Trip to Hong Kong - Departure

I went to HK with a team of colleagues for business purposes. It was Tuesday, 30th October. due to our flight was at 6.45pm we planed to depart to airport from the office to save cost. I was on vacation but due to work I ended up coming to office in the morning to finished up important work. We changed the currency to HK dollar at noon because we just received our advanced per diem. Not as much as my previous company but this will do. On Tuesday, the currency rate was RM0.44 to HK$1. After we settled with currency changes we departed from the office. My Muslim colleagues brought along some instant noodles and cookies. They were concern about the Halal food in HK.

When we arrived the airport, I was feeling hungry because I was so busy clearing my work and didn't have time to eat lunch. The 3 of us sitting at the business class couch waiting for the 4th team member. She arrived an hour later due to some family matters. When 4 of us together, we checked in our bags and headed for some food. Food in the airport is relatively more expensive. I guess airport employee should have some kind of discount on food or they are being paid well. After filling up my stomach we cross the security check and waited for our turn to board the plane.

When the gate was opened, we had to go through another security check. When I was my turn, I was stopped for security check. Only then I realised that I forgot to finished up my packet drink I brought from the office. I had to drink and my colleagues waited for me. Once inside the waiting hall, I found out a few hongkies had their items confiscated by airport security as we had to adheld to the liquid procedure and wet food. The visitors from Hongkies were talking laudly about their unhappiness towards their confiscated item. I thought I only see Hong Kong people talk laudly in movies but clearly I was wrong. However, majority Hongkies don't behave like that.

When we are on board the airplane, it was unfortunately that the same group of visitors were ocupying 2 rows in front of us. You can imagine the casual conversation all the way to Hong Kong. I was on head phone watching the movies and at the same time fending off some of the noise. I can't remember what movie I watched. Food suck! I can't drink because I was seated in between 2 of my Muslim colleagues.

We arriveved at Hong Kong at 11.55pm. After taking 10 minutes walk to the immigration, we were officially entered Hong Kong. It was 12.30am by the time we reached the arrival hall. My team lead went to asked about a taxi to take us to our hotel. We found out that we had to wait for 45 minutes. He then asked the second counter and was told we have to wait about 15 minutes to half hours. We agreed to take this one. Feeling tired, the counter assistant offerred us mineral water. About 15 minutes late, the counter assistant told us that they are going to use 2 taxis instead of a van for 5. We were glad to hear the arrangement and it turned out to be 2 limos.


My colleagues feeling tired...


Airport surrounding...

The journey to the hotel was pleasent. The weather was misty and cool. The streets were quiet and the underground tunnel was amazing. The traffic system were very impressive. It took us about 45 minutes to reached our hotel in Wan Chai Road. We stayed at Chatterhouse Hotel due to peak season. It took us a few minutes to settle our check-in and we were on our way up to our rooms.

First impression I saw was the lift was a bit small. When the lift reached my floor, first shock is how narrow the walkway and our room was less than a meter away in front of the lift.

To be continue...