Darren
Apr 6, 01, 11:11 pm
And on the 8th day, God created The Wing. Pretty impressive, considering that Hong Kong itself was probably not there yet. Never the less, he touched his finger to the ground of Chek Lap Kok, and created The Wing. And it was good. The happy people of Flyertalk rejoiced. Sounded better than, "God gave Hong Kong the finger..." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif
The airport in Hong Kong is absolutely breathtaking, but beyond expansive. It is surrounded in 5m+, ceiling-high, plate glass windows, where at almost any point, you can plane watch to your heart's content. There are several different levels at the airport, and a train is provided to whisk the people from one end to the other. Some can go on to immigration, while the connectors go to either the transfer desk or to the gates. Whatever you do, especially if you are in economy class, TRY to avoid the transfer desk at all costs. The desk resembled a beehive, with all the little bees pushing and shoving themselves into position. Cathay as an airline is extremely well run, from what I can see. They keep their workers satisfied enough to do their jobs well, and they provide a good product. Their ops at HKG are a different story, though. I don't know if it needs to be this way because of cultural reasons, but walking through HKG is like walking through Kowloon at 4pm. Lots of people, noise, lights, confusion... It is directly opposite to the serenity of the airplane. This trip, I didn't need to stop at the transfer desk, though the second two I did. Long story, saved for a later trip report.
After weaving my way through the mob, and inadvertently taking out a small Thai man with a limp, I got through and headed up to The Wing. Even the name sounds impressive. In SYD, they had checked me through to BKK, and issued a lounge invitation for the Business Class side of The Wing.
The lounge is long and somewhat narrow, and almost every place has a view over the tarmac. Heading to the back, you pass the Long Bar and Short Bar (aptly named by their difference in length), where one could have a drink or four and enjoy the view. I spent a little time there on the second visit, though I am not much of a barfly.
The first thing I have learned to do after getting off a long flight is to take a shower. I think I showered 800 times in Australia. Followed the sign, and ended up at the first class showering facility. The "gatekeeper" was perched firmly in front of the area, and scrutinized my boarding pass like it was a $3 bill. Turns out that even if you are connecting on a business class flight, you have first class lounge access if you came to HKG in first class. Great. So they lead me to the showers, if you can call them that. I would rather regard them as my own little pixies, sprinkling morning dew on my head. On one side, you have the regular showers. Far bigger and better than my home bathroom. But on the opposite side, you have the cabanas. Mmmmm...cabanas. They are three room affairs, with a toilet, a shower and bath room, and an area that is like your own little secluded hideaway. The third area faced a frosted glass window, which then faced the large windows outside. It was like being outside, actually. The bathtub and shower was huge. My only complaint would be with the plumbing, which seemed to have a mind of its own.
Due to the lack of time (my connection was only a couple of hours), I decided on the regular shower. Yet this was no regular shower. Overhead was this watercan style showerhead, about a foot in diameter, which would release a torrent of water on command. No drought in these parts...though after my shower, I think there might be. I must have spent about a half hour in there, just standing under this thing that reminded me of a waterfall. After suffering through Aussie showers that were either non-existent or so powerful that they could take the paint off a fender, this was a my own little paradise. And it was good....
Next, I headed to the restaurant. I was hungry, and I needed to write a little bit in my journal. In a later report, I will talk more about the business class side, which had a noodle bar. The first class side had a full restaurant, with servers, full bar service, and fresh food, served semi-buffet style. I call it semi-buffet because a buffet to me is a place where you go to have fake mashed potatoes or soggy pancakes, both of which have been sitting out since the Nixon administration. Needless to say, I am not a fan. This was buffet style in the sense that you would go up and get what food you wanted, but there was very little of it out. This forced someone to watch it like a hawk, and to make sure that it was replenished with fresh additions. I had my normal several Perriers and a glass of red wine (don't know what kind, but it was pretty good). Food was quite varied and included dim sum, pot stickers and steamed dumplings, pumpkin soup, miso, sandwiches, cheeses, a Japanese noodle I wasn't familiar with (sort of a grayish color), and various desserts. I mainly did the dim sum, but also sampled a little of everything. It wasn't terribly busy, so it was nice to just relax and enjoy my lunch, reminiscing about the trip for my journal.
Checked my mail, checked Flyertalk, and then it was time to go. Note, though, for anyone who has a habit of misjudging time. Calling the airport "large" is like calling the sun "kind of bright". I was intent on not missing a flight on this trip, but I only made it about 5 minutes early. Probably took me 25 minutes to walk to the far side of the terminal.
*Anyone* who has the opportunity to spend at least a couple of hours in The Wing, and doesn't, is suspect in my opinion. This is a remarkable place. I am interested to hear anyone mention a lounge that they feel was better served than The Wing. From my somewhat limited experience, however, it ranks so high up on the charts, it can't see second place. The LHR terraces are like a janitor's closet compared to this thing. My only complaint is that there is nowhere in the first class side that enables you to plane watch. The plush leather seats sink so far down that you can not see over the frosted glass ledge. To see the tarmac, you need to go to the bars in biz. But a small price to pay.
It is not a lounge, it is a zone. It is the Garden of Eden without the naked people or snakes...And it was good.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif
I am leaving on Sunday for Caracas and Curacao, so I will have to wait until late May before continuing. Unless, of course, I have time in a lounge. Hope you enjoyed the report, and I can say that I certainly enjoy the comments. I don't have a big ego, but I like to see that what I do has a positive impact on others.
[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 04-06-2001).]
The airport in Hong Kong is absolutely breathtaking, but beyond expansive. It is surrounded in 5m+, ceiling-high, plate glass windows, where at almost any point, you can plane watch to your heart's content. There are several different levels at the airport, and a train is provided to whisk the people from one end to the other. Some can go on to immigration, while the connectors go to either the transfer desk or to the gates. Whatever you do, especially if you are in economy class, TRY to avoid the transfer desk at all costs. The desk resembled a beehive, with all the little bees pushing and shoving themselves into position. Cathay as an airline is extremely well run, from what I can see. They keep their workers satisfied enough to do their jobs well, and they provide a good product. Their ops at HKG are a different story, though. I don't know if it needs to be this way because of cultural reasons, but walking through HKG is like walking through Kowloon at 4pm. Lots of people, noise, lights, confusion... It is directly opposite to the serenity of the airplane. This trip, I didn't need to stop at the transfer desk, though the second two I did. Long story, saved for a later trip report.
After weaving my way through the mob, and inadvertently taking out a small Thai man with a limp, I got through and headed up to The Wing. Even the name sounds impressive. In SYD, they had checked me through to BKK, and issued a lounge invitation for the Business Class side of The Wing.
The lounge is long and somewhat narrow, and almost every place has a view over the tarmac. Heading to the back, you pass the Long Bar and Short Bar (aptly named by their difference in length), where one could have a drink or four and enjoy the view. I spent a little time there on the second visit, though I am not much of a barfly.
The first thing I have learned to do after getting off a long flight is to take a shower. I think I showered 800 times in Australia. Followed the sign, and ended up at the first class showering facility. The "gatekeeper" was perched firmly in front of the area, and scrutinized my boarding pass like it was a $3 bill. Turns out that even if you are connecting on a business class flight, you have first class lounge access if you came to HKG in first class. Great. So they lead me to the showers, if you can call them that. I would rather regard them as my own little pixies, sprinkling morning dew on my head. On one side, you have the regular showers. Far bigger and better than my home bathroom. But on the opposite side, you have the cabanas. Mmmmm...cabanas. They are three room affairs, with a toilet, a shower and bath room, and an area that is like your own little secluded hideaway. The third area faced a frosted glass window, which then faced the large windows outside. It was like being outside, actually. The bathtub and shower was huge. My only complaint would be with the plumbing, which seemed to have a mind of its own.
Due to the lack of time (my connection was only a couple of hours), I decided on the regular shower. Yet this was no regular shower. Overhead was this watercan style showerhead, about a foot in diameter, which would release a torrent of water on command. No drought in these parts...though after my shower, I think there might be. I must have spent about a half hour in there, just standing under this thing that reminded me of a waterfall. After suffering through Aussie showers that were either non-existent or so powerful that they could take the paint off a fender, this was a my own little paradise. And it was good....
Next, I headed to the restaurant. I was hungry, and I needed to write a little bit in my journal. In a later report, I will talk more about the business class side, which had a noodle bar. The first class side had a full restaurant, with servers, full bar service, and fresh food, served semi-buffet style. I call it semi-buffet because a buffet to me is a place where you go to have fake mashed potatoes or soggy pancakes, both of which have been sitting out since the Nixon administration. Needless to say, I am not a fan. This was buffet style in the sense that you would go up and get what food you wanted, but there was very little of it out. This forced someone to watch it like a hawk, and to make sure that it was replenished with fresh additions. I had my normal several Perriers and a glass of red wine (don't know what kind, but it was pretty good). Food was quite varied and included dim sum, pot stickers and steamed dumplings, pumpkin soup, miso, sandwiches, cheeses, a Japanese noodle I wasn't familiar with (sort of a grayish color), and various desserts. I mainly did the dim sum, but also sampled a little of everything. It wasn't terribly busy, so it was nice to just relax and enjoy my lunch, reminiscing about the trip for my journal.
Checked my mail, checked Flyertalk, and then it was time to go. Note, though, for anyone who has a habit of misjudging time. Calling the airport "large" is like calling the sun "kind of bright". I was intent on not missing a flight on this trip, but I only made it about 5 minutes early. Probably took me 25 minutes to walk to the far side of the terminal.
*Anyone* who has the opportunity to spend at least a couple of hours in The Wing, and doesn't, is suspect in my opinion. This is a remarkable place. I am interested to hear anyone mention a lounge that they feel was better served than The Wing. From my somewhat limited experience, however, it ranks so high up on the charts, it can't see second place. The LHR terraces are like a janitor's closet compared to this thing. My only complaint is that there is nowhere in the first class side that enables you to plane watch. The plush leather seats sink so far down that you can not see over the frosted glass ledge. To see the tarmac, you need to go to the bars in biz. But a small price to pay.
It is not a lounge, it is a zone. It is the Garden of Eden without the naked people or snakes...And it was good.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif
I am leaving on Sunday for Caracas and Curacao, so I will have to wait until late May before continuing. Unless, of course, I have time in a lounge. Hope you enjoyed the report, and I can say that I certainly enjoy the comments. I don't have a big ego, but I like to see that what I do has a positive impact on others.
[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 04-06-2001).]