Flying in Asia

Flying in Asia is a bit different than in the US. Its more of like a more expensive bus service. You buy the tickets at most 2 weeks ahead of time, in my case 10 minutes ahead of time this morning. The flight may or may not be full. My $100 flight from Kunming to Bangkok was on a 737 with about 30 people on it. I had 3 seats to myself. So did everyone else who  desired it.

 

And one really funny thing that got me: While landing in Bangkok, BKK has two parallel runways like most airports. Well in between these runways was a golf course! Just right there, people were playing. A Big Bertha driver and a nasty slice and you might be able to get your ball stuck in the "737 engine hazard".

 

In Bangkok I went online to Air Asia, which is an airline that flies around SE Asia. I ordered a round trip ticket to Chiang Mai in the North of Thailand. It was about $75. $25 each way and about $25 in taxes. Thai Airlines would have been double that. But the website said that there was an error with my order because they were so busy and that I may or may not get a confirmation email, but that I should not order again. The British guy running my guesthouse said not to worry, that happens all the time. I saw that the money had been charged from my card so I figured my credit card would suffice to pick the ticket up. So I show up for my 6:45 am flight and it turns out I have no ticket, but I give them my credit card and 5 minutes later I had a ticket. 1 hour later I'm in Chiang Mai.