Unlike before, where the annual Chinese New Year Night Parade extended all the way to East Tsim Sha Tsui, the Parade will this time around be limited to Tsim Sha Tsui.

The Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is one of the best-loved events of the entire Chinese New Year celebrations and certainly a must-see on my family’s list.

The theme this years is World City, World Party and as always the parade features illuminated floats accompanied by spectacular international and local performing groups.  In previous years some South African troupes were flown in, although I don’t remember any Saffas taking part last year.

There is always a carnival atmosphere as festive crowds line the route around Tsim Sha Tsui to watch the colourful parade pass by, but if you don’t want to be in those throngs, you can always purchase a ticket that will guarantee you a great vantage point from a raised platform.

Tickets will go on sale from Saturday 22 January at HK$350/ $300/ $220/ $180 per person.  These are for spectator stands with seating at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Canton Road, Nathan Road and Salisbury Road.

The Night Parade is truly an international event in that it doesn’t only include Chinese culture and performers.  My favourite international act is, of course, the cheerleaders from the good ol’ US of A!

Here is your invitation to this year’s Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade:

This is what happened at the Night Parade last year:

Despite all the international acts, the Chinese cultural acts are THE draw-card for the crowds!

(This story originally appeared on BlitzBokke.com)

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) today announced that tickets for the 2011 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens will go on public sale on Saturday, January 22, 2011.

The price of a three-day adult event ticket in 2011 will be HK$1,250, with children’s tickets priced at HK$300 for youth aged 12 and under.

As usual, the initial pre-sale period will be limited to local Rugby Clubs, HKRFU Stakeholders and official Overseas Ticketing Agents. Following this, the HKRFU will stage a public ticket sale on Saturday, January 22, 2011.

Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the HKRFU, said “The HKRFU expects very strong demand for Sevens tickets in 2011 and like rugby fans around the world we look forward to another outstanding Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens next March.”

When considering tickets sold through local rugby clubs and other HKRFU stakeholders, 75% of all Sevens tickets are sold in Hong Kong. The HKRFU has confirmed that a minimum of 5,000 tickets will be made available for the local public to purchase on January 22. This includes a limited number of children’s tickets for kids aged 12 and under.

To ensure the widest possible distribution of tickets individual purchases will be restricted to a maximum of two (2) per person in any combination of adult or child tickets.

Tickets will be available through Hong Kong Ticketing’s online booking service and telephone hotline:

Telephone Hotline: +852 3128 8288

Online booking: www.hkticketing.com

Here’s our favourite video from the infamous South Stand:

Overseas fans can purchase tickets through 10 appointed Official Travel Agents or Cathay Pacific, the co-title sponsor and official airline of the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

Cathay Pacific and the Official Travel Agents offer a variety of packages including event tickets, travel and accommodation. Full contact details of these agents are available from www.hksevens.com.

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2011 will be held from Friday, March 25, to Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

See you at the Sevens!

This story originally appeared on BlitzBokke.com

I just caught the Cathay Pacific television advertisement for the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens on local English-language TV channel Pearl TV. Cathay Pacific is, of course the national airline/carrier of Hong Kong and co-sponsor together with Credit Suisse of the BIGGEST Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Circuit.

The tag-line for their 2010 advert is “The Fun Is Back”  but with the Adelaide Sevens looming (in the way) a week before, at this stage of the season we should amend that to “The Fun Is (Almost) Back. For now.”

Be that as it may, for any serious Hong Kong Sevens fan now is the time to start preparing for Hong Kong’s un-official rugby week.

If you haven’t yet done so, put in that saved leave-days at the office to make sure you have a least 4-5 consecutive days come March 26-28, 2010.

“But the Sevens is only three days long” I hear you protest.

Hey, trust me… you’ll need 4-5 days.

Three days for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, one (or two) days before to get into the spirit by catching the GFI HKFC Tens over at the Football Club, maybe even the Cable & Wireless Worldwide HK Women’s Rugby Sevens (same venue) on the Friday and, most importantly… a day (again, or two) after March 28 to recuperate (aka sleep-it-off).

On the home-front Boys, now is the time to bank some extra time in the ‘good-house.’ You do not want to be sleeping on the sofa after HK Sevens. Once more, trust me… you’ll need that good-house-time more. The boss can be worked with paperwork, but the Missus…neva!

Now is the time to be doing all those chores you’ve been putting off till ‘tomorrow.’ Arrive home with take-outs or a nice bunch of flowers (yes, you know by now: or two) or give her a totally un-expected, un-begged-for full body rub (or more) until you’re dead on your knees or back (or whatever rocks her world).

You’ll thank me after March 29.

Whether you take my advice or you have your own, do it now because, in the words of Cathay Pacific:

                                                             The Fun Is Back!

                              See you on March 26-28 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Cathay Pacific is running a competition where you can enter a video to win some fan-tastic prizes like flights, event tickets and many more. Simply go to their FaceBook page and enter your Sevens video.

(Fan-pic by: rugbydump.blogspot.com)

So most of the schools in Hong Kong are finally closed for an early summer break.  Some kids have already been at home for more than a week and they are already uttering those 3 dreaded words: “Mom/Dad… I’m bored!”

“Take them off to Pacific Place,” I say.  “That way they can have the run of a huge mall and learn something more about South African culture through local eyes.” 

South African Tourism is putting on an exhibition of great photographs from 10 top Chinese professional photographers titled “South Africa through the Chinese lens.”  If, like me, you’re on your way home to escape the Asia heat, what a way to ease yourself back into home.

The five day exhibition, the largest of its type to be held locally, aims to give visitors and appreciation of the attractive destinations, diverse people and culture of South Africa as seen through the eyes of 10 top Chinese professional photographers. 

The event was officially launched by Ms Tembi Tambo, The Consul-General of South African Consulate in Hong Kong; Ms Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing; and celebrity Mr Wong Chi Chung and his family. The exhibition will be on show from 24-28 June 2009 in the main Park Court of the mall.

Welcome to South Africa! Ms Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing (right), Mr Wong Chi Chung and family

Photos will be grouped into five themes – Lifestyle & Urban Life, Culture & Wildlife, Luxury Travel, Heritage & National Parks and Adventure & Scenic Beauty.

Ms Tembi Tambo, The Consul-General of South African Consulate in Hong Kong said, “It’s my pleasure to be here today. The photo gallery today is an excellent platform to showcase South Africa’s natural scenery, culture and urban life for different perspectives. I hope you will enjoy the beautiful photos and come to join us in South Africa in the near future.”

Tracy Qi, Acting Country Manager, Tourism Section, South African Embassy Beijing said, “We hope the photo gallery showcases South Africa as an attractive destination. Visitors to the country are frequently impressed by its scenic beauty, sense of adventure and breathtaking wildlife. In the lead up to the World Cup 2010, South Africa Tourism hopes this exhibition will showcase an accessible, friendly, and welcoming destination.” 

Details are as follows:

 Date: 24 – 28 June 2009 (Wednesday to Sunday)

Time: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Venue: Pacific Place – Park Court (88 Queensway, Admiralty)