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Well I'm here, although when the little man with a walkie-talkie said 'can we get her bag off' I didn't think I would be!
I was at the airport in plenty of time thanks to Mum and Dad, I'd even printed off my boarding pass to save time, but when it came to going through security, which I didn't do until 8.15 as flight was at 8.50 (apparently a no no), there was no barcode on the pass. This was something the woman who checked my bags in had failed to notice, so tears welled up as I worried I wouldn't make the flight - very similar to last year's start. Oh dear. The long and short is that I had to run to the plane, with an air hostess leading me toward the second little man of the night with a walkie-talkie. I was the last person on the plane, I'm not sure if people on that flight hated me as I avoided eye contact with every single one of them.
Going back to the tears, they didn't start just because of the barcode, but when I was contemplating going through security. I think I must have a selective memory, as when booking this trip I'd forgotten about all the tears and fears I'd subjected my poor parents to along the way. Needless to say I had to get on the plane because I wasn't about to lose three thousand pounds, but my eyes were puffy when doing it.
I arrived in Hong Kong at about 5pm, 40 minutes ahead of schedule, but I made up this time by not filling out the correct visa form and having to step out of the queue. I'm sure there's a target on my back for this type of thing. A quick ATM visit left me with a HK$500 note, which wasn't much use on the bus, so off to the bus station to get change. I'd caught the correct bus, but after getting excited that other people had left the bus and that I'd seen a sign for Mong Kok, I got off three stops too soon. Brilliant. More tears and some help from a terrified looking woman put me back on my original bus, for a mere extra $10 as there was no change, and another woman made me sit down as my bag was 'too heavy'. I protested, but in the end had to sit, unfortunately as the bag is so huge I was like a bug stuck on its back when she tried to talk to me and give me some tourist tips, as I couldn't turn around to face her. Charming.
The hostel was another mission, as it turned out to be about four rooms within a floor that had about five other 'hostels' on it. My room is a smashing windowless room that has so-called air-conditioning. The bathroom is a toilet with a shower head covering the toilet and a charming uncovered toilet brush on the wall, which is a constant dodging game when showering. If you're wondering how the toilet paper stays dry: there's a nice bit of sheeting covering it. Stylish doesn't do it justice.
Sleep awaits. Joyous sleep in a too small bed.
- comments
Father Smith Well we just love putting ourselves through it and that;s for sure. We thought he was a very nice little man at Cathay. Would have been too much to do it all again on next available flight.
Alison You made it!! No more tears just imagine what you would be doing if you had stayed in sunny Telford. We miss you everybody else is off sick! Have fun.