A heavy coat in NYC ... and a light coat in Asia

[serfty]

On landing approach, we came in from the East, over a hazy/dusky city to land in the Northern runway. From there it was a short taxi to the new West 2xx gates at HKG.

With business class getting off first, it was 5:30pm before I disembarked from the aircraft. From there it was a short walk up to the centre of the terminal before heading down to the 'people mover' which whisked passengers to the East. Up some long escalators and then to immigration.

This was simple as I have a Hong Kong Frequent Visitor registration and by 5:45pm I was at the baggage carousel waiting for my bag. My <interesting> thoughts about having to do this did not last long as the priority bags began to appear and after collecting my bag and checking my Octopus card has the requisite credit, by 5:55pm I was waiting for a 6pm A41 bus to take me to Sha Tin.

It arrived on time and was well ahead of schedule when at 6:35pm I alighted and went up the escalator to the heaving masses navigating the Sha Tin shopping complexes. I had been planning to collect a pre-ordered SIM but I perceived that I was early enough that I could have reasonable lounge time at my hotel.

So off to the MRT station where a two minute wait saw me on a Lo Wu train heading North. Two stops later at University, I alighted and undertook the short walk to the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin. On production of my "Globalist Card" at ground floor reception I was escorted strait to the 25th Floor Regency Club where check in took two minutes - by that time it was 7pm.

They do things differently there; the two hot food options of the evening were available to order not in the more common form of a buffet. There were quite a few cold options as well include a delightful prawn salad. Crispy fresh with nicely cooked cold prawns.

After those and a red or three I went to my room (I'd been upgraded to a suite). I settled in, put a few things on charge and went to sleep as by that time it was 12:30am in Melbourne.

 

[love_the_life]

Images not showing for me using Chrome or IE ... just a broken picture icon and

Edit ... where the red cross thing is, I typed square bracket IMG square bracket, which is what i see in the post ...

Or on my laptop using Safari.

 

[Major]

Just showing as IMG for me

 

[serfty]

My chariot ...



Getting ready to depart for USA ...

 

[RooFlyer]

Fixed

 

[Major]

That's better

 

[Straubs]

Following with interest ...

 

[serfty]

Day 2: steps 10522

I woke quite early Hong Kong time, but it was after 8am at home. I tried to sleep some more, but by 6am gave up and arose, showered and prepared for the day.

After 7am I went to the lounge for breakfast. It was a typical hazy Hong Kong day - here's the greyish view from the lounge:



The lounge had some standard cold stuff as well as a hot food small menu. There were two options, 'Eggs Florentine' and a Congee dish.

I chose the eggs, there was only one but it was fine:



I washed these down with a couple of cups of the decent espresso available from the coffee machine.

After breakfast, I went back to my room to prepare for the day, one in which I'd be in New York by the end of it.

I review my travel, checked seating etc. At 9:45am I headed out to the University Station for the short two stop trip to Sha Tin where I collected a pre-paid SIM that I had pre-ordered for HKG133 a week earlier (~AUD24). This gave up to 3GB data for use in Hong Kong, the USA and Canada for 15 days. I put this into an old Galaxy S4 to tether as an 'egg'. Much cheaper than Telsta ($10/day, 200MB), Optus ($10/day, 100MB) or Virgin Mobile ($30, 500MB over 30 days).

While at Sha Tin, I withdrew some some HKD and topped up my Octopus card with enough credit for the next week. I then headed back to the Hotel to pack.

 

[serfty]

The hotel room came equipped with an android smartphone with which could be taken with me when out and about but needed to be returned to the room before checking out. Free local and international calls to several countries could be made with it, including Australia and the USA. I used this to call home and also to my hosts in New York to confirm my arrival.

Packing completed, I headed back on the train to Sha Tin where an A41 bus was just departing as I came down an escalator, so I waited 15 minutes for the next one. It was still a fast trip and by 12:50pm I was walking up to the Cathay Pacific First Class check in area A. When they found I was heading to the USA, I was escorted across to the B area where a special area had been set up for passengers traveling to the USA.

There I had my 20 questions, before a sticker was placed on my passport and I was able to proceed to check-in. There were a few moments when they could not link with my ESTA but soon enough I had my boarding pass and lounge invitation.

From the I proceeded to emigrations where it has changed since last time. Firstly my mug was cross checked with the biometrics in my passport (by a machine) and then further along my BP was scanned. With that copleted I was allowed to proceed through to security.

This was standard x-ray, WTMD then I was able to use my Frequent Traveller registration and finally was airside departures. I checked my gate, it was 17, so no Pier First visit today. I turned right and headed to the entrance to the Wing First lounge.

 

[serfty]

I went straight to the Haven and was promptly seated with a Rose Champagne delivered and a sparkling water.

The menu had some interesting option - the pork belly seemed good, so I ordered it.

It was really nicely, if somewhat small.



Being small it took not long to eat it. I pondered another, but then decided for research purposes to try the Duck Confit.

It came out in about 90 seconds! It was nice as well.



I looked at a few options on the buffet - they had a seasonal roast turkey breast. In the past this would have been sliced to order from a carvery station but this was presliced and being kept warm in a gravy. I decided not to partake. I did try some cheese which was fine, then exited and found a workstation where I settled in for an hour to sort out my notes of the trip.

With about 30 minutes before boarding was to commence, I headed out, down a level and over to the Northern and of the wing, to the CX "Bridge" lounge which overlooked gate 17.



This was quite a nice lounge; I spent a few minutes checking it out, had a wheat beer and proceed to the gate. This flight was packed in economy but not so in Business and first.

Boarding was called on time and soon enough I was at my seat in the front mini business cabin.



Seat across the aisle:


I was offered a pre departure drink, I chose some water and champagne and settled back to prepare for the flight.

 

[serfty]

We departed the gate a couple of minutes late, then headed to the South East of the airport to 25R where the aircraft waited for 20 minutes while several others came past and took off, before we ourselves departed as well at 4:44pm. ETA was showing 6:17pm so I presume this was a ground hold.

Soon enough we were airborne and the seat belt signs came off.



Decent sized and properly prepared hot towels were offered.



Then Orders taken, appertisers presented and Bread offered (I chose warm Garlic Bread):



A trolley was wheeled out with the mains options presented. They all looked overcooked and horrid - I chose the steak. In hindsight, I should have ask for one 'freshly' cooked. Here I have lifted the meat out of bottom of the bowl and had it resting and draining on some potatoes.


The portion size was reasonable and the meat would have been at some stage tender. It was a shame. I suspect they began to heat the meals before push off, not expecting a 30 minute 'taxi'. I had some cheese after that with a forgettable port. I had tried both reds and they were not up to scratch, so I settled in with more bubbles.

After this meal I completed watching the movie 'Crazy Rich Asians' then set the bed up for sleep; having about 4 hours. On stirring, I decided to wake up as I would be getting to New York in the evening and did not want to be too alert.

I ordered the mid flight burger and more sparkling water.


Much better! Fresh ingredients, nicely cooked with a mildly spicy meat pattie ...

I tried to watch another movie, but my body wanted to sleep - so I succumbed to a brief hour nap before completing the movie and watching another.

About 90 minutes before arrival, I was offered breakfast. Since it was about 5pm in New York, I decided on the Dim Sum, some OJ and a coffee.

First presented was a fruit plate with a bread basket.


Once I had completed that, out came the dim sum:


The Parcel on the right contained rice - all in all, a very nice breakfast.

We flew in to the North of Manhatten, directly over LaGuadia Airport and then descended on a wide arc to the right using the 'Carnarsie' approach to JFK.

More on that here: Ask The Pilot.

 

[serfty]

We landed at 6:40 but rolled up at the far end of the airport from terminal 8. After a longish taxi I was first off the aircraft at 6:55pm.

As the aircraft had gated at the 'remote' wing of the T8 it was a lengthy walk to immigration; on arrival the hall was devoid of passengers. After a bit of trouble getting my finger prints scanned my my photo was matched by the automated machine. This followed by passport stamping and I was through and into the baggage hall at 7pm. Now to wait for my bag

At this point a carousel for my flight was not showing as having been allocated but since there were just the three (large) ones in the hall with only the centre rotating I placed myself beside that. Bags began to come out and at at about the same time announcements were made confirming my guess. I only had to wait a few minutes and by 7:05pm I was heading for the exits. Interestingly there were no customs forms, nor were any staff checking for them at the exit. No counter like LAX - I just walked out.

By 7:15pm I was on a 'skytrain' (or whatever they call it) to Jamaica Station where after paying USD5 I could exit and proceed to catch a LIRR express to Penn station departing 7:33pm. For this I used a ticket gifted to me by @mrsterryn (thankyou!). It was a 17 minute trip to Penn Station from where I walked 300 metres down 33rd street to 6th Avenue and 34th Street. There I waited for the newish 'Q' train to take me to Midtown stop @ 72nd St.

That station is quite subterranean compared to the other subways as it was a surprising long elevator ride to street level.

From there it was a shortish walk to my hosts' place who themselves had just arrived from Florida an hour earlier.

We had some Asian takeaway, a good chat, before I retired to sleep around 10pm. It had been a 37 hour 'day' ...

 

[craven morehead]

Following along

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the trip report with photos.
Fast entry to the USA

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the trip report with photos.
Fast entry to the USA

It would have been 'quicker' to get to wait for bags if I could get the finger scan down pat ...

 

[kermatu]

Hope the game tonight is good. I've enjoyed my games at the Meadowlands but not an easy place to get to by public transport in my experience.

 

[kpc]

I have got jetlag just following your TR. .how long are you in NYC for? I assume you are at Monitor and Franny's place?

 

[Milboo]

Are you E72nd or W72nd? E74th between 1st and 2nd is my usual neighbourhood.

 

[serfty]

E79th near 2nd Ave. I made a mistake on arrival and should have exited the Q train at the 86th St. station - the Southern escalators there are so long you come up at 83rd street.

 

[serfty]

Day 3: 1807 steps

Not much happened on this day. I slept very well.

Other than that it rained until around 7pm - 37mm fell in Central Park. I spent nost of the day collecting notes. I had planed to hit New Jersey for some shopping.

Around 7:30pm, we went to a local French style restaurant and had a reasonable meal.

Here's a photo taken the next day: