Adam goes to Hong Kong

Sunday, 19 May 2024

Toledo, Spain - May 2024

On Sunday I decided to go to Toledo which is 35 minutes by fast train. The main sight is Toledo Cathedral.

Bought a ticket online for about EUR20, and caught the metro to the main station, Atocha. The train left right on time at 0835 and arrived at 0910.

This is the station at Toledo - a nice looking building!

It was a 25 minute walk up the hill...

Crossed the river...

Through this entrance and continued up the hill...

Walking through the town...

Plaza del Ayuntamiento...

This is the cathedral...

As it was Sunday and there was a mass on, I couldn't go in any further...

Then I walked around to Alcazar which was opened in 1537. It houses a library and military museum.

Walked the narrow streets...

Caught the 1335 train back to Madrid.

Thursday, 16 May 2024

London - May 2024

After a great seven hour flight on Emirates (Qantas flight, Emirates aircraft) I arrived at LHR on Sunday afternoon. Being Emirates, you get olives with your drink...

I was dreading the process but went straight through the electronic gates. I caught the Victoria Line to Liverpool Street and then to Tower Hill.

I'm staying at the Doubletree Hilton which is in a great location. Room was average.

Unpacked and then met a mate at Picadilly Circus. It's a beautiful night. We walked towards the river.

The Mall...

We had dinner at Honest Burgers on the other side of the river, and then walked back along the river to Tower Hill.

The next morning I headed to the office which is very close. It's the St Botolph building and we are the main tenant.

Worked in the office each day. Monday night I had dinner at the rooftop bar in my hotel, which is called Savage Garden. I had the duck bao which were pretty average. Views are great though...

Tuesday night I caught the tube to Soho and had a nice Indian dinner at Gopals of Soho...

Wednesday was the all day meeting that I had come for. This is walking to work...

That night we had dinner and drinks at Savage Garden. Very convenient for me!

Friday morning I checked out to catch the tube to Gatwick for my flight to Madrid. However there was a problem on the line that connects from Tower Hill to London Bridge, so I walked 20 minutes to London Bridge and got onto the train there. All easy and straight to Gatwick.

Saturday, 11 May 2024

Dubai - May 2024

Off to London for work for a week. Decided to stopover in Dubai where I had never been. Flew Qantas Business Class (Emirates code share) leaving 6am on Friday 10 May. Up at 3am for a 3.30 pick-up. Arrived at airport at 4.10 and in the Emirates lounge by 4.20! (Qantas First Lounge doesn't open until 5am).

I watched The White Lotus again. And a couple of movies. Exactly 14 hours from wheels up to wheels down.

The complimentary products are Bvlgari...

The upstairs for the A380 is all business and first class, and has a small bar!

Arrived on Friday afternoon and very quick transit throught immigration. Caught a taxi to my hotel, 25 Hours Hotel Dubai One Central. Nice and modern with a big room.

The pool is nice...

That evening I caught an Uber to the Mandarin Oriental Jumierah Beach where I was meeting a colleague for dinner. I got there early so took a look at the beach...