Stuck in China

Well this is the third time I am writing this blog haha. My iPad and Internet decided to change everything to Chinese...and I can't tell which buttons I should be clicking on to post!

Much has happened in the last few days (but I'm not entirely sure how many days, this whole 12-hr time zone change is throwing me off). Yesterday when I went to the airport, we discovered my first flight from Cedar Rapids to Chicago had been canceled due to weather. All the other flights were full until late in the afternoon, so I decided to just wait until tomorrow, when my entire itinerary was supposed to follow the same schedule.

So I left Cedar Rapids around 11am on Tuesday May 8 and arrived in Chicago less than an hour later. I found my gate easily, and was among a very small percentage of non-Chinese passengers. Thus began my Chinese immersion.

The flight to Hong Kong was 15 hours long, and we were delayed in departing because we were waiting for passengers. Their baggage had made it on the plane, but they had not...so we had to wait. But this plane was huge- two levels! And I guess since United had canceled my flight the day before, I was treated special with business class. I have never traveled in such luxury! My seat fully reclined into a flat bed, so I was able to get some great sleep. Personal TV with movies and games. Two full-course fancy meals. Dinner for me was a large salad, a roll, and mixed nuts. I had a platter of cheese and crackers for dessert. They served us breakfast too (...but I think it was actually late in the day...gah I don't know). This was fruit, yogurt, and a croissant. Yum.

Anyway, the big point of today was that that wonderful flight arrived late. I came to the United desk in Hong Kong to get my next boarding pass at 6:50, and they told me I was too late for my 7:05 departure. Here, passengers have to be boarding 50 minutes before departure. And they will not wait for you. So I spent a lot of time at various counters getting things worked out. I am spending the night in Hong Kong. But hey, I got a China stamp in my passport! And it is very nice hotel (paid for by United thank goodness) across the street from the airport. I just wish I had time to visit the spa and exquisite pool! Tomorrow I will depart at 9:20am, and get in Jakarta too late for my flight to Malang. So, I will be in another hotel in Jakarta tomorrow night.

I wasn't prepared to be in China. None of my dead electronics that need to be charged can be plugged in. I requested an early morning wake-up call from the front desk, I just sure hope they understood...or I could extend this trip to four days. I had to go to the business center in the hotel in order to write this blog, once again, and communication was once again a bit of a challenge. Haha the lights were even throwing me for a loop. You have to put your key card in a little socket. But by the time I got to the other side of the room, the lights would be off! That took some maneuvering.

Flying into Hong Kong was strikingly beautiful. Tall island-bluffs dot the coast, and the sea waters were scattered with massive cargo ships. There were even some yachts, and smaller fishing boats closer to shore. The bustling city surrounds numerous inlets, and it is mountainous, green, and warm. Just what I like. I cannot wait to get to Jakarta. And after three or four days of travel, I will certainly be even more appreciative, I am sure. I am thankful I have made it safely thus far.