Getting to Colombo

The Pacific Ocean is big. It's really, really big. I have a National Geographic globe here in this room. I just tried to hold it in such a way as to not see any large landmass. If one positions oneself directly above Kiribati and puts one's nose fairly close to the surface, it is possible to only catch edges of Baha California and New Zealand / Australia. We've all heard that the surface of our planet is mostly water, but imagine that! I think we've all been subtly brainwashed by ubiquitous Mercator projections.


Anyway, we got up this morning a little later than on a workday. It actually feels quite good not having to leave for a trip in total darkness as is usually the case. We have to be at the airport for a 3:15 pm departure. We're taking Japanese Airlines, so we first spend 9 hours and 50 minutes getting to Tokyo. Then we must wait two hours for a connection to Bangkok. That flight is another 6 hours and 35 minutes. We get into Thailand at about quarter to midnight local time and fortunately the airline provides free airport accommodation. Even if we can manage to stay in the hotel til noon, there's still a further wait as our final flight into Colombo doesn't leave until 10:30 at night. The final segment is only 3 hours and 15 minutes putting us on the island at about quarter past midnight. We leave today; we will arrive on Monday.