Do not ever use the credit card operated international pay phones. They are a complete rip-off. I used my card at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport only because I didn’t have enough Malaysian currency.I figured at most, it’d cost a few dollars. Boy was I wrong.

I was in a time crunch and had to use a phone immediately. I was hesitant to using it because there were no rates posted on or near the phone. The first call lasted about 2 minutes. I was instructed on the phone to dial a toll free number first and wait to be connected. I spoke to someone who spoke English perfectly and I asked him what the rates were for phone calls. He replied, “I have no idea, I’m connecting your call now.”

Then, I got disconnected. I called again using the credit card pay phone. I was connected to another person, who also spoke English perfectly. This time my phone call actually got connected, but with no answer, just automated voice prompts.

I didn’t think anything of this until last night when I was going through my bank account. This phone company charged my credit card $30 USD for the first disconnected call. Then they charged $40 USD for the second call that connected. I was charged $70 USD for less than 5 minutes of phone service to Hong Kong.  Complete scam.

I immediately called my bank and disputed the charges.  I explained to them that there were no prices posted on the phone, and the person connecting my call had no idea what their calling rates were.  If this happens to you, call your bank immediately. Your bank will most likely award you a charge-back.

Just the same as Shanghai, Swine Flu screening was in full effect at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The line here was long… probably took about 45 minutes.

Lots of people waiting to pass through the health screening for Influenza A (H1N1). There are currently a total of 51 Swine Flu related deaths in Malaysia.

Immense lines. You can tell the building is pretty bare bones. No fancy architecture anywhere.

This is their Swine Flu health screening system – a $500 desktop computer with a camcorder.

This is their examination room and their service desk with no attendant. Not exactly the type of facilities we are used to.

Close to the finish line.

Popular fast food chain in Malaysia called Marrybrown you’re likely to run into at this airport. Basically a McDonald’s with more fried chicken.

Around the corner, you’ll see a couple of innocent looking pay phones. DO NOT EVER use the rip-off credit card operated pay phones.

Night time view of the Hong Kong skyline. I took this photo while taking the the Star Ferry across the harbor. Fun little ride for less than a dollar.

I enjoyed Hong Kong. It’s a very international city – you’ll walk around hearing languages from all over the world. The weather was really warm … high 80’s with high humidity. You can’t stop sweating even wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Geographically not as big as I had expected, and surprisingly convenient to get around from place to place.

Public transportation is cheap and convenient. We took the train which took 30 minutes from inside the airport to a 10 minute ride to the hotel. A 10 minute taxi in Hong Kong will run a few dollars to $5 USD. You can get from the heart of downtown Hong Kong to the airport 40-60 km away and at your gate within an hour if you hustle.

Walking around Hong Kong, you can tell it is the financial center of China. The streets are full of banks, skyscrapers, designer stores, and lots and lots of high-end wrist-watch stores. Only seeing a fraction of Hong Kong, I ran across several large Louis Vuitton stores and maybe a dozen Rolex dealers.

Hong Kong can be expensive. Most hotels in our district cost $200-$500 per night, although we got a good deal. Nightlife is pricey. Beers run $8-$10 USD, and mixed drinks cost $13-$20 USD.

Aerial photo of Hong Kong in our landing approach. Small islands connected by well developed infrastructure.

Daytime photo of water surrounding Hong Kong.

Typical street in Hong Kong. Lots of skyscrapers, buses, and taxis.

View from my hotel room in Hong Kong from the 23rd floor. I stayed at the Island Pacific Hotel. For $65 USD per night, it was decent –  the best deal I could find. Most other hotels within this location were at least $150 USD per night. Thirty minute train ride to the airport, and within a 10 minute cab ride anywhere else.

This is a street view in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Lots of money in the area. The famous Peninsula Hotel is located down the street from here. We had a drink at the rooftop bar called Felix at the Peninsula Hotel. Nice and fancy, but a little boring. We headed to Lan Kwai Fong afterwards, the nightlife district very close to our hotel and had a blast.

Before deplaning in Shanghai, China, everyone onboard is subject to the army of Chinese airport security wielding temperature reading guns.

Even the pretty Asian Airlines flight attendant got the same treatment.

The Chinese Swine Influenza Troops deplaning after a satisfactory inspection.

Chinese flags proudly displayed in the customs inspection area. By the way, all the photos in this entry were taken with my iPhone.

Terminal 1 at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Chinese Customs Declarations Counter in Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Huge advertisement for Buick near ticketing at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China. Buick is actually a popular brand with status in China, as some of you may know. Hard for Americans to imagine. In fact, I even saw several cheap Chinese cars with counterfeit Buick hood ornaments stuck on them.

Typical taxi in Shanghai, China. All taxis have the protective plexiglass shield around the driver. Makes sense after personally seeing lots of aggressive behavior in China. Additionally, just about every taxi is a 10-20 year old Volkswagen. Every other car on the road besides taxis are also Volkswagens for some reason.  Taxi fares were reasonable about 60% of the time. The other 40%, the drivers either attempted or successfully ripped us off. Watch out.

Leaving Shanghai, China through stormy and turbulent clouds.

Approaching ICN – Incheon International Airport. I love Korea.