Bangkok with a Baby
I'm writing this in bed. It's 7.34pm and the three of us are under our duvets. It's wonderful.
We arrived at 6.30 this morning after what was really a good flight. It was about half full, so we had a spare seat on our row, and three completely empty rows next to us (we reserved seats right at the back of the plane to try to minimise noise for everyone - plus close to toilet). Melvin barely slept - but he didn't cry. We flew on the new (ish) Norwegian 787 Dreamliner, which in itself was a treat. Huge windows, amazing amount of headroom and luggage room, and a great entertainment system. The only drawbacks were motion sensor lights around the power button, the USB socket, and the headphone socket. In daylight this wasn't a problem, but at night, the sharp blue light flipped on at the slightest movement, and broke the darkness to such an extent that we woke up, and - whenever we managed to get him to shut his eyes for a moment - Melvin woke up. The reading lights were also extremely high up as a result of the amazing headroom, so when someone switched theirs on, pretty much the whole row was bathed in bright light - cue everyone waking up again. However! When all is said and done, it was a fine flight. Yes were were tired, but who cares? We're in Thailand.
After getting over the expected shock of it being 30° at 6.30 in the bloody morning, we had a smooth ride to the hotel in a car (with baby seat!), a nap, and then got on with our day (brunch at The Mandarin Oriental's Thai restaurant, Sala Rim Naan). Everything went perfectly (bar me drenching poor Melvin in sweat on a ferry ride. Word to the wise, if you're a hot person, don't carry your baby in a wrap/sling if it feels like 45° outside. I wish we'd brought our Baby Bjørn. Our Chicco Liteway stroller is working out well though. Easy to manoeuvre, and very light). Melvin is building up quite the fan club in Bangkok. People literally stop us on the street to look at him, and in some cases, kiss his little feet and legs. It's a bit weird, but there you go. He's a charmer.
As much as I love it here, I'm really looking forward to getting out of Bangkok and on with the 'real' trip. To get to Koh Samui where we'll be for approximately a month. Then we'll know if we've packed well. Were we right bringing only a certain amount of nappies? Was it right not to bring a car seat? Will Melvin cope with the heat? We we cope with the heat? Did I actually pack gymnastic rings and will I ever use them? Who knows. Right now, my body needs sleep. I see Thilde and Melvin have already drifted off, so I'll join them.
Goodnight, wherever you are.
