Layover in Hong Kong

My flight from Perth to Hong Kong was late, causing me to miss my connection to Los Angeles. Cathay Pacific was very efficient, however, and soon had me re-booked on a later flight. They even gave me a $40HD meal voucher. I was initially quite pleased by this until I discovered that the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar is about 8:1. My voucher actually amounted to about $5US. In an American or Australian airport, about the only thing you can buy for $5 is a small bottle of water or maybe a coffee, but I was hopeful my money might go further in China.  

At first glance, the Hong Kong airport looked to be much like any other large international airport in the world. There were a few differences – the signs were in English and Chinese, and the predominant language spoken was Chinese, with English a close second.

Something I've never run across in my travels was that here, I could also rent a bed in a small cubicle for a few hours. I could also buy a shower. Both of these would have been quite welcome if my layover was longer.

Eventually I made my way to the food court. It, too, was much like the food courts in most other airports. There are now McDonalds everywhere in the world, (Tonga claims to be the only country in the world without one), and the Hong Kong airport was no exception. In every country we visit, people tell us how bad and unhealthy the food at Micky D's is, yet it always seems they have the longest lines and are always busy. Since I was in Hong Kong, I certainly had no intention of spending my voucher at a McDonalds, however, and went in search of, if not Chinese food, at least something unusual.

I looked at the menus of almost every restaurant in the airport. Alas, $5 doesn't go much further at the Hong Kong airport than any other. I did find a couple of menu items at a Chinese restaurant, but they didn't look all that appetizing.

In the end, I am embarrassed to say, I bought a coffee and croissant at the McCafe.