I seem to have caught a minor cold. It?s not the first time or sickest I?ve been abroad but it is pretty crappy. Last time I was sick abroad I had a fever and was traveling from Malaysia to Thailand during the SARS epidemic. If you think its hard smuggling contraband across the boarder, try concealing a fever.
Anyway, after spending time shopping in Bangkok and chilling out in Pattaya, I caught a flight on Air Asia to Singapore. Air Asia is sort of the Southwest Airlines of Asia?they don?t participate in the traditional flight booking systems but offer substantially discounted fares. My flight from Bangkok to Singapore was under US$50 all inclusive compared to $125+ for Singapore and Thai Airways. They cut corners more than any airline I have EVER flown. Forget the personal TVs, even forget about an in flight movie, forget about a meal or even a FREE drink (20 baht for water!), forget about a pillow or a blanket?shit I?m surprised they didn?t just scrap the lavatory too. There comes a point in any business where saving money isn?t always good for business. For example, instead of providing a ten cent airsick bag, Air Asia opted not too. Nothing happened but I was feeling sick to start with and it could have obviously turned into an unpleasant situation.
In terms of flyer amenities Asia Air sucks but the view of takeoff from BKK was AMAZING. It?s still rainy season in Thailand and just as we took off it started to rain. At about 10k feet the whole cabin had a gorgeous view of lightening storms only a short distance away. We emerged several minutes later out of the cloud cover over the Gulf of Thailand to a picturesque sunset?one of the prettiest I?ve ever experienced.
I just arrived in the city-state of Singapore. The cost of a hotel room is almost 4 times higher than I?ve paid for a beech side room in Cambodia. I?m traveling solo now, so slightly higher room rates are expected. Other than higher costs, Singapore is clean as can be. I haven?t seen a person spit or a piece of gum anywhere. Next I?m off to Tokyo and Seoul for a couple of weeks.