moyeung
May 10, 12, 11:10 pm
So after arriving in HKG I had about 9 hrs to kill. Took the people mover to the immigration desks, since I have a HKG frequent flyer card was through in 5 min. Bag was third on the belt and the customs officer didnt even blink a eye at me. Walked over to Terminal 2 to the baggage storage office, where one can store their luggage for $10 HKD per hour per piece. Grabbed the Airport Express to Tsing Yi, MTR Tung Chung Line to Lai King and then the Tsuen Wan Line to Yau Ma Tei. There I walked over to Chan Chi Kee Cutlery store to pick up a meat cleaver for a gift. This store was featured on The Layover with Anthony Bourdain on the Travel Channel. This place has all sorts of knives and cleavers for the discerning chef!
Afterwards took the Tsuen Wan line to Admiralty then the Island Line to Causeway Bay to people watch/window shop at the Times Square Mall. After a while decided I was going to grab an early dinner on the Peak so grabbed a Tram back to Central and then the 15 bus to Peak Tram Station. Unfortunately the line for the tram was already an hour long and growing. So back down the hill, took the Star Ferry over to Tsim Sha Tsui and grabbed some doner kababs at a little hole in the wall a couple blocks over from Harbour City.
Grabbed a cab over to Kowloon station and back on the Airport Express to HKG. Retrieved my bag from baggage storage and made my way back to Terminal 1 to check in. At this point my return trip was slowly going downhill. The agent said he could only issue boarding passes and check my bag to SFO.
Said to me to re check in at SFO for the remainder. ...? I'm going to LGA.
The counter supervisor couldn't override it either and told me the same thing, try and fix it in SFO. Whatever, I'll try and fix it in HNL.
So off to the gates. HKG has this system where you put your belongings in a bin and they give you a number and hand it back to get your things after you pass screening. This way nobody is supposed to take the wrong things. Simple but effective. Once again, through the frequent traveler lane and done with immigration in 5 min. Took the people mover and went to the United Club.
This United Club on the UA website is listed as not having shower facilities but it does. Good thing it did as the weather in HK was 92 with 88% humidity this day and i was soaked. Afterwards stayed in the lounge for a while, just some shiu mai, noodles and finger sandwiches available. Then off to Gate 40 for the flight.
UA 180 HKG-GUM 738
I know redundant but the smoking lounge is by gate 43, after using it went back to gate 40 and boarding was delayed by 15 min due to late arrival and cabin cleaning. Was upgraded to Business class and boarded in first group. Since this was a flight back to a US territory, there was AVSEC security personnel checking carry on bags. Got on board, offered a drink, had a Coke and settled in. No channel 9. Once again no Cantonese speaking F/A on board. After takeoff, snack service was offered, some sort of chicken and sweet pepper in a spinach wrap. Flight was uneventful and most people slept as this was a night flight. Arrive GUM on time at Gate 17.
Afterwards took the Tsuen Wan line to Admiralty then the Island Line to Causeway Bay to people watch/window shop at the Times Square Mall. After a while decided I was going to grab an early dinner on the Peak so grabbed a Tram back to Central and then the 15 bus to Peak Tram Station. Unfortunately the line for the tram was already an hour long and growing. So back down the hill, took the Star Ferry over to Tsim Sha Tsui and grabbed some doner kababs at a little hole in the wall a couple blocks over from Harbour City.
Grabbed a cab over to Kowloon station and back on the Airport Express to HKG. Retrieved my bag from baggage storage and made my way back to Terminal 1 to check in. At this point my return trip was slowly going downhill. The agent said he could only issue boarding passes and check my bag to SFO.
Said to me to re check in at SFO for the remainder. ...? I'm going to LGA.
The counter supervisor couldn't override it either and told me the same thing, try and fix it in SFO. Whatever, I'll try and fix it in HNL.
So off to the gates. HKG has this system where you put your belongings in a bin and they give you a number and hand it back to get your things after you pass screening. This way nobody is supposed to take the wrong things. Simple but effective. Once again, through the frequent traveler lane and done with immigration in 5 min. Took the people mover and went to the United Club.
This United Club on the UA website is listed as not having shower facilities but it does. Good thing it did as the weather in HK was 92 with 88% humidity this day and i was soaked. Afterwards stayed in the lounge for a while, just some shiu mai, noodles and finger sandwiches available. Then off to Gate 40 for the flight.
UA 180 HKG-GUM 738
I know redundant but the smoking lounge is by gate 43, after using it went back to gate 40 and boarding was delayed by 15 min due to late arrival and cabin cleaning. Was upgraded to Business class and boarded in first group. Since this was a flight back to a US territory, there was AVSEC security personnel checking carry on bags. Got on board, offered a drink, had a Coke and settled in. No channel 9. Once again no Cantonese speaking F/A on board. After takeoff, snack service was offered, some sort of chicken and sweet pepper in a spinach wrap. Flight was uneventful and most people slept as this was a night flight. Arrive GUM on time at Gate 17.