Day 1 to 3: Sat 31 Oct to Mon 2 Nov - Hervey Bay to Sydney to Bangkok

Due to the lack of options flying out of Hervey Bay it took two days to get to Bangkok with an overnight stay in Sydney.   I discovered the Rydges Airport Hotel, which is right across the road from the International Terminal. They have a fantastic gym so I hit the pedals on a stationary bike and weights for a workout on the afternoon I arrived. It felt good and I judged myself reasonably fit; for an old bugger. 

Both flights Hervey Bay to Sydney direct and Sydney to Bangkok direct were uneventful and smooth. I arrived at Bangkok on time at 1420 Sunday.  I didn't sleep during the whole 9 hours of the Bangkok flight but caught up on all the new docos in the entertainment system, Grand Designs (Aust) series and Space Exploration Series. 

The Cab from the airport was quick, efficient and cheap, US$15.  But I noted that previously you could pick up a pirate taxi at the airport for about the same price, but this time it was all very organised and “legal”.  Maybe there had been a Military crackdown on dodgy taxis?  

I quickly booked into the Grand President Hotel, which is where the Cycle Tour Mini bus picks us up from, and was given a room upgrade to a “luxury”.   This is the third time I've stayed here and it's always great. I spent the spare day catching up with the other people on the tour, wandering around the shops and admin.  The Tour Mob were Baz (real name Simon, a Brit who was on the last tour with us) Trio (Brit, Baz’s mate – first time on our tours) Bob and Kerry Kent (Canberra, done many tours in Oz, Europe and Asia with them) Ken Uren (Canberra, done two tours in Asia with him), and Ben (Brit, Tour Guide, who was only with us for a day or so as he was doing a recce for a big tour he was bringing over from the UK next year). 

Sydney Harbour

My room at Rydges

In the Rydges gym

Bangkok traffic, lucky we didn't have to be in it

Dinner venue on our last night in Bangkok




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