Right here’s the factor although: I normally find yourself touring alone. Which isn’t practically as enjoyable. Fortunately I’m part of fairly a number of touring teams on Fb and have made some superior connections by there, however it’s normally only a fast hey at an airport.
So a month or so in the past I used to be in Singapore on a very fast work journey, and by fast I imply I landed on Sunday evening at midnight and left Thursday night. My routing again to the states was on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong after which Hong Kong to Dallas nonstop. In coach. Blergh. However I digress.
That Thursday within the workplace I noticed a Fb publish from a school buddy (additionally named Andy) saying that he and his girlfriend Callie had been at JFK and randomly heading to Hong Kong, “as a result of why not?” (you possibly can see why we’re buddies)
I instantly requested him after they had been touchdown in Hong Kong as a result of I had a fairly prolonged layover earlier than my flight again to the USA.
He mentioned “5:30am”.
I checked my itinerary and noticed nice information: my flight landed at 5:20am.
Like schoolgirls at a Beiber live performance we e-squealed at one another and mentioned we’d meet exterior of customs. They then took off on a Cathay Pacific nonstop to HKG and I set to work in Singapore. Ultimately I made my option to Singapore’s pretty airport, stopping on the butterfly backyard whereas I used to be there (as a result of butterfly backyard).
I finally landed at Hong Kong and made my option to the customs space. My new e-channel bar code on my passport bought me into the nation in about 4 seconds and I casually waited for Andy and Callie to reach. Not 20 minutes later they walked out of the customs space trying equal components enthusiastic about being in Hong Kong and jetlagged as all get out.
What I’ve failed to say so far is that each Andy and Callie are extremely progressive and funky folks, Andy is likely one of the most startup folks I do know and Callie is an professional in cryptocurrencies and the nascent coin providing trade. They’re each tremendous sensible and an absolute blast to be round.
Whereas we had been syncing up journey plans they mentioned that they had by no means been to Hong Kong earlier than so I made a decision to provide them my Vacationer Tour to assist them get their bearings.
“My spot” at Lugard Highway is likely one of the greatest views of Hong Kong. My little information on how one can get there is likely one of the hottest movies on my YouTube channel additionally, in case you need to go:
I wished to indicate them this spot for 2 causes: 1) I wished to go to and take some photos and a couple of) it’s an ideal place for a stroll to get some blood transferring after a brilliant lengthy flight
We hopped right into a taxi and made our option to the Peak Tram whereas I shared some historical past with them about Hong Kong, little doubt boring them mercilessly. However we finally bought to the highest of the Peak Tram and located our option to Lugard Highway and commenced the arduous gratifying little hike of about 3km.
I had heard rumours (spelled Britishly since that is about Hong Kong) that there was a brand new photograph spot that opened up after a storm handed by Hong Kong, and certainly there was, however nothing in comparison with my ordinary spot.
We bought to the spot and their breath was taken away. So was mine #outofshape. However the spot was nearly as good as ever.
Andy and Callie loved it too. And me being a photographer I made them pose for a cute “candid” awww shot.
Whereas I normally flip again to the Peak Mall at this level, we determined to go forward and full the circuit round Lugard Highway, because the surroundings is so fairly (though loads had been impacted by the storm).
After Lugard Highway we took the Peak Tram again down. We walked by one of many many random parks they’ve in the course of town and finally made our option to a taxi stand. We hopped in and headed for the Airport Specific station. I wanted to get to the airport they usually wanted to get to Macau for a convention (the explanation for his or her sudden go to), however earlier than that we wanted to do one thing superb.
The taxi dropped us off on the Airport Specific station and we took the escalator down one stage. We turned to our left, walked in the direction of the Subway, and noticed a restaurant with some line boundaries in entrance of it.
Tim. Ho. Wan.
Sure I do know it’s touristy however BBQ PORK BUNS. I could or might not eat there each time I’m going to Hong Kong (and will or might not have ensured that Andy and Callie favored it a lot they waited two hours to go to the brand new NYC location the opposite day). I assumed Tim Ho Wan could be the proper event to chill out a bit earlier than we needed to go our separate methods.
Oh, and BBQ PORK BUNS.
Such a enjoyable couple of hours
After Tim Ho Wan I made my option to the airport, my favourite lounge on the earth (The Pier), and finally my tremendous lengthy and turbulent flight dwelling.
It was so enjoyable attending to briefly share a spot I really like with good buddies. It’s one of many few causes I’m grateful for issues like Fb, in any other case I could have by no means identified they had been going to be on the town on the similar time and missed seeing them by actually minutes. What a delight to have the ability to break the silence of solo journey with such nice folks.
Life is best when shared. Hoping for extra spontaneous meetups throughout my subsequent huge journey (which begins tomorrow)!
Additionally, BBQ PORK BUNS!
What’s your favourite random journey meetup story? Inform me within the feedback beneath!
