It all started so well!
My bright young chauffeur arrived on the dot of 4.30a.m., full of life as ever. We were at Heathrow Terminal 4 by 5.00a.m and by 5.15a.m. I was at the Boarding Gate dreaming of coffee and wondering when the Pret I had noticed nearby would open. All formalities were done and I had time for leisurely coffee and almond croissant ( my travel treat!) before boarding started at 7. An all-time record!
The London-Doha stretch was a delight: fairly smooth with just the occasional pocket of mild turbulence and some amazing views of cloud formations as we travelled : the joys of a window seat! The meal was pretty good- it was breakfast soon after take-off and had me ready to make up for the sleep I’d been neglecting in recent days so that I arrived in Doha ready to make the most of the opportunity to get some exercise, even if it was only by walking around the Duty Free outlets. There are plenty of them!
To some extent they made up for my disappointment on approach to the airport. Instead of an open vista and the interesting architecture I had expected there were just clouds- almost a foggy haze- but full of sand, so that we descended from the whitest of white clouds to brown. And it seemed just to be hovering, not moving at all. Interesting air quality, I should think – and they’re warning me about Chiangmai!
Beware taking in the luxury of Doha airports cafes though – or make sure you have plastic or some ready cash. I think I had the most expensive frappe and cheesecake ever – £11.40!!! Good though – and an opportunity to sit down for a few minutes and just watch life go by at the airport.
I remember the night we were stuck in Heathrow because of the snow a few years ago – it was January 2010. We were delayed by over thirty hour and for the first five or so had absolutely no information – granted there was chaos and every flight was affected with all the hotels falloff delayed passengers, but Qatar Airways did MUCH better. There was an announcement every 15 mins, food after thirty minutes and then a change of plane to minimise the delay. So, well done, Qatar Airways!
Boarding complete less than two hours late and, once again, I had a row to myself – that makes it so much easier to relax and again I indulged in a few hours sleep. I was impressed throughout at how quiet the flight was – and how dark. It wasn’t until we were nearly in Chiangmai that I realised the windows had been in their dark state throughout the flight which was why the sunrise was a bit other-worldly and I wondered why the moon was in the sky so late – and, indeed, began to wonder how time was playing with me!
And so it was nearly 9am when we landed in the place I had called home for seven years. I had seen some warnings on Facebook about sir quality the year but had completely forgotten how bad it could be when the farmers are burning off crops and the air is still.
Met at the airport and then off to try one of the many new restaurants that have sprouted up at the bottom of the hill. Real Thai food!
Lots more to enjoy
Living the Journey 
A lovely account, Kath, and so sorry Doha didn’t give of its best. Have fun. Will report about the Photographic Show later, but great reporting by you. Nick.
Hope you had as successful a day as I did, Nick!