So it’s Labor Day, and I’m sitting on United’s N788UA to NRT and then catching another 777 to HKG. Total travel time should be around 18 hours.

Next to me is a retired salesman. When he showed up, he claimed that he had the window seat. I was like, “nuh-uh, look at this boarding pass,” and proceeded to show him my seat number. He accepted this and took his (assigned) aisle seat. This has actually happened a few times on other trips. I’m not sure if the travelling public feels as if they have Jedi powers or something, but I find it really confusing.

He’s actually a nice guy. He worked at some Detroit-based company back in the day, and was later recruited to work in Bellevue. Now he just travels for fun. He claims this is “just a mileage run” to maintain his 1K status on United. My response? “Baller.”

I look forward to retirement, but sigh, I haven’t sat next to anyone interesting in a long time…
#businessclassproblems

This will be my third time flying to HKG, but my first time to actually leave the airport. On the agenda:

• Hang out with a family friend and college friend.
• Eat.
• Shop.
• See things.
• Go to the opening of their symphony

The flight has the refreshed United configuration; with B/E Aerospace lay-flat shell seats. Why they don’t have any built in stowage space is mind boggling…

Leaving Seattle on a sunny day is always tough…

Seeing how I was getting into HK at 10pm (their time), the goal was to stay awake on the flights; so I would pass out upon arrival. Thus, I began my movie marathon after the dinner service. On the schedule:

• The Bling Ring
• One hour in, and I’m depressed. What the heck, Generation Y? Stop reading TMZ. Go read a book or a newspaper.
• Monsters University
• Revenge of the Nerds called. They want their movie back.
• Olympus Has Fallen
• The number of plot holes in Olympus Has Fallen may outnumber the number of bullet holes in the White House at the end of the film…

9.5-hours after we left Seattle, we began our descent to Narita.

Since SeaTac has the worst gate and jetway layout ever, one must photograph their aircraft at the destination. Hey future architects of the world! Make your boarding gates photo friendly!

Across from our gate was one of the EVA Hello Kitty A330’s!

The transfer tunnel to T2 reminds me of the transfer tunnel at ORD.

without the trippy lights.

So, with this four-hour layover at NRT, the first item to do was to check into my connection, however, the fact that the check-in counter wasn’t open made things difficult. Thus, I’m in the Cathay Lounge wrapping up some work.

It’s now 3:45pm, and a Cathay rep found me and handed me my boarding pass. Asian airline customer service…  I heart you. With my ticket in hand, I make my way to the JAL Sakura Lounge, which is supposed to be the amazing.

Just before 6pm, I left the lounge for my gate. The JAL Lounge was indeed amazing. They had a separate dining floor, tons of seating, good alcohol and free massages.

T-Minus 4-hours until Kowloon.
The flight is fine. It’s configured with their older regional business class (really wide and soft recliner seats). After the dinner service I chatted with their attendants, asking them about their catering processes, and I received some good feedback. They have Oblivion looping on their video system, so I’m just watching that to stay awake.

We eventually land on time, and I head to the transit counter. The agent couldn’t find my my bus reservation, and then his co-worker eventually asked if I was “Joshila.” Tired and confused, I gave a neutral nod of my head… Turns out I was the Joshila that they were looking for…

I’ve been up for 20-something hours. Time for bed. Here’s the room’s view.

^this was actually taken the following night…