Up, up and away

We got to the airport with heaps of time to spare so had some time in the lounge before departure. The layout of business class on Virgin Atlantic is in a series of little cells, arranged obliquely so the seat can fold to make a lie-flat bed. There is no possibility of looking out your window at the passing scenery so all a bit odd really. Ours was a daytime flight so the beds were a bit superfluous. I did try them though and found them very flat but also very hard.

Into Hong Kong and onto the Cityflyer bus into town so we arrived at the hotel before midnight. The hotel, Butterfly on Prat, was decorated quite fashionably but nothing could disguise the fact that it was a tiny room and that the street outside became very lively with bars and clubs after midnight.

The morning, grey and a tad rainy, was for wandering,. We investigated the flower market with gorgeous blooms at a pittance.

Phalenopsis orchids

Flower stall

eventually taking the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong and checking out some shops.

Star Ferry with Hong Kong in the background

As usual, Nick found the unusual to photograph

Later we explored the Ladies’ Market which had some exotic offerings, from clothes and fans to items to “dress” men. I was rather taken with the elephant.

Men’s apparel

We met with our friend from uni days, Joanna Leung, at the Kowloon Cricket Club for a wonderful meal of grilled lobster. Such a treat to still have those precious friendships from days of our youth.

The following day we were due to fly out at almost midnight so spent the day going to Lantau Island to visit the Buddhist Monastery and the Big Buddah. To get there we went via a very long cablecar route that took us from close to the airport, across bays and hills and to the top of the island. The arrival area was very touristy but the Buddah and monastery were serene.

Chairlift We declined to scale the staircase Plants surround a goddess

Big Buddah Temple A creature guarding the temple Dragon

At the end of the day a return to the airport, retrieval of my reading glasses that I had left on the plane (thank heavens lost and found actually worked) and off to check in. I love the curved ceiling line of Hong Kong airport.

Next stop Istanbul!