Bali Trip - Arriving in Hong Kong September 14, 2012

Our Bali trip began on September 13, 2012. We departed XNA, Fayetteville, Arkansas around noon. The plane, American Airlines, was scheduled to depart at 10:20 a.m. Many delays later we left at noon. Our next stop was Chicago. Then, from Chicago, on to Hong Kong.

Around 4:30 p.m. after departing Chicago we were served a wonderful dinner meal. Then, around 4:30 a.m. the lights were turned on and another dinner meal was served. Then, again around 8:00 a.m. we were served dinner AGAIN! I had three dinner meals one right after the other. In fact, with each meal the flight attendant walked up and down the aisle with a bottle of wine to pour. With dinner at 4:30 a.m. she asked "Wine with your dinner?" "No mam, thank you though." Who drinks wine at 4:30 in the morning???

We land in Hong Kong the next day at 8:00 p.m. From Chicago to Hong Kong we flew Cathay Pacific. I did sleep good, I think, on the plane. I had calculated when I needed to sleep to be on Bali time. I took a sleeping pill and woke up feeling pretty rested.

Cathay Pacific airplane at Hong Kong International Airport.

 Betsy, a little tired!

 Right after we landed I snapped a picture of Gary in the Hong Kong International Airport.

At the airport we bought a round-trip bus ticket so that we could go to the city and not worry about returning to the airport. We sat on the top level, front row. We didn't know, obviously, when we needed to get off because we were clueless where we were. A nice young man overheard us talking and told us to get off at the next to last stop. He told us the name of the stop and so that's what we did. This stop was the area where the young locals hung out. We ate at a local bar where everyone was a local but us and everyone was twenty or early thirty something but us. It was interesting just people watching. Of course, I was scared to eat the food. I sure didn't want to be sick before the end of my journey. I ordered potato skins and Gary ordered the local food. We worried about that but it seemed to turn out okay.

We walked and walked and walked the streets. None of the good shops were open. We were on Nathan Road (not the best place to be) and I kept trying to find Temple Street. Turns out it was probably one or two streets over. I have been to Hong Kong before and if you shop in Hong Kong, you know about Temple Street. I did see Chung King Mansion on Nathan Road. I remember exchanging money there once and it was the shadiest place I have ever been to in my life.

We did not have a very productive time in Hong Kong. In fact, I did not buy a single thing. I had dreams of silk ties but the stores were not open. Around 11:45 p.m. we headed back to the bus stop. We see one city bus, get on it only to be told to get off. We were told it was the wrong one. Actually, I don't know if we were told that or not but that is what we assumed. No worries, we will walk to the next bus stop.

 

At the next bus stop we were certain we were at the correct place. Remember, we had bought a round trip ticket. We get on the bus and the driver looks at our round trip ticket and says "Cash." He would not accept our round trip ticket. Another person got on, knew what was going on, and had a very loud argument with the driver. The driver kicked him off. Okay, we'll pay cash. We just want to go to the airport. With cash in hand he pulled out and took us to the airport. He could not speak a bit of English and I had this fear that he was taking us to the wrong airport.

 

So, we are at the airport at a little before 1:00 a.m. We walked around and then found two cold metal benches and slept on them. Gary used my purse for a pillow and I was so scared someone would see us sleeping and steal everything out of my purse. I didn't sleep any. The place was freezing cold so I know Gary didn't sleep either.