Bangkok on one leg -

Hong Kong International Airport

Had a great and fun ride with Rachel and my son Ian to the San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Only to be brought down by the airport security goons forcing me to pull off my money belt and run it, along with my life savings inside, through the ex-ray tunnel. Where in, my money belt and contents were misplaced and in my panic I pissed off the head goon because of my complaining. While instead of addressing my complaint,  he tried intimidating me by tossing trays very hard and as close to me as he could.  Which resulted in a very intense staring match between us, my money belt materializing, only then to have my shoes disappear. This experience confirms my thought - that the terrorists have won and many government employees have joined their ranks

So with money belt and shoes in place I'm aboard an aging 747-400 for 13 hours and 47 minutes of being pinned in a high flying aluminum tube, with my new Bosie - noise canceling headphones glued to my head (they really work, but be sure to bring a backup AAA battery), a bit of wine, Dramamine and a little white pill in my stomach I'm heading to Hong Kong. On arrival I've a few morning hours to roam the airport in search of a AAA battery, success at a little after 7:00 AM as the stores started to open, $3.00 for two batteries and interesting enough, they were made in the USA.

Then at 9:10 AM its back into a another aluminum tube, this time a packed 737-300 but the people next to me on this leg were small and polite folks traveling home to India. Though this is where I experienced a second problem with the new head phones, the jack opening was too large to except the headphones plug. So while searching out a new battery was an interesting mission but really didn't make any difference because I couldn't use them, anyway it's only a two and a half hour trip from Hong Kong to Bangkok. However,I've been telling everyone it's a five and a half hour slog, sorry everyone!

OK, so you’re thinking what's with the "Bangkok on one leg" - a few weeks ago I injured my right leg and with all the walking I've had to do it's become very awkward and painful to get around. I gave in this morning, after a few hours of wondering around, retreating to my room with a fresh from the grill piece of chicken, a bag of fresh cut fruit and a very cold beer Chang. All for about the cost of the Sunday paper in Sacramento and I'm a better man for it.

Just an after thought. had some bangkok street photos to post also but couldn't get it to work.   Anyway, more to come...