Good morning from Hong Kong with a beautiful view. I am off to an (almost) one week trip to the smallest of the four main Japanese islands: Shikoku. After visiting the other three last year, it felt right to spend some days here. Of course, much too short, but I will try to make the best of it. Stops planed are Takamatsu, Kochi, Ozu, and Matsuyama. I don't think there are many reports on that region here yet, so I hope I can share some nice impressions.

The trip started almost 20 hours ago in the wet and cold German winter with an ICE train to Frankfurt Airport. Cathay uses the run-down Terminal 2 which will be out of commission in the next few months. Until then the Sakura lounge is available, which has seen better days. The food is okey and for flights that depart later than mine, the alcohol offerings are quite extensive.

Boarding was on time and I lucked out with a free seat next to me. This is an Aria Suite 777-300ER and I was in 39A, which is an Emergency row window seat. At the beginning and end of the flight it gets crowded around the toilets, but for me it's by far the best seat on the plane (in Economy). The crew was very nice and the flight was not too painful. With the free seat next to me, I managed to work for 5 hours on the laptop, which was rather frustrating, and then finished the book Shōgun to get into the Japan mood.



Transiting in HKG was perfect, from doors open to The Pier Dining Room it was under 20 minutes, including security and walking half the terminal. A wonderful lounge as always, I will miss it once my Emerald status is gone (forever?) in April.




In 50 minutes boarding starts for the next leg to Tokyo Haneda and then it's one last domestic leg to Takamatsu, where I will arrive just after 8pm.