Hong Kong (now China)

In 1992, I was ready to leave the Sultanate of Oman after four marvellous years there both professionally and socially. My life plan was still to go to Peru one day, but at this time, Peru was in the middle of a vicious confrontation between Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) revolutionaries and the right-wing government of Alberto Fujimori. “Where can I move to which is near enough to my objective, but is also comparatively safe and could be an enjoyable place to live?”, I asked myself. Well, I had heard of Brazil in the context of the Rio Carnival along with Pele and the Maracanã, so I decided to go there during the next summer break to check it out.

I booked a round-the-world flight: Muscat-Hong Kong-Los Angeles-New York-Rio de Janeiro-London-Muscat, and awaited the start of the summer holidays with anticipation. It was the second time I had visited Hong Kong, and in those days, before the handover to the Chinese government, it was a wonderful place to spend  a few days. Delicious noodle soup, and other Chinese delicacies along with an exciting nightlife and bustling commerce. Landing in Hong Kong in those days was an event in itself as the runway was built out over the waters of Victoria Harbour!

The second leg was interesting! A flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles involves crossing the International Date Line. This means that you have to put your clocks back 24 hours between take off and landing. I left Hong Kong at around 10:40 in the morning, and arrived in Los Angeles at about 9:45am the same day! Therefore, I had arrived in LA before having left Hong Kong! The flight was great fun too! The drinks trolley was parked near the flight assistant’s station and there was an open bar until just before landing, and as I don’t remember the sun setting for the entire journey, it seemed like an ideal excuse for a long celebration!