What else is there to do in Hong Kong than shopping and eating?

Hong Kong, a city of lights, a city of people, a city of contrasting histories, a city of smog, a city of shopping centres and markets!!

For the last three years between September and November of each year, I go to Hong Kong for 3 very important reasons - rest, food and shopping - and not necessarily in that order!




This year was a little different - we had a fourth reason for heading to Hong Kong. November 2008 saw the very first Beldesloe Rugby match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks to be held outside of either Australia or New Zealand.

With tickets only available through being part of a tour package, or through sponsorship, or by being a Hong Kong resident, it was looking like attendance for us was to be via watching the game on the TV at home! By some amazing twist of fate, I ended up with the chance to purchase 3 tickets to the game, and to a pre and post match function! What an opportunity - one not to pass up!!!

We accepted to tickets, booked flights and hotels, and we were off to Hong Kong!!!


Going to the rugby in Hong Kong is not at all like going to a game in Melbourne! For a start, it is hot and humid! Secondly, it is the only place other than Wimbledon where it is possible to buy jugs (yes you read it right!) of Pimms and Lemonade! How civilised it that!!

The two teams came onto the field... the All Blacks war dance (Haka) was done....



The game started, the crowds cheered, the Wallabies scored the first try and the crowds cheered louder!

The game continued - both teams trying to deal with the heat, and the pace of the game.

Half time, and the score - Wallabies 14 - All Blacks 9.

After some more Pimms, and a jug of beer to wash it down, we were back for the second half....

The All Blacks - scored very soon into the second half, and the scores were level....





then they scored again.... the hopes of many a Wallabies supporters sank. In the end... they won!

Pineapple Lumps are better than Chocolate Fish. . .

For the last few months, I have been spending much of my time in New Zealand. For those who have never seen the land of the long white cloud, it is well worth a visit!

New Zealand is a country where the locals are very patriotic -- especially when it comes to their sport. With this in mind, I was apprehensive about heading to the capital of the South Island, Christchurch, where I know from past experience it is possible to be deported should one not have an awareness of the international sporting events in which New Zealand are playing! For me this was one of my early visits to Christchurch in which I innocently replied "What test?" when the questions was asked of me "Will you be watching the Test tonight?". For a Canterbury resident this would have been akin the ripping out their heart and watching it stop beating. I was advised in no uncertain fashion that this was "the test" the All Blacks versus the Springboks -- and never admit that you have no knowledge of same.

I learnt very fast. Sport in of national importance, and anything where we find New Zealand playing must be given utmost respect!

So, this trip, I was heading into the lions den! Australia had been flogged by the Kiwi team the night before my departure to Christchurch, so at least I would only have to deal with a little ribbing at the Green and Gold not being able to play rugby on Kiwi Soil!

Christchurch is a beautiful town which is set out like Worcester in England. Through the town flows the Avon River, and it is also known as a city of churches. In the centre of the town is the Christchurch cathedral -- and a town square surrounds it. During the summer months, you can find many buskers and speakers singing, dancing or speaking to the passers by!

When one lives in south life operates on a very different pace to that of the north, or in fact anywhere else in the world! For someone who spends their life working to specific times in order to get anywhere, this was a pleasant change of pace!

When travelling, food is always a challenge! Thankfully the links between Australia and New Zealand are such that there is only a few things that are different, and many things which are the same!

For the differences, one can go no further than Pineapple Lumps and Chocolate Fish! Culinary delights, which often cause much discussion, and can only be purchased in New Zealand!

Every trip I do overseas, I am normally asked for the odd bit of duty free shopping to be collected on my way into Melbourne Airport -- whenever I go to New Zealand, no bottles of vodka or gin, no, it is bring back bags of fish and pineapple lumps!!

When you go - try each, and you decide which is better. . .