It was my first long-haul flight post-COVID. Two hours before takeoff, I popped two melatonin. Guess what? I fell asleep at the gate! I woke up just in time and sprinted to board. My Cathay Pacific flight took an unexpected route from Toronto, flying over the North Pole. So, can I now say I’ve been to the North Pole? I think so!

Fourteen hours in the air flew by as I mostly slept and ate. When I landed in Hong Kong, it was 5 AM. I had an 8-hour layover and planned to explore downtown, but I had to wait for the trains to start running. At 6 AM, I took a train to Hong Kong Harbour. On the way, I saw the island and the city.

I was directed to the wrong side of the harbour and got off at a station where I needed a coin for the local train. No one wanted to help because they didn’t speak English. I returned to the train station and explained my situation to customer service. They extended my pass manually and noted my departure time. They assured me that if I returned within that time, the next person on duty would let me back in.

It was a bit of a walk from the nearest train station to the harbour. Along the way, I saw nothing but high-rise apartments. When I finally reached the harbour, I could feel the contrast of a city full of concrete surrounded by mountains. Sitting there, I felt the unique blend of urban life and natural beauty, with towering buildings behind me and serene waters in front of me.

After exploring the harbour, I decided to visit the ICC building. The journey there felt like traveling from a village to a metropolis. The ICC building was impressive, with luxurious brands in the malls that made me feel out of place.

One of the highlights was visiting the observation deck at the ICC building, Sky100. As I ascended to the 100th floor, the views became more breathtaking with each passing second. Once on the deck, I was treated to a 360-degree panorama of Hong Kong. The city sprawled out beneath me, with its iconic skyline, bustling harbour, and surrounding mountains. It was a mesmerizing sight that made all the high-rise apartments and concrete feel small and distant.

I spent a lot of time at the Ritz Carlton in the ICC building, mainly eating and relaxing because I had no energy to go anywhere else. The opulence and comfort of the Ritz Carlton were a stark contrast to my earlier adventures, and it provided a much-needed respite.

After soaking in the stunning views, I realized it was time to head back. I made my way directly to the airport to catch my connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement for the next leg of my journey.