The best thing about travel in summer 2021? Seeing family and friends for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, and new places - five Hong Kong travellers on their journeys

Whether they left on business or to catch up with loved ones, our travellers have experienced similar, simple joys on their journeys out of Hong Kong

They’ve seen new places, done familiar things for the first time in ages, eaten favourite foods, been able to relax – even if quarantine looms when they return

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LaGuardia Airport in New York City. From Covid-19 protocols to rediscovering the joy of travel, there have been plenty of surprises for five Hongkongers who have flown during the pandemic. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 9:15am, 15 Aug 2021Updated: 12:16am, 17 Aug 2021

When was the last time you heard the phrase “doors to manual and cross check”? For the vast majority of Hong Kong’s population, it has been upwards of 18 months without getting on a plane or leaving the confines of the city.

Cabin fever has not only reached a peak but also led some to take the plunge and travel outside Hong Kong, whether for business, pleasure or personal reasons. That’s no small matter, but a number of Hongkongers we spoke to shared the same joy in getting up, up and away from it all – at least temporarily.

Nikki Pang, head of business development for Lightfoot Travel

Pang is visiting family in New York and Seattle in the United States.

Nikki Pang is visiting family in New York and Seattle in the US.

What have you missed most about travelling? The simple act of waking up somewhere new and not knowing what the day will hold. The pandemic has been particularly hard for me, given that I work in the travel industry, so being able to get on a plane and be somewhere different with new adventures brings me a lot of joy.

What has been the best thing about getting away? Being able to see family and physically connect after a year and a half of separation. Navigating Hong Kong’s quarantine maze and frequent flight cancellations was quite the ordeal, so when I finally set foot on the plane and knew that it was actually happening, it was an amazing feeling!

Apart from seeing friends or family, what experience were you were most looking forward to? Eating! I have many little rituals that I’ve sorely missed – fresh Pacific oysters and clam chowder in Seattle, a particular brand of jalapeño chips you can only get on the [US] west coast, stack pancakes and bacon at my mum’s favourite brunch place, and a giant porterhouse drizzled in butter at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, in New York.