Wow … we made it. The flight over by itself was quite the experience. From Salt Lake to LAX was really bumpy, but it was a short little hop. This was when we first started meeting people from the group Dian Thomas, who used to be on KSL, is our group leader; Dick Nourse and his wife were in economy class like the rest of us, which was kind of funny; several other KSL/Bonneville big wigs and marketing types. The funny thing (to us) is all these people that I am recognizing (and are recognizing me) from the old Kidney Foundation days. The senior Morris from Morris-Murdock travel was one. Anyway, Lance found it interesting.
So, that was when the sleep deprivation kicked in. We left SLC at 9:30 in the evening, and flew to LAX. We then went through the check-in, customs, and all that in LAX. Then “hurry up and wait” until 12:45am. Really BIG plane at that point. We were all the way in the back (row 68 of 69). That was interesting as well. You kind of “folded” into the row … it wasn’t roomy by any stretch of the imagination, but it was pretty comfortable for the most part. Well, for the first six hours. Of course, we were on the plane for 14 hours … yikes! Fortunately, each seat has its own little entertainment unit. Lot’s of movies, old tv shows, video games, etc. I think Sara watched four movies and I watched three. Food was okay … dinner was not long after we left. We didn’t get breakfast until almost the time we landed. Then, because we were so far into the back of the plane, we got whatever was left. “Congee” … guess it is a traditional Asian breakfast, some sort of rice pasty-soup. I didn’t really care for it, but Sara thought it was okay. This flight also had its moments of bumpiness. Sometimes, felt like we were on a serious rollercoaster (which was probably why we didn’t get breakfast until way late into the flight). Other times it was pretty smooth (first part was better, thank goodness, and we got a little sleep). Anyway, let’s just say we were very ready for the plane to set down.
Lance at Hong Kong airport with baggage.Once on the ground, there was a bit of confusion as to how to get everyone together, etc., but we got back to the hotel around 11 in the morning and had the rest of the day to ourselves. We got settled in (and SHOWERED!!), then went and got our first Chinese food. Interesting to sort of try and communicate … our Hong Kong guide (Ming) calls it “Honglish.” Anyway, that was an experience. They had to call over a special guy that spoke Honglish, and convincing him we wanted sodas instead of tea was a little challenge, but we managed. We had shrimp dumplings, a sort of crunchy “spring roll” with a yummy dipping sauce (a little like fry sauce!), and radish cakes in XO sauce. Yeah, sounded kind of weird to us to, but we saw some of our tour group coming out as we were going in, and they suggested it. They were pretty hot (both temp and spicy), but tasty.
Since land is such a premium, everything is built "up." Most high rises are at least 30 stories, and several are over 100.We walked around a bit after that. We had tried to go to the bank for some money (kept getting conflicting reports of if we needed to exchange currency or not – and yes, we did need to). We decided to get some water so we brush our teeth (have to use bottled), and then fell asleep for a little while in our room.
In the evening, we headed out again (bought a calling card, the one we got in the US doesn’t work – the concierge at the hotel was really nice in helping us try to figure out if it didn’t work or it was just us, and then to get one that would and activate it). In the evening, we walked down to the harbor (about a mile) and watched a laser show. It was really low overcast, so by the end it was getting hard to see it, but it was worth the price (free). We mainly just “sampled the local atmosphere” – walked through the streets, looked at shops and the people.
Some fun things … for instance, all the scaffodling here (and there is quite a bit, looks like the city is in a state of constant repair) is all made out of bamboo.
There are also lot’s of taxis and double-decker buses (watch out! They are FAST and pedestrians do NOT have right of way!). A fair number of people wear masks (you will see two or three as you walk down the street … not everyone, but you don’t go more than 30 seconds or a minute before you will see someone else with one). It is funny – I must look like a slob, because everyone is trying to sell me tailored shirts and suits (sales guys). Also funny, there are more middle easterners (Irac/Iran) than Caucasians (they were the ones mostly trying to sell me shirts/suits). Well, it is currently about 6:30 am here (will be later before this gets posted) and 4:30 pm in Utah (oh, yeah … it is Friday here, Thursday there).
Needless to say we went to bed fairly early (I think it was 9:30).
After the session, I was standing in the lobby for a few minutes waiting for Sara, and an asian gentleman came up and started talking to me. He had VERY good English, and I guess he should have ... it was President Goo, the Hong Kong Temple president. REALLY nice guy ... asking me where we were from, how our trip was going, etc. He mentioned that it was the 12th anniversary to the day of the Hong Kong Temple Dedication, and said there was refreshments in the basement if I was interested. I mentioned waiting for Sara, and he said something about there was often back-ups for lockers ... anyone, just really neat, down to earth kind of guy.
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