Hong Kong and Bangkok – BA A380 First and CW, Cathay First and Premium Econ, W Hotels
Feb 10, 2015, 1:41 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New York City
Programs: UA: 1K, Hyatt: Explorist and Marriott: LF Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,268
Looking forward to this trip while I sit in the W Hotel working....... (massive jet lag!). Extremely lucky on being upgraded to First - must have been a pleasant surprise 
Hope you enjoy HK and Bangkok!!
Hope you enjoy HK and Bangkok!!
Feb 10, 2015, 3:14 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
Great upgrade! I can't imagine the excitement of that surprise. I remember we were flying coach from EWR-BCN and our friend was giving us 2 upgrades on United to the front of the bus. We kept refreshing the United app to see if we cleared, but it wasn't a surprise to us!
Super pictures.
Did you watch any movies?
Super pictures.
Did you watch any movies?
Feb 13, 2015, 12:53 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
New Year Fireworks, Dragon’s Back, Shek O Beach and Hong Kong Disney
I arrived at my friend’s apartment and dumped my stuff. I have to admit that I was a little bit surprised about how small it was! But then again, this is Hong Kong and I should have expected it. The view however was amazing. I had a full 180 degree view across the harbour and even looking towards Central. It was amazing and the perfect place to watch the fireworks. No crowds, a fridge well stocked with Champagne and food and great company!
The view
Looking left towards Central
Looking across to TST
As it was a little early we went out to have something to eat and ended up in Times Square. My friends knew a fantastic Szechuan place and we over indulged somewhat. Luckily it wasn't too spicy. We headed back to the apartment via a local place to collect some char siu for the party later.
We didn't waste any time starting on the Champagne even though it would be a couple of hours before the other guests arrived. It was a small group, only five of us, perfect.
Wan Chai
Jamie gets everywhere
Local eatery
Table spread
At midnight the fireworks started with a countdown appearing on the ICC building across the harbour. The fireworks were pretty good, quite understated but I understand that the big celebrations happen at Chinese New Year.
We watched the fireworks out on the balcony and with me snapping away with my camera on a tripod. The Dom Perignon was opened just before midnight to ensure that we could celebrate the 2015 in style!
Welcome to 2015!
Lovely drop of Dom Perignon 2004
I think that we ended up going to bed at about 2am which wasn't too bad really.
I woke to beautiful sunshine at about 10 and didn't feel too jetlagged or hung over which was a bonus. We'd discussed what to do on New Year's day and decided that a nice walk/hike was in order. There is a trail called Dragon's Back which would take us through Shek O Country Park to the south east of Hong Kong island. We took a taxi to the start of the trail which was near the prison (nice) and then began our trek.
I was expecting it to be a little easier if I'm honest but then I'm not very fit. There were some very steep sections. Luckily we'd bought lots of water with us. The temperature was a rather pleasant 22 degrees but with the sun beating down it felt a lot warmer.
The trail was rather busy with big groups of tourists getting the way too. It seems as though some of the walkers didn't seem to understand that if they were walking two abreast it was good manners to fall back to single file to let people past. Rather rude.
The pay-off for all of that walking was the spectacular view across Shek O beach and the South China Sea. It a side of Hong Kong that I'd never really seen or appreciated before, so much green space, a beaches!
Good morning- New Year's Day
Walking the Dragon's Back
Paragliding – this guy stayed up for at least an hour riding the thermals
The view over the South China Sea
Onwards to the summit
After reaching the summit we made our way down to the road and caught the bus to Shek O beach. This was a definite first for me. A beach in Hong Kong! I thought that it was fantastic and I couldn't help but take my shoes and socks off and paddle in the water. Ok, so it was freezing but refreshing. There were a couple of people in the water swimming. We assumed that they must be British!
We lazily took a taxi back to Wan Chai, got showered and changed and then went out to get some early dinner. My hosts were Canadian but had spent a lot of time in the US and UK and found a burger place about 10 minutes' walk from their apartment. It was more kiosk style and it wasn't cheap at all! Three burgers and drinks cost me about £40. The burgers were pretty good, but not as amazing as I'd hoped to be honest.
We made our way back to the apartment to relax for a bit before heading out again to have a few drinks across the harbour. We visited Aqua Bar and Felix at the Peninsula. Shattered, we got the ferry back and I slept like a log waking up rather late again in the morning.
Shek O beach
Shek O
Nice view, freezing water
Butchers Club
Early evening haze
1881 shopping centre
In the morning my friend had to go to work (haha) leaving two of us to work out what to do for the day. My friend's partner is a Disney fan and had a platinum pass. I have fond memories of holidays to Florida as a child and since I hadn't been to Disney Land in Hong Kong before we agreed to pay a visit for the day.
It took us a while to get up, have a late breakfast and get out of the apartment so we didn't arrive until about 1pm. This was way too late as the park was very busy. We should have got up earlier and tried to arrive when the park opened. The time of year didn't help either of course as a lot of people were still on holiday.
Anyway, the first ride was Space Mountain. I remember going on this in Florida. Of course it wasn't the same, it was much smaller but it was enjoyable enough. It took us about 30 minutes to queue for though.
We then sought out some lunch and ended up at some fast food style place nearby. Wow it was awful. I had some fried chicken thing which was so greasy it was as though they'd managed to fill the chicken with oil before frying it in, oil. Really terrible. Disney should just allow the proper fast food chains to set up in the park rather than trying to copy. Of course, I realise that they won't do this.
After lunch we wandered around the park and went to go and have a look to see what other rides we could get on. The runaway mine train rollercoaster had a 90 minute wait for both single riders and the normal queue, grrr. We gave up on that and ended up going to see the Lion King show. The Platinum pass that my friend has allowed us to stand right by the entrance doors to secure the best seats once opened. This was quite a perk as we literally walked past hundreds of people that were held in groups a good 100 metres or so back from the entrance. Priority boarding at it's best.
Disney!
Mickey
Somewhat vertically challenged castle
Runaway mine train
Lion King show
Lion King show
Simba
Actually, despite being sceptical, the show was quite enjoyable. Lots of songs and special effects including a rather huge robotic Simba. My niece and nephew would have loved it. Speaking of which, I stood in front of the castle and Facetimed my niece to see if she would recognise the castle and the Mickey ears close by. She did and started jumping up and down, she was so excited!
After that we spent some more time wandering around and looking at the rides but I was frustrated to find that the queues were so long. We worked our way around to 'It's a Small World'. Well, we couldn't skip it could we? Well, it was pretty much the only ride with a decent queue time. It was a bit disappointing. Maybe such things are more exciting as a child.
It was dark and we decided to leave the park and head back to the city to meet friends for drinks. Before leaving I wanted to buy a Mickey and Minnie soft toy for my niece and nephew. Wow, I've never seen anything like it. People were going crazy in the gift shop, filling their baskets with stuff. It wasn't disordered, just a bit surreal. It took me about 25 minutes just to pay as the queues were so long. Hmm.
Back to the island on the MTR and then we jumped into a taxi to go up to the mid-levels. I'd heard that this was very much the ex-pat area and that was absolutely evident with the number of Western faces almost hitting 100%. I don't normally like going to such places, I don't see the point but it was fine for a couple of drinks. For dinner we ended up at an American diner which was really excellent. Again not cheap, but well worth it.
It's a Small World – stereo typs galore!
It's a Small World
The castle at night
The diner
Lots of steps
Up Next
Meeting up with a fellow FTer, Lantau Island and the magical Tai-O fishing village
Feb 14, 2015, 6:14 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: BAEC Bronze, AS MVP Gold 75K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 488
Matthandy excellent report as always. You are my TR idol!
Interesting that Disney HK doesn't allow outside fast food outlets in. McDonalds products (fries for example) have been sold for at least 5 years at WDW in Florida.
Interesting that Disney HK doesn't allow outside fast food outlets in. McDonalds products (fries for example) have been sold for at least 5 years at WDW in Florida.
Feb 14, 2015, 2:09 pm
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Great photos of the fireworks and hope I can take some as good when I'm in HKG for another new year, Chinese New Year, next week. I'd thought about watching from Kowloon side but your pictures may convinced me to stay island side as it would be easier to get back to my hotel in Western after the show is over and the crowds disperse.
Feb 16, 2015, 3:16 pm
#26
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,977
Very enjoyable so far and some good photos. I will get to try BA A380 F later this year so good to see what it will be like.
Feb 27, 2015, 5:12 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 893