There is no direct flight from the USA to Thailand. United Emirates offers a single-stop option (Dubai), and Qatar Airways offers a single-stop in Doha, Qatar. I opted for the latter as I wanted a PM departure, and only Qatar offered that flight. Other options were available, but I wasn’t willing to endure or test the layover destinations. They were outside of my comfort zone, honestly.
My boarding pass, the gateway to my next chapter, is saved in my Apple Wallet. This airport, Hamad International Airport is a gleaming testament to modern transit and honestly, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I only had three hours here, but I didn’t take the opportunity to enjoy the peace of the American Express lounge. Instead, I explored. This airport had everything from a Louis Vuitton and Hermes store to exotic cars available for sale. People weren’t in a hurry and it wasn’t crowded. It was awe-inspiring and the people watching was absolutely epic. I did have a Poke bowl at a lovely restaurant in the airport and, I just loved the general demeanor of the people. From my limited experience, it's such a polite society and the city looked clean and new.
Despite really enjoying my time in Qatar I was ready for my plunge into the unknown. The Thai islands shimmer in my imagination, I’m envisioning a vibrant tapestry of turquoise waters and sun-kissed sands. I’m ready to sit in the sand, listen to the rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore, and feel the soft caress of the tropical air. It was quite literally freezing when I left New York City.
