Always, there is the unrelenting rise of new buildings swaddled in bamboo rising to the sky, the rate of construction having increased to one floor/week to two or three, and the construction of tunnels. Just after I left Asia in late '71, the new Cross Harbour Tunnel was opened. An eastern one was opened some years later and I watched the 3rd western tunnel sections being tugged into place from my office in '96. 2 years ago, work started in front of my hotel on part of a 4km bypass under existing land reclamation and a typhoon shelter, from Central to North Point, all to ease traffic flow across the northern part of the island. That huge hole is one of several along the northern shores of the island. It seems that capacity is built to meet demand, rather than lagging behind it by a generation or more like UK, which seems to spend its time in deliberation and pubic enquiry. The Brits did it here, but it doesn't seem that they can do so at home, and this 'do it' capability seems the same since Handover. Change on the surface continued with a new airport in '98, built in the sea involving 97% of the World's dredging fleet, with all the attendant infrastructure of highways, tunnels and bridges, including a new huge suspension bridge coming on stream simultaneously to serve it. Hong Kong - "Just done it"!
Also, the businessmen are getting it done and the guys with their unchanged metal trollies of goods are still scurrying along the roads and pavements moving stuff to where it needs to be. The shops that open at 10am are still open and busy 12 hours later. Everyone seems to be going about the day with a purpose and at pace. The Noon Day Gun has remained to signal that traditions are intact and important, booming just below my hotel window on the dot of midday, the statue of Victoria and other relics of the past remain, including the trams and the Star Ferry. But, a few building names such as Prince of Wales have not unreasonably changed, now being occupied by the People's Liberation Army!
I spent 2 days at the 10s at HKFC. Exciting stuff of the highest levels and involving many big international names. I had only previously seen a very much club level tournament in Manila in '00. It was a big step change.
The 3 days at the Sevens were great. Starting at 2p because of the increased (28 team) format, so the first was a long and late one. Sat poured en route to the stadium and again during Scotland's match heavily, but it stayed away for the rest of the day and the rugby was good.
South Stand - full and thirsty!
Night came at 11am on Sat!
And the rain followed, but was short-lived!
Seven Cathay Pacific stewardesses catching the camera
On Sun, the rain stayed away until the very end and the rugby over all 3 days was great with NZ (boringly?) winning again. They are so disciplined and methodical. Fiji looked sharp all the way to the semi to be beaten by Eng who had looked indifferent up until then. But, they beat Aus in the playoff to be runners up while Eng were quite easily beaten by NZ in the Cup final.The rain finally came, in torrents, just starting as the fireworks did and turning to a deluge within seconds. It was a black rain warning and there were golf ball sized hailstones in some places.
But, did I think it was worth that finale of getting soaked, oh yes!
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