The journey out was longer than necessary in that we had a 5 hour wait at Schipol for our connecting flight to Bangkok. I also had an interesting experience at Bangkok airport transferring for the flight to Chiang Mai. I had a non English speaking porter who wheeled me, unnecessarily, via the baggage reclaim. Poor Pam had an extended walk. He then parked me at a locked door overlooking the airport before disappearing. Pam had been separated by this time, no room in the lift. He came back and asked for money.......Pam had it, left me again to watch Pam walk out to the transfer bus and, the bus leave for the plane. What was happening?
Another porter appeared, wheeling me some distance to a cherry picker where I was put onto a ramp which slowly revved its way to the truck bed. The truck drove very slowly and noisily to the rear door of the plane before depositing me to make my entrance via the food loading door. The centre of attention. I hated that.
On arrival at Chiang Mai, our luggage was already on the belt, always a relief, a smiling Neil and Pen waiting for us in the arrivals hall. Choom, the minibus driver, was waiting in a queue, we were soon packed and aboard. My first experience of the high first step into the van, no step as requested and nothing to haul myself in by.
21.10 Thai time, time for bed after a very long 36 hours. Three flights, little sleep and a little birding from our 3 night stay, Malee Nature Lovers Bungalows, Cheng Dao, north of Chiang Mai. Malee is Pen's sister. Our two bedroom bungalow looks very comfortable, we both have double beds. The rooms are set in lovely gardens with small water features, shrubs, trees, and flowers, including orchids.
Another porter appeared, wheeling me some distance to a cherry picker where I was put onto a ramp which slowly revved its way to the truck bed. The truck drove very slowly and noisily to the rear door of the plane before depositing me to make my entrance via the food loading door. The centre of attention. I hated that.
On arrival at Chiang Mai, our luggage was already on the belt, always a relief, a smiling Neil and Pen waiting for us in the arrivals hall. Choom, the minibus driver, was waiting in a queue, we were soon packed and aboard. My first experience of the high first step into the van, no step as requested and nothing to haul myself in by.
21.10 Thai time, time for bed after a very long 36 hours. Three flights, little sleep and a little birding from our 3 night stay, Malee Nature Lovers Bungalows, Cheng Dao, north of Chiang Mai. Malee is Pen's sister. Our two bedroom bungalow looks very comfortable, we both have double beds. The rooms are set in lovely gardens with small water features, shrubs, trees, and flowers, including orchids.
There were a few birds whizzing around the bungalows, I photographed one, a Black-crested Bulbul, from the dining area, where we sat for a drink.
Stripe-throated Bulbuls also present.
There were also several lovely butterflies in nearby flowering shrubs. They proved to be a photographic and enjoyable challenge. Some are still to be named.
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| The Clipper |
We went out for a very nice Thai meal and have newly returned for listing and bed.
6.a.m. start in the morning......
More detail will have to wait.
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