I needed to make a call yesterday morning (July 1 public holiday in HK), and I didn't want to disturb my still-sleeping companion in our beloved HK shoebox airbnb. Where to go? I began googling some of the nearby hotels to find out when their cafes would open - 8 to 10 AM. Not good. I wanted my stuff in hand at 7:45 for the 8 call. Perhaps their main restaurant? Nope - while ordering an a la carte coffee is no problem, they're seldom quiet. Local cafe? Most don't open till 9 or 10. Even Pacific Coffee doesn't open till 8.

Enter McDonalds, open 24 hours, surprisingly drinkable coffee (though relatively costly at HK$15 versus the $1 back in the US), spotlessly clean, and rather quiet at 7:45.

May the Gods of Travel have mercy on me.