Thailand - getting there

I had a flight to Auckland from Christchurch. Me being the master sleeper, slept the entire way so there is nothing to report on that flight.

I had a few hours to kill in the Auckland airport but it being so early in the morning, I have no recollection of what I did. My Auckland flight was a 12 hour ride to Hong Kong. I got stuck in a middle seat, the plain was packed! I got suck next to this old couple that I really didn't care for. I had a messenger bag with me, with my make-up and some books (don't know why I bother, I haven't picked up a book since Argentina!). I stored it under my seat and it barely fit. Let me tell you, I haven't had less room on a plain, ever. I was on Cathay Pacific- not a big fan at all. The old lady was really annoying and bragged about the fact that all she ever brings on the plain is her passport and that's it. I was uncomfortable, yes, but did she have to rub it in?! I fell a sleep soon after and managed to wake up for both meals. They did serve us Ice cream though... yummy. I love not being lactarded anymore!

The Hong Kong airport is massive; I was very sleepy though and once again I can't really remember my hour spent there. I got my next flight about 1.5 hours to Bangkok. Once again I was on Cathay Pacific, but it wasn't as crowded. Obviously I slept from take off through landing. I impress myself with my wonderful ability to sleep anywhere at anytime!

I got into Bangkok at midnight. My bags came with great ease and as I was leaving the airport, as suggested to me I got a hired car rather than a metered taxi. I now know I was ripped off by like 500 baht! That's roughly 15 bucks... but that's a lot out here!

The cab driver barely spoke English and I doubted is knowledge on the where abouts of my hotel. But I was in the taxi and couldn't do anything at that point. We had to stop for gas... arg! I hate that. If you are a taxi get gas before you take a fare!!!! The gas station was an experience though. There were teenage boys working there. The gas thingy is in the trunk of the car, strange, but so was my bag. I got out of the car to make sure they weren't robbing me... I pretended to stretch, but truthfully, I need a little stretching. As I got back in the taxi the young boys did a NY accent and said 'Oh my God'; they were screaming it. I laughed and then they screamed that they loved me. It was a cute moment.

We drove on, and on, and on. The 45 minute ride turned into a 1.5 hour ride. At 2 am the cab driver finally asked some people for directions. he stopped the car when we got to this blocked off road and told me to get out. I was very confused. The street was packed with a lot of Thai people that must have hit the town that night. he off loaded my luggage and was about to leave. My hotel was no where in sight. I asked him where I needed to go and he gave me the vaguest point. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I was being abandoned in Bangkok! He was of no help to me; that was very apparent! i asked the police man and he pointed in another direction but kept on looking at the paper puzzled. Another local looked on and gave me another direction. I just started walking down the street and hoped for the best mind you I was fighting tears!

I finally saw another tourist and asked them, but they were on the piss and once again of no use. They too gave me another direction. I walked and happened to look up... and there it was a small sign with my hotel name, leading to an alley way.