Hong Kong - Day One Arrival

Sunday, Nov 9 - We survived the 17 plus hour direct flight from DFW to Hong Kong, China. It wasn't as bad as I feared in those less than cozy airline seats surrounded by strangers. Our cabin area was infant-free and very quite which made napping as easy as possible. Overall the flight was uneventful on AA new 777-300 direct which has replaced the old 2 seated window aisle configuration with 3 seats - a configuration that I don't adore.

The Hong Kong airport (HGK) is huge. I cannot wait to have some time to canvas the place but that will have to wait for our departure. Tonight (6:30 pm Hong Kong time) it was all about getting our luggage and passing through immigrations and customs - all without a hitch (a good oman for our upcoming time in Hong Kong).

We'd arranged for a driver (Albert Kwok, International H.K. Limousine Service, kcwalbert72@yahoo.com.hk) to collect us at the Hong Kong airport ($600 HKD) and deliver us to the Hotel Lanson Palace (www.lansonplace.com) on Hong Kong Island. We are exhausted and didn't want to risk attempting mass transit after the long haul getting here. Our driver, Albert wasn't very talkative but he enjoyed seeing me try to sit the auto's left front seat - which here is the drivers seat. Yep - those good old Brits left their mark on Hong Kong. Note to self: remember to look both ways when crossing a street.

It took about 1 hour transversing a variety a bridges and tunnels to reach Hong Kong island. In the dark - I was never certain where our driver and route were taking us. I was relieved when the car swung to a stop in front of our hotel and a team of attendants wrestled our luggage away - and we were whisked off to hotel reception to settle into our home away from home.

Location:Hong Kong, China