Around the World II

Day 13 - Wed 14 Apr 2004

Hong Kong/Kobe, Japan

Had a bath, and watched BBC World from the bubbles! Checked out just before 11, and took one last ferry ride across to Hong Kong island, and then took the airport express. Found out that my room would have cost 3800HK$ if I'd just walked off the street!

The trip to the airport was uneventful, the check-ins don't open until 12:25, so I've got about 20 mins to wait.

I found the slowest Internet connection at the airport, but it was free! The flight is very empty - I've got three seats at the back all to myself. There's a forward facing camera, and they pipe it onto the big screen during take off.

Found a great quote in 'travels with my aunt': "One is not badgered at a railway station. An airport reminds me of a Butlin's camp"

Well, I'm in Japan - I've exchanged my Japanese Rail Pass, and got to Kobe. Took a taxi to the hotel - after a false start when we ended up at the "Holiday Inn" - the driver used his mobile phone to ring my hotel and ask them where they were. However we still ended up in the 'wrong' hotel, it's split over two sites and I was at the wrong one. Luckily there was only 200 metres between them.

My room in Kobe

My room is about the size of the toilet in the Peninsula, and the toilet is about the size of the shower cubical at the Peninsula, but it clean and tidy so no complaints.

Wandered down town to see how far Phil's Hotel is - and it's quite a way - So I'll get up early tomorrow!