Sydney - Bangkok - Dubai again

Bangkok's Suvarnubarmi airport has improved. They now have smart passport machines and you don't have to remove your shoes to pass security. Everything else is as before, including the fingerprint scanners, which surely takes security to an uncomfortable level. All the Thai bowing in the world doesn't change the fact that my face and fingerprints are in their data base. 

Then there is Dubai, which we loathe. Flying the Bangkok to Dubai leg was, however, surprisingly pleasant because we had a whole row of seats in a half-empty plane. We both had a stretched-out sleep. What a bonus. Lyn got to watch the flight attendants monstering a smoker. In-flight entertainment just gets better and better!

Lyn sent me off to see this.  It turns out I can buy more than $9 coffees here.

Once on the Dubai to Rome leg it was clear that we were going to experience the other side of economy class travel. The plane was full and the other couple in our row were distinctly aromatic and very tired. The safety demonstration was accompanied by the large gentleman’s comically warthoggish snores. The entertainment value quickly faded and we donned our earphones and turned up the volume. At Fiumicino the help desks were all closed so we joined a young Australian couple self-navigating to the Hilton. Lyn was relieved to find stairs. We scored free drinks because our King bed had become two singles.