At last - arrived in the UK

After a rather traumatic short stay in Hong Kong, and a very long flight, we have arrived safely in the UK.
Day 2
We arrived in Hong Kong on Friday morning after a good flight. Arrivals hall was not too busy and we were able to get through and reclaim our luggage quite quickly (much more so than arriving in Christchurch International). We got the train into the city and then a taxi to the hotel where we were able to check in and get our room (all this before 7.30 am!)

The hotel - Novotel in Nathan Road - was very comfortable. The room had a kingsized bed which did take up a lot of room! After a shower and cup of tea, we wandered down into the road and made our way to the underground. We took the underground up to the next station and went to visit our friend, the optician to get contacts for Suzanne and Janet and to get glasses for Janet. The cost is incredibly cheap compared with what you pay in NZ.

From there we went to the Harbour Shopping Centre and did a bit of shopping there - iPod, Benefit cosmetics and some card making stuff. Then back to the hotel.

Hong Kong was quite warm - mid-20"s and fine.
Day 3
Saturday was a public holiday in Hong Kong. However, as Roger was not feeling too good, we stayed in the hotel for breakfast. Later on, he was still not great so we called a doctor who suggested that he should have some tests done. Result - spent the rest of the day in St Theresa's Hospital having a battery of tests to make sure everything was OK and that we could continue our flights to the UK. Cost - an arm and a leg! Got back to the hotel about 9.30 pm to pack up and get ready for an early check out for onward flight to the UK.
Day 4
Checked out early - 6.00 am, took a taxi to Kowloon Station and were able to check in for the flights at the train station. This is great because it means you don't have to take suitcases on the train, and there are no queues for checking in.

By 6.45 am, we had arrived at the airport and made our way to the airline lounge and had a cup of tea and some food before boarding the flight to the UK about 8.00 am. The flight was very long - 13 hours 15 minutes and because it was all day time flying, not much sleep! Food kept coming out and there was plenty to drink as well.

Over both flights, managed to see a few movies that we had not caught up on before we left. Watched Colin Firth in A Single Guy - very good movie. Also, Boy - a lovely NZ movie about a young boy in a Maori community. Saw Julie and Julia as well. Must have a look for that cookbook!!!

Arrived at Heathrow on time and didn't have to circle for hours to get a landing spot! Immigration and customs was very fast and both cases came out quite quickly. David and Carol were there to meet us and very soon were in the car and heading back to Croydon.

Weather was cold and a bit wet.