Hongkong 1993: Lost and Found in Kai Tak Airport
Our group of 5 flew from Bacolod to Mactan International Airport in Cebu on November 10, 1993 to take the PAL flight PR 0302 bound for Kai Tak Airport (this airport closed in 1998) in Hongkong for a 5 day holiday. We were not part of any tour group so that our travel agency gave us specific instructions on what to do and who to look for when we landed. During that time, there were no cellphones, so that we had to rely on oral and written instructions which were simple enough I thought.
Arriving and passing through customs was a breeze ( We were given a month's stay) and there were stands with brochures and visitor information that you can get for free. Getting our luggage was a bit intimidating though because it was the first time I encountered a large circular and fast carousel but I managed...heheh. Now, the instructions said we were to exit at Gate 10, but then as we were walking along, we saw this exit sign where the name "Holiday Inn Golden Mile" (our hotel) was included and the elders insisted that we should get out through there. Uh...but, but...oh well, to make a long story short, we stood in that particular bay area for more that half an hour waiting for our pick up. I think we were the only ones left there when from afar, I saw this harried and panting Chinese guy who approached us with a panicky voice...loksing? loksing? I tentatively said...yes??? And that let loose a barrage of words, the only ones I could decipher clearly was "gate 10, gate 10"! and told us to get moving. He said he had a van waiting for us and had to call Cebu when we did not make an appearance. I explained that it was our two older companions who made the decision to exit at that particular gate and we sheepishly apologized. It was past 7 PM when we arrived at the hotel and everyone was hungry so that after checking in, we all decided to explore the area and buy some food.
P.S. If there is one other thing I remember about Kai Tak was the really bad smell when we got off the plane. One more reason why this airport needed to be closed :)
 |
| my brother is waiting with the baggage...yoohoo travel agent, where are you? |
 |
| travel agent behind me: stop waving and start moving!!! |
Tomorrow: Holiday Inn Golden Mile
It's my dream to go at HongKong!Nice to see fellow Pinoy here. I am now following you through G+. I just shared my Clozette Fashion Finds on my blog. If you have a minute, I would love to hear your comment and maybe follow me? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely harder to travel back then without cellphones for instructions. I never saw this airport as my first trip to Hong Kong was in 2003.
ReplyDeleteBut that was way back in 1993 :) perhaps there have been lots of improvements done for the airport, as of today. Which means, this post may need some post evaluation of your initial experience :)
ReplyDeleteGooD thing the agent was not that mad. Iba talaga pag may cellphone ano?
ReplyDeletei guess lesson learned... we should all stick to the plan heheh i feel you on this... somehow... we are always lead on a crossroads in some circumstances... its always best to have focus and stick to the plan.. if its GATE 10... then GATE 10 it is hehehe
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, it was good that your experience was not as bad as other people's. Still, it remains part of your travel memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! It really makes you see how much has changed in Hong Kong in a span of a decade.
ReplyDeleteThere are many unexpected things when you travel. Good thing that you were able to find your way.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we really have to stick on the itenary and instructions... well, lesson had bee learned anyways and you are safe...what an experience... :D
ReplyDeleteGetting lost in a Country you are not familiar with is scary. This is one of the reasons that hinders me to travel alone. But it's a good thing that there are lots of communication devices now compared before.
ReplyDeleteLike you, it was HongKong for my first overseas travel experience. 'Twas June 1997, just few days before British Gov't. turned over HongKong back to China. Now after 15 years, I wish to come back to see the new attractions despite the bad experiences with some of its people.
ReplyDeleteWell, good for you that the man who assisted you was courteous (or was he?) despite the lost and found incident. I knew some of them were not.
This post reminds me of equally bothersome experience we had in HongKong as well. Thanks for giving me idea what to post. hehe..
Take care!
it is such experiences that make your trip more memorable as well as worth remembering.
ReplyDeleteLet today be the day you stop being haunted by the ghost of yesterday. Holding a grudge & harboring anger/resentment is poison to the soul. Get even with people...but not those who have hurt us, forget them, instead get even with those who have helped us. Cheap Flights to Hong Kong | Flights to Hong Kong | Cheap Air Tickets to Hong Kong
ReplyDeleteForget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today. Cheap Flights to Hong Kong | Flights to Hong Kong | Cheap Air Tickets to Hong Kong
ReplyDelete