Erika and I woke up early after a late night yesterday, packed, had a quick breakfast, and then met our airport transfer for the ride to the Hanoi Airport.
Our Vietnam Airlines flight surprised us in a few ways. First, the woman at the ticket counter bumped us up to exit row seats, which we later realized she did only because someone has to sit there (our plane was pretty empty). When we took our seats, the exit row safety talk consisted of a polite but firm request from our flight attendant to please not open the door unless there is an emergency. Duly noted. Second, they fed us on the plane and it was a genuinely good meal (and you can believe this since Erika agrees). Third, we saw an unruly passenger get restrained and then arrested by the HK police when we landed (but he was a line jumper to begin with and seemed to be a jerk so no sympathy was shed on his behalf).
When we landed at the Hong Kong Airport, we took the Airport Express to the Hong Kong Station and then a cab to our hotel. We quickly unloaded our things and then, seeing the threatening weather in the forecast (apparently we've arrived in HK just ahead of a potential typhoon) we hiked through the Central District to the base of the Peak Tram.
There, we got our tickets and boarded the vertical railway up to Victoria Peak. As soon as we got up there, I was dismayed as the entire peak (and its corresponding views of Hong Kong) was blanketed by thick white clouds. I have been talking Erika's ear off for 5 years about how amazing Hong Kong is and all I wanted to do was show off the great city from its best vantage point. However, for a while we literally could not see more than a hundred yards ahead.
With luck and patience, the eventually clouds let up and the city began to peak through. We rushed to the highest viewing platform and by the time we got up there we were greeted by spectacular (albeit a bit cloudy) 360 degree views of Hong Kong. What luck (especially as more clouds rolled in soon after).
We stayed at the viewing platform for nearly an hour and then went down further into the belly of the complex to wait for sunset and to see the city lit up at night. Still, more clouds and fog rolled in, but we enjoyed some hot tea and relaxed a bit on the deck. Simon even found time to make a new friend.
Finally, abandoning the quest for clear views from the peak, and feeling our growling stomachs, we took the tram back down to the city at about 7:45pm and then an Uber to Crystal Jade for dim sum since it started pouring. Holy moly.
I look like someone who didn't want to be interrupted while he ate his spare rib. It was everything we hoped it would be (we're going back tomorrow for more) and we had to pace ourselves to not overeat.
Right as we finished our meal, the rain let up and we rushed to the pier to board the Star Ferry for the quick crossing to and from Kowloon.
On the passage, at last we got the breathtaking views of the lit up, night-time skyline that I've hoped to show Erika for the past 5 years.
Finally, after getting back to the Hong Kong side, we took a cab back to our hotel.
Tomorrow we're going to do as much as the weather allows us, but we know we were tremendously fortunate for all we were able to see and do today in the intermittent dry moments!
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