HK Sevens (23-26Mar12)

Hong Kong has never really been at the top of our travel destinations (since it's kinda touted as just another Singapore) but who can resist the festive HK Rugby Sevens held annually? We couldn't. So off we went on a 4D3N trip to this vibrant city. Before we talk about rugby, let's run through some of the eating places that we conquered.

I have been aggressively promoting a restaurant called Sushi One in Tsim Sha Tsui just below our hotel (stayed at Citadines Ashley btw), simply because of their 50% off sushi sashimi & other dishes after 10pm! To avoid disappoint, please arrive at 930 and start queueing. See photo to believe. Was afraid that quality & portion might be compromised due to the promotion, but boy were we pleasantly surprised. This must be the cheapest uni (or sashimi for that matter) I've ever eaten. Can't remember but it's about 10 or 20+sgd for a crate?! That's just insane. The menu is diversified, sashimi portions are big, and freshness is there. What more could we ask for? We ordered mostly premium items. But even with sake, total bill came up to be less than sgd60! Last order 1130pm. Plenty of time. I just did a check online and found they have other outlets but not sure if the same promotion stands. Do not miss =)

- Somewhere near our hotel there's this really good meat stall so we packed half a suckling pig and a fat goose leg back chez moi. Paired with red wine. Pure enjoyment.
- One morning, we went to this really traditional dim sum place (can't remb the name) but not quite a fan of it as the portions are HUGE and food's not to our taste. But interesting setting that brings you back to the old times.
- Headed to Harbour City for some window-shopping. Great view of Hong Kong's night skyline from the Star Ferry Pier/Avenue of Stars.
- Dinner at Al Mono Ristorante Italiano by the waters. Good crowd on a weekend night. A tad expensive but nice atmosphere.
- Lunch at 南海一号 (Nanhai no. 1) on level 30 of Isquare (in Tsim Sha Tsui as well). Awarded a Michelin Star recently, you can expect steeper-than-average prices. But I recommend going for their lunch menu that's extremely value-for-money. Spent arnd sgd30 per person. Superb view and good food!

Here comes the rugby at the Hong Kong Stadium. Love.The.Atmosphere. It's half rugby, half party! See the South Stand? If your com's good enough to zoom into the photo, you'll find lots of qwerky & hilarious costume-dressers. What a sight. Spot, also, some dudes balancing god knows how many beer jugs!

The real rugby action. Huge Chinese firecrackers were set off to signal the start of the exciting finals between Fiji and New Zealand. Fiji won convincingly. Nice. Ended with a very pretty display of fireworks. Wooo. We will be back.

More food coming your way. That, to us, is what HK is all about.
- Japanese BBQ at Yakiniku Gyukura (also at Isquare). Not bad but not the best. Price is a lil steep.
- You may not believe it, but we managed to bring an entire goose back to Singapore, UNCHOPPED. Yes, we hugged and lugged it all the way back! Worth every effort. Bought the prized possession from a meat stall in Happy Valley. Tops. Stuff it in a cooler bag to avoid oil leakage (get from the supermarket).
- Simple but oh-so-yummy Wan Ton Mee from around our hotel.
- Last meal at Maxim's at the airport. Shouldn't have, because the food there totally paled in comparison to what we had been eating the past few days...

HK Sevens 2013 perhaps??