Bangkok, Thailand (November 5, 2025)
We almost missed our flight!
That hasn’t happened to me in YEARS. Everything was on track. We got up at 5am. Had perfect directions on our phones from the night before. Left at 5:45am (already checked out of our hotel in Osaka, Japan). Headed directly to Osaka Airport.
Our flight was scheduled for 9:55am departure, so getting there at 7am was the plan with 3 hours to be at a new airport. We felt confident right up until the moment Elena checked with a local on the last transfer of our subway about Osaka Airport being KIX. It wasn’t. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is a totally different airport and we spent the last hour going in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION. Oh no!
Emergency Uber Hail to the Rescue
Damn the expense, we got off the train, hailed and Uber and despite being smack dab in the middle of rush hour traffic in Osaka, we rolled the proverbial dice and made our way from the wrong airport to the correct one. Google Maps showed we had a good hour and 20 minutes starting at 7am, arriving at 8:25am — we could still make it, but it would be tight.
Thankfully, our flight was delayed … by 90 minutes. Phew. This was the first time I was genuinely grateful to have an international flight notify me that the inbound flight was off schedule and our flight would be delayed by at least an hour and probably closer to 90 minutes. As my father-in-law Richard Knies likes to say, “I’d rather be lucky than smart.” Sometimes we just get lucky and the universe does for us what we are unable to do for ourselves. Really important lesson learned.
Violet and I say goodbye to Osaka, Japan with one last Ramen meal including Wagyu Beef while we stare at the One Piece statues and all the final opportunities to buy anime merch before we get on our flight.
Welcome to Thailand!
Many “first impressions” from the Bangkok airport. The food on the flight was an impressive first taste of thai food even on a plane. I mean, I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it elsewhere, but judged on a plane food curve it was really good. Once on the ground though, there was lots to take in.
First was all the flowers that were strategically placed throughout the airport — a really nice touch. Then there were the cartoon characters. Not sure what to make of them, but friendly to be sure. Then the beautiful shots that set the scene — you’re in the right place. And finally, honoring the recent (October 24, 2025) death of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit — respectfully and in just the right locations.
Despite being 2 hours late, Henry, our driver from Journey Bliss, was immediately there for us as soon as we had our bag and went through customs. He spoke perfect English told us which gate to go to and picked us up in his new electric car which was a sweet ride from the airport to our hotel.
Henry, our driver from Journey Bliss, in Bangkok Thailand
Henry was awesome. He was more tour guide than driver. He took the time to point out things like how one of the buildings was shaped like a dragon was sitting on top of it. Can you spot it below?
Can you spot the dragon standing on top of the building design?
I couldn’t spot it either when he was pointing it out to us, but I was curious what he was talking about and so I took a picture in the general direction and looked it up when I got home. Sure enough!
How about now?
So many great pictures of Bangkok just driving from the airport. I’ll share these here, but then below that is when it gets really interesting because this is when we venture out to Elena’s favorite part — the festival of Loi Krathong (I’ll explain below).
The Festival of Loi Krathong
Bangkok’s Loi Krathong festival is held on the first full moon on the twelfth month of the lunar calendar which is usually in November. It turned out to be November 5th which is also a “super moon.” A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter. November's supermoon will be the closest of 2025, at a distance of 221,823 miles from Earth.
The Loi Krathong celebrates the water goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha (a personification of the Hindu goddess Ganga). All this is to say, it’s a giant festival of lights where the Thai people dress up in their best, most amazing outfits and launch flowers with candles and incense into the river. And, of course, I get to jump in and get pictures with the locals — you knew that was coming.
Here is the beautiful version that Elena picked out to launch into the river. It was really pretty.
There was also a drone show that looked like a fireworks show. It was really amazing. I’d not seen anything like this before.
But the real treat was once we got over the the ferry (which cost 50 Thai Baht, or about $1.50) and enter the booming festival where Elena could launch her candle-incense-flower-boat (and I could get my picture taken with local celebrities.
On the way home, what could make the night “perfect” for Elena? How about riding a Tuck-Tuck (motorcycle cab) back to our hotel rather than walking the half mile we walked to the ferry on the way to get her? She was game to try anything new. It was a wild ride for sure.
We followed the advice of the guide book and pre-negotiated the price up front. Didn’t want any disputes after the fact and we were happy just to get a fun ride around town. The driver was equally thrilled to show off his fun ride with all the lights and literal bells and whistles.
And just when we got back to our hotel, I discovered that Elena and I could have attended this event in style (had we known) by renting a full Thai outfit from the rental shop right next door to where we’re staying. It was gorgeous. I’m angling for another "excuse” to rent one. I asked Violet, “If no one can name which country from which I bought my outfit, can it truly be called cultural appropriation?” Hmmm. Something to consider. If you see me wearing this, however, now you know where I got it. I truly love it.
Stunning traditional formal Thai outfit I could rent … perhaps buy???
Perhaps some last minute shopping is in order. Hmmm. Lot’s to think about while I’m here in Bangkok. In any event. We’ve had a wonderful first day here.
