Friday 28 September 2012

First impressions of Hong Kong

After a very long flight which I had miscalculated (thinking it was 9 hours when really it was 11+ hours!) I have arrived in Hong Kong. As expected all was very efficient at the airport, including the screening for high body temperature, so it didn't take long to clear immigration and customs.  I found my way to the hotel with ease. I decided to use the airport express train hoping it might be like the maglev in Shanghai (top speed of 400km ph). It wasn't but thankfully I didn't use the bus as I soon realised that the traffic is as  bad here as it is at home.

The hotel staff I've met so far have been delightful and extremely helpful. Having upgraded me to a larger room I am happy. As it is the mid autumn festival this weekend I was given a couple of moon cakes to eat. They have pastry on the outside and what looks like egg yolk in the middle. They are very,very sweet and not really to my  taste but a nice welcome from the hotel.

I decided that once I had unpacked a few things I needed to go out for a walk and try to stay awake for at least a few more hours as it was only 3pm. I walked to the local park where the lantern festival is taking place over this weekend.






My intention was to wander around the park until it got dark and then I would see all the lanterns lit up but as the park was much smaller than I had anticipated I just didn't think I could keep my eyes open if I sat on a bench to wait so I made my way back to the hotel. Hopefully I will have a good night's sleep and will be able to make the most of tomorrow.

7 comments:

  1. Nice picture of you with the dragon. The weather looks to be simply perfect there. Thanks for the update! :-)

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  2. I’m looking forward to seeing all your tomorrows during this trip. You look amazingly rested after a long flight. Every moment is invigorating when exploring new places and being tired is set aside to take in all the sights and sounds. I like the stacked teapots. And those strings of orange lanterns remind me of the jack-o-lanterns growing in my yard. :)

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  3. You've made it to Hong Kong and I'm sure you slept soundly after your long flight .... how lovely to arrive with the lantern festival in full swing ... I hope the weather is kind to you in Sydney.

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  4. Wow that looks interesting ! I never really thought about going once to Hongkong, but now following your trip I might change my mind !
    I am sure you will recover quickly from such a long flight.

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  5. Those lanterns are lovely!!! Hopefully you'll get to see them all lit up tomorrow night!

    11h... I remember that flight, seems like it goes on forever! Only advantage is I was always able to get at least 6h solid sleep without being disturbed by stewardesses bringing a meal (which happens on 8h flights)

    HAVE FUN!

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  6. I am so excited that you are now in Hong Kong as I know you found my Travel Tale posts of interest. It is just a year since we were last there so I remember seeing the lanterns. Have fun, I will be following your trip with interest and looking for familiar sights.

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  7. That's a long flight. the next bit is not so long about 8 hours. I have been catching up on your posts backwards so it is fun to see the lanterns in daylight too but the night time looks much more spectacular.

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