Unfortunately, New Year's eve was not like that. I was on a United 747 heading from San Francisco to Hong Kong. At least I got an upgrade to business class. I was in the seat by the window. My seatmate slept most of the way to Hong Kong while I did everything from read to tai chi exercises. Turns out she is a buyer and goes over at least once a month. Experience counts!

    Departed San Francisco at 12:20 P.M. on December 31 & arrived Hong Kong January 1 at 7:05. Lost a day going over the international date line.

    I managed to get through customs (no problems, a walk through) & make my way to the transportation area. The express train seemed best; so, I purchased an "Octopus Card"

& caught a train in less than 15 minutes.

    The above picture is misleading since it was dark & I was fading, but it was the best I could find.

    I had decided that jet lag deserved a splurge and booked a room at the Shangri-La Hotel in Central, one of the great old hotels in Hong Kong. At the express train depot there was a free bus to the Shangri-La & all other "major" hotels. I was the only passenger. When I arrived, the desk clerk took pity on me and upgraded me to the 55th floor with a harbor view.

(c) photo by QT Luong/terragalleria.com, all rights reserved.
   

    The room was something out of another era. Even the tea, which arrived shortly after I did, was taken care of well.

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