Travels concluded

We landed in Hong Kong at 1:20, and our connecting flight was scheduled to board at 1:30, and take off at 2:10. The plane taxied for approximately 10 minutes, and finally hooked up to the We were towards the back of the plane, so of course deplaning took for-ev-er. By the time we were off the plane, it was 1:45. However, a Cathay Pacific employee with a sign for our connecting flight, pushing green stickers onto our shirts, hurried us through priority security and then on to our next gate in another terminal across the airport. We arrived at the gate by 2:00, only to discover our flight had been delayed. "Hurry up and wait." Oh well. 

We boarded the plane around 2:20, and took off by 2:45, I think. The first meal was served within the first hour and a half of take off. Then we settled down and tried to sleep. Between screaming babies (there were no less than three in our immediate vicinity), and the crew deciding to serve another meal just 7 hours into the flight (with 5 hours left), it was hard to get any solid rest. Plus, the ceiling above the window seat leaked condensation droplets.  Annoying! We landed around 10am, taxied, and stood in immigration lines for well over an hour. Bethany somehow got diverted to a different line, and we waited an additional 25 minutes for her to come out. The new automated system that has been implemented recently is totally inefficient and frustrating, especially since they won't let accompanied minors stay with their traveling parties; we got split up early on in the immigration line. 

It's 1pm, and we are about 40 minutes from Hollister, on our drive south from San Francisco. I will be thankful to go see a doctor and unpack, shower, and see my puppy dog after a couple hours' drive home from San Francisco.