Filed 1/30/10: I’m sitting in the Hong Kong Airport Red Carpet Clu waiting for my flight. Security and immigration were very efficient here; even my hip didn’t seem to faze them. I still got wanded, and my bag was opened but everything was done quickly and professionally.
On Friday, I went with two ACI Asia-Pacific staff members, Sonia Liu and Frank Fu, on a cable car ride (the kind where the cab hangs from a cable, not the San Francisco kind). We went over water and mountains until we reached a village. At the village is a Buddhist Temple, as well as the world’s largest bronze Buddha (trust me, it is huge). We also enjoyed a traditional Chinese tea service at a beautiful tea house in the village.
Last evening, Frank joined Angela Gittens and me for a Hong Kong Harbor cruise and a viewing of the nightly Hong Kong laser and light show. They have an impressive skyline here, and this laser and light show occurs every night.
I wish I had a chance to stay for a longer period of time. I didn’t know what to expect, given the history of Hong Kong, especially over the past 10-15 years. It is a very different place than Shanghai, the only other Chinese city I have ever visited. Most signs are in English as well as Chinese, which makes it more “comfortable.” Still, you do realize you are in Asia. You do get a sense that Hong Kong deserves its exotic reputation; you can see why it figures in so many movies.
I hope I get a chance to come back soon, there is so much more to do.
Filed 1/31/10: I’m now sitting on my flight to San Francisco from Hong Kong. Needed to go through gate screening before I boarded the plane. My bags were opened and I was patted down. Agents worked in teams, a man and a woman. One looked in the bags and the other did the pat down depending on the passenger’s gender. Again, very thorough, but efficient, quick and friendly (as much as is possible under the circumstances). A good experience.


Posted by Greg 

