In which I emerge triumphantly from behind the Bamboo Curtain and my love affair with Hong Kong continues unabated.

Wheeeeee!!!!

I can read comments again! Sooo exciting.

In case I didn't already think the HK airport rocks enough, I today experienced the Airport Shuttle train. It costs about $15US one way to the Hong Kong Island main terminal, on a beautifully clean electric train that stops RIGHT INSIDE THE AIRPORT. Unlike many airport trains (particularly in the US), luggage trolleys (which, by the way, are free here, as they are in ALL OTHER CIVILIZED PARTS OF THE WORLD EXCEPT OUR OWN)go right to the door of the trains, where uniformed "red cap attendants" usher you on to a suitably empty train car and load your bags, all with breezy impersonal efficiency that defies you to even offer them a tip, never mind making it seem like they expect one.

The train moves swiftly and quietly through Hong Kong's lovely tropical setting, and its progress is marked on an LED display... there's a line of lights from the Airport to Hing Kong Island, with two other stops in between, and blue lights illuminate as progress is made along the track.

When you disembark at the other end, there are MORE luggage trolleys waiting for you, which enable you to move easily to the taxi stand, where more red cap attendants wait to usher you into a cab and assist you with your luggage (note that if you are staying in one of the more famous of Hong Kong's hotels, the train fare includes a free shuttle to said hotel), again moving briskly but cordially in clear defiance of any expectation of a tip.

I think I didn't necessarily mention before that HK taxis are quite cheap (though not compared to China's), and all have automatic doors, which is a neat Britain-meets- Disneyesque touch.

It's gorgeous here, and not TOO hot. Yay Hong Kong.

And now I return to the events of a week and a half ago...