Hana Takes Over Hong Kong (Again) - Solo Edition

Would only be right for me to write about my experience in Hong Kong, right? I would obviously want to have this kept somewhere, be it online, about my little adventure alone on a foreign land. 

To start off everything, on October 19th, I found out (via my group's chat group lol) that I won the country level of the Dentsply Sirona Restorative Global Clinical Case Contest. I was shivering as it was so surreal. Mind you, I wouldn't have known if Ayu hadn't told me that night. They even announced it hours before I finally found out. But hey, I was going to Hong Kong!!!

So, on November 10th, I went aboard a taxi en route to the airport at 5.30am, alone. Of course, my parents waved goodbye until my taxi was out of sight, but I was alone from that point on. Yeah, sob sob. But amazingly, I didn't shed a tear this time. At the airport, I queued up for baggage drop, and went straight in through immigration. I didn't want to delay anything, as I was alone anyways. Though, there was one mistake I made, that I will remember forever now. Never, I repeat NEVER, drink coffee before boarding. I was trying to act all hipster and touristy by having a venti (not a tall, a VENTI) of cold brewed coffee from Starbucks right before boarding. Oh boy, did the toilet see enough of me, alright!

Boarded the flight, and even had an empty seat next to me. Yay, more room for me! I was so thankful as the flight was really shit small. Minded my own business on the flight and prepped for my presentation the next day. The lady from Jakarta who sat in the same row was really nice. 

I arrived in Hong Kong International Airport and finally met Dr. Ain (Dr. Hilmi's wife) and her brother. Took a taxi to the hotel where they then decided to immediately shoot for Hong Kong Disneyland. I obviously did not intend to go to Disneyland, again, especially not alone. 

I got to my room (room 2203) and immediately had a hard time figuring out where I could lay my luggage down to open it. Finally had a decent spot, after a good 10 minutes of thinking. Also discovered that I could conveniently use the shower head as a bidet while I did my business. 

Spent time in bed while I searched on the night life of Hong Kong. Finally decided to go to Templer Street Night Market. Took the MRT to Templer Street Night Market. That's where I had fun playing tourist: eating egg waffles, egg tarts, bubble tea (yes, while walking.....wow, so ladylike).





Went along Nathan Road trying to look for some halal but very Hong Kong eateries. Failed. I mean, I didn't fly for 4 hours to eat a kebab. Ended up having sushi - in bed - while watching The Late Late Show with James Corden. Wow, so "Hong Kong" right? *rolls eyes*

But all in all, competition day came, I was nervous beyond compare! I was so flattered / out of place because majority of the contestants were postgraduates (read as: doctors with legit "Dr." titles in front of their name!) I was so worried so I actually took the liberty to inform this nice HK Dentsply rep: "Excuse me, I think you've made a mistake, I'm not a doctor yet...." She later replied: "Eh no no don't worry okay. You will soon be." So nice la that lady.

Drew lots and I was the second one to present! Gosh! As if being there wasn't nerve-wrecking enough! The thing is, me being me, trying so hard to be all "tres chic" brought my heels in my bag and wore black flats. (Let me just point out first that it was quite the walking distance to get from the hotel to the hospital, so Hana was smart.) So while the presenter before me was wrapping up, I was busy changing my shoes. (Lol. Award for worst audience member goes to me.)

(Least flattering photo of me, I know, but deal with it.)

They were impressed with my presentation skills (yay!) but I was rather disappointed with how I answered the gazillion questions from the judges for the Q&A. Whatever is in the past stays in the past. We had lunch (which was soooo good) , and I even was so rajin to go back to the hotel room to change into a tshirt lol. So "tres chic" right? *rolls eyes*

So the second part of the day proceeded with a hands-on composite restoration of MO cavity on tooth 16.  I swear I was swearing from under my breath because I kept on practising tooth 46 back in Malaysia lol. But yeah, I could confidently say, it was the best restoration I've done so far.

After that, we had a few talks and it was dinner time!!! Again, Hana so rajin, she went back to the hotel, to change, AGAIN. Rushed back to hospital - to catch the shuttle, and off we went for our cruise dinner.  The food was spectacular.  The funny bit was when we actually thought there was a bigger boat awaiting us on the other side. How shocked were we when we finally discovered that dinner was on that very small boat / yatch. Hahaha. Like who do we think we are, kan?

The best part of that night, though, would have to be chilling on the deck with Fitha, Pet, Winnie & Betty. We had the best time just talking about the randomest shit.  Also, I finally got the "What does alcohol taste like?" question off my chest, and Pet, had to bear with me.

After dinner, I decided to go home to pack efficiently for the adventure I was about to embark on the next day.  I totally forgot to mention that I won third place though lol. Yeah, that was that.

So, the next day, my flight was at about 4pm, so I decided to chill in the room up until just before 12, then went to the "biggest" mall in HK, which was disappointing. But yeah, dragged my luggage through the entire mall, lost my lecturer's Octopus card, and dragged my tired butt to the airport.

Found this thoughtful little note on my door as I was about to leave. Fitha & Pet's flight was much earlier in the morning so didn't have the chance to say goodbye :(

But yeah, that's all for now I guess, till Germany! (next big solo trip - I hope) xoxo