Today was the day. My fourth trip to Thailand, and I had been looking forward to this one for a while. Flying to Bangkok never really gets routine, but this time it felt different. I knew I would see Noi again after what felt like a long time.
Before boarding, I spent some time in the KLM Crown Lounge. It’s always a good way to start the trip. Sit down, eat something, slow things down a bit before the long flight. That small moment before everything starts.
Once on the plane, it didn’t go exactly as planned. The flight was pretty turbulent. Every time I tried to relax or get some sleep, the plane started moving again. Not ideal for a long-haul flight. Even if you’re used to flying, turbulence always keeps you a bit on edge. At some point, you just accept it and wait it out.
By the time we landed in Bangkok, I was tired. No real sleep, just a long night in the air. But the moment I saw Noi, that feeling disappeared fast. That’s the part that matters. After being apart, seeing her again made the whole trip worth it immediately.
Bangkok felt familiar the second I arrived. The noise, the heat, the energy. It’s something you recognize right away. Even though I was exhausted, it felt good to be back.
Now it really starts.
