Day 12 - Tokyo

Up at 08:30, getting ready for the last day, when we heard sirens and announcements from outside. Song said it could be earthquake warnings, but I said I didn't feel anything. 5 minutes later, the room shook. It was quite mild and only lasted a couple of seconds, but was noticeable. I checked the internet, and found the information - https://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/20181027001207393-27090813.html
Having survived a potential major disaster (I hear they're making the movie), headed out for some shopping.
Walked outside to another crowd, the market in full swing. Set off along the main road and got the metro to Shibuya, where the pedestrian crossing is, tried to get a seat by the window but it was packed, but managed to get some photos - I've been uploading some to Flickr.
We're going back to the sushi train tonight so I didn't want raw fish again for lunch, but trying to find Western food is very hard. Found a place that did Japanese and some western dishes. Song had a mixture of a few dishes, pork and miso and other stuff, I picked a dish from the menu that had mince beef like a bolognese, and salad. It turned out that the minced beef was a thin layer covering a pile of rice, was very salty, the salad had no dressing and was tasteless. It also came with a cup of soup out of a packet. Worst meal I've had for a long time. I should have gone with the raw fish. The only redeeming feature was the ice cream at the end - but even that was a berry sorbet. I'm sorry, but the only acceptable ice cream flavour is chocolate, although I will allow pistachio under protest.
Went to a few department stores, Song bought a couple of tops. Thought about going to akihabara where all the gadget shops are but don't need anything so didn't bother. Walked back across the shibuya crossing and it was a lot busier than before, and now there were about 50 police around, several stationed at each crossing point and on top of trucks to give them a good vantage point, speaking through megaphones and blowing whistles to tell people when to cross and when to stop.
Got the train back to the hotel, and packed the bags, we need to leave at around 06:30 in the morning. Soon be home, but one last trip aboard the sushi train for dinner. I've eaten so much fish the last 2 weeks I think I'm growing fins.
So that's it, up early tomorrow for the flight to Hong Kong.
Once again Song booked hotels within walking distance of the stations and attractions, making it easy to find everything.
Next year is looking like an organised tour of Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan and that area.

Day 11 - Tokyo

Late wake up at 09:00, I think all the walking and climbing stairs has caught up with us.
Decided to hang around till 10:30 to do the online check in, then walked out of the hotel into a crowd of people - tourists and locals. The street was full of food vendors and restaurants. There was the smell of lots of different foods being cooked on outdoor stoves, people eating skewers and sushi walking around. We were right next to the Tokyo fish market - but I saw on the news just before we left that it had moved. Looks like the restaurants didn't get the memo.
It was now lunchtime so picked one of the many restaurants - most only did sashimi, but I really didn't fancy it again, so found a place that did tempura (fried fish and vegetables in batter).
Walked to the main shopping area, popped into UNIQLO but it was all winter clothes.
Lots of the top end shops like Louis Vuitton, Prada etc but we didn't bother.
Headed off towards the Imperial Palace, took a wrong turn so had to turn around and backtrack - the Google maps app wouldn't update due to the tall buildings, so it wasn't very accurate.
Walked through a park where there was a flower show, lots of elaborate displays, stopped there for an ice cream and checked information about the palace and it turned out it isn't actually open, just part of the gardens. Decided it wasn't worth another 20 minute walk so went back to the hotel.
Watched some TV then went out for dinner. 9 out of 10 restaurants are sushi ones, so if, like me, all you've mostly eaten for 2 weeks has been raw fish you'd probably want something different. Managed to find a place that also did beef so tried that. It was a small place down a narrow staircase. Also ordered a caesar salad, some sashimi (just for a change) and a fish that was actually cooked. I thought they'd get thrown out of the sushi restaurant association for that.
They still allow smoking in restaurants in Japan, and so far we've been lucky and avoided it, but there was a guy at a table near us virtually chain smoking and it was very annoying - amazing how they allow it.
The beef dish came last, and was unusual - the beef was wrapped around some pickled vegetables, like California rolls, and had been marinaded - very nice.
Cost about $75 - a bit steep but it was a good meal.
By the time we left the place was packed, all the restaurants we've been to have been busy. Not sure if it's because we've picked good ones or if any where will fill up.
Walked back to the hotel. Tomorrow is some shopping, although there's nothing we can think of to buy. Going to Akihabara where all the gadget shops are, and to the crossing at Shibuya - it's the one TV always shows when there is a story about Tokyo.

Day 10 - Shizuoka and Tokyo

Up at 07:30 for breakfast at 08:30 - we were told it gets busy so had to specify a time.
Not very nice so I stuck to cereal and yoghurt.
Out to a Starbucks, our usual routine. Down to the station to ask about a bus to the Shrine and to check that we would be able to see Mount Fuji. Weather was perfect again, sunny and 23c.
On the way I remarked to Song that we hadn't seen any Ninjas - then I realised that was the point.
Went to the tourist information office to ask about where we could see Mount Fuji and she pointed to a bus that was about to leave. The next one was in another hour and a half so we ran over and managed to get on. There were lots of old people on board so we hoped we'd got the right one.
45 minutes later after driving up a winding road we arrived at the last stop at Nihondara, and all piled off. Looked around and couldn't see Mount Fuji, but a load of the old folks headed off up a path so we followed them. It came out to a walkway and in the distance was the top of Mount Fuji, a band of cloud obscuring most of it but the snow covered peak was clearly visible. Took loads of photos then back down to get the bus back. There was a rope bridge down to a Shrine but we'd seen enough of them so gave it a miss.
Got back to the city, had a bit of a wander then had lunch - sashimi for me and Song had some noodles and small fish. Onto the Shinkansen to Tokyo. Mount Fuji can be seen from the train but by the time we passed it the weather was bad and there were too many clouds, so we were lucky to see it earlier.
Arrived in Tokyo after about an hour and a quarter, checked Google which said it was a 30 minute walk to the hotel. An hour later we arrived - I'm beginning to lose trust in the directions from Google maps - a few times it has told us something but after asking a local or the tourist information office it's been wrong.
Dropped the bags in the room, found a ninja hiding in the cupboard but chased him out and popped out for dinner.
Just around the corner was a sushi train place so we hopped aboard and had several plates. After a while the place filled up, strange because it was on a side street off a side street.
All raw fished out, went back to the hotel to relax - we have 3 days in Tokyo with nothing planned.

Day 9 - Kyoto and Shizuoka

Up, pack, breakfast, dump bags, metro.
Got off at the stop where we had dinner the first night which was the main shopping strip. Most of the shops didn't open until 11 and there were queues outside a lot of them. Walked through the Teramachi shopping arcade and then onto old Kyoto - a small area with old wooden buildings. Lots of tourists around and surprisingly cars were allowed along the roads.
Took a few photos, also saw a lot of women wearing the traditional clothes - there are lots of hire shops so it looks as if it is quite popular. Song said a few of them were Chinese, so tourists do it as well.
Walked to a park and had a brief wander, then onto a bus to the station to get lunch. Settled for a place that did deep fried pork and prawns, Song had oysters. Not too healthy but OK. Cost about $35.
Back to the hotel to pick up the bags, then to the station to buy the tickets to Shizuoka - cost a bit more than we expected, $270 for 2.
The only thing to do in Shizuoka is to see Mount Fuji, so hopefully the weather will be good.
Train took an hour and a half to whiz through the countryside and a 5 minute walk to the hotel.
Dropped off the bags then out to find dinner and have a wander.
Found a place that puts you in a private room, I had a chicken dish in rice and Song had a seafood thing. We also ordered gyoza and calamari to share.
Mine came on a little stove and cooked itself - it took about 15 minutes to come, then I had to sit and wait for it to cook. The waiter said it would be ready when the flame went out. It was still going 15 minutes later. Song had finished hers before I got to start mine, plus we were still waiting for the other 2 dishes. The service was pretty bad. The meal wasn't much better, about 4 small pieces of chicken and rice. The gyoza and calamari was good though.
Strolled back to the hotel to relax and sleep.
Tomorrow we are going to a shrine where you can see Mount Fuji (hopefully).

Day 8 - Kyoto

Up at 08:00, down to breakfast for cereal and yoghurt again then took the bus to the Golden temple, which was packed with tourists again. I came here 10 years ago and it wasn't as busy.
The weather was overcast and lightly raining but managed to get plenty of photos. The temple is where the bones of the top Buddhist monks are kept. Wandered around in the gardens then walked 20 minutes to a zen rock garden and temple. If you like temples, Kyoto is the place to be. The garden was a bit of a let down to be honest, just one small area. The temple had nightingale floors - they squeak as you walk on them, to stop silent assassins apparently.
Set off to walk the 20 minutes back but there was a bus stop with buses going back to the city so got on one.
Got off at the Kyoto train station and went to a Starbucks for coffee then to a conveyor belt sushi place again for lunch. Filled up, then thought about going to old Kyoto but decided to just go back to the hotel and relax, we still have tomorrow here and the weather is supposed to be a bit better.
Chilled in the room for a while then went down to the bar for the free drink and to upload the photos - the internet in the room was really slow, but fine in the bar. If I wanted to, I bet I could probably download torrents as well.
Back to the room and sleep.

Day 7 - Kyoto

Woke up about 07:30, clean up and down for breakfast, the usual mix of Asian and not very nice Western food. Had cereal and yoghurt and cold bacon.
Walked to Kyoto station and went to a bank to change some money, coffee at a Starbucks then through the station which had a large underground shopping mall, mostly food outlets. The weather was perfect, sunny and about 22c. Grabbed a couple of rolls from a French boulangerie (there are a lot of French shops here) then bought tickets to Nara Park to visit the temple there. The train was packed with both tourists and locals but managed to get a seat.
Took about an hour, then about a 20 minute walk to the main bit. The park has several temples, the world's largest brass Buddha and is famous for the deer. They are everywhere, follow you around, sniff for food, are unperturbed by the crowds, and they lie down in the middle of the path, in front of shops and pee and poo everywhere.
I got lightly butted by one, another stuck it's nose in our bag, and one gave Song a pretty hard whack and they stopped being cute.
Found a seat away from the deer and ate our rolls, then walked about 1km to the main temple with the Buddha. There were a lot of people (and deer), but we got through pretty quickly. There were also quite a few women in traditional clothing and a few men.
Hopped on the bus to the station and got the train to Inari for another temple and famous Torii (the wooden gates that look like a pi symbol).
It was also packed but managed to get some photos.
Back on the train again to Kyoto and decided to get something to eat at the station because we had had enough of walking, buses and trains for the day. I had a fried pork cutlet on rice and egg with a small bowl of noodles, Song had a seafood thing with some tempura. It was quite good and cost about $30.
Another 5 minute walk to the hotel where we went straight to the bar for our free drink - I thought it was just when you arrived, but it's every day.
Suitably lubricated, back to the room to relax after another long day.
Tomorrow is yet another temple, then old Kyoto.

Day 6 - Osaka and Kyoto

Woke up at 08:00, down to breakfast - not really a lot for me, it was mostly noodles, raw fish and deep fried stuff. I managed an egg and some yoghurt, and a sip of the worst coffee I've had for a while.
Dropped the bags, then followed google maps to Osaka castle. Managed to find a cafe on the way so stopped off for a not great but drinkable coffee. It was a shopping mall and Song spotted a UNIQLO so did a bit of browsing.
Headed round the corner to Osaka castle, it was pretty warm, around 24 and sunny.
The castle is surrounded by a moat, and in a large park with several out buildings and guard posts.
It was very busy, but not overly crowded. We bought our tickets to 3 of the out buildings and the castle. The 3 small buildings weren't very impressive really, we had to take our shoes off, put sandles on, walk about 10 metres through the building, put our shoes back on again, then walk 10 metres and off with the shoes. The last building was a gunpowder store which was just an empty stone room.
Walked around the park a bit and joined the queue to get into the castle. Luckily they had a lift to the 5th floor then stairs up to the observation deck on the 8th floor. The castle was packed but managed to get some photos and have a look around, but to be honest the displays of calligraphy didn't really interest me. There's nothing left of the castle on the inside really, it's been turned into a museum and changed to accommodate the lifts and stairs.
Went back to the shopping centre and had lunch at a sushi place which had the plates going round on a conveyor belt which you grabbed as they went by - different coloured plates cost different amounts.
After generating a decent pile of plates we walked back to the hotel and got a taxi to the train station to get the super fast train to Kyoto.
Hopped on the train, put the luggage on the rack, pulled out some food, sat down and already the train was hurtling along. Started to read, had a couple of bites of an apple then there was an announcement that we would shortly be arriving in Kyoto. We scrambled to pack everything away then we'd arrived, it was 14 minutes. We thought it was 40, but that was obviously on the normal train.
Walked down the road to the hotel, a modern one with a lot of tourists milling about. It offers free tea and coffee, a free welcome drink, a traditional bath house and spoke good English.
Pottered around the hotel room for a while, the room was bigger than the last but not by much.
Looked through the tourist info and found out that the main shopping street was a few metro stops away so went there to eat.
Wandered around for a while then found a small place which looked OK. Song had noodles and I had a combination that consisted of a strange assortment of dishes - a plate of pilaf rice, sliced steak and a bowl of spicy noodles. It was quite good, cost about $40 for the two of us.
Walked back to the metro and were back at the hotel in about 10 minutes, headed straight to the bar for our free drinks. I had a beer and Song had what she thought was a juice but was a cocktail.
Feeling very tired after a long day, went back to the room to sleep.
Tomorrow we're going to the golden temple.

Day 5 - Jeju Island and Osaka

Woke up after sleeping well, all the activity is helping. Filled up with breakfast then walked down the hill to the bus stop to get a bus to the airport to drop off the bags. The receptionist told us the bus to get to the airport but it didn't stop where she told us so we just got the next one into the city, got off and asked some kid who told us the one to get.
Dropped off the bags and figured we'd get on the same bus back but it set off in a different direction.
Kept an eye on google maps but it didn't look as if it was going back to the place we wanted so we got off where there were a few shops and a Starbucks - had a coffee. We only had a couple of hours before we had to check in so just went into a department store (bought a usb charger because I forgot to bring mine), then got a cab to the airport. Through check in and security pretty quickly, looked around for something to eat - nothing. A couple of duty free shops but no cafes or anywhere to eat. Song managed to find a place that sold sandwiches so had a couple of those.
Plane was packed but we had an empty seat in between us, and the flight was only an hour and a half.
Got through immigration and security quickly again and then on the train for about 40 minutes, change to the metro and a 5 minute walk to the hotel.
Dropped off the bags and went out for something to eat, it was now about 20:30.
Found a street that was basically all restaurants, but had a hard time deciding where to go - there was no English menus and some had photos of the food that didn't look very nice, but we took a chance and popped into one. The waiter didn't speak much English. Song ordered a tofu soup thing and I pointed to a picture of a piece of meat on a skewer and used google translate for chicken, which I discovered was pronounced chikin in Japanese. We also ordered a salad and rice.
He brought out the food - the tofu soup and one chicken skewer. I'd expected the dish to have a few more so ordered 3 more.
Meanwhile there was a very annoying and loud drunk guy with 2 women a few tables away. Not a pleasant meal, and my remaining food took ages to come I wondered if he was hatching the eggs.
Popped into a supermarket on the way back to the smallest hotel room in Japan.
Visiting Osaka castle tomorrow then onto Kyoto for 3 nights.

Day 4 - Jeju Island

Had a bit of a lie in and down to breakfast at around 09:30. Just missed the 10:00 bus so hung around for the 10:30 only to discover the next one wasn't until 11:50. Luckily it was just a 5 minute walk down the hill to the main road where there was another bus stop.
Headed off to the intercity bus station again to get the bus to the lady divers - this time we got the express which cost $3.73. Outrageous.
Another notable fact about this place is that there is free WiFi everywhere - bus stops, on the buses, at the tourist spots, and it's fast and doesn't block torrent sites (apparently, or so I heard, I think, I'm just guessing).
The bus went through another forest, Song and I both had a snooze, and I woke up just in time to realise it was our stop, so jumped off and looked for signs to the diving women show or a tourist office. Couldn't find either and it was now 15 minutes to the show, although if we missed it we decided to get something to eat and catch the 15:00 one.
Stood at a bus stop to use the WiFi to do a search, 2 young blokes got off a bus so we asked them if they knew where the show was. They didn't, but googled and found it - it was where we got off the bus but around a few corners - no signs at all. They also told us you can see these women on most beaches on the island so there was no need to come here. It was the tourist information place that directed us here so wondered if they knew we'd have to pay for the show.
We were actually at Sunrise Peak, one of the major tourist attractions on the island. We made the show with a few minutes to spare. The show was in a Cove in the shadow of the cliff of the peak, with a black sand beach.
There was quite a crowd, and the women (all looked in their 80s and were clad in loose fitting wetsuits) began to sing and dance. It went on a bit to be honest. After that they slipped into the water clutching nets and floatation stuff and swam around, diving down occasionally and pulling up an octopus or some shell fish.
After about 10 minutes the crowd lost interest and started to walk away to take selfies.
It was worth seeing, but not really spectacular.
We climbed back up the steps, and I thought we wouldn't be able to do this in 10 years time - it was hard work. The weather was perfect, sunny and around 18c. We walked up towards the peak, but the sight of steps heading into the distance put us off so headed back down and to a Starbucks for a rest and a coffee.
Decided neither of us was hungry so got the bus back to the city.
The bus took about an hour and a half, we got off in the main part to look for a place to eat. Song wanted something Korean so we kept our eyes open but didn't spot anything. Song said we should get off the main street but I said I didn't want to go down a dodgy side street. Anyway, we went down a dodgy side street and found ourselves in a road with dozens of restaurants and cafes, and hundreds of school kids milling around. Seems like we stumbled across the local popular street. Wandered up and down and settled on a Korean barbecue place where there is a burner in the middle of each table. We were the only ones in it, but it was a bit early for dinner.
We pointed at something on the menu, the waiter turned on the burner and came back with a plate of meat. He also poured in a liquid into a trough around the burner which we later determined was egg, and there were instructions on how to chop up some vegetables and drop them into the liquid.
We slapped the meat onto the burner - a do it yourself meal.
It was very good and not too much, some of the meat had been marinaded as well.
The stuff in the trough was like an omelette, also very nice. On my way out I said "My compliments to the chef" to the guy but he didn't laugh - must have been because he didn't speak English.
Crossed the road to the bus stop to go back to the hotel, another pretty full day.
Tomorrow we have most of the day here, will probably do a bit of shopping, then we fly to Osaka.

Day 3 - Jeju Island

Slept well, about 9 hours then down to breakfast.
Breakfast is always a bit of a lottery for me in non western countries, and this was no exception. Kim chi,  bean salad, and a few unidentifiable dishes. Luckily they had cereal and stuff like bacon, eggs, sausages. I tried the bacon and hash browns but both were cold and awful so had toast and a bowl of yoghurt.
The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, although on google maps and trip advisor it didn't look that far. Luckily there's a bus stop right outside the hotel that has 2 buses that run regularly into the city and the airport. Caught the bus at 09:00, cost $1.50 each, we were the only ones on it, only took 30 minutes to the city. The bus dropped us off at one of the major attractions - Gwandeokjeong Pavilion. Weather was mostly cloudy and a bit cool, around 14c, but when the sun came out it was quite warm Had a quick look around, then changed some money at a bank and got on the hop on hop off tourist bus. We hopped off at Yongduam Rock, a lava rock that supposedly looks like a dragon head. It sort of does if you have a reasonable imagination. Walked around the corner to a tourist information office and found out how to see the lady divers. There are only two places on the island they do it and only twice a day, and it's quite a way from the city. Decided to stick to the bus today and go tomorrow. Lunch was a newly opened French style bistro which I thought would be a change from the local food so went in for a salmon and avacado Benedict which was surprisingly good although a bit pricey.
Hopped back on the bus, headed to the intercity bus station to get a public bus to the other side of the island, to a waterfall which is a couple of hours away but the bus goes through the countryside.
The bus was virtually empty, and went through a national park, up some hills and through a forest. Since it's Autumn some of the trees were spectacular oranges and reds.
Song got talking to a lady from Malaysia who had been on the island for 3 weeks, doing long walks, and she was very helpful and told us of some volcanic formations that were nearby and worth a look, so we took her advice and did so - the rocks were like the Giant's Causeway in Ireland, not as big but worth the trip.
Got on another bus for the 10 minute trip to the waterfall. Down some steps to a pool with a couple of small falls, but the main one was dry - bit of a disappointment. There was a sign to the 2nd waterfall so we followed that not expecting much, but it was actually OK - not amazing but worth the time.
Getting late now we left the falls and started to walk towards the bus stop to go back across the island, but after 20 minutes realised we were not where we thought we were. We stopped a couple of school kids and asked if they spoke English, they giggled and offered to help even though they didn't understand - she tried Google translate but I typed out the bus number and they got it, and walked us about 50 metres to a bus stop and showed us the bus we needed to get back to the city. After a 20 minute wait we hopped on, on our way back. We realised that all the bus fares were the same - 1200 Won, which is about $1.50, regardless of whether you were going one stop or across the other side of the island. Pretty amazing.
Going back was a bit quicker, but we hit traffic when we got to the city. Wandered up the road to get something to eat and decided on a Japanese restaurant (despite the fact we'll be in Japan in a few days and will be eating a lot more of it). Not many people here speak much English (even the woman on the tourist bus struggled), and although the menu was also in English it only said "sushi" and "course a", "course b" and "course c". We chose "course a", guessing that it's going to be sushi, sashimi, possibily tempura and miso soup.
First they brought out some small plates of vegetables and hard boiled quail's eggs. This was followed by some buck wheat noodles in ice water (unusual). Then some raw tuna in a chilli sauce. Then a plate of 32 pieces of sashimi. Then more plates of vegetables. Then a few servings of shell fish. Just when we thought it was all over they came out with more sashimi and we had to tell them to stop, but not before they dropped off some tempura and a plate of some kind of cheesy sweet corn dish. We got up and paid before they carried in a whole tuna. Cost about $80 and well worth it, but just too much.
Walked down the road and got the bus back to the hotel, a really full day, we intend to lie in and take it easy tomorrow.

Day 2 - Seoul and Jeju Island

I should have stayed in a hotel overnight in Hong Kong and took the morning flight direct to Jeju Island - I'm very tired. I booked into a lounge and had a shower and something to eat and drink, boarded the plane and fell asleep straight away. Got woken up for food but said I wasn't hungry, back to sleep again. Woke up as we were coming in to land, got about 3 hours. What was supposed to be a 20 hour trip was now around 28.
Got through immigration quickly, went to get a bus but was an hour and a half wait, so took the train instead.
There are instructions on a poster on the train about what to do in the event of an earthquake, but it's in Korean. The pictures show people running away with their hands over their heads so I think I'll do that. Not sure why they needed a poster though.
Took about an hour and a half to get to the hotel, went to the room, said hello to Song and collapsed on the bed.
Slept for a few hours, then checked out, left the bags and went over the road to the train station to get breakfast. Basically if you don't want noodles you're out of luck. We found a place that also did dumplings so went for that. It was an unusual set up - you pick 7 dumplings from a selection then heat them up in a microwave. They were OK, a couple pretty spicy which I decided to leave.
Had a coffee then went back to the hotel to pick up the bags, and onto the airport via train. A different airport to where I landed, closer to the city and it turned out it had just been upgraded and there were camera crews everywhere and a stage with some presentations.
Flight was a quick hop of just over an hour, here for 3 nights, no more airports for a few days.
The hotel is a bit remote, about an hour from the airport, or 30 minutes if you get the insane taxi driver we had.
We ate in the restaurant, not a lot of choice on the menu. Song had a seafood stew and I decided against steak and went for grilled mackerel. I asked the waiter if it came with vegetables. "Vegetables?" he said. Vegetables. "Vegetables?" yes, vegetables. He got out his phone, fired up Google translate, and showed me. It said "vegetables". I said OK.
It didn't come with vegetables.
Early night after the long travel over the last couple of days, going to probably get a hop on hop off bus tomorrow and do a mini tour on Friday.

Day 1 - South Korea and Japan

Woke up extra early at 04:30 to get the 08:35 flight only to see emails from Cathay Pacific saying flight has been delayed. Not too bad, only a couple of hours.
Then saw another one saying my connection has been rebooked to the next day. That's annoying - Song is in China and we were meeting at Seoul airport, staying overnight then flying the next day to Jeju Island - but I might miss that flight. Need to see if I can get a flight out from Hong Kong to Seoul tonight.
Very annoying.
Managed to get booked on the Korean air flight tonight by a very helpful Cathay check in person.
Through security quickly although it was busy, saw a couple of Chinese people getting all their fish oil and vitamin bottles removed from their hand luggage - not sure if it was confiscated or repacked for them.
Then queued up for a tax refund with about 50 other people. Luckily I still have plenty of time.
Got to the gate, getting on board was delayed and we eventually took off at 11:00.
Just got off the plane, major drama. I was already going to have to rush because of the 1 hour departure delay, but during the flight there was a medical emergency, the crew asked for a doctor. 
When we landed we were told that a passenger had died. Medical staff and the police had to come on board before we were allowed off.
So I missed the flight, inconvenient but sad for the family who lost someone.
Currently sat in the airport waiting for them to rebook my flight.
They booked me on a flight at 00:30, gets in at 05:10, so I'm going to have to get across town to the hotel, check in at around 07:00 then check out again in the morning. Cathay have assigned a lady to us, a group of about 8 people. She whisked us through immigration, gave us some meal vouchers and took us to a lounge. We have to go out and come back in again because we're not transit. The lounge is rubbish, very small, so I decided to leave and get something to eat. The others felt the same way and followed me out, but they went to another lounge that you have to pay for. I thought about it but thought I'd go for some food instead.
Can't check in for 3 hours so have to wait in Arrivals.