Hong Kong Closing Moments

Cathryn and Marie left in the late morning and got home on time in the evening UK. Jean, Michael & Dan and I had a look around the Convention Centre in Wanchai before taking the Star Ferry over to Tsim Sha Tsui for a look around - Avenue of Stars on the waterfront and a trip around Nathan Road. The weather had turned cool again with a stiff breeze. Back to Central on the Star Ferry, it was time for a tipple and nibble in Lan Kwai Fung before the boys went to the Lanes shopping. Jean and I were taken out for a spicy Chinese meal at the Red Pepper nearby before finishing off with nightcaps at TOTTs upstairs. A fine end to a most enjoyable trip. The last day will see the boys off to Macau for a few days before Jean and I head for the airport, already checked in for a BA flight that seems to be flying despite the strike action of cabin crew. Phew! Mind you, a few more days in Hong Kong would probably have been quite welcome..........maybe have to wait for next time...............

Hong Kong Sevens

Before the Sevens, I did some wandering around Wanchai and watched the firing of the Jardine Noon Day Gun once more. It IS a big bang!

The weather stayed dry, although a little cool on the first two days, but brightened to a sunny finale on the Sunday. Gulliver's treated us to free drinks for an hour before the tournament began on Friday and maximum use was made of that for starters! The early pool matches were the typically one-side affairs with high scores to the pool leaders while playing those at the bottom. Throughout the Saturday, more even matches were experienced and the new format on Sunday now ends in 4 finals, with the losers of the Cup Quarter Finals competing for a new competition, the Plate. Some thrillingly tight games were had with leads changing by the minute at times. Disappointments came, of course, for some on the final day, but the real thriller was Hong Kong first beating World Champions Wales in a pool match before going on, with huge crowd support, to win the Shield against Russia, 19-17. Canada fairly comfortable beat Wales in the Bowl final 35-19. Australia spoiled South Africa's party in the Plate to win by just 12-5. Both England and Fiji were knocked out of Cup semi-finals by narrow margins, by Samoa and New Zealand respectively, before Samoa went on to beat NZ 24-21 in a great and tense final, with both teams having a player off for yellow cards at one stage.

The atmosphere of the stadium was every bit typical of the event - carnival, party, lots of costumes in the South Stand and elsewhere, plus a widespread generally good spirit despite the tendency of overindulgence on the part of most. It always amazes me that so much can be consumed by so many with so little trouble, a tribute to rugby maybe?

No streakers appeared, for fear of arrest, but a few pitch invaders succeeded, including one who managed to evade security and climb onto the crossbar of one set of posts. I met up with some old friends from the past and met some new ones for the future. All in all, a great Sevens!

Hong Kong 2

TOTTs (Talk of the Town) was the venue for dinner, 34 floors up at the top of the hotel and overlooking the busy Victoria harbour. The visibility was good and dinner was too. Live music added to the colourful cocktails enjoyed afterwards. Next day, somewhat more chilly as a cold front had arrived, Jean and I met up with Wendy and Mark for a sushi lunch nearby the hotel and we all joined others on a junk trip from Central to Lamma Island for a chinese meal, a tradition on the night before the rugby starts. The swell did nothing to curb Dan's enthusiasm to entertain on the Karaoke machine, which went down well!

Hong Kong 1

Our flight from Singapore was a little delayed because of a heavy rain storm there at planned departure time, but it meant that we all arrived at the Excelsior Hotel in Hong Kong, Michael & Dan, plus Cathryn & Marie at the same time. It was great to see the 'kids' again after being away over a month.

Early next day, the mist was so bad you couldn't see the other side of the harbour, but it soon gave way to a warm sunny day, worthy of a trip to the Rugby Sevens merchanise shop, then Stanley Market, followed by a drink in the Smugglers' Inn. Persuaded by the notice that it had passed its health inspection in 2000, it was therefore appropriate that we have some nibbles to go with out lunchtime drinks!

With the visibility still good, we then headed for The Peak to survey both the south and north sides of the island, and point out landmarks to the newcomers to Hong Kong, then down from the top on the Peak Tram. The weather promises to chill a bit tomorrow, so the most was made of the day.

Singapore 4

Well, Raffles is just wonderful. I feel lacking in that I don't seem to be able to give our Butler, Alvaro, enough to do for us, judging by his constant pleas and offers! Breakfast was delivered to the suite, then, with nothing specific on the agenda for the day time, we spent the rest of it exploring the corridors, gardens and facilities of this colonial masterpiece, trying to make as much use of its 18 bars and restaurants as we could - we failed although our attempt was noble and enjoyable! There is so much to see and absorb in its splendour, diversity and style. Home of the Singapore Sling, it was only appropriate that we tried several in the Long Bar, chucking the peanut shells on the floor as is the tradition, having a spicy Long Bar Sampler for lunch, reminding us of how good Asian food is, and then meandering more through the complex, the Museum and the Shop, to pick up a few tokens to take home. I just loved the electrical fittings too!

Meeting Andrew, Monte and Rosie tonight will top off this rather short visit with drinks in the Courtyard Bar, followed by a buffet curry in the Tiffin Room. Then off to Hong Kong tomorrow.

Tinbeerwah 4

Local travels took us to Lake Macdonald and the adjacent Botanic Gardens and Eumundi market, which was very busy. In Pomona, we saw and advert for a local soup delicacy - Pee & Ham - that we had no trouble refusing to try! And.we strolled on Sunshine Beach, which was closed due to heavy seas and dangerous conditions, Jean waded until she was well wet, we found a hermit crab in a painted shell! Maybe it's mate had done it? And, we finished off with a very pleasant lunch at the Surf Club overlooking Sunshine Beach and waves of the Pacific.

Our excellent hosts capped off a great stay in Tinbeerwah with a wonderful Moroccan BBQ. We didn't need our wellies and our stay here was perfect thanks to them. An ontime departure, smooth flight avoiding the cyclone building off the coast of Australia, and ontime arrival, saw us in Raffles Hotel, Rudyard Kipling Suite, for our second visit and staging before onward to Hong Kong. Lovely it is too!