Typhoons and Terror

Ok, so the plan was to take the bus back to HK Airport along the longest bridge-tunnel in the world. (just opened last year) Apparently they have these things called Typhoons here and it is ‘Typhoon Season’. Macau is an island in the South China Sea. When they hoisted level 1 Typhoon, no worries then they hoisted level 3. Now everything starts to get a little hectic. People are worried they will be stuck on the island; and they will be. At level 8, all transportation is ceased. Already at T3 there are people with no hydro and flights have all been canceled from Macau airport. No worries right? I have a flight from HK Airport to Hanoi. We had breakfasts (sic)  I had a fruit breakfast on my own before my friend joined me for a full traditional English Breakfast. We both ate that; breaky #2 for me. Then he ordered us each a dim sum Chinese style breakfast. Now, he is a little man and could not eat any of the food and so I ate both our Chinese breakfasts to be polite; those are #3 &#4! Did I mention we were rushed to be sure and catch the bus? It was almost sacrilegous to whoof down delicious dim sum like that. When we reported to the ticket office, they announced a T8 is being hoisted soon and so no more buses. What happened to 4,5,6 &7? Yikes! 

Maybe we could still catch a ferry? Off we go to the docks. Frantic turns into panic here as only 1company is still running. It is 12:10 and the last sailing is at 12:30. We have no tickets. 12 people in front of us. Magic/Fortune/Miracle/Dumb luck, you choose,  I get the last ticket. People are running and it reminded me of that scene in the original Godzilla when all the people are running in terror of Godzilla, except in this case, they are running to get away from the Typhoon,

Despite all my traveling,I still do not have my sea legs. Ok, that was an understatement, I puke at the thought of swinging in a swing. Popped two extra strength gravol and boarded. I don’t know how many of you have been on the last ferry having purchased the very last seat crossing the South China Sea with a T8 Typhoon blowing but there are no words that come close to describing how this felt. Terror times a trillion comes close. It was like the end-of-days meets the sinking-of-the-Titanic. It was surreal. I actually calculated the distance (62K) and figured out if I swim my normal pace I could make it to shore in 31 hours, if we went down. Only 31 times further than my furthest consecutive swim. As absurd as this mental exsecise was, it calmed me a bit. Then I closed my eyes and meditated, imagining i was in my kayak on the shores of Lake Huron and some heavy winds were causing the kayak to go up and down, up and down. I will spare you the description of the sounds and smells emanating from that boat. Obviously, we all made it across alive a little shaken from the experience.

Once back in HK, I took the express train to the airport ( bus would have been cheaper) but getting there before they suspend flights was important. I managed my way there, through all the security screening and checks, no issues until the boarding gate.  They hadn’t started boarding yet so, no worries. I did the ‘double check’ thing and showed them my boarding pass and passport. They also asked for my visa for Vietnam, I didn’t yet have the visa but I had the invitation letter required to get the visa and I will get my visa once we land. No problem. I proudly took it out. I was thinking to myself: ‘Good thing you have every thing in order’ when several Cathay Pacific employees started to scrutinize my letter; it was in Vietnamese. “You can’t fly until tomorrow according to the dates on the letter.” What? “ I narrowly escaped a Typhoon to make this flight. I am meeting my daughter. She has broken her toe ( true story ) We are taking a tour that starts early tomorrow. I must get to Hanoi tonight.”  Nope. Didn’t matter what I said, it was not happening. Further issue if I didn’t take my regional flight my ticket home would not be usable. Oh that is not good!

Only solution was to take the next available flight, within the dates of my visa letter, and that will be August 2, missing our tour departure. And so , I was escorted out, like a criminal. ‘Not being allowed to board’ is not good. The customs guy really wanted to know why I didn’t board my flight. I swallowed a lot of humble pie and tried to explain. Being patient and keeping my mouth shut kept me from more trouble with customs. HK is technically China and they already have two Canadians in detention. I did not want to be the third! Cathay Pacific staff were good and accompanied me but only to the ‘army of Chinese military personnel’ waiting; no, thank God, not for me. Their presence is just a reminder to everyone that China is here. So two more days in HK and lots of last minute scrambling to book hotels and transportation. Some money lost but it is only money. 

The minimalist and thrifty take aways here? Don’t check your bags ever! Mine would be in Hanoi or destroyed as a potential explosive device. Check your visa letter dates and get the actual visa ahead, if it is an option. It may cost more but it is worth it to be sure you will get in to your desired county. 

Oh what a day!