First Class High In the Sky

I thought I was excited enough getting to ride in the 2nd story of the airplane. Even Russell, correcting me with a smirk, did not dampen my enthusiasm.  "It's not the 2nd story, it's the upper deck," he said amused at my naivete."  Whatever, it's business class and I've never been in the upper deck of an airplane.

We were on our way to Bali, Indonesia for vacation, via Hong Kong.  But when the flight attendant approached and told us they would like to move us to First Class, and would that be OK, I was flabbergasted.  "First Class?!!"  Would it be Ok?  Uh, sheah!!!!

We practically floated downstairs.  Champagne ensued.

Pre-flight entertainment

My seat, correction: my pod, was double wide and converted to a completely flat bed.  Too bad the flight was only four hours.  My pod had a personal entertainment system, a desk, and a companion seat for Russell.


Glamorous, that song by Fergie started playing like a soundtrack in my head.  I could get use to this.

We flyin' first class, up in the sky
Poppin' champagne, livin' my life
In the fast lane, and I won't change
By the glamorous, ooh, the flossy, flossy
The glamorous, the glamorous, glamorous 

Seat for two - care to join me?

Had I known I'd be in First Class, I would have put some make-up on.

I invited Russell to join me for lunch.  The companion seat was cleverly adjacent to the fold out dining table.  What a great idea.  We shared French chardonnay and smoked salmon, marveling over our luck.  This is the life!

Even the bathroom was First Class

My dining companion.

I wonder if the view is the same from the cheap seats.

Four hours later we landed in Hong Kong.  It was 9:30 pm.  I'd never been to Hong Kong.  I had no idea what a cool city it was.  Our 40 minute taxi ride was eye opening. What a cool place.

The city is literally nestled in a dramatic bay, speckled with tiny islands and shimmering sky scrappers.  They look like strings of Christmas lights hanging from heaven.  Wow!  I wish we were here for more than just the night.  I'm glad Russell convinced me not to stay at the airport hotel.  

Our view from the Sheraton, a hotel we had chosen for convenience, was great.  I couldn't wait to see what it looked like in the daytime.

Uh, wow!

This picture does not capture the magic.

Since it was already 10:30, and our flight the next day was early, the only thing we could do was eat.

We made it into the hotel restaurant just in time.  It was vast, and over-lit. But the Chinese food was fantastic!!!

We shared a set menu and added on a couple key dishes.  

Amazing Wonton soup stuffed, with fat, juicy, shrimp.

Russell had the hot and sour soup which was equally great.

 Spring rolls and a couple of shumai and steamed dumplings.

I really love dumplings.

Combo plate:  aromatic pork with meaty shrimp.

Delicious!

These guys do fried rice right.

Just look at the size of those shrimp!

Excellent add-on #1

I had to have the duck.

Gives new meaning to "deconstructed."

Excellent add-on #2.

The dessert was a mango custard with real gold flakes.

After that meal we were ready to fall asleep.  So we headed upstairs and drifted off to slumberland, the skyline of Hong Kong serving as our nightlight.

The next day we awoke to a grand view.  It didn't even matter that it was cloudy.

Next time we stay a couple days.

Awesome!

At the airport, there was no First Class, no view, and no 2nd story, just my diagonal cabin chair.  I felt like a boat in a tight slip.  Hey, it beats economy.

I miss my pod.