27th May
Sure enough the phone's alarm clock goes off at 6:30. Tip toeing out we gather our bags and make up our tea, coffee and breakfast in the soft morning sunshine. We had the living area to ourselves, so I pulled out and opened my cards from home. Along with Frank's card too and set them out on the table for a birthday breakfast. Shortly after, one of the Americans from last night is awake too. She was heading back to L.A later today and gave us some good recommendations for future hostels in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Down to the bus stop, loaded our bags and selves on the bus and sat at the back. It took an hour to get to Hong Kong airport and the bus seats filled up along the way.
A very clean airport and almost empty. Check in desk and sure enough a fellow Irishman checked us in. A young man from Belfast. He was very helpful - managed to check our bags in as one and mentioned we may need to book onward travel out of Malaysia as we may be denied entry. So in a corner we booked a cheap bus ticket for a month later to exit the country.

(Back when we were staying in Shanghai we met a Malaysian couple - Emy and Athira. Frank had kept in contact with them and they offered to pick us up from the airport!)

Whilst we had wifi we messaged Emy again just to confirm times for our pick up.
Our second breakfast was at Burger King, something regular that wouldn't cause upset for the flight.
We didn't have too long to wait after our shuttle to the gate. On board our Air Asia flight AK139 and take off. The official goodbye to China.
I had a window seat and Frank had the middle one. Unfortunately for Frank particularly, the four hour flight was rather bumpy but thankfulky not erratic...

Onto Malaysia!