I arrived at the HK Intl Airport on Jul 27,2010 around 930pm. It was my first visit to Hong Kong. And my first out of the country trip in 2 yrs. The last was still in 2008 when I was sent to London for training. So I was super excited about this trip. One, I'm travelling on the plane to and from HK alone. Two, I will be joined by my mom and this is her first trip abroad. My sis and her bf are on this trip as well. Three, this our first time in HK (and hopefully not the last!).
The HKIA is huge, as expected. People have been telling me how extremely huge their airport is and that anyone could get lost. Well, I didn't get lost. The directions are everywhere in the airport. And one other thing that would tell you HKIA is huge is that you need to ride the train to get from one terminal to the other. Once you deplane, you really won't worry about where to go. Just follow the rest of the passengers. Trust me, not all of them are on their first trip to HK. ;) Then we took our checked in luggages and headed to the Immigration counters. It took a while for me at the immigration line not because the officer suspects me to be a hooker or a drug dealer but becuase the woman ahead of me was being asked with a lot of questions. And that included how much money she had. Now I don't want to stew any stories about why she was questioned that way. Anyway, when it was my turn, it took no more than 2 minutes. The next thing I did was go find where I can buy my Octopus card. My natural insticts told me go with where the other tourists were headed. Oh yes, I saw a bunch of tourists approached this corner where you can find free tourist maps and brochures. And right next to it was a counter where you can buy the Octopus card. The Octopus card is the equivalent of your Oyster (London) or your EZ link card (Singpaore). It is a very convenient card as you can use it on the trains, buses and even in 7-11 stores. Trust me, it saves you enormous time if you use this. I bought the 150HKD value card w/ 50HKD refundable deposit. After getting my Octopus card, I needed to make a phone call to our host as I have to get the exact direction to their guesthouse. Our host told me that there were public phones at the airport where you can make free calls. I asked the lady at the Octopus counter and she was kind enough to show me where these phones are located. They were just 30 steps away from the counter. So I made the phone call, and I was told to get off at the second bus stop and I should find a 7-11 store then some 10 steps from it would be the Lucky House building where I will be staying for the next 3 days. Mom, Sis and bf were already there. Next thing to do was board a bus and head to the city. I just followed the directions for public transport and there I was finally where the buses were waiting. I took the A22 Citybus and this should take me to the Lucky House near Jordan MTR. Just to be very sure, I asked the bus driver if this was going to stop near Jordan MTR. I am not sure what was his answer but to me it seemed like a YES. It took a while to get me to destination, I think it took some 45 mins or 50 minutes, basta less than an hour. And the fare was 39HKD. Other options for transport were the taxis and the Airport express (train). Taxis were expensive and that is absolutely not an option for me. The Airport express is also convenient, I heard. But then for me the very practical thing was the bus. Aside from the fact that it was cheap. The airport buses had spaces for luggages which were conveniently located near the doors. So I placed mine there and took my seat near a Chinese guy in business suit who was endlessly speaking to someone on his cellphone and a Chinese girl who was dozing off to sleep. The ride was I must say quite long and all I felt then was agitation. Ahh the beautiful feeling when it's your first time! ;) I was to get off at the second bus stop after the tollgate. So after feeling that I was so near to my bus stop, I stood up and went to to the driver and just said "Jordan MTR". (Why would I need to say it in a full sentence when he didn't understood English) I learned on the next few days that I what I did was against the law. Never ever speak to the bus driver while the bus is in motion! I could be penalized for it. But thankfully, I wasn't. Well the driver was very kind I suppose. I couldn't understand him since he was speaking in Chinese. But when it was my bus stop, he just pointed to the door. And so off I went out. My marker was a 7-11 store, which I found and then I knew I was near to my destination when I decided to do next best thing, ask someone. I asked a guy selling magazines where Lucky House was. And he told me, (good thing he can speak English) pointing to the building on his back, the very building where he was selling his magazines outside. He pointed me to the entrance, so I went inside. I took the elevator and pressed 4 because that where the guesthouse is, it's on the 4th floor. When I went outside, I couldn't believe my eyes - laundry hanging, unpainted, rusty insides of the building. It spelled dirty and old. I didn't expect that these old buildings in HK look this old and dirty. Well, why should I expect the better or the best when the price I paid for this accomodation was very cheap? I learned later on from my housemates and some Swiss travelers I met that their hostels were also on very old buildings. I guess that's just how they are.
My sister and her bf met me at the "lobby" of the Lucky House since I couldn't find Flat 4M. And boy, I was glad to see my mom and sister...we talked and shared experiences. My mom and company just came from Macau and had a rainy episode at the Avenue of Stars watching the Symphony of Lights.
All tired and sleepy, we called it a night and snored our way to sleep...
Up next, DAY 1.
