Singapore and Hong Kong: September 2014: Day 7: Singapore

Singapore and Hong Kong

A slight flaw in the plan was the assumption that we'd be able to check in early and enter the United/Star Alliance lounges at Changi (Singapore International Airport) to sleep and shower for the night. Unfortunately, United doesn't allow online check-in at Changi, and they close the departure counters in the middle of the night. Doh. Hence the 2 hours in a pay lounge, and then sitting on a bench outside McDonald's... >_<

Once we finally got in to the Singapore Air KrisGold lounge, it was actually quite pleasant. How the heck the staff stays so pleasant at 3am is almost beyond me-- but when your workplace is one of the world's nicer airports, complete with a koi pond (!) indoors, I suppose that helps!

At least the flight from Singapore to Hong Kong is half the length of the one from Japan, and the nearly empty 777 meant stretching out for a nap was easy (and necessary!). We made it into Chep Lap Kok (Hong Kong International Airport) without incident, collected the hotel shuttle, crossed many of Hong Kong's beautiful bridges, and left our bags at the hotel before trying to find lunch.

Instead of staying near the hotel, we wandered all the way down to Mong Kok to my Dad's favorite noodle joint for lunch, then ran around a whole bunch more all day and into the evening. Friggin' exhausting, and dinner at inside the Grand Century East food court was only average at best. At least the visit to Hong Kong Polytechnic University was nice. Got a high-level tour of their House of Innovation, where their very centralized display of knowledge transfer to the business world was quite unique, at least compared to typical American universities. Rather strange to be on the opposite side of the camera as well!

Ended the night down in Lan Kwai Fong-- caught Petula for a beer at the end of a very long day. Always good to catch up with friends who live in faraway places! (and even better that I didn't get lost on the MTR on the way back!)