August 5,

At 0600 we were up, readied, and finished packing; by 0700,we had ehailed and were in a Loca taxi to the airport; and at 0720 we were at the airport. We went through a long line to check in – no hurry our plane is already delayed 20 minutes. Our bags were checked only to Kuala Lumpur. We had a five hour layover there so no problem. We stopped for breakfast. I had a mocha coffee. Jeff stuck with water. We shared a chicken fried rice and two Korean rolls – filled with a bean paste? It was good. We also bought a cookie for later. This left us with 29,000 Kip- $1.34. Pretty good! We can find a donation bin for that amount.

By 0820 we went through security to immigration. I was cleared and waiting for Jeff. It was taking forever then I was called back! We were taken into the Laos version of a TSA office!! Uh oh!!! Oh my! I felt like being in the Principal’s office in grade school… it seems we are one day over our visa, because they count inclusively… meaning the day we land was day one and today is another.🙄 So… they wanted 200,000 Kip or $10 total for our seemingly – INFRACTION of the Visa. Remember earlier…we only had 29,000 Kip, and we haven’t had USD for months… we did have Malaysian Ringgit. Unfortunately they weren’t willing to accept that. They were at least friendly and mentioned the ATM. So I sat in the “office” as Jeff went to get the money. He returned with our “over extension visa fee.” We were walked back through security. It was a twenty minutes delay – same as our airplane.😂

We sat at the gate for another 30 minutes until boarding called. As we were waiting for the line to abate some, I struck up a conversation with a girl next to me. She was with a group of others that had on Maldives labeled sporting outfits. I asked if she was from Maldives. She looked at the adult with her – then nodded yes. I then asked if she was on vacation – “No,” she answered. I next asked if she was here playing something – “Yes.” “Soccer or football?” I inquired. “No, table tennis.” Intrigued I then asked, “Oh, are you good?” She beamed, “Yes!” Then I had to ask if she won… She shook her head no. Feeling bad I had asked, I finished and said, “Next time.” She nodded smiling. Cute girl.

By 0947, the plane backed up with take off at 0956. Captain said it’s a two hour and forty minute flight – one of our longest in a while. It was a “no problem” flight. We touched down at 1320 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but we have another flight. We will still be in Malaysia, but another area. At 1335, we unloaded, and collected our bags. Tried a kiosk to check in to next flight, but had to go to assisted check-in. Seems our bags were not included in this flight, so had to pay $30 extra to recheck our bags! Nickel and dime! Anyway, we got them checked and got our boarding passes.

By 1500 we went to Plaza Premium Lounge and had some food. I had a Lettuce Salad, Chicken Bolognese Fettuccine, Steamed Chicken Momos, and Veggie Samosas. Jeff had Chicken Bulgogi, Deep-fried Eggplant in a Bean Sauce, Steamed Chicken Momos, Lettuce Salad, and Veggie Samosas. The only alcohol was beer- which Jeff had. I stuck with Coke. At 1550, we went to a second lounge, MAX. I ordered and we shared a Creamy Mushroom Pasta – also shared a Curry Samoa & a Curry Puff; and small bites of cantaloupe, honeydew and popcorn. Food was better here: plant based, but less quantity. No alcohol, not even beer. At 1700, tried our third and final lounge Sky Suite Airport Lounge- best one yet. They offered wine as soon as we walked in! I had a few bites of French fries and fruit, with my Merlot. The place was full of food options… should’ve come here first! At 1745, we were going to the gate. It showed open for boarding and it showed. So we boogied, turning a 20 minute walk to 15 minutes – they weren’t boarding. When we boarded – had trouble with putting bags overhead, because so many people have 3 or 4 bags!

Anyway we backed up at 1925… Only 50 minutes late.🤣 The plane had been delayed coming in. We took off at 1940. KL is pretty smoggy – we’d commented on this when we came in earlier, but now it seems worse . This might have been due to it being sunset/dusk time. We have gained an hour, making us 13 hours ahead of the central standard time zone now. Anyway, up in the air it turned dark quickly. This made it seem like a longer flight, but it is supposed to be the same time frame. As we got closer to our destination, I could see stars and the moon, then the lights of cities. We touched down at 2212.

     Welcome to Sandakan, Borneo island – Malaysian side!!

We did a Grab taxi to our place, got in and crashed just before midnight. What a transition day!