BKK to SAI

So little time on the ground in Bangkok. I deplaned from my flight from Hong Kong and scrambled to figure out where my next gate was. I had a little more than an hour till my next takeoff. Fortunately, Bangkok’s airport is much smaller than Hong Kong. I figured out the board pretty quickly this time and navigated my way to the check-in counter, having to go through security on the way.

Bangkok had the strictest security of all the airports on my trip, including SFO. They riffled through my bag for a while before sending me on my way. At the gate, it was another bus ride across the tarmac. And then we got to the plane, a puddle jumper with propellers. It was quite a bit smaller than the wide-body jumbo jet across the Pacific.

It was a quick flight to Siem Reap, just little over an hour. But it included a meal! Ironically, it was the best meal I had on all my flights (step it up, United Airlines).

We deplaned at SAI and had to walk across the tarmac. Boots on the ground in Cambodia! I made it. I did it. It was real. And it was hot and humid. I made it through customs with ease; fortunately, I got my visa before the trip. Yes, you can actually get your visa for Cambodia when you arrive there. A formality, apparently, but I didn’t want to take that chance. Can you imagine?

And then baggage claim. No bag. I checked the AirTag I had put in my travel backpack. Yup, still in Bangkok. I knew that was a serious possibility with 2 stops and little more than an hour in Bangkok. But I prepared. I had brought the necessities in my carry-on. So I gave myself a little pat on the back, accepted it, got some Cambodian riel at the exchange booth, and booked myself a Tuk Tuk.

And that was an incredible ride.Read more