Today we are headed to Bangkok, Thailand! We woke up around 8 to get in a quick breakfast before we hopped on the bus to head to the airport. After a 45-minute bus ride, we arrived at the Kuala Lumpur airport.
The tour guide warned us that the check in process could take a while and to come prepared to wait in Kuala Lumpur and in Thailand. One interesting piece of advice he gave was to not tell the staff that we were together as a group. He recommended we not do this if they ask because they would move us into one line together. This would slow down the entire process and potentially put our group behind. As we were waiting in line one of the employees came over to ask if we were all together. For a little bit too long, we each looked back and forth at each other, at the employee, and back at the tour guide. After a long pause, the tour guide said no, and the airline employee walked away seemingly confused. After checking in with the airline we got in line to get our passports and boarding passes checked. After this small check, we went to the next line for customs to get our passports stamped. Finally, we had to go through what looked like a normal security. To our surprise you simply had to put your bags through the x-ray machine and could hold onto your phone and passport. After walking through the machine, it continued to beep after several people. No airport workers did anything, and we just grabbed our bags and walked through. The lack of security seemed slightly concerning because of the amount of precautions we normally go through in the United States. This airport was not only different from the United States, but it was different from any of the other airports we had been through. Previously we had to go through the normal security checkpoints with taking off shoes and removing electronics from our backpacks. Some of the other airports even had the full body scanners that you could to stand in for a few seconds. It was interesting to see the difference in screening systems between airports and airlines. Given the amount of concern we have in the United States, it put some of the group in a state of unease. After the security checkpoint, we boarded our plane and were on our way.
Because the plane right was only 2 hours, it felt like a breeze compared to the longer flights we had gone on. After arriving in Thailand, we had to go through immigration again to enter the country. This process went a lot faster than expected because of the number of agents there were on duty. We made it at a great time because about 5 minutes after we got in line, a ton of people came flooding into the lines. After waiting for no more than 10 minutes, we were on our way to baggage claim. We grabbed our bags, went through customs, and then waited for the rest of the group to finish this process. The air outside the airport was much like the other cities we have visited. It did not lack in heat or humidity with a bit of smog.
On our way to the hotel, we noticed the number of masks people wore and the decreased visibility in the air. After reading a couple of articles on the face masks, it’s interesting how all-around Asia they’re so commonly used. One article explained how the masks were starting to become more fashionable than just the standard blue mask. Pop stars and musicians promote certain types of masks and those endorsed have increased in popularity. It will be interesting to see if masks start to be used in other countries and regions as pollution continues to increase around the world. Leaving dinner we headed toward the night market near our hotel in Bangkok. At first, I wasn’t expecting it to be as intricate as it was. Stands and booths lined up neck to neck in the street and the alley ways between shops. Vendors selling just about anything you could imagine: jewelry, knock-off designer wear, elephant pants, t-shirts, and other various vibrant nicknacks. It was fun to see all of the things you could get, but you definitely need to be able to hold your own, as vendors will be quick to barter with you, or try and get you into their club or bar. However, after successfully purchasing some elephant pants, we decided we wanted to rest up for the next few days of activities we have ahead of us, and head back to the hotel.
At the hotel we decided to finish off our lovely evening at the rooftop bar. Feeling very underdressed for the ambience, we were seated outside and immediately the view took our breath away. Cozy, romantic, and quiet, this bar is the perfect place to end your night. With a couple cocktails and glasses of wine, we were able to relax and enjoy the beauty of Bangkok to its fullest extent.
By Morgan Mathews & Julia Edwards
business and culture of the pacific rim 