| Namaste Nepal! | Sawadee Thailand! |
Today was a traveling day. I was advised to go to the airport at least 3 hours in advance and to bring 1700 Rupees in cash for the departure tax. It turned that that was way too much time as most lines were very short. In addition, Thai Air tickets include departure tax, so I didn't need the 1700 Rupees ($20). Oh well, I'll try to sell them to the next Nepal traveler. The good news is that I spent most of the time in the very nice Thai Air Silk Lounge and I had time to finish and publish yesterday's blog.
Security at Kathmandu airport is strict. Before entering the airport, all cars are stopped and searched (unless they contain a Westerner in which case they are waved through). Then, to get into the terminal, one needs to show a ticket (remember to bring a printout!), get all luggage X-Rayed, go through a metal detector and get a pad down. After getting the ticket, you go through immigration and to the "pre-departure" hall where Duty free, a restaurant, and the Silk lounge are. After that, you go again through more security (as it's customary in Nepal, with different lines for man and women). Again a metal detector, x-ray of hand luggage, and another pad down. After that, you go to yet another security station where they open your hand luggage and search it. There, all my batteries were confiscated. I complained a bit too loudly so the supervisor came and allowed me to keep 4 of them (they kept 6 fresh batteries and 6 used ones). The reason I got upset is because I made an effort to collect used batteries and to tell people not to leave them in Nepal and instead dispose them properly in their home countries. Oh well, so much for my good intentions. After the hand search of luggage, a corridor leads to the very crowded and small departure hall. Luckily I didn't have to spend time there as my plane was boarding, so I headed to the tarmac outside. Just before boarding the plane, a final security station where you get a final pad down. After all that... finally on board.
I arrived to Bangkok new airport and cruise through immigration and customs. It helps having only a carry on. The hotel is close to the old town and the backpackers area and there is lots of activity at night (pretty hot and humid at 10pm). Everything is available on the streets. From cart vendors selling all kinds of food, to outdoor Thai massage. I'm looking forward to go exploring the city tomorrow.
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