Well, we're off again, this time to discover Burma or Myanmar as it's known these days. This is another country like Cuba which is emerging from its troubled past and is somewhere we want to visit before mass tourism puts its inevitable stamp on the place - of course we may be too late!!
We decided a couple of years ago that our aging bodies didn't like to be folded up on airplanes for long periods of time and where funds permitted we would try to upgrade. So, in an effort to make Business Class affordable, I found a fantastic deal which involved us flying via Bangkok - with the infamous Malaysian Airlines - their somewhat careless loss of planes not registering in my head (one disappeared, one was shot down by Ukraine separatists).
Flights from Bangkok to Mandalay can be a bit haphazard so to ensure we are in time for the tour we're going early, spending one day in Bangkok and all being well a day in Mandalay before the rest of the group arrives.
We've been to Bangkok before so providing we get a decent sleep on the plane, we'll just dump our suitcases at the airport hotel (24hr check-in so no messing around) and then take the skytrain to downtown Bangkok. The temperature is due to be about 35 degC so lunch then a gentle river boat cruise or similar would suit, finally to Phat Phong night market to see if they still have the cheap, fake designer golf shirts they offered when we were last there (13 years).
Then after a good night's sleep we get a mid morning flight to Mandalay.
That's the plan ..............................................