Trains, Planes,Upgrades, Typhoons & Travel Tips
Trip Start
Jun 19, 2008
1
7
Trip End
Jun 25, 2008
London, England, United Kingdom
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
This is definitely one of the best airports I have been to. Everything seems easy, the walk from the train to the terminal is short, the caring is amazing - as they saw me with my white cane someone came rushing over and took us to the First Class check-in counter so we did not have to wait in line, getting through passport control and security was a breeze and then, once inside, even though it is clearly a ginormous airport, it has the feeling of being personable and manageable but the best was still to come.
By the time we got through to the duty free area the Typhoon Flag warning was up to level 3 so definitely leaving just in time.
At the appropriate time we made our way to the gate and stood in the boarding queue. We were really pleased that on our way home we were flying Premium Economy, a step up from the flight out so could only be better. Seeing my cane again a lady came rushing over to escort us to the front of the queue and, on giving us back our boarding passes said we had been moved to a different row. Our protests were very quickly shut up when she added that we had been upgraded to Business Class on the upper deck. What a treat! We had a fantastic flight home being treated like royalty from champagne to food and films to bed, what more could we ask for on the second longest flight that BA flies?!
Our fun journey home continued even after we had landed. We were given invitations to the Arrivals Lounge and, given that it was 5H30 in the morning, we decided it was not really necessary to rush home. Wow, what a brilliant way to end a flight - a shower, followed by a breakfast buffet that rivalled many hotels' buffets and then, best of all, a Shiatsu back massage! Finally a cup of coffee and off to the Heathrow Express and home. What a GREAT way to end a holiday!
We were informed by a fellow traveller that he had just received an email from his colleagues in Hong Kong, the Typhoon Flag warning was now at level 8! By the next day there were photos on the Internet showing how bad it was and how lucky we were to have left!
We really had a fun time in Hong Kong so all that remains is to wish China and Hong Kong good luck for a great Olympic Games at Beijing 2008!
Finally, a few travel tips for anyone reading this and going to visit Hong Kong:
* Unless you are planning on doing a LOT of travelling on the MTR, don't bother with the 3 day pass, you are better off getting the return train ticket from the airport and then paying as you need to. The Star Ferry only costs around HK$2.20 a ride, about GBP £0.15 or US$0.28! You can buy a top-up Octopus card for use on all public transport.
* When travelling on the Star Ferry, sit on the top deck, the views are great.
* Stay at The Salisbury YMCA and treat yourself to Suite 1631, it has the BEST views!
* Watch the "Symphony of Light" show, it's on every night at 8:00 PM with music on FM radio if you have one.
* Hong Kong water is not good to drink so remember to buy plenty of water for brushing teeth or just boil a kettle full of water and allow it to cool, it's the same as the filtered water that you buy in the bottles.
* Eat at Chongqing Restaurant on Elgin Road in Soho, it is a fantastic little restaurant with delicious food.
* Share a bowl of soup noodles at Lin Heung Tea House and make sure you have time to watch the locals.
* Visit Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island and go for a boat ride, it's beautiful, even if you can't find the elusive Pink Dolphins :-)
