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    Wednesday 1st of January 2025 and the alarm goes off at 4 o'clock. I have plenty time for tea and cheese before I left for the reception 10 minutes before 6 o'clock.
I thought we were going in the hotel van, but I could see a taxi and it turned out to be the same taxi I went to look for bird at the volcano with. We loaded my luggage in to the back of the car and we were soon on our way to the airport leaving Hotel Robledal behind. Hotel Robledal had provided me with a breakfast bag but I gave it to the taxi driver.   On the way to the airport
 Took us about 10 minutes to get to the airport and I said BYE BYE. The terminal was almost empty and I found UNITED's check-in. First, I went to COPA Airlines have a very similar logo. But I managed to get to UNITED's check-in. Not many people in the check-in, at least not in the BIZ line. There was no one in the BIZ line so I expected to be finished here in a jiff. No one in the BIZ line so they had economy class passengers to check in at the BIZ desk. To speed up things a bit, no worries. And I had to double check my calendar, it is the year of 2025 and it must be at least 50 - 60 years since flying was something exotic and most people have never been on board an airplane. Again, double checking my calendar, yes, it is 2025 and it seems like there are still people not having a clue. I have been to check-in lines where people are traveling together, they want to sit together and both of them want a window seat. But it is not a train, anyway, ahead of me is a family, mommy and daddy with two children, maybe  6 years old. And it was pure comedy, OK, I was jumping up and down wondering what the duck was going on.
4 passengers, 2 suitcases and they looked like balloons, they were really filled to the brim.  - Over weight, maximum 23 kg per bag, the staff informed them. She suggested to take out stuff and repack the bags, and of course, they started to do this on the floor in front of the check-in desk, effectively stopped the check-in process for the BIZ passengers.  UNITED Airlines check-in
Sweet Lord! There was a third suitcase, a small plastic toy suitcase that their son used, the size of a small carry on. They opened this one, it was full of tours and they started to “press” clothes in to the bag. They filled up beach bags and now there was black beetles/ cockroaches starting to crawl around on the floor. It took a while and thy managed to reduce the weight of the suitcases. They left the check-in desk carrying beach bags full of clothes.  San Jose International Airport
 Immigration
There is a priority line but they asked me to go to the information desk to get my boarding card before I could use the priority line. The information was just a few meters away so it went quick and I passed immigration and security an a few minutes. Security and you walked through the TAX-FREE shops to reach the gate area. I forgot my travel adapter in Panama so I bought a new one and I discover that they had refreshments when I paid for the travel adapter and I bought 2 bottle of diet drinks for the flight. I was about to leave when I decided to buy a third bottle to enjoy while waiting for United Airlines flight UA 1079 The flight will leave from gate 5, just outside the TAX FREE. I had about two hours to kill and I did not bother to trot all the way to the lounge and I took my seat in the gate area and I set up my IT centre.  Refreshments
 I set up my IT centre
 Killing time on the internet and time is passing quite quickly. I was almost alone at gate 5 when I  arrived and I praised myself for coming up with the idea to have an early flight on the 1st of January.
Most people would be home sleeping with a hangover after the New Years Eve. But it did not take long before my fellow passengers started to drop in to the gate area. So, obviously,  no crazy New Years parties.
At least not for the people flying to New York with me on flight UA 1079.  Waiting area still empty
 Our plane waiting for us
 People waiting to board
 I take a seat again waiting for boarding to start
People are lining up for boarding and I go to the gate, too much people so I go back to get a seat. They call out my group and I go to board the flight and found my seat and my home for the next 5 hours. Nothing I am looking forward to, but it is worth it with all the birds I have seen. I put my two remaining DIET drinks in the pocket in front of me and I prepare myself mentally to sit a stare in to the back of the chair in front of me for the next 5 hours. At least I have an aisle seat and there is a lady next to me in the window seat. Boarding completed in time and we are pretty much departing on time. Flight time 4 and a half hours and we expect to arrive to New York around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Boarding flight UA 1079
 Boarding flight UA 1079
 Boarding flight UA 1079
 Boarding flight UA 1079
 Enjoying my refreshments
Taking off and I got my breakfast, pre ordered omelette and I enjoyed my meal with tea. I decided to watch a movie, but I cannot remember what movie it was, never mind, they are all the same now a days. seems like they ran out of good movie ideas 20 years ago. Scheduled touch down and immigration was empty. I do not understand United States of A, what is going on here? They have put a man on the moon? But simple commercial aviation seems to be a hard nut to crack. I am flying around the world on a quite frequent basis. And only, I say only and every time in USA, they have the same problem, the carry on and they ask us to check-in the carry-on. Not the passengers in the “pointy” part of the airplane. Overhead bins are full so passengers have to check their carry on bags. Immigration, empty but there are so many options (And believe me, I was not the only one confused) Why not keep to the two options? 1) Citizens 2) Foreigners I found the right option and I was soon at the luggage claim waiting for my luggage. I went through the custom and now I had to find the hotel shuttle.  Waiting for my bags
 Looking out the window while waiting for my bags
I have sent several emails to enquiry about the airport shuttle, no answer and there was now hotel shuttle to be seen in the arrival hall so I went to get a taxi. 42 Dollars to go to the hotel. The bill turned out to be 42 Dollars + + and it ended up on 50 Dollars. Then the machine asked for tip, but I put NO TIP. 8 Dollars on a 42 Dollar trip should be enough. Stepping in to the reception at Best Western Plus Newark Airport West. Take some time before they can find me a room and as I am hungry, I ask if the restaurant is open. They do not open and I bought some snacks in the vending machine. The snacks were a setback for my diet, but I was really hungry and I had tea and snacks when I finally got in to my room.  My room
 My room
 My room
 View from my room
 The key was not working so I had to ask the cleaning lady to open the door for me. The room was OK, but the coffee machine was not much to write home about, but I brought my own kettle. I  see in many rooms, lately, well, the last few years that they do not have kettles but coffee makers.
Maybe to avoid people to clean their underwear and socks in the kettles. Anyway, I like to bring my own kettle and I am sure, that if  there have been any underwear and socks in the kettle, they have been my own.
Having my dinner and well, it was, I could eat it. The tea, earl grey, but the milk had sugar in it so I did not enjoy the tea and I could not wait to get back to my room for a cuppa. In bed early and I have set my alarm to go off at 4 o'clock. I will take the hotel's airport shuttle leaving Best Western Plus Newark Airport West 6 thirty in the morning. +++++++++++++++
Thursday 2nd of December 2025 and having my last cup of tea that I made with the kettle I bought in Brazil 3 months ago. I have had a good time with the kettle and it was not without sadness that I took farewell of the kettle when I left my room.
I was also a wee bit happy, no longer need to pack and carry around the kettle. I took my wheeled units and I left my room. I had company of one UNITED Airline crew in the elevator going down to the reception. 5 floors, the slowest elevator in the world and we had time for a chat.  Farewell my friend and thank you for this time
He was going with the same shuttle as me. We were in the reception a few minutes before 6 thirty and a couple of minutes later they announced that the shuttle had arrived. We went out and we packed our luggage in to the back of the van. Singapore Airlines are the first stop so my luggage went in last. We were joined by another couple and we took off towards Newark International Airport leaving Best Western Plus Newark Airport West behind.  They dropped me at Terminal B and there were a few passengers lining up at Singapore Airlines check-in. My line was empty so I checked-in in a jiff and I was soon on my way to the security. Newark International Airport was almost empty at this time of the morning and I was actually enjoying walking towards the security. I had forgotten exactly everything on how it looked at the terminal since I checked in to Singapore Airlines last time here in Newark. But as soon as I stepped in to the check-in, I remembered everything. Check-in - down one floor - security and the gates with the tax-free shops.  Arriving to Newark International Airport Terminal B
 Arriving to Newark International Airport Terminal B
 Arriving to Newark International Airport Terminal B
 Arriving to Newark International Airport Terminal B
 Singapore Airline check-in
The only lounge is the British Airways, and the lounge is open for Singapore Airlines passengers. And as I had not had any breakfast, I went up to see what they had to offer. They have some bacon and sausages; I did not bother with the sausages when I took my second plate. They had tea and I enjoyed a few cups. Otherwise, there was not much, but it was enough. But it was good enough and I was not hungry when I left the lounge. I spent an hour in the lounge before going to spend the last hour before departure at the gate. Maybe they have DIET drinks in the shops at the gate.  Breakfast
 Our plane waiting for us
 Merry Christmas
Walking to the gate and I passed the TAX-FREE shops and I do not know, how many times since I left Nord Swift that I had stopped myself from buying chocolate. I like them big Toblerone and there are many different kinds. But if you open one of them you do not stop until it is finished. So, I walked on and I went in to one shop to see if they had any refreshments worth buying. We are in the secure area of the airport, past the security check and I can buy liquid to bring onboard. That's why I do not, well, one of the reasons I do not like Singapore Changi International Airport. There is one security check at every gate so not possible to bring onboard any liquid. But now we are past the security but they only had coca cola products in the shop and I left without any refreshments. Taking one of the seats overlooking the gate 53 area and now it was just to wait until boarding will start. Time past by quickly and it was soon time to board. Taking my seat that will be my home for the next 18 hours. Last time I took this flight, SQ 021 they ran out of Earl Grey tea but this time I have some back up tea in my carry-on luggage. They came to offer a drink and I said no thanks. - What about after take-off? - Just Earl Grey tea with milk, two mugs at the time. One tea bag for two mugs! - OK - Do you have honey? - Yes They took my food order and she disappeared and I could finally be alone in my seat. Last time I was sitting here facing 18 hours I thought, never again. But here I am again.  Getting onboard
 Getting onboard
 18 hours, bring it on!
18 hours in a minute
The seat is comfy, but 18 hours, a real killer. I had not been onboard for long before they pulled us off the jet bridge. And it is a gorgeous morning with sunshine. We take off and as I am sitting above the wing there is no view to enjoy, just a glimpse here and there. My first two cups of tea arrived to my seat and I enjoyed my tea while waiting for the food. I regret to have ordered my meal, I was full and I told them to cancel my main course when they brought the starter. And I was tired and my plan was to sleep a little.  TAXI to the runway
 TAXI to the runway
 We are airborne
 Next stop: Singapore
 17h 10m to go
 I get my starter
Arriving to Singapore at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. 5 o'clock in the morning here and my plan is to sleep a few hours and then stay awake until arrival and BOOM, sleep at the hotel. I am booked at Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 2 and I will check out at 5 o'clock in the morning, flying to Bangkok with flight SQ 706. I managed to sleep for 2 or 3 hours and only about 14 hours to go when I woke up. I watched two movies and I had killed 4 hours, now what to do for the remaining 10 hours. I had flipped through the TAX-FREE catalogue a couple of time, and it was for sure not getting any more exciting. There was the safety information and I killed another minute. +++++++++++++++
Friday 3rd of December 2025 and I was very happy when we descended down to Singapore Changi International Airport. I had spent the last 10 hours drinking tea staring in to the back of the seat in front of me.
So, to get off the plane was one of the highlights of the flight.  Arriving to Singapore
 Arriving to Singapore
Damn! It was nice to get off the plane. Now I have to find the train to Terminal 2, I am pretty sure that is the hotel I have booked. There are 3 different airport hotel and as my flight to Bangkok leaves from Terminal 2 I am pretty sure that I will stay there. Arriving to Terminal 3 and I walked to the sky train station, not too far away from the gate we arrived to. Reaching the sky train station and it is one minute until next departure to Terminal 2. Getting off the train at Terminal 2 a couple of minutes later, now the trouble to find the hotel started. There are no signs pointing to the hotel and I remember that it was the same last time looking for the hotel.  Train station
 Train arriving
 Surprised to find refreshments
Trotting around looking for my hotel and I asked for directions several times. I passed a 7 Eleven and I went to buy something to eat in my room. I was surprised when I discovered that they had diet drinks and I bought three bottles. When I do bird watching in Thailand I use to buy the Japanese snack, salmon wrapped in rice and sea weed. I found them here as well, but this was “jumbo” sized Japanese health snack. And I was getting hungry I bought a couple of the “Salmon Surprise” and I will enjoy them in my room with a diet drink in my room. If and when I can find the hotel. Trotting around hungry and tired and I was up and down escalators just to be disappointed. But finally, I managed to find the hotel.  Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 2
 Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 2
It was 6 o'clock in the evening when I found the Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 2. My booking was from 7 o'clock so I had to pay for one extra hour. I ripped open a “Salmon Surprise” and a diet drink first thing coming in to my room. I was in bed sleeping 30 minutes after that and they will wake me up at 4 o'clock in the morning. +++++++++++++++
Saturday 4th of December 2025 and I wake up around 2 o'clock and as there is not much to pack, I just wait for my 4 o'clock wake-up call. A shower and the last of my diet drinks before checking out at 5 o'clock.
 Our Hero is ready for the last leg of the journey
Having had my last “Salmon Surprise” in my room I was not very hungry. I know from my last stay at the Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 2 that the food in the lounge is not very exciting. Dinner and breakfast included in the price and thus I bought the “Salmon Surprise” at 7 Eleven. Walking towards gate 54 and there was a good smell in the terminal, smelled like fresh bread and I got hungry. I started to look for where the smell came from and I could not find anything. Is it from the lounge? I really do not think so, but I went to have a look.  Early morning and the airport is empty
As I suspected, the good smell did not come from the lounge, but is I was here I made some tea. I tried the fried noodles and sausage, not any luxury or extravaganza, but it was OK. They only had paper cups if you wanted to have a larger size of tea cup. Put the plate was made out of porcelain and they had stainless steel cutlery.  Luxury breakfast in the lounge
 Lining up at gate F 54
Singapore Airlines flight SQ 706 departs at 07:05 and boarding starts at 06:35 and I left for the gate. There was a long queue to the security and I took a seat waiting. Boarding had started by the time I passed through the security and I could walk straight onboard and take my seat. Last boarding for this time and I hope it will be a long time until my next  flight. I really have had enough for a very long time now.
They offered a welcome drink and I said no thanks. The Stewardess ask for my meal preferences and I asked for an omelet and two cups of tea to be served after take-off. I am left alone and I flip through the TAX-FREE catalogue and it was the same catalogue as on the previous flight. Well, I managed to kill a couple of seconds. Boarding completed and we taxi to the runway. We are soon airborne heading towards north and Bangkok. Staring in to the back of the seat in front of me. Waiting for the breakfast and my tea and the food was really good. Two cups of tea and the rest of the flight was spent studying the back of the seat in front of me.  Finally, the last boarding for this time
 Finally, the last boarding for this time
 I am in my seat
 Boarding flight SQ 706
 TAXI to the runway
 TAXI to the runway
 Airborne
 Breakfast
Time passed quickly and we are soon descending to Suvarnabhumi International Airport and I can't wait to get home for a power nap. We are flying in over Samut Prakan and I can see the places where I use to go look for birds Passing Samut Prakan and we are landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport coming in from south. Smooth touch down and we were taxi to the terminal, and Singapore Airlines us the old terminal. And their gate is very close to the immigration so no need to trot around. Singapore Airlines lounge is located close to the immigration and they use the gate close to their lounge. At least every time I have been flying with Singapore Airlines, so it is a good choice flying to Bangkok. If you like to walk, you can chose any other airline.  Arriving to Suvarnabhumi International Airport
 Arriving to Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Getting off the plane and I was through immigration a few minutes. Luggage will come on belt #11 and it was quite some waiting before the luggage arrived. There was time to book the cat at AOT's desk while waiting for the luggage. And they have increased the price, from 1100 ฿ to 1200 ฿ I got the receipt and after having picked up the luggage I went through the custom. AOT have their desk just outside the custom and I handed over my receipt. We passed Lawson to pick up a few refreshments on the way to the car.  I praised my decision to invest the extra
money in self-propelled luggage  I praised my decision to invest the extra
money in self-propelled luggage  We reach the car
 My luggage, next stop, home
 On my way home
 We left Suvarnabhumi International Airport with smokin' and screamin' tires and it took about 30 minutes to get back home. I went to buy groceries at TOPS and at 12 they came from HONDA to  return my “bird watching” scooter.
I gave the scooter a test run to see that it was working properly before the HONDA crew left. Looks like they have managed to repair the scooter next time. I spent the rest of the day in my room and I had a power nap. Suffering from a severe jetlag and I was still very tired on Sunday. Monday and still jet lagged and I woke up at 2 o'clock in the morning  but I make it to Chaiyasit Muay Thai Gym for a session with ปีศาจแดง ก.กุมานนท์, The Red Devil.
They have sighted the Spoon-billed Sandpiper at Bang Pakong--The Gleua Café salt pans and I will go to see if I can spot the bird. You just need to click HERE to find out if I get to see the Spoon-billed Sandpiper
    
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To www.aladdin.st since December 2005
Visitors from different countries since 26th of September 2011
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