Hong Kong Sights & Sounds

Hong Kong Sights & Sounds

Right now I am in the Hong Kong airport. How do I feel? Its pretty cloudy today. Don't know if that's the normal weather here. The view from The Cathay Pacific flight as it circled over Hong Kong was amazing. It was my first view of a foreign land. This place has a different history, a different culture, a different life altogether...suddenly, I have stepped out of India! So what did I do first thing in Hong Kong airsport? Went straight to the gate from where my next flight to San Fracisco would start its boarding. Once I reached gate# 61 I went straight to the rest room to freshen up.
I am writing this blog from the lobby of the airport and I am waiting for my flight announcement. The flight is scheduled to take off at 16:25 Hong Kong time. I have taken a few snaps of the flight I would be boarding and also the cloudy overcast skyline with the green mountains. Reminds me of Assam.

First Sight of Hong Kong
As I had mentioned earlier the first sight of Hong Kong from the flight was really wonderful. We were circling over the Hong Kong airport above the Pacific ocean. The ocean is green in color and as if keeping the theme right, Hong Kong is very green. It is a port city (state/country..whatever) and yes there were lot of oceanic activities going on. The view of small speed boats racing over the ocean leaving a white mark in its wake was simply artistic. I was at peace at once. This was my kinda weather and this was my kinda geography. I am yet to have an opinion about the people in Hong Kong because I have not got a chance to interact with them They seem pretty friendly, mostly keeping to themselves or with their friends. Which is like anywhere else, which in fact, translates to how human beings are mostly. It gives me a strange sense of security and control.

Inside the Airport
The airport is very much like Shamshabad International Airport. The vast expanse of runways, taxi-ways, different international airlines landing and taking-off...its the typical international scene. People in Hong Kong speak Cantonese. So most of the announcements are in Cantonese as well apart from English.

Loo View (This is the serious part)
Yes I went to the loo to freshen up like any other normal human being and the interesting thing which I witnessed (which I have not seen anywhere else till now) is, there is a dispenser besides the commode which dispense Disinfectant. You are supposed to spray the disinfectant on a tissue paper and wipe the toilet seat before using it.
Even while entering the departure "bay" the security people checking my boarding pass had rubber surgical gloves on. What I am trying to get to here is Hong Kong being a busy international airport is at a very high rist of being infected of virus. Epidemics like SARS and bird flu which had broken out recently had its impact on Hong Kong. The hygeine level may be higher in Hong Kong then any other place because of its susceptibility to infections as history has shown.

Shopping
There are numerous duty free shops here and not to mention many designer showrooms. Right in front of me is a GUCCI showroom. Besides that there are designer perfume displays, computer accessories show room, wines and liquors, cigarettes and refreshment bars. I think I shall buy something as a souvenir.

My Souvenir
I got myself 10 USD worth of Hong Kong dollars. Today's exchange rate is 1 USD = 7.2 Hong Kong dollars. Anyways my flight is scheduled now, so I shall get back with more experiences.