Well- after a morning of dashing to appointments through rain- I went back to my hotel to pick up my bag and head on the airport limousine. Off to Hong Kong. Although I think this method takes a bit more time than the taxi to Tokyo station, then narita express to the airport, it’s easier. Easy is good.

Oh course I get the airport with oodles of time to spare. There are always the longest lines at narita- they seem to process everyone very quickly- but I think the xraying of baggage b/f you check it adds to the delay. Anywho- shortish line in the United business line. Checked in- through immigration etc. trudged to the united lounge- miles of nothingness hallways. Lounge was pretty basic except for the free wireless. This fact more than made up for the lack of any decent snacks. Happily typed away for a bit- kept peering at the board and the flight was not showing as boarding so I wait. Finally I think- time to go regardless (getting ancy). Trudge to gate- and ½ way through boarding process. Up to upper deck. You know- this was my first time sitting on the upper deck. And I have to say I like it. Small little world all to yourself. United business seats- alright- although I might think differently after I sit on then for 13 hours SYD-SFO. I am normally an aisle all the way person- I drink a lot of water- so I get up to expel this water quite a bit- but I think I may cut back my drinking habits and sit window next time I’m on the upper deck. The storage boxes are nifty and are great toyou’re your feet up on. Starter was a nice salad with grilled shrimp- piece of salmon sushi. Dinner- acceptable chicken and noodle asian dish. Dessert- yummy trio of sorbets. Dosed in and out of the newish Woody Allen flick, Melinda & Melinda. I think. 45 minutes early arrival. Very long lines in immigration. Picked up bus to hotel and away I went to Park Lane hotel. Right in the middle of causeway bay. Our distributor choose the hotel for me, and I have to admit I’d choose a different location next time. I like shopping- but not that much. Cheers-.

Next location- Dongguan. Between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. As my first experience on Chinese trains I had no idea what to expect. I chickened out and purchased the ticket from the hotel desk- hefty service charge but oh well. Left myself oodles of time- train was to leave 3:36. Left hotel at 2pm via taxi to Hong Hum station on Kowloon. Fueled up with a double latte, orderly boarding, exactly ontime departure. Rolled into Dongguan about 10 minutes late and was greeted with a blast of hot smog. Lovely.


CAN-SHA. Southern China airlines CZ3523. After two really long nights, the last thing I wanted to do was get up at 6 am for a drive from Dongguan to Guangzhou Canton airport. Felt horrible, barely awake, almost puking. Lovely. Uneventful and traffic free taxi to airport. Oh course bag is over by 4 kilos, but after 110 RMB handed over, bag ok. Thinking grease would be good for me, I order scrambled eggs at a small restaurant past security. Bad idea. But the toast and strong Chinese tea does me some good. Boarding is orderly and on time. Take the longest bus ride of my life (10 solid minutes) to some far away and distant plane. All I want is to put the seat back, close my eyes and be in peace, but this is a domestic Chinese flight and isn’t going to happen. Huge tour group keeps changing seats, bumping seats. I’m sitting there grinding my teeth. And of course on this 1 ½ flight, bfast is served and so we can’t put our seats back. Am I bitter, yes. But it’s my own fault for being so drunk the night before. Arrive into Shanghai Domestic airport, and it’s even hotter and stickier. Finally find my bed, and take a shower and drift into two hours of blissful sleep.