The Trip Begins

Sunday January 3rd 2010

The day has arrived! We are on our way to Hong Kong!

There was the usual flurry of last minute jobs to do before departure. Time was taken up by seasonal activities. Christmas with the family, babysitting New Year’s Eve, a dinner for friends the night before departure.

It all took my mind off actually going. Distractions can be counterproductive. Suddenly you remember there are bills to pay and the car insurance will expire if you do not attend to it just when you should be packing. And the little interruptions can be very time consuming. Finally, the festivities were over, the last dishes cleared away. The bags were packed, weighed, repacked and we were ready!

We drove to David’s to hand off our car and he kindly took us to the airport on his way to work. There we were, a full three hours early, all checked in and nothing to do! We found a nice restaurant and lingered over a filling brunch. Who knew when we would be fed next?

Quite soon actually. The first order of business on Cathay Pacific is a snack and beverage followed by a multi course meal. The pleasant oriental lady beside us passed Dan a good portion of hers as well.

Lunch

Romaine Salad with Prawns and Thousand Island dressing

Baked Salmon with white wine butter sauce, mashed potatoes and broccoli

Chocolate cherry mousse cake

Tea or Coffee

The shrimp cocktail had three large, very fresh shrimp. I might not have passed those on if I had tasted mine first. Add to that a fresh roll with real butter, a large cookie for later and a very decent California Chardonnay with refills on request. Unheard of on any flights I have taken for some time.

There was a good selection of first run movies to choose from but I could not get involved. My book was absorbing but it was night time by decree if not in fact. I was reluctant to disturb others by turning on my light. I managed a short nap but there is so much to think about!

The flight ended and it was simple enough to get our luggage and find the Langham Hotel kiosk in the terminal. We were given shuttle bus vouchers and followed a large group of people going to the buses. Few were actually going our way. It was a lengthy drive to Kowloon but we were in the hotel by 8:00 PM Hong Kong time - nearly 24 hours since our day began.

I was greeted with a long stemmed pink rose and then given an upgrade to the Club floor. A very nice room with amenities we had not seen before - electrically controlled drapes???? Best of all a very comfortable bed…. Good night!