Stepping out the elevator door, with my luggage dragged behind me, I was shocked to see a silver Mercedes Benz Class E parked outside our dormitory complex. The driver had the trunk opened and helped put my luggage inside. Apparently, the 'car service' McKinsey provided us is top notch Benz car service. The ride to the airport was smooth, the car is soooo nice!
Finally met Tiffany in person at the airport, she looks really pretty, by the way. Anyways, we quickly cleared customs and boarded Cathay Pacific flight CX405 en route to Hong Kong. I'd always loved flying, and this time is no exception. We tried to get to know each other better through chatting during the entire flight. The 1 hr 40 min flight surely couldn't be any shorter, soon we touched down at Hong Kong International Airport.
Stepping off the bridge connecting the aircraft to the gate, there's the eerily familiar feeling. It was only 6 month ago back in November had I been to Hong Kong, and now I'm back on a business trip! Went through customs and got our luggage relatively fast. Purchased airport express tickets which took us to Hong Kong MRT station. Sort of got lost trying to walk to Central station. I think there's still muscle memory left over from last time, when I tried to see Hong Kong in less than 24 hours ~ every part of the MTR station felt like I'd been here only yesterday.
Car service being Benz, the hotel, of course, is even better. Turning the final corner on Harbor road, we arrived at the Grand Hyatt hotel located directly behind the convention center, facing into Victoria Harbor. The lobby absolutely magnificent, splendid chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the whole place gave of a kind of '5-star luxury' kind of feel. My room was upgraded to Grand Harbor View King room on the 25th floor. The room is 38 m squared, with a huge panel window looking directly out to Victory Harbor - basically, I commanded one of the most beautiful views of Hong Kong! The other furnishes of the room is also spectacular. A huge bathroom laid out in marble, and a large rosewood panel work desk. It was simply too good to take in all at once. It's my first time staying at such a luxury hotel, and the company is paying for this all! Man ~ I have 2 queen beds and 6 super comfortable pillows all to myself!!!!! Tiffany's room is 2425, I floor below mine, and it looked every bit as great. Man, I'd never had such a large room to myself - even when I went along with Agilent to attend ATMF last year, yes, the hotel was nice, but still it was 2 person to a room - not to mention Grand Hyatt costs almost twice as much ~
Soon after I settled in, we were discussing what to do for the rest of the night, that's when the phone in my room rang. I was expecting the front desk, when I heard, 'Danny?' The voice on the other end sounded very familiar...., 'Hey ~ Laibond!!!'. Apparently, I'd told him I'm staying at Grand Hyatt, and he called the front desk to patch it through to my room! Haven't heard from him in a while ~ we talked a bit, catching up on recent progress, and agreed on a time to meet up tomorrow after training. Afterwards, Tiffany and I went to a nearby 7-11 to buy microwave dinner - no, we could've dined in a hotel restaurant and probably charge coded that as well, but we wanted to try the food in Hong Kong's 7-11. On Laibond's suggestion, we each also purchased a traveler's SIM card for 48 HKD each, for such a bargain price, you get up to 160 minutes of local talk time!!!! Inserting that into my iPhone, now I have a mobile phone for use in Hong Kong!
Soon after, Tiffany went back to her room. I stayed in mine and talked to mom via skype. Nothing can hide my excitement, it's the first time I'm enjoying such high-class reception! From the Benz pickup to such an awesome hotel. Now overlooking Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong's magnificent night view, I lay in bed with 4 plush pillows....reluctantly falling asleep.
