Hong Kong

At about 6pm , I take a taxi to the Harbour Grand hotel where Tina
an d Matt are staying. I venture out onto Johnston Road and try to
hail a cab. It's getting busy and I have to wait a little. We are due to
arrive at the Peninsula Hotel about 7:30, so I'm anxious not to be
late and, anyway, I have no idea where it is. Eventually, I catch a
cab and we drive through the rush hour traffic. The taxi drops me
at the main entrance to the Harbour Grand hotel where the doors
are guarded by a giant Sikh in full regalia. He holds open the door
for me without condescension. The foyer is enormous, a little
intimidating but I march up to the 50 feet long marble reception
desk and ask to see Mr Pluchino. The attentive trainee is observed
by a senior who gives an instruction in Chinese.
I am to take the lift to the Club Lounge on the 41st floor. I walk
past the smiling uniformed attendants , one of whom kindly
pushes the call button. The lift has a thick carpet and looks like a
royal carriage with gilded mirrors and ornate lights. The lift stops
on 36 and Matt walks in. Fancy meeting you in a lift in HK.
We shake hands and briefly swap our travellers tales then Matt
leads me into the club lounge.
Uniformed and neatly coiffured staff circulate taking orders and
we order some cocktails. Matt steers me to the bar and buffet of