Langkawi to Bangkok

We had to rise early to pack as we'd not done anything to prepare last night, but it was a swift trip back to the airport on empty roads.

Our Air Asia flight departed on time, which was a relief as, for the first time, I'd misjudged the time available for transit. We were due to land in KL 1.5hours before our flight to Bangkok, which seemed like enough until I realised that I'd left only 30 minutes to arrive, collect our bags, walk to the departures area, check in and drop the bags befor eth flight closed! Not so clever. Luckily it all worked out well and we could discard Plan B - catch a taxi to the main KL airport (Air Asia is still operating out of the low cost carrier terminal)and buy a ticket on Malaysian Airlines. I've made a mental note not to run things so tight again.

We've had no problems travelling with Air Asia, either around asia or between the Gold Coast and KL. The only flight I've had cancelled we had decided not to use anyway, and they refunded the fares. I am careful to buy enough baggage allowance as we once had to pay a hefty excess on a London-KL flight and then again on the next leg from KL to Singapore. Whoops.

A two hour flight later we disembarked at a very new airport in Bangkok and took a 30 minute ride to our hotel, the Lebua at State Tower. We were upgraded to a suite on the 52nd floor, with two balconies, a bedroom, bathroom and separate lounge and dining room with kitchenette. Very impressive.

We headed out into the 41 degree afternoon, looking for the sky train to the shopping centre of the city. My senses were assaulted in every way as soon as I stepped out of the hotel - heat, noise, bustle and aromas good and bad.

Whilst I have always been curious about Bangkok, I had not previously wanted to visit. I had expected to be more concerned about my safety than I am. The streets are pleasantly lined with trees, the people are friendly. We've managed to find our way around, although we have had to ask at times when the signs have been in Thai. The locals all seem to speak english, but certainly not as well as in some of the places we've been. We also know no Thai yet; we're working on it!