Round The World and other travels

A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries

This is: Round The World 2015

Hong Kong layover and on to Cambodia

Flight CX841 was still very much in progress when, at some point along its route of which I was blissfully unaware, we slipped from Thursday into Friday. I got up around 1045 Hong Kong time, with around 2hrs 50mins still to run before landing.

LEFT: Pre-departure welcome drink of Krug champagne, served with an amuse bouche, on flight CX841.
(Click picture for full flight log)
RIGHT: Our transpolar route.
Map generated using Great Circle Mapper - copyright © Karl L Swartz
ABOVE: Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport, busy as ever

On arrival in Hong Kong, we made our way to Cathay Pacific's flagship lounge The Wing to begin with. It had received a makeover since my last visit several years previously, and I wasn't sure if I entirely approved of its new look, featuring heavy use of black and dark grey.

True to our frequent-flyer credentials, we decided to indulge in a bit of lounge-hopping, both out of genuine interest in what options were available at this important hub, and as a means of passing the time until our next flight. The next stop was the new Qantas lounge, which in general was quite superb for a Business Class facility, even if the drinks offering remained obstinately non-premium. The food was excellent, however, and we both enjoyed a reasonably light meal of delicious barbecued pork.

Our third stop brought us back to Cathay Pacific territory when we arrived at The Cabin. I had previously visited The Wing and The Pier, and this appeared to be a newer addition. Although I managed to find a couple of quiet corners where I could take some pictures, most of this lounge was busy and all of it was far too warm.

LEFT: Cathay Pacific's 'The Wing'
RIGHT: Cathay Pacific's 'The Cabin'
BELOW: The new Qantas Business Class lounge at Chek Lap Kok was the star of the show
RIGHT: Dragonair signature cocktail, 'Rose Infinity'

We returned to The Wing, as it was the closest first-class lounge to our departure gate. Our flight's scheduled departure time of 1600 slipped first to 1725, then 1755, and it eventually settled at 1815. During my first experience of Dragonair, a wholly owned regional subsidiary of Cathay Pacific, I shifted my watch by another hour, as Cambodia was only 7 hours ahead of GMT.

Fortunately, the staff at the InterContinental Phnom Penh were aware of the delay to KA206. Our driver was there to meet us and whisk us and our luggage to the hotel in a swish, black Mercedes limousine. The car was flying an InterContinental flag, diplomatic-style, and several local motorbike riders peered in to see who was arriving in town!

We were given a wonderful reception at the InterContinental, where several staff members gave the traditional Sampeah greeting, where the hands are held together as though in prayer and a small bow is given, in addition to a spoken welcome. It was instantly obvious that this was a beautiful, traditionally designed hotel - but it did seem to be a tad empty.

After briefly settling into our room and discovering the very civilised-looking Executive Lounge, we went down to the lobby bar for drinks and a snack before turning in. We were the only customers! Our goal was to keep going until 9pm and then surrender to the growing imperative to sleep. In the event, bedtime was around 9:30 and I can honestly say that I was in the land of nod within seconds of my head touching the pillow.