I love walking off an airplane and into a new "culture". It dosen't matter if that new place is in the US or abroad. There's something about the stark reality that one in "not in Kansas anymore."
Hong Kong is a very modern airport with great signage, free WiFi, and classy stores. But I have to admit that even the glitz and technology was overshadowed by the number of "fever" stations manned by nurses wearing face masks. Did I miss something in the literature or in all of my health visits for travel to this part of the country? Is there a virus I should be aware of?
Fortunately, I did not have time to devote much more time to thinking about the "fever" stations because I needed to concentrate on recovering my bag and purchasing transport to my hotel. I freaked out when the round trip airport express train was $180 but then I remembered that the local currency is Hong Kong Dollarsand they use the $ sign so with the exchange rate I could divide by about 6.5..(about 30USD for the round trip.)
The rest was sooo easy. The train was new, quiet, fast and comfortable. The subsequent shuttle was waiting when I exited the train station and my hotel was the first stop. During the drive I got my first glimpse of the beautiful, modern skyscrapers, the glitzy neon signs, and the double decker buses and trams.
To complete the journey a beautiful harpist was playing music in the lobby of the hotel when I arrived. Now, sitting in my room on the 40th floor overlooking Victoria Harbor, I'm trying to trick my body into thinking it's bedtime and hoping I can get a good night's sleep before a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Hong Kong is a very modern airport with great signage, free WiFi, and classy stores. But I have to admit that even the glitz and technology was overshadowed by the number of "fever" stations manned by nurses wearing face masks. Did I miss something in the literature or in all of my health visits for travel to this part of the country? Is there a virus I should be aware of?
Fortunately, I did not have time to devote much more time to thinking about the "fever" stations because I needed to concentrate on recovering my bag and purchasing transport to my hotel. I freaked out when the round trip airport express train was $180 but then I remembered that the local currency is Hong Kong Dollarsand they use the $ sign so with the exchange rate I could divide by about 6.5..(about 30USD for the round trip.)
The rest was sooo easy. The train was new, quiet, fast and comfortable. The subsequent shuttle was waiting when I exited the train station and my hotel was the first stop. During the drive I got my first glimpse of the beautiful, modern skyscrapers, the glitzy neon signs, and the double decker buses and trams.
To complete the journey a beautiful harpist was playing music in the lobby of the hotel when I arrived. Now, sitting in my room on the 40th floor overlooking Victoria Harbor, I'm trying to trick my body into thinking it's bedtime and hoping I can get a good night's sleep before a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
I, too, look forward to landing at a "new" (to me) airport and feeling the new culture - at least in retrospect. I'm sure you might call me out on that one after my experience in the Istanbul airport!
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