Olympics Spirit

Several weeks ago, an overseas customer asked me if I feel excited about the upcoming Olympic Games. Being honest, I told him I'm not fancy about it. After all, Beijing is ten thousand miles away, and I just can't feel the blast from here.

Anyway, it's marvelous to see how people can get so crazy about the Olympics over here.

On last Wednesday (16-Jul), the Bank of China Hong Kong unveiled its own HK$20 dollar notes, limited edition collectibles commemorating the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The notes will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis at the branches. Each person will be limited to purchase one set of each type, per visit.

Started from Tuesday midnight, a large crowds of people queued in front of the designated BOCHK branches, despite of the heavy downpour plus thunder storm the whole night. Of course, some want to buy it for collection purpose, others for short-term investment purpose. Regardless what the purpose is, it's truly amazing to see the enthusiasm people was showing here. (I am neither a collector nor investor here)

The Hong Kong commemorative Olympic notes, which are sold individually for nearly seven times its face value. That means, this HK$2o commemorative Olympic notes is sold at HK$138.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6449011.html

Although we are not particular fancy about the Olympics, still, we get to participate in some of the celebration events, for 3 times so far. Our major channel is through Vincent's school where they give away free entry ticket to the students and their family.

On 12-Jul, we attended another Welcome Olympics Evening Show at the HK Olympic Equestrian Venue, located in Shatin. The security was pretty tight. We got to walk through a metal detection gate, our backpack & handbag were checked very thoroughly too.

Finally, we entered the Equestrian competition venue. This is the 1st time we actually visit the place where one of the Olympics events will be taken place. Cool !

A large stage was set up at the center of the course. However, it's not big enough for the audiences who sit rather far away, like us. Sigh.

The audience seat is 270 degree surround. Basically, there are 3 blocks there. Besides this 2 blocks, there is another block on the left too.

The evening show was started at 6pm. From time to time, we saw the artists who took part in the performance arrived and walked to the stage by using this walkway. I couldn't see clear who they are.

The opening ceremony. Really couldn't see who and what was on the stage there.

All of the artists who performed in this evening show are considered new people. I hardly hear of their name, besides EO2, Chan-Hew-Tung, AT17, Hiromi, Cheng-Yong, etc.

The most well known artist is Chan-Pak-Chueng (nick name : Ah Lek), who has connection to everything that is related to horses, perhaps you know that too. He show up at the very beginning of the show, took part in a short interview, then left the venue soon after his part ended (man in red).

After 30 mins, we started to feel bored. Anyway, we wanted to hang there a bit longer, cause we still hope to see superstars like Joey Yong, Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Kelly Chan would appear some where in the peak time.

We had lost our concentration on the stage very fast. Instead, we just sat there and listened to the not-so-good songs. The boys were more excited to see the planes that flied by though.

Sometimes, I would switch my eyes back to the 'tiny' stage and tried to see what's going on there. Besides the artists, some young dancers also performed the traditional Chinese dance. Although not so clear, I think it was pretty good.

Some 'Kung-fu' and 'Wu-Su' performances too. Damn, we really should have brought a binoculars here.

I happen to notice this part of the scene is quite extra ordinary. See the top of the seat there, it's like floated in the air and extended to the hill.

About an hour later, we all were getting real bored. Many people started to leave the place.

20 mins before the show ended, we left too. We felt rather disappointed because no surprises ever occured in that evening.

Anyway, the weather was very good that evening, though weather forecast said the opposite. Oh yes, in case it rains during the competition time, no umbrella is allowed. This is to ensure the view will not be blocked. The audiences can only wear the disposable rain coat that the organizer distribute to them at the entrance.

Since the competition venue is near to our place, we walked home instead of taking the free shuttle bus provided by the organizer.