Hong Kong

After a 3.5 hour flight from Phuket, I checked in to the Kerry Hotel in Hong Kong.

It rained every day – sometimes pouring rain – but I was able to do and see a lot.

The last time I was in Hong Kong I had a suit tailored by Sam’s Tailor who has made suits for almost all the recent US presidents. On the first day I decided to go back and pick out a fabric (which I had in mind) and get measured. (Sam the owner recognized me which is remarkable since it had been years since my last Hong Kong visit).

 Later that day I did the first fitting. I went back twice the next day for final fittings and brought it home on the airplane. I have done this now in Bangkok & HoiOn Vietnam. I find in fun and they always fit perfect and can be made with the best fabric in the world.

While there I me a very nice lady who was part of Sam’s family. She and her husband run a small farm in central Africa where they run an orphanage and take care of over 100 orphans. They have 40 cows that they milk and sell the milk. They developed a system to capture the gas from the manure so they can use it on the farm and sell to others. They pay 35% interest rates with a corrupt government which makes it very difficult to operate. We visited for over an hour – what an impressive story. It is people like this that I love to meet while traveling. I shared with her that I was from a farm in Iowa. I would love to one day go see her on a trip to Africa.

I spent many hours just walking the streets of Hong Kong where you will find many merchants selling everything and anything. There are restaurants everywhere but some things on the menu are a bit different – like baby pig. I found the butcher shops to be interesting.

The skyline of Hong Kong is what makes it unique. Everything is built around the bay which is very deep and allows ships in and out. There was a cruise ship leaving one night. At night it turns into a colorful maze of buildings like nowhere in the world. One night I went up to the “peak” which is the best view in the city. It is just stunning – one that I will never forget.

Like Bangkok – the upscale shopping malls are the largest I have ever seen with store after store of all the big names. I felt like I was in Bartle Hall where you might walk for 3 city blocks. It is crazy.

I spent some time in the Peninsula Hotel which I am sure is one of the best in the world. The service provided at all the higher end hotels is impeccable. I met a young man who was working at the concierge from Belgium who charged my iPhone and helped me with some directions, and I wasn’t even staying there. 

Hong Kong is fast paced and there is a great work ethic. It is faster paced than New York city. I enjoy seeing the differences in the Asia cities. Tokyo is quiet, clean, organized and very efficient while Bangkok is dirtier, more exotic and hectic. Hong Kong is somewhere in between. The all operate smooth for having such large populations. In Hong Kong I traveled by Uber. They were available in seconds.

As my last trip to Asia, I have many thoughts in my mind about my experiences that I will cherish over the years. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity.

From my hotel outdoor bar I got to see an incredible drone light show. I also had an incredible pool on top of the hotel with a crazy view.

I left the hotel 3 days later for an early flight on Delta where I am flying standby on a buddy pass (thanks to a very good friend) which means I get on only if there are empty seats. While at the airport I anxiously am waiting to see what happens. I am in a group of people that are all flying standby some of which have more seniority than me. 

If I don’t get on – my backup plan is to pay $400 to catch a flight on United to LAX and then figure it out from there. So, I sit and wait. It is a bit nerve racking. Another option is to fly to Soul Korea or Tokyo and try it from there. The real advantage of flying this way is that with a bit of luck I can end up in business class – Delta One. Finally, my name is called, and I end up in Delta Premium Select which is next best to business class. I am ecstatic – just to get on much less this seat. I was so excited when I went through security knowing that the plane was about ready to leave, I forgot my passport and boarding pass which I put in the bottom of the tub under my backpack. I figured it out quickly and returned where an agent was holding it with a big grin and knew I would be back.

I got on the plane and hung up the suit and was seated beside a very nice man who was from Detroit Michigan. He was acting as a buyer and makes trips to Hong Kong often. While on the plane I am writing this blog. It helps pass the time. The flight time to LAX is 13.5 hours. Then another 3 hours to KC. Yikes!

I met a 40-year veteran professional flight attendant who was very helpful. I wrote her a note on a napkin that says the following: Congrats on hour 40 plus years with Delta. I hope Delta appreciates you as much as I have and thank you for your good work. What a nice lady.

I landed at LAX where I had a 6 hour layover. So I went to a nearby beach. It felt good to get out of the plane and walk in the sand. The temperature was 75 degrees which was perfect. I felt like I could just walk home from LA. It was great to be back in the US. Some young girls were having fun on the beach.

Another cool picture of Hong Kong from the peak.

Thanks for reading my blog. I will be looking forward to my next trip which will probably be in Europe. Until then remain curious and don’t forget it is ok to run wide open in the wrong direction – and then correct that direction – than to go in no direction.

Cheers!