There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it - Alfred Hitchcock

The flight itself was uneventful, save for the time it took. Thankfully, Russell had had his way with the check-in clerk and we ended up in a three seat exit row with no one in the third seat. this meant we could stretch out and sleep. It also meant that we could each get up and move about without disturbing the other for we had two metres of clear floor space in front of us. Russell spent most of the time in the galley chatting up^H^Hwith the flight attendants who assured his glass was never empty. Lidy spent most of her time asleep except for when food was brought to her (she declared herself to be a vegetarian to ensure priority service. It actually worked: Lidy got her food half an hour before Russell which meant Russell could spend more time in the galley.

The hour of departure draws near...

Settled in for the flight...

Off to Immigration...

The hour-long Immigration queue comes to an end for Lidy

On arrival, we walked for what seemed to be hours in the new Bangkok airport looking for our flight to Chiang-Mai. The airport is incredibly huge with walkways kilometres in length. No sooner would you navigate one walkway, and you would turn the corner and be in another kilometre long hall.

All aboard... for the last leg.

At last we made it to the Chiang-Mai boarding lounge where Russell had his computer bag tossed by security... But, not before we boarded a... BUS! for the trip out to our 'plane waiting patiently for us somewhere out on the tarmac.

The COBUS 2700s - A new experience in driver (and passenger) comfort

The driver is entirely shut-off from the passengers by bullet-proof glass and even has his own personal armed security guard riding shotgun in the jumpseat!

The COBUS 2700s driver compartment (through the bullet-proof glass)

At last, we got onto the 'plane and settled in for the one hour flight. The flight to Chiang-Mai was held up because a bevy of doctors were late in boarding; they were going to a medical conference in Chiang-Mai. If there is ever anyone that a 'plane should be held up for it is doctors. You can't have enough of them on a 'plane for when the captain calls over the loud speaker "Is there a doctor on-board..."

Wot! More vegetarian fare... On the 'plane to Chiang-Mai (at last)

At last! CHIANG-MAI!!!!!!!!

We landed at Chiang-Mai and cleared Customs (Immigration formalities had been completed in Bangkok.) Then it was time for us to be on the lookout for our tour guide...

The inscrutable Nonny - Our lovely guide

Nonny arranged transport to our hotel and has arranged to pick us up tomorrow to show us around. For now, it's time to unpack and settle in. But the day has only just begun. Come back for the next episode where Lidy gets stuck into the shopping at the Night Bazaar and Russell spends an evening with Elvis (yes, he is still alive and living in Chiang-Mai!