Visa Blunder Part 5: An Unexpected Birthday in Hong Kong

Read Visa Blunder Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. Part 5 is part of the Tahiti Triumph Trip Report. It covers the following cities:

• NYC JFK
• Dubai, UAE
• Shanghai, China
• Papeete, Tahiti
• Bora Bora, Tahiti
• Moorea, Tahiti
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Hong Kong Island
• Tokyo, Japan
• Dallas, Texas

See the Picture Preview here and see how this $60,000 trip cost $1999 here. Be sure to check out TPOL’s Map, the best feature of the blog.

Some trips are perfect. Others don’t go as planned. The true traveler keeps fighting through, knowing that an unexpected twist can go from a Travel Nightmare to a dream day. After spending the first part of my birthday detained in Shanghai (see Visa Blunder Part 3: China Visa-Free Transit Disaster (again)) and after enduring the worst flight in the world to Hong Kong (see Visa Blunder Part 4), I was eager to get back to my vacation. It was not as simple as getting off the plane. The three non-compliant border crossers were told to wait until everyone deplaned. Then we were escorted to border patrol.

I was a little anxious until I heard the harmonic sound of the visa stamp. Appreciating our new found freedom, we stopped for a shot of Johnnie Walker Blue in the duty-free

From there, we took the train to Lan Kwai Fong (see Hong Kong Layover = Lan Kwai Fong).

Per tradition, it was time to explore Hong Kong the only way I know how, The 7-Eleven Drinking Game. For those unfamiliar, here is an excerpt from that post:

As soon as you come across a 7 Eleven, stop in to purchase a beer. After purchasing your beer and toasting to a great day in Hong Kong, continue walking while taking in the sights and sounds of this bombastic city. Proceed to the first 7 Eleven and purchase a beer then immediately cross the road and purchase another. If you find yourself understanding the Cantonese neon lit street signs then you are playing the game correctly. If you find that you are lost, keep walking because your tour guide, 7 Eleven, is only a few more paces away.

Disoriented, it was time to eat. In Hong Kong, that means one thing:

Dim sum. The place we stumbled across was Lin Heung Tea House.

TPOL’s TIP: The address is 160號 Wellington St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

The place is bustling with energy.

Sit anywhere you please and make new friends.

They’ll help you with your order.

If you don’t fancy tea, bring your own beer.

Eat. Eat. Eat.

Pay and leave.

Overall

I may have had the worst night, but I had the best birth-day.