Farewells and Home Sweet Home

Farewell Dinner Group Photo

On Friday evening the 6th March we had our final meeting in Hong Kong. It was a wonderful meeting to bid us farewell and it was held, same as our welcoming dinner at the CCC (Craigengower Cricket Club) in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

From Left: PP Joseph Chan, DGE Ada Cheng, GSE Chair PP Stella Kan, Jonathan, DG Dr. Albert Wong, DGN Jason Chan

DG Albert says goodbye

Brendan's gift from DG Albert

GSE Vice-Chair PP Joseph "The Lion of Wanchai" proposes a toast to District 9270 and Rotary International

What a delightful evening it turned out to be. We were treated to our last delicious Chinese dinner by DG Albert Wong, DGE Ada Cheng and DGN Jason Chan. Other Rotarians present were District GSE Chair PP Stella Kan, GSE Vice-Chair PP Joseph Chan (the “Lion of Wanchai”) and the indomitable PP James Yick who spent the evening keeping most of the team in stitches as he performed his “magic” tricks.

PP James Yick up to his tricks

Lots of speeches were made and gifts exchanged and the upshot of the evening was that there was consensus that this had been a very successful, enjoyable and happy GSE trip. Poor PP Joseph Chan – he has given up a huge amount of his personal time to look after us – he must be looking back to normality in his business and private life. The team will join me in saying that he is without a doubt the most wonderful, dedicated Rotarian we encountered on our entire trip and that is no disrespect to the wonderful Rotarians in D3450. They have all been wonderful – unbelievable people to a man/woman. The Rotary insights we gained were out of this world. If this sounds like flowery speech let me assure you it’s not, it is deeply sincere compliments to all involved. I have never heard of a GSE trip were there were no hiccups, however minor, and we had none. Farewell to magnificent Hong Kong

Farewell to beautiful Macau

Saturday was spent sleeping late, packing and stressing about overweight luggage. That was the only stress on our trip – airlines can be cruel – it fills you with a sense of dread because you feel you are at their mercy come check-in time.

PP Joseph hired a bus to take us to Terminal 2 at the immense Hong Kong International Airport. When we arrived there we were met by PP Stella and PP Kenny Chow. It was sad to say goodbye to people who had become so much a part of our lives for our entire stay.

On the bus with PP Joseph, our buddy and mate

Check-in time came – we were all overweight, but now here’s the amazing thing. The check-in guy told us that we were too heavy for SAA but he could change our tickets to Cathay Pacific at no extra cost because they are not as stingy as SAA with luggage. We were overjoyed and all agreed with alacrity. The flight was also leaving 10 minutes earlier and ended up arriving in JHB a full 45 minutes before the SAA flight we were supposed to catch. If anyone from SAA ever reads this blog – you need to up your game, guys. It’s not tourist-friendly to make long-haul flights a nightmare over a couple of kg’s of luggage. Sorry to say it but I know which airline I’ll fly next time I go to Hong Kong.

The flight was wonderful – just by the way – when you order a scotch on Cathay Pacific you are served Chivas Regal – free of charge and as many as you can handle. All the in-flight movies are the very latest – e.g. Slumdog Millionaire and the absolutely wonderful “Changeling” starring Angelina Jolie – a must-see, by the way. The Cathay Pacific cabin crew are like your new-best-friends from the minute you sit down in the plane. Outstanding.

Arriving in JHB we shot through customs and had a 5-hour wait for our flight to Durban. Nivs managed to get on an earlier flight and we said goodbye. Santosh had a joyful re-union with his daughter Zhiva who was brought to the OR Tambo Airport to see him. We now know why she is the “apple of his eye” – what a lovely little girl, and so excited to see her Dad and open her presents.

I had my son and daughter-in-law come to see me. That was great and Brendan and I got to watch the highlights of the weekend’s Super 14 games in the Spur at OR Tambo where we all had breakfast together.

Then it was off to Durban where we met our loved-ones – what a pleasure to be home on a beautiful, sunny KZN day! Home sweet home!

Thank you very much to District GSE Chair Annette van Bergen for coming all the way to greet and welcome us home. Annette, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you presided over an absolutely great GSE experience for all of us. Thank you for your hard work and patience. We have met the incoming team from Hong Kong who are arriving in April and we know you are going to really enjoy their visit. They are a great group and we must pull out all the stops to make their visit here as enjoyable as they made ours. I speak on behalf of my whole team when I say we want to be involved in their trip so call us for any help, whether it is vocational, club or sight-seeing visits, we can’t wait to help.

Inbound Team from D3450 - (from left) Team Leader PP Alex Leung, Peggy, Lesley and Joseph
Thank you to everyone. I grew to love all the members of my team – what a great bunch they are. I miss you guys very much and I am looking forward to our report-back presentations. Signing off for the last time on this blog – Ngiyabonga kakhulu my friends. Viva Rotary and Rotary Foundation!!