We have very quickly abandoned our plans for going to Macau tonight and have decided, instead, to relax and enjoy the beautiful Peninsula Hotel. The need for rest is paramount, particularly for the one who never sleeps on the plane (and that would not be me, who can, unfortunately, sleep in any moving vehicle).

It was a smart move to have the hotel pick us up. I knew that would mean a quiet, calm ride in one of their fleet of 14 Rolls Royce Phantoms, I hoped for speedy progress upon arrival and boy, did that pay off. We were literally met as we walked off the 777, driven to immigration (no line), and escorted to baggage, which appeared within about 60 seconds of our arrival.  Once loaded in the car and driven through fairly light rush hour traffic, we were taken immediately to our room and checked in right on the spot.  Every hotel should be this efficient. Door to door, about an hour after landing, we were in our 21st floor room taking in the beautiful skyline of Hong Kong Island.  Welcome news after waking up 24 hours earlier and completing the 17-hour flight from Dallas (yawn).

Known as the “Grande Dame of the Far East,” The Peninsula opened in 1928 and has been meticulously updated. From three iPads, we can control pretty much everything.  This room is even equipped with a nail dryer, not to mention more places to charge electronics than I have ever experienced. Nice.

The Lobby.

We stayed in on this first night of our trip, watched the 8 PM laser light show on Victoria Harbour, followed by an enjoyable light dinner and some good jazz in the Lobby restaurant.

Just up after a good nights sleep and ready to get going!