Everest Trek, Episode Two - Hong Kong Airport

Sitting in the Hong Kong Airport in between flights and it's 2:30pm here so I think that's 2:00 or 3:30am at home - not too sure anymore. The flight from Toronto was really long - 14 1/2 hours!

One of the high lights of the flight was a feature on the "Infotainment" section on the individual seat back screens - a web cam mounted on the under carriage of the plane! It was fascinating to watch as we taxied down the run way at Pearson and then took off over Toronto. There wasn't too much to see as we flew over Hudson Bay and the North Pole as it was pretty cloudy but it cleared a little over China and we could see one barren looking brown mountain range after another with the occasional greener forest-like patch. The camera was turned off for the landing which was disappointing as I was looking forward to a glimpse of Hong Kong as we approached the airport.

I am surprised by the mountains all around the airport - I hadn't realized how mountainous Hong Kong is! The temperature is in the low 30 degrees Celsius and the air outside the terminal is hazy and heavy. Looking out across the tarmac there are very few airline insignia that I recognize. There are a few that have various collections of coloured stripes and others are far more exotic looking with pink hibiscus flowers, red dragons and brightly coloured birds. There is ocean on one side of the airport with a few huge freighters and what look like high speed ferries criss-crossing the harbour.

I have walked from one end of this airport to the other in the past few hours, past Gucci, Hermes, Coach, Ports, a Disney store and more perfume shops than I care to count. This airport has anything and everything a traveler could ask for including lounges where for a fee you can spend a few hours in between flights having an alcoholic drink, a massage, manicure or pedicure, have a nap, freshen up with a shower, and cruise the internet over appetizers and more drinks.

The terminal itself is very bright and airy with windows all around and high vaulted ceilings. It is all very clean and very new in appearance. I had imagined that the airport would be much busier and full of people rushing about but so far it really isn't. I keep forgetting that it is the middle of Saturday afternoon. I feel as if I have lost touch with real time and have stepped off into a new world. I guess "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!"