LOCATION: Brisbane to Hong Kong
What's happening?
You may well ask - what are we doing? This is a 40 day door to door combo. An organised 15 day small group tour with Inspiring Vacations to Morocco followed by an visit to the UK. More insights are in our overview - but with camel rides, desert camps, gorges and markets around Morocco, followed by the pomp and ceremony of London, the catchup with @Leah and @Ali in London, the tour of the south west with @Leanne and Gary and finally getting to meet @Mac's on-line gaming companion @Joe in Leeds while in the UK - think we are in for some adventure.
The AdventureMaking a start
Can't say that @Mac was actually packed this morning but he was organised and only had a few last minute adjustments to make as he ticked off his list items, added the contents to his bags and finally zipped and weighed with @Aunty Gail twiddling her thumbs, waiting, perched in the rocking chair.
What a hero she is - probably needed that 10 minutes to sit because her drive to pick us up had taken over an hour with hold ups for accidents and an absolute deluge of rain.
Our run to the airport was magic. Despite numerous red sections on the map - @Aunty Gail delivered us right on the dot of 9.20, rain free, under the promise of a massive rainbow. Lots of changes at #BNE - loads of construction inside the terminal but absolutely smooth sailing.
Settled in for a toastie and a coffee and ambled to the gate 10 minutes before boarding.
Hong Kong in the blink of an eye
Really wish that was the "only" flight we needed becuase it was a walk in the park! #Cathay Pacific organised and comfortable. Plenty of room amd fortunately, the people in front of us kept their seats in the upright position for the entire journey.
There were two meal services - and both had tempting choices and were delivered piping hot and tasty.
@Mac filled his hours with various releases of The Kingsman and I laughed and cried my way through Toy Sory 1, 2, 3 and 4.
True to form in had a nap on take off and for the landing and caught two extra Nana naps during 1 and 3 of the movies. @Mac of course - wide awake the while time - or so he tells me.
Anyway, a few movies, some naps, a couple of meals and multiple trips to the loo and we touched down on schedule in Hong Kong.
The Layover
Had five hours in Hong Kong - What a massive airport. We noted signage here in Terminal 1 for gates up to 530. We were grateful that we were 33 - literally 100 metres after security.
Not much enthusiasm here for exploration - we were operating on a time frame Brisbane time of 10 pm till 3 am - so confessing we were dragging the chain. Did commit to a 30 minute wander around before pulling up seats in one of what seemed like a million food venues and indulged in the local cuisine.
All very calm, orderly and quiet here in Hong Kong airport. Plenty of comfy seating options, power for a recharge and a good break to help raise our enthusiasm for the marathon leg to Zurich.
PS: Only a couple of little stumbles in the prelude to leaving. Noted yesterday that my passport number had been recorded incorrectly tly with Cathay Pacifi and we needed @Amanda at #Travel Associates to tidy that up. And despite being packed for days when I wheeled my suitcase to the scales for a check of weight - the handle decided to have a little tantrum. At 5 pm I was in a mad dash to the Hyperdome for a replacement - anything with wheels and a handle would do! Glad that we were able to address both challenges from the luxury of "home."
PPS: Special thanks to @Leanne and @Gary - while we are heading off to enjoy time in the desert, they are putting in the hard yards finalising all the bookings for the UK leg of the journey. Appreciated.
Survival Barometer
Steps: 11 425
Weather: very chill in air conditioned planes and airports
Can you believe that?
A little background from Co-Pilot.
A heads up before visiting Morocco:
Travel Tips & Local Know-How
1. Don’t drink the tap water. Stick to bottled.
2. You’ll often pay to use public toilets, even in cafés.
3. Wi-Fi is surprisingly good, even in remote towns.
4. Alcohol is consumed discreetly, especially by locals, and is not often served in restaurants.
5. Don’t tackle the Fes Medina without a guide. It’s a full-on labyrinth.
6. Getting lost in a Medina is part of the experience, embrace it.
7. Know your lingo:
Kasbah = fortress
Riad = guesthouse
Medina = old town
Souk = market
Madrasa = Islamic school
Hammam = traditional bathhouse
8. Every guide has “a cousin” with a rug shop. You’ve been warned 😉
"Nanny and Grandad, won't be long and I can drive you."
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