Part Seven:
Just a week after we had landed in Tokyo, we were all packed up and heading back to the airport. I knew we wanted to stop by another country while on this side of the world, but was not sure where. It was a toss up between Singapore and Hong Kong, with Hong Kong coming out on a top the day before we left on our trip. Although we had visited Hong Kong last year (albeit very briefly), I figured it would be easier to find a flight home from HKG over SIN last minute and this short trip could build on what we saw last time. After booking the flight (CX F), I was told to try and secure the two F seats in the nose of the plane as these seats would offer the most privacy in F. When I checked the seating map online, I saw those two seats had been blocked off, but every other seat was an option. Great. I decided to give Cathay Pacific a call just to check and found out the seats were indeed available and I was switched into them a few minutes later.
We took the train from the hotel to the airport, which was a bit rough with our entire luggage and a baby with a stroller. But we managed and got to the airport an hour or so before boarding. I was able to check-in and drop off most of our bags and then went off to find a JAL representative to discuss my missing car seat. I was told that it was found and I could get it at the airport from a JAL agent the night before. It took fifteen minutes to locate someone who knew about our issue or could help me, but someone did come and they did have the car seat in tow. I was told if I wanted to try and get any compensation for the week of not having the car seat (the initial compensation was for the one day delay), I would have to file a claim with BA. I took the car seat and went to check it at the CX counter and then went off to the CX lounge.
The CX lounge is pretty spacious and has a decent selection of drinks to choose from and some kind of noodle bar as well. I went over to the agents and asked them to check if there was any award availability to NY or ORD on Sunday/Monday and was told there were a couple of flights, which actually had space. As we were already at boarding time and the CX gate was at the farthest corner of the airport (not sure who they pissed off in HND), we had to run for our flight. This ended up being a mistake as by the time we landed, those seats were not available on BA for booking. Anyways, as we were heading towards the gate, I was able to see our ride towering n the distance. We were flying on the 747, which just looks like a massive plane (not like the A380, but still very big). Almost running down the jet bridge with controlled (mostly) excitement, we were finally at the door stepping in paradise.
The first class cabin was empty when we got onboard and we (I) danced our way to the seats. Would this flight turn out to be us alone with the crew in F?? It didn’t. Another three people boarded, making it five and a half passengers in nine seats (not too bad). With everyone all spread out, we were ready for our pre-departure beverages. Nothing like having some Blue Label before a flight to get you going, even if it is ten in the morning (as Jimmy Buffet is known for saying “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere”).
Takeoff was nothing too spectacular, other than the fact something this big can fly. Once again, we must have taxied half way to HKG before taking off (someone from CX really needs to send a gift to HND personnel and get some better treatment). The ride out and the first fifteen minutes of the flight were shaky due to bad weather, halting cabin service (such issues not being served at all times and having your beer shaking and spilling in the air). Before we knew it, we were already descending into HKG and on to the next part of our trip.