have been only about a quarter of what we paid. However, we are simply glad to have arrived at the hostel after about 20 hours of traveling.

The hostel has a modern and well-maintained appearance and is located in the middle of the 'Old Town' of Bangkok. Here, you can find the palace district, various temples, as well as other tourist attractions such as China Town and Khao San Road.