'Migrants' on the move

Fond farewells to family at security, admiration of the Terminal 3 upgrade, checking 80kgs of our life into the hold (thanks again to Cathay for classifying us as 'Migrants'), sending of final WhatsApp goodbyes...and then finally we were on our way!

LHR to HKG

Highs

• The poshish menu card handed out before take off
• The doubleish G&T - no faffing about with miniatures, just a big glug from the bottle
• Bridge of Spies (Roger) and The Martian (Dora)
• Cup noodles on request

Lows

• Not winning a million dollars on the Who Wants to be a Millionaire game

Hong Kong

Roger listens carefully to information about Victoria Harbour

We jumped aboard the Airport Express. Islands, skyscraper apartment blocks and jungle-fringed flyovers whizzed by futuristically. Dora's trusty HK-in-5-hours-instructions blog directed us to the number 15 bus, which took us right to the top of the Peak but meant we bypassed the traditional tram. We still enjoyed brilliant views over the endless high rise blocks, but didn't get to experience the optical illusion of the blocks 'leaning in' above the tram tracks.

The 360 degrees viewing tower atop the peak unsurprisingly afforded spectacular views: one way across Hong Kong central and Victoria Harbour to Kowloon and beyond to the 9 dragons (8 hills names by a young Emperor, with him as the 9th); the other way out across more tranquil looking waters and big but lesser-known islands. We diligently listened to the hit-and-miss audio guide and soaked up some sun!

Enjoying the sunshine and wind atop the Peak

Keen to avoid getting DVT in our second leg (no pun intended) we walked back down into town, following the Old Peak Road, which was so steep in some places we had to do the zig-zag walk. Roger admired the concrete, water-chanelling slopes that seemed to now comprise half the hill. Having heard on the audio guide about the large escalator network, connecting central Hong Kong with the mid-levels, we excitedly followed blue tourist signs to it. As we descended the many flights of steps under the escalators we became more and more impressed. It was, indeed, very extensive. We liked the bustle and international feel of HK, without it feeling too different from London - the buzz and hordes of people particularly!

The start of Old Peak Road

Our scheduled 'noodles' involved cheap but wholesome pork-and-rice and beef noodles, the latter's beef 'brisket' unfortunately turning out to be chunks of gelatinous gristle, and there were cured whole geese strung up on the walls. We definitely saw a cured cat in one shop window (sorry Greg and Lydia).

The train ride back to the airport showed glimpses of Hong Kong nightscape, and we were able to fit in some wifi time (phew!) at the airport, plus a luxurious stretch on the departure lounge floor, before boarding. 

HKG to AKL

Highs

• The menu card again
• Winning a million dollars on the Who Wants to be a Millionaire game
• Most delicious in-flight meal of braised pork casserole

Lows

• Roger's film (The Gift) giving him such a fright he yelped loudly and woke up many of our fellow passengers

The next post will be a photo-heavy special from our Scenic Rail Journey, and highlights from our stay with Dora's lovely relatives Trish and Andrew, on their farm.

Dora and Roger