The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is a three-day party with live entertainment as well as a beer garden. International teams will also compete in the Sa Sa International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour (Tsim Sha Tsui-side).

Workers have erected the spectator seating along the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui and this morning, preparations commenced on the racing infrastructure.

Around 05h30 this morning (yes, I was up that time!) barges started arriving. The huge vessels are being lined up to act a buffers of sorts to keep the water calm for the racing.

As I am typing this, the racing-boats have been offloaded and workers will soon begin laying the buoys for the lanes (picture below).

The 2011 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival

Date:

17 – 19 June 2011

Time:

17 June 2011: 1pm – 6pm

18 – 19 June 2011: 8:30am – 6pm 

Venue:

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

San Miguel Beer Garden

17 – 19 June 2011: 1pm – 9:30pm

Venue: UC Centenary Garden, East Tsim Sha Tsui

My family will again have a bird’s eye view from our apartment in Hung Hom, overlooking the racing venue.

With a plot to rival the fast pace of life in Hong Kong, I really enjoyed Icarus Over Hong Kong and to get a feel for the main character’s exploits in Kennedy Town, I even read the final few chapters in the Kennedy Town public park.

Preller returned to Hong Kong this week to launch his second product, The Twelfth Delegate.

He was hosted by Bookazine in Central’s Prince’s Building this morning, and will return there on Friday for a second autograph session.

A peaceful, tranquil area  in the midst of the concrete jungle that is Hong Kong’s Central district, St. John’s Cathedral is located at 4 Garden Road. 

The oldest Anglican building in the Far East, it is surrounded by other famous buildings such as the Bank of China Tower, HSBC Building, Legislative Council Building, Central Government Offices and the Court of Final Appeal.

My family has been worshipping at St. John’s ever since we first arrived in the city 4 years ago, and my kids have been blessed with their first Holy Communion at the Seat of the ArchBishop of Hong Kong.

For those who are interested, here is the schedule for Holy Week:

Palm Sunday 17th April

8.00 am Said Eucharist

9.00 am The Liturgy of the Palm and Solemn Eucharist

10.30 am The Liturgy of the Palm and Sung Eucharist (Mandarin)

11.45 am The Liturgy of the Palm and Sung Eucharist

2.00 pm The Liturgy of the Palm and Sung Eucharist (Filipino)

6.00 pm Taizé Eucharist

Monday in Holy Week 18th April

8.00 am Said Eucharist

6.00 pm Stations of the Cross & Eucharist

Tuesday in Holy Week 19th April

8.00 am Said Eucharist

6.00 pm Stations of the Cross & Eucharist

Wednesday in Holy Week 20th April

8.00 am Said Eucharist

6.00 pm Stations of the Cross & Eucharist

Maundy Thursday 21st April

8.30 am Diocesan Eucharist with Blessing of Holy Oil and Renewal of

Ordination Vows

1.15 pm Said Eucharist

7.00 pm The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday. Solemn Eucharist with the

Washing of Feet,the Stripping of the Sanctuary and the Watch

Good Friday 22nd April

9.00 am Morning Prayer

10.30 am Good Friday Service (Mandarin)

12.00 noon All Age Worship

1.30 pm Liturgy of the Day

Easter Eve 23rd April

9.00 am Morning Prayer

6.00pm Evening Devotions (Cantonese)

8.00 pm The Easter Vigil Liturgy with lighting of the Pascal Light (English,Chinese & Filipino)

Easter Day 24th April

8.00 am Said Eucharist

9.00 am Sung Eucharist for Easter Day

10.30 am Sung Eucharist for Easter Day (Mandarin)

11.45 am All Age Easter Liturgy with Baptism and First communion followed by

Easter egg hunt

2.00 pm Sung Eucharist for Easter Day (Filipino)

6.30 pm Solemn Choral Evensong

Monday of Easter Week (Public Holiday) 25th April

9.00 am Said Eucharist

Easter Day, as are most religious celebrations at St. John’s, are very family-centered. The church’s Easter Egg Hunt, one of my kids’ favourite events, takes place in the lush garden adjacent to the church.  While the kids have their fun scurrying around the shrubbery, parents are treated to hot cross buns and tea and the church hall.

————————————————————————————————————————————————–               HowzitHongKong.com stays in touch with home listening to Soli & Grant, only on The Taxi

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The theme of the photo exhibition includes lifestyle, people and wildlife, adventure and natural scenery, to present the richness of South Africa in different angles.

The groundbreaking event will also introduce the work of an emerging abstract artist Lee Chaldecott.

Oliver Kingston an emerging digital photographic artist has this to say:

“Photography has always held the allure of essence through images. The ability to communicate hidden meanings and subtext has previously been a form of subconscious prompting limited to film and literature. The birth of the digital photographic medium has now changed that in an exciting and beautiful new way”.

An excited Tembi Tambo, Consul-General of South African Consulate-General, Hong Kong/Macau added:

“Through this exhibition, we would like to exhibit the contemporary art and beautiful scenery of South Africa, to introduce South Africa in a different and more sophisticated way than people are traditionally used to. We hope that this first exhibition will be enjoyed by the Hong Kong community as we would like to do a bigger and more diverse event next year. “

South African Contemporary Art Exhibition

Date: 18 April to 1 May 2011

Time: Monday to Sunday ( 10 am – 10 pm)

Venue: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Atrium Painting Corner

If you’re interested in attending, or for more information, please the South African Consulate-General:

Eva Yan

Email: sacghgk1@netvigator.com

Tel: + (852) 2577 3279

The guest speaker on this occasion is Sir David Tang KBE.

Sir David has been a very supportive Branch Patron of the ROSL in Hong Kong, ever since this Branch was re-founded in 1999. He is also the Honorary Consul for Cuba to Hong Kong. He was the founder of the China Clubs in Hong Kong, Singapore and Peking; of the Pacific Cigar Company; of the Shanghai Tang shops; of Cipriani and Island Tang in Hong Kong; and of the China Tang restaurant within London’s Dorchester Hotel. Sir David is a regular columnist in the Financial Times, and a very active supporter and donor to a wide range of charities and cultural organisations.

Sir David Tang KBE will speak at the ROSL Lunch at the China Club (Pic: The Guardian)

Sir David will give guests an overview of some important moments from his life, and then open the floor to questions from our guests.

This function will begin with the serving the ROSL champagne cocktail at the China Club’s 14th floor private dining room, from 12:15 pm.

A multi-course Chinese lunch will be served from 12:45 p.m., with wine or soft drinks, and this gathering will end at about 2 p.m., with tea or coffee.

Sir David’s address will be introduced at about 1:15 p.m.

Bookings will be needed in advance and early booking is strongly recommended, with the completion of a booking form.

The venue is the China Club, Old Bank of China Building, Bank Street, Central, Hong Kong.

Prices are:

Members: HK$375.00

Non-Members: HK$425.00

For forther information, please contact Rose Hill via the ROSL website

(Additional pictures by The Independent)

One of the functions I attended in the run-up to the Sevens-weekend was the welcoming party for the Zimbabwean Sevens Team.

The function was held at my favourite Thai restaurant in the Wan Chai party-district, Nana Banana and was attended by the respective Consuls-General, Tembi Tambo (South Africa) and Paul Chikawa (Zimbabwe).

Naturally the food was great, the drinks flowed and the players entertained the guests with some of the team songs:

Then after the tournament (Sunday evening) the Zimbabwean team also entertained guests at the official Awards Dinner at the Marco Polo Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui:

Here are some images I took at Nana Banana:

Cheers Cheetahs! See you at the 2012 Hong Kong Sevens.

However, this week I was part of a truly special event ahead of the 2011 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

On Wednesday I was fortunate to be at King’s Park where 10 boys from the Soweto Schools Rugby Programme had a meet-and-greet with the Springbok Sevens team.  The youngsters traveled to Hong Kong with Chairman of the Laureus Foundation South Africa, Morne Du Plessis who was here as a guest of the Southern African Association in Hong Kong (SAAHK).

Of course there were a lot of cameras in attendance but even I was inspired (and somewhat emotional) listening to Morne interact with the boys while the BlitzBokke were going through their training paces on the pitch.

Sevens skipper Kyle Brown also made the boys’ day when he gave a impromptu chat when the two side eventually got together.

Brown said: “The theme of this team is ‘touching people through rugby’ and there a lot of synergies btween that and the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. It is very inspiring for us to meet these young people. Being where we are doesn’t come easy, you have to work hard and keep fit and focused in order to suceed. We are so pleased that the Soweto kids are here in Hong Kong to support us, I hope we do them proud in the tournament.”

He also shared a signed Springbok Sevens jersey with the Soweto kids and in return was rewarded with a signed Laureus jersey.

Another highlight was when the boys performed their “Soweto Haka” with the BlitzBokke, arm-in-arm, facing the ‘challenge.’

Goosebumps stuff.

The Soweto tour party will be guests at the Hong Kong Stadium today where the Hong Kong Sevens kicks off.

Here are some more images from the meet-and-greet:

The guest speaker this year was former Springbok captain Morne Du Plessis who had the guests hanging onto his every word.

Morne recounted some of his experiences as the manager of the Springbok side who won the 1995 Rugby World Cup as well as his thoughts on the role of former President Nelson Mandela.  I could be wrong but I seem to notice a glint in his eyes when he shared his excitement after meeting “his idol” Clint Eastwood.  Eastwood, of course, produced the movie Invictus which is based on the 1995 RWC.

Morne’s visit to Hong Kong is two-pronged as he also brought along 10 kids from a Laureus Foundation-sponsored project.  He also shared some of the projects that the Foundation is currently spearheading in South Africa.  More about this initiative in another post.

I’m not going to recount bits of his speech here.  Rather, I’m busy editing the clip I took and will post it on YouTube and on this page shortly.

In the meantime, here are some pics I Tweeted from the Dinner:

These 2 ladies parked themselves at the door and grabbed the Boys as they were leaving the Dinner.  Branco Du Preez may be fleet-footed on the pitch, but this time around he couldn’t escape! (Pic: Via iPhone on Twitter/FaceBook)

Morne Du Plessis’ speech at the SAAHK Sevens Dinner:

The event, open to all, will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, the 22nd March at Nana Banana, 117 Lockhart Road, Wanchai from 6:30pm onwards.

There will also be a lucky draw and prizes include a rugby shirt signed by the team, a bottle of champagne, a hamper of South African food favourites donated by Gavin and Lyndsay Walker, a couple of bottles of wine by the Sheppard Brothers Ltd. and a bottle of wine by the SAAHK.

Tickets for the raffle will cost HK$100 per ticket.

If you haven’t been, this is where you can find Nana Banana

The Zimbabwe Cheetahs celebrate winning the Shield in George

Needless to say, the team is in town for this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens where Zimbabwe will face Australia, Argentina and Canada in Pool F.

Also read:

Rwandans eye silverware in Hong Kong

Dream Sevens trip for Soweto youngsters

Hook us up on Twitter for more on the Hong Kong Sevens

The ball, which has been manufactured using authentic rugby ball materials, measures about 2.9metres in height, 4.7m in length and 2.9m in diameter – it can accommodate more than 3,300 standard-sized rugby balls inside!

The record setting giant ball will be auctioned to raise funds for those affected by recent natural disasters in Japan, Yunnan Province in China and Christchurch in New Zealand. The funds raised will be given to the Hong Kong Red Cross to assist its relief efforts in the three countries.

Howzit-HongKong.com/BlitzBokke.com was there and recorded some footage from the afternoon’s event:

The world’s biggest rugby ball… the unveiling (Footage: Mike Jansen)

The HK7s players’ impromptu skills display (Footage: Mike Jansen)

Here are some more pics from Cathay and some that I took in the afternoon: