Hong Kong - June 2025

I was asked at short notice to go to Dubai for a lateral partner interview. Qantas/Emirates flights were super expensive so I decided to fly Cathay via HK at about half the cost.

I flew on a Friday morning on the 1010 flight. Got a car at 0730 and arrived at the terminal about 0810. 

Easy transit through passport control and security and straight to the first class lounge. Had breakfast and did some emails. Boarded about 0940. This is my first time in the new business class Aria Suites which were very nice.

I skipped breakfast on the flight and slept for a few hours. Got some really good views coming into Hong Kong...

My favourite ride when I was living in HK was Tai Po to Tai Mai Tuk, past the Tsz Shan Monastery (the white temple)...

Landed on time and easy transition through passport control.

Caught the Airport Express to Central and walked up to Hotel Madera on Hollywood Road. This weekend is a personal trip so I'm paying for the hotel myself, and there's no need to be in Wan Chai. I loved the location.

Checked in and showered. Then met a mate for drinks in Soho.

Saturday I got up and went for a walk around Soho and had breakfast at one of my favourite cafes. 

Then had a late lunch - dim sum in Sheung Wan!

And ordered my favourite radish cake!

In the afternoon I headed to Shenzhen (see separate post).

On Sunday I slept in then checked out of the hotel. I had lunch at my old favourite Chinese restaurant, Monogamous Chinese...

Headed to the airport about 1500 and went to the lounge for a shower and some food.

Flew to Dubai (see separate post).

On Wednesday I arrived back in Hong Kong around lunchtime and checked into the Indigo Wan Chai. I couldn't get into my usual hotel, Harbourview Renaissance. It was actually really nice. Big room, nice pool and decent breakfast.

I headed to a chan chaan teng in Wan Chai for my favourite, rice noodles with beef, and a cold milk tea...

Then I caught a tram to Central and walked to the ferry pier...

It's a lovely day so I decided to take a ferry trip to Discovery Bay. Passed our old apartment building on the way...

Watched some beach volleyball and took a couple of calls...

Had a walk along the beach...

Had Vietnamese for dinner at Pho Bay, then headed back to Central.

Thursday morning I checked out of Hotel Indigo and went to a cafe I know which is on the way to the office, called Retro...

At lunch time I checked into the Renaissance for my remaining two nights. After work I met Olivia for a drink at The Globe then we had dinner at Indonesian Restaurant 1968. 

Friday I worked in the office and that night I went with some mates to Cardinal Point where I had been once before, for a drink.

After that, we went to another rooftop bar that I had not been to before, called TopTown in Stanley Street. Then we had dinner at Oolaa.

Back to the hotel not too late as I have an early start in the morning.

Saturday morning I got up and made my way to the airport for my 0910 flight.

Got to The Pier First Class Lounge which I have been before and it is very nice. I ordered Eggs Benedict and a Flat White which was very good...

I was going to skip breakfast on the plane...but I didn't :-) I got the Chinese breakfast which was quite good, other than the congee!

I then slept for most of the rest of the flight. Easy arrival and transit through passport control into an Uber,