Back to Chiang Mai

Last year we missed spending some winter time in Thailand as we had done the previous four years, due to Dan's recovery from a stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma. This year the doctor gave us the go-ahead and arranged for an oncologist in Bangkok to see to any of Dan's medical needs while we are here. He has a consultation scheduled there next week.

For the first time, we flew Qatar Airways, which turned out to be an excellent choice. It's the first time we traveled east from Chicago to get here. We left on December 30, passing through the 31st in the air, and arrived early on January 1. We were pleased to get right into our one-bedroom apartment in Smith Suites, where we have stayed each of the winters we've been here. 

As we arrived in Doha, Qatar, it was late afternoon and the sunset view from the plane was lovely.

We had about three hours until our next flight; we spent it in the business lounge, which had a pool in the middle. There was a wonderful buffet available, but we had been fed well on the flight and only had a small snack. 

As we headed toward the gate for our flight to Chiang Mai (it's so great that Qatar flies directly here without a change in Bangkok), I realized that my aching back had returned in force. Fortunately, there were moving walkways. As I was making my way along, a Qatar Airways employee noticed me struggling and offered to help. When we got to the gate, he ordered a wheelchair for me in Chiang Mai and got us checked in and boarded right away. We slept on both flights, which is always a good thing!

Our plane had to circle for about 20 minutes to wait for the airport to open; we were due in at 6:00 AM but arrived early. There were no lines at immigration and we got our luggage and were outside at the taxi stand in record time. I was indeed grateful for the wheelchair!

We got unpacked and settled and Dan headed off to do some business -- rent a scooter, get SIMs for our phones, and purchase some basic food items at Kasem's. When he got back, we headed to the nearby Blues Pub for a lunch of Pad Thai.

For supper, Dan went to the market and came back with some fried rice and cucumber salad. 

It is always hard to stay awake when we arrive early in the day; it is a 12-hour time difference from Indiana. I did take a nap, but we both slept until nearly 4:00 this morning, which is actually pretty good! The picture below is the sunrise from our balcony on the 6th floor.