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Published: April 3rd 2007
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The first night out..
mmmmm Lychee Martini's Must Do List:
Hong Kong Rugby 7's. It happens around the end of March but you really have to get yourself organised at least 6 months in advance as the tickets sell fast. The Rugby runs over 3 days but get in a little earlier because once the Rugby starts, you’ll find yourself getting caught up in all the action.
I arrived on the Thursday at 3pm which gave me heaps of time to catch the Airport Express into Central then check-in and freshen up.
We had a plan..... Off to the JW Marriott for cocktails to watch Hong Kong day turn into night - I recommend the Lychee martini over the watermelon one. They have a great little tapas menu and all you have to do is mark your selection off on the little menu provided and hand it over to the waiter. This bar is a nice way to ease into the night, lovely comfy couches with floor to ceiling windows ensures you don't miss a beat of what's going on outside. There is the massive Ferris wheel, the neon lights and the endless sea of cars.
Getting hungry? Just go around the corner
to the Shangri-La and up to the 7th floor to 'Nada Man' Japanese restaurant. I had the beef tepenyaki set menu at $580HK ($90Aust) but could have shared it as the portions are generous, so come here hungry or just split it with a friend. The food was so fresh and when it's cooked before your very eyes it really does just melt in your mouth. The waiter was very helpful, pointing out which sauces go with each course. Tip 1: leave the sesame ice-cream alone and stick to the humble vanilla (what was I thinking?).
OK, so you've had a few sake's and starting to loosen up, time to check out the bars. We headed to Long Kwai Fong (LKF) and wend straight to Azure on the 29th floor of Hotel LKF - umm a bit too quiet here so we went down to the 2nd floor to a great little bar called 'Finds'. We got out of the lift to 'find' the ceiling covered with white feather boas, even the laps were 3 tiers of feathers with beading, so naturally we stayed. The crowd was hip n happy and there was also a large balcony area to
people watch from, or just sit yourself inside and get pumped for then stage of the evening.
After a couple of tequila shots and a cocktail it was time to hit the street below. People were everywhere and they were from all over the world but because there were a few expats from Sydney in our group we went straight to Wooloo Mooloo. Nice enough bar, nice enough people but I just new we could do better so after a few vodkas we were off again. "Wow" the streets were full of people - "twice as much as last night" Daniela from Singapore informs me. In our group of 5 there is me from Sydney, Cathy & Gary from London, Daniela from Singapore and Roisin from Edinburgh, so I wanted to know "how far have people travelled to be part of the 2007 HK Rugby 7s?" Well it seems they have travelled from all parts of the world to be there and for most of them this is not their first trip.
There was David of Challenger in Sydney, this was his first trip over for the 7's. He was going to meet up with mates, then head
down to Koh Samui in Thailand for some R&R after. Richard from London is the MD of Asia in his company so always manages to be in HK for the 7's. Trevor from Fosters group in Victoria Australia says this is the perfect event to invite VIP clients, 'the atmosphere is electric. You can't help but have fun here'. John of Rally Ireland in Dublin had not been to the HK 7's before but doubts he'll miss if from now on & Guy, a cricketer relocating back to Nottingham, didn't even have Rugby tickets but was glad to have a 3 night stopover anyway.
So, we had a great introduction into the nightlife of HK but we're here for the Rugby, so off we went.
We met up with more of our group who have made a 'homebase' for us at the Rugby. Over the next 3 days, someone will get here early and reserve our area up in door 304. Great seats really, quite high but they give us a wonderful view of the field and the 40,000 screaming supporters.
The rugby is so fast - 7 minutes a half with 2 minutes for half time
so pick a side and give it your all for the tam of the moment and before you know it that game is over and you find yourself rooting for another team. There were the favorites - Fiji - 11 time winners of the HK 7's, NZ - 8 times winners, Australia - 5 times and England - 4 time winners but, as I said to David of Challenge on the way over on the plane - "Go Samoa".
You'll see people dress up in all sorts of outfits, Borat was a favourite but I saw brides, Indian headdress, Rugby shirts everywhere, country colours flying, penguins, super hero's - it was fantastic the lengths that people went to.
Rugby is over for the day so we must eat. "What a feast". Everything from Peking duck to lobster, goose or the best vegetables you've tasted, wash it down with Moet and your guaranteed another great night out.
You can't help but meet people here, everyone is up for fun. Sit and have a chat at "Hey Hey" or get up and boggie at 'Drop'. Don't be afraid to wander down an alleyway, the best little bars are always
tucked away.
By now you know, Fiji lost to Samoa (22-29) in the final and it was about that time that I lost my voice but it was all worth it. I left HK saying 'I can't wait till next year' - and I will be back. I think for me 4 nights and 4 days is enough (unless you want to see the sights as well) I was happy to get on that plane, just to get some sleep and finally I’d like to thank Brian from San Francisco who let me put my pillow on his shoulder so my neck would survive the flight home.
“I love Hong Kong!!!”
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Roisin
non-member comment
You star!
Bridgie babe - the blog is fab - you were born to be a travel writer! Have a brilliant time on the next leg of your journey round China - and keep in touch! r x