Our seats were in something called the “Quadra Smartium” configuration and I thought it was a really cool setup. Very comfy and laid completely flat. The best seats if you are flying by yourself are those by the window in my opinion, but if you’re in a couple then I recommend sitting in the “middle” seats which are almost right next to each other as you can see. There is a partition you can raise if you get sick of the person next to you but you are still in very close quarters so I’d only recommend it if you really like your companion. Also next to me on the other side next to the window was an old college classmate ! Small world.
They bring you out LOTS of food but here were a few of my favorites – a Korean fried pancake of some sort that was one of the appetizers, and bibimbap! If they only had egg this would have been perfect! I heard bibimbap is a signature “Asiana” dish ato serve and they offer this identical one in all cabins.
Also had to include this – a Shin Ramen snack later. My favorite ramen brand, I was so happy to get it on a plane! Although this + conspicuous amounts of Baileys Irish Cream made me sick I think 🙁
Overall I had a really great experience on Asiana and would recommend it to everyone. The connecting flight was brutal though, especially since I usually fly direct to Hong Kong so am used to a way shorter flight. After about 20 hours of travel/connection time then, Mr. Feather and I were really excited to get off the plane and make our way over to our hotel. We fetched our luggage, got into the Peninsula car, and then sat back and relaxed…until…
…the car pulled over and we were greeted with THIS, about ~1.5 miles away from The Peninsula! Yes, at close to midnight after all our travel, we had to walk more than 2 km in the cold to our hotel because all the streets around had to be closed down for the holidays. If we had known it was like this, we would have just taken the subway and/or changed our flight to an earlier time – especially since the hotel had sent three freezing employees to stand outside and lug our luggage with us for half an hour through these huge crowds of people. I felt so bad. Anyway this was the only “ehh” part of our experience but we finally made it. Whew!
Some sweet holiday treats that we found in our hotel room – along with two Peninsula stockings filled with gingerbread cookies!
The next morning we woke up and had some grub. The Peninsula has a fantastic breakfast buffet, although I generally have always had great breakfast experiences at hotels in Hong Kong (my favorite one is at the W Hotel). It’s not as large as others but every item is very good quality and tasty.
After breakfast we went to go walk around the hotel a bit:
Isn’t this cute? Just a small snapshot of a big gingerbread “palace” they had, complete with a large house that you could actually walk into. Everything was edible and I could actually see some stars and decorations missing from people who had pried them off to eat them. A little gross but to each their own!
There were also several huge Christmas trees, accessorized by bags/boxes from all the stores in the Peninsula shopping arcade. As you can see I embarrassed myself not only by wearing these antlers around all day (hey it was Christmas!) but also forced Mr. Feather to share in my obnoxious behavior by making him to take this picture. Tourists around us were laughing – “Muhaha! Doesn’t this idiot realize the boxes are empty??” they were probably thinking. Worth a shot.
Later that day we walked around and went to one of my favorite childhood spots, the Hong Kong Bird Market.
The bird market overall was very lovely and when you enter you will see rows and rows of gorgeous antique birdcages and all kinds of adorable birds. It’s also very close to the Hong Kong Flower Market so I’d also recommend that you go swing by there and check out all the flowers. Mr. Feather snapped this photo of a beautiful parrot having fun in some water spray. I would give the final warning that it being Asia – this may not be the best place for animal rights lovers – a lot of the animals were crammed in cages pretty close to each other and there weren’t many other tourists (we were told due to SARS scares). There were many locals there though.
Later in our trip…
Afternoon tea at The Peninsula is considered an iconic Hong Kong activity by many and Mr. Feather and I decided to take a break and have the classic tea. The food and tea was excellent as always but I have to admit that overall I prefer the tea at Mandarin Oriental. Because The Peninsula’s tea is so popular there was always a huge line for it, and the hotel doesn’t take reservations (unless you are a guest – definite perk of staying there!). As a result, while you’re trying to enjoy your tea and relax, you may also be subject to the hungry stares of hordes of tourists (and on occasions angry husbands who have been dragged there from their wives and just want to sit and eat). While we were there, there was in a line wrapped completely down the whole lobby (with hour + waits).
That night we were still pretty jetlagged so some friends met us for drinks at the hotel bar, Felix. Felix is a beautiful Starck designed bar with great views of Hong Kong. The bathrooms are especially notorious because of the below:
65 Comments
Cendana K
January 9, 2012 at 2:42 pmAmazing shot of the bird there!! And what a trip!! Annnddd what a flight!! Flat seat you can put your feet up and good food 🙂
Annette
January 9, 2012 at 2:44 pmLove Asian airline food! I've only ridden Asiana a couple of times during my childhood, but I remember they were pretty awesome. My brother and I got Lego toys from the flight attendants when we were little.
All of your pictures are great, but I think the one with you and the antlers might possibly be the best one of the bunch!
NatalieCottrell
January 9, 2012 at 3:05 pmThese shots are awesome! Thank you so much for taking us along, so to speak. You are too cute in those antlers. Hehe. I, too, am all about the photo op, so party on! 😉
MissA*
January 9, 2012 at 3:10 pmThanks for sharing! 🙂 You make me can't wait for my winter vacation in Asia (in 10 days time!). I still need to add Korea, Japan and Taiwan to my 'must visit Asian countries list'. I always prefer flying with an Asian airline when I'm going to Asia/Australia. Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines are always my preferred airlines.
Lili
January 9, 2012 at 3:24 pmamazing! glad you had fun!
HiLLjO
January 9, 2012 at 4:03 pmGorgeous photos! I can't believe how much food you get on the plane, too!
skippysays
January 9, 2012 at 4:17 pmWow, sounds like quite the trip already! Can't wait for more recaps 🙂
http://www.saysskippy.blogspot.com
Adele
January 9, 2012 at 4:54 pmTea at the Penisula…aaah, the line was way too long when we tried to go xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
amy b.s.
January 9, 2012 at 5:23 pmlooks like an amazing beginning to your trip!
makeupandpearls
January 9, 2012 at 5:53 pmnow that looks like the right way to fly! lovely photos and i can't wait to see more!
Bravoe Runway
January 9, 2012 at 6:05 pmSUPER Jealous you got to go to HK. I've never been…the last time I was in Asia was 1989…were you even born yet??
Carin
January 9, 2012 at 6:07 pmThe hotel looks absolutely lovely Kat 🙂 I'm glad you had a great time!
Hugs,
Cari (tpf)
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
January 9, 2012 at 6:29 pmI remember spending Xmas in HK many years ago. My goodness, the crowd! And they were out in hordes to shop. A friend used to work as a flight attendant on Asiana and always told me that it's a darn good airline. Ahh…seeing Peninsula Hotel brings back memories. Yes, I was one of those who dragged hubby for the afternoon tea. Lil L was only 14 months then and managed to crumble an entire scone and toss the remains around her like fairy dust. Yes, we tipped REALLY well purely to assuage our embarrassment.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
January 9, 2012 at 6:29 pmI remember spending Xmas in HK many years ago. My goodness, the crowd! And they were out in hordes to shop. A friend used to work as a flight attendant on Asiana and always told me that it's a darn good airline. Ahh…seeing Peninsula Hotel brings back memories. Yes, I was one of those who dragged hubby for the afternoon tea. Lil L was only 14 months then and managed to crumble an entire scone and toss the remains around her like fairy dust. Yes, we tipped REALLY well purely to assuage our embarrassment.
Tanya
January 9, 2012 at 6:50 pmOooh, that's traveling in style!!! Looks like an awesome trip, hope you had a blast. Also those urinals – WOW!! Will have to show boyfriend these later!
Lindsay
January 9, 2012 at 7:03 pmI can't stop laughing over the rindeer ears and Christmas tree picture! I love that you were festive and able to have some fun!
Amy
January 9, 2012 at 7:19 pmI love the Christmas tree photo! The antlers are quite priceless!
Sarah Roads
January 9, 2012 at 7:47 pmWhat a coincidence I posted about my trip to Hong Kong today too. Great pics, I didn't see any of this. I think my favorite is the urinals, how great is that view?!
katattack2000
January 9, 2012 at 8:10 pmWow I love all you're pictures! The gingerbread looks so good and even the plane food looks delish with the bibimbap! I love going to HK! Even though, I'm not from there but I love their markets and food! Whenever I head over I like to stay in Mongkok! Did you manage to head there?
katattack2000.wordpress.com
Call me M
January 9, 2012 at 8:49 pmWow! So much food on the plane? Everything seems delicious! Loved your pics! Can't wait to see more!
Emily
January 9, 2012 at 9:11 pmThat food on the plane is amazing! I am so looking forward to more of your posts and can't wait to see more pictures 🙂
Christine
January 9, 2012 at 10:14 pmLove the urinals pic! I swear the guys always gets the best urinals, you should see the one I posted on my blog in Malaysia : http://www.lucandlil.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/travelogue-kuala-lumpur.html
Was there a Chanel & Hermes store in the Peninsula?
I'm visiting HK next month, would love your tips on where to shop!
swisscecilia
January 9, 2012 at 10:18 pmI was just reading your blog earlier! ANA has really great food, I am sure you are hooked!!!!
And you checked out the famous Felix bathroom too!! haha I couldn't help recommending my friends to go there, did you see the maid in maid uniform too?
Happy 2012!! Stay sweet!
chicology
January 9, 2012 at 10:50 pmwhoa…love your travel post. 🙂
newpetite
January 9, 2012 at 11:16 pmLove the food pics.. and sounds like a fun trip..
caise
January 9, 2012 at 11:27 pmgreat pictures!:)
Sarah
January 10, 2012 at 12:14 amAmazing photos! I've always wanted to visit Hong Kong because my parents were married there. Maybe someday! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
keepcalmandcarrylipstick.blogspot.com
littlemissandrea
January 10, 2012 at 12:34 amI always love going to Hong Kong. Love the pictures! They really bring back a lot of memories. I'll be heading there May of this year and can't wait to eat all of the delicious food.
I'm guessing you've been to all the big touristy places (Ocean Park, The Peak, etc.), but my favourite places to go there are actually just the big public markets. There's so much to see & do!
RosaLovesDC
January 10, 2012 at 12:56 amThis is fabulous! The food looks so good and I am getting hungry!
lesouefsbrouilles
January 10, 2012 at 1:19 amshin ramen is my true weakness! especially when someone else makes it for you because it always taste better!
DSK Steph
January 10, 2012 at 1:46 amI really enjoy reading about your travels Kat! You describe everything so beautifully. 🙂 Great pic by the tree btw!! ;D
Ella Pretty Blog
January 10, 2012 at 1:55 amLoved this post – felt like you took us there with you 🙂 We lived in Hong Kong briefly when I was a baby, and then we'd travel through it frequently when I was a child. We'd usually be in transit over night and would squeeze in some shopping while we could.
Can't wait for the Bangkok installment – I LOVE the fresh fruit they sell with salt/sugar/chili powder – yum!
Anna G
January 10, 2012 at 2:23 amLove your travel pictures. I would probably take pictures with the empty boxes also. Those are so cool! I need to go to Hong Kong, I definitely check out the bird market. So pretty!
Latkes and Dim Sum
January 10, 2012 at 2:42 amLovely post! I'm looking forward to your next installment. And there is no such thing as an overload of dim sum pictures 🙂
CynthiaC
January 10, 2012 at 2:47 amIt looks like my first comment didn't go. Anyway, I noted that it's interesting so many people went to HK over Christmas (including me…hehe! :)). Love the food there, but found the shopping to be meh…
Anna
January 10, 2012 at 3:02 amIt looks like you kids had one hell of a time. My BF has been to HK many times and he can't stop talking about the food (fine restaurants and night markets), shopping, and nightlife. It's one of the cities on my hit list in the near future. I read every word of this post and I can't wait for the next part of your vacation.
It's been a while since the BF and I went on a relaxing vacation a la yours. Last spring we flew to Barcelona and Rome to travel. We did everything with military precision – saw lots of monuments, explored every part of the cities (the Hermes store on La Rambla in Barcelona was barren at best though). We came back from "vacation" more exhausted than prior to departure. We're off to Florida in a week for lazy time.
Meisha.Style
January 10, 2012 at 5:03 amthe tea set looks so yummy!!!
pink horrorshow
January 10, 2012 at 5:05 amOoh yes, the bibimbap! I mean it's not the best I've had but I always look forward to having it when I go to and from Korea 🙂 also waking up in the middle of the flight and being able to have the ramen is so special.
So funny how the hotel had those empty boxes under the tree lol.
keepsakes. etc
January 10, 2012 at 5:28 amHi, we were in HK at the same time. Did you try the dim sum at the Pen? They are the best! I love HK, the best part is it is only 1.5 hrs from us. You can actually to a weekend food trip! — or better yet shop!
Makeup Morsels
January 10, 2012 at 6:24 amSounds like an amazing trip! The airplane food looks delicious, and I'm loving the seats. Somehow, whenever I fly to Taiwan, I always get stuck between the person who puts their chair all the way back and the kid who kicks my seat if I try to recline o.O
Sara
January 10, 2012 at 6:45 ami just went to vietnam last summer and i'm SO jealous of your seat. looks so comfy. we stopped in seoul too(for a good 4 hours) and that airport is SO nice. free showers and way too much shopping! 🙂
http://saras-style-snapshot.blogspot.com/
Mimi
January 10, 2012 at 9:09 ami cannot wait to read and see more of your trip! thanks for the fab photos, i really had fun reading this post. 🙂 the breakfast buffet we had when we went to hong kong was awesome too. and gosh, the food there is delicious. 😉
<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Susan
January 10, 2012 at 9:58 amIn my experience, the asian airlines are always the top in food, customer service, and comfort. Singapore, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines are great!
Lisa
January 10, 2012 at 11:15 amyummm!!! the looks delicious on that flight~! i have to say i'm crazy impressed that they tempera fried an app for you hahaha :p i don't know why but i get really excited when i eat ramen on asian flights hahahah. yumm your penisula tea looks DIVINE!!! omgosh kat you are so hilarious.. although truth be told if i saw a giant orange Hermes box i'm fairly certain i would react the same way haha :p
xJOLE
January 10, 2012 at 5:42 pmThanks for sharing, K! The food at high tea looks so delicious.. and it totally sucks that you had to walk so far just to get to your hotel! Love the photo of you in your antlers, haha.
http://xjole.blogspot.com
Ali
January 10, 2012 at 7:02 pmThis is so beautiful and fascinating – thanks for sharing! I've never been to Asia, but after this I'm adding it to my list! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your travels!
Ali
http://editorialistyle.blogspot.com/
homestilo
January 10, 2012 at 8:36 pmUmm, an airline that serves bibimbap?! Yes, please. What a great post Catherine. Thanks for sharing your awesome trip with us.
hrcktheherald
January 10, 2012 at 9:22 pmWhat a FANTASTIC trip! Also, your airplane food looks tastier than the lunch that I just ordered at a restaurant. American airline companies need to up their game.
Edwina
January 10, 2012 at 11:14 pmAhhh you make me miss Hong Kong so much! I've never heard of Asiana before but I'll look into it next time I fly to Asia 🙂
just tututiny
January 10, 2012 at 11:53 pmI would love to go travel Asia one day if only for the great food and culture. These photos are awesome K, thank you for sharing them with us.
Veronica of Best of Palm Beach Consignment
January 11, 2012 at 1:34 amThank you so much for sharing your trip with us. It looks like an amazing experience. I would love to go to Asia some day. I look forward to seeing more from your trip 🙂 Welcome back.
Ale e Elis
January 11, 2012 at 2:54 pmWOW…. the plane looks like a hotel and the food….
Amazing places you've been!!!!!
Holiday season is so special!!!!
brasileiroantenado.blogspot.com
Ess here!
January 12, 2012 at 9:01 amYou've got such a beautiful blog 🙂
Cee
January 13, 2012 at 3:36 amI bet we crossed paths… in the air at one point during both of our vacations 🙂 HK is completely new to me and I so enjoyed reading about your stay there and drooling over all the food pics. Looking forward to part two in Bangkok!
Pretty in Pink
January 13, 2012 at 8:04 pmlove your antler ears!
Katrina
January 15, 2012 at 12:05 amLOL! Oh the wonders of a little extra cash to soothe a parents embarrassement!
Katrina
January 15, 2012 at 12:09 amWow! Looks like such a wonderful trip … I haven't had the pleasure of traveling to Asia although the hubs has been to Shanghai and loved it. You have inspired me to go and the plane look amazing in compares to the hunk of junk we flew to the Dominican Republic. I know long flights and layovers are a drag but be thankful that it's just the two of you it becomes a nightmare with a child. 🙂
cryskay
January 18, 2012 at 6:40 ami'm catching up on your asia posts and am loving it! definitely need to fly asiana next time for the ramen alone! btw, an empty hermes box? i'd take it – still a gorgeous box even if it is empty! xx
Ashley
January 29, 2012 at 3:07 amReading this post took me back to my trips to Hong Kong. You and Mr. Feather look like you had an amazing time. You posing with the Hermes bag is hilarious!
Ashley
What Would Ashley Wear?
Equipment Dress | Feather Factor
May 7, 2012 at 8:54 pm[…] anything that features birds – you can read about some of my other bird related outings in Hong Kong and Solvang. Equipment dress (similar here, here) Hermes bag YSL sandals (the yummy pink […]
Bangkok – Peninsula Hotel, Water Ferries & Sky Bar | Feather Factor
May 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm[…] 172012 Today is part two of my Bangkok entry! Here are the links to previous entries on Hong Kong and Bangkok (Part […]
Bangkok and Hong Kong – Siam Paragon and Din Tai Fung | Feather Factor
May 7, 2012 at 8:58 pm[…] and I hope you all enjoy the last installment of my 2011/12 holiday Asia trip – read about Hong Kong, Bangkok (1), Bangkok (2), & Phuket here! Warning: this segment is long, […]
Bangkok: Emirates and the Grand Palace » Feather Factor
May 10, 2012 at 7:59 pm[…] Welcome to my second installment of my Asia trip! For Part 1 of our trip (Hong Kong), head on over here. […]
Phuket | Feather Factor
May 24, 2012 at 10:30 am[…] Friday and welcome to another Asia travel post! For my earlier posts on this trip, head to Hong Kong, […]
Hong Kong Serviced Apartments
July 25, 2012 at 2:12 amThanks for those tips, I am also satisfy for your Information really It is very helpful and I like It.