May 12th, the Journey begins (Day 1)

We finally get to sleep about 2:00am and get up at 4:30am to start getting ready.  We finally get the car packed and Madison ready and head to Gigi & Papa's so they can take us to the airport.  It was very hard to say goodbye to Madison.  She did throw a little fit about not being able to go inside the terminal with us, but was soon okay as she and the grandparents quickly made it to IHOP for breakfast. After getting our boarding passes, we wait in a very long security line.  It was the longest line I've seen at DFW.  After getting through security, we had about 10 minutes before we were boarding the plane to LAX.  Needless to say, we did not get breakfast or anything to drink.  The flight to LAX was uneventful which is nice since it was only suppose to be a 45 minute layover (continuous flight on same plane) before heading to San Francisco.  This is where the fun begins.  We asked an attendant if we stay on or get off, she said either it doesn't matter.  At this time, I noticed that they took our checked baggage off of the plane.  I raced to another attendant and told her such and she explained to me that they were just making room to get other baggage off the plane.  You're probably thinking the same thing we were which is, that's strange, but...ok.  We get off the plane to stretch our legs and find a quick bite to eat if possible.  After finding no food in the vicinity, we head back to our gate only to find a flight attendant explaining that our flight into SFO has been delayed because of weather.We race down to customer service because we have to make that connection to Hong Kong as arrangements have been made by our agency to pick us up at a specific time.  There were directions on finding your own way if you miss the arranged pick up, but we aren't that adventurous and really didn't want to be in that situation.  While waiting in line, a gentleman passes by us to look at some flights on a screen.  On his way back, we're in his way, and he excuses himself.  That's when I noticed that is was Dave Foley.  If there are any "Newsradio" fans out there, he was the boss.  I told him that I was a big fan, and he stopped and talked to us for a bit.  What a great guy.  He wished us luck on our adoption and we bid him safe travels.  He was nice to talk to and really down to earth.  Once we got to the counter, we were informed that our flight was now boarding and about to depart.  We race back to the gate to make that flight.  We made it, but with a 45 min delay to SFO. Once we landed in SFO, we had one hour and fifteen minutes to catch the flight to Hong Kong.  For anyone trying to making an international connection in SFO, you have to leave the airport then re-enter through security.  We do all of those things with fifteen minutes to spare.  Upon heading to the gate, we hear our names over the loud speakers telling us we are needed at the gate.  I start a mad dash through the airport to that gate to catch that flight.  I must have looked like OJ from his old Hertz commercials.  I got there completely out of breath and couldn't even speak to the attendant.  We did make it though.  We left the United States on Cathay Pacific about 1:40pm (3:40pm CST).  Still no food or drinks.  Cathay Pacific took very good care of us.  By far, the best airline I have ever been on.  Susan wasn't feeling too well, so they rushed to get her some water, apple juice and a sandwich and checked on her the entire trip.  Other than that, the thirteen hour and forty minute flight was great.  We finally touched down in Hong Kong  on Friday the 13th @ 6:45pm (5:45am CST).  We breeze through immigration and made our way to pick up our luggage.  After a bit of waiting at the carousel and giving each other that "oh, no, not again" look.  I hear our name over the loudspeakers and rush to baggage claim.  Our checked in luggage was still in LAX.  Of course, right!!! All in all, not that big of a deal.  We are met outside of the terminal by our guide Matthew and another couple Scott and Heidi.  We get in a taxi and make our way to the Regal Kowloon Hotel.  We had no idea that Hong Kong was so mountainous.  The terrain was quite beautiful and we really enjoyed our couple of days there.