Photo's from Hong Kong are to be added soon .....

It was 7am and I was on the first leg of my trip .... a one hour drive to the airport. I've got the station wagon packed solid with thirteen boxes of equipment, one suitcase of clothing and a laptop computer. As usual, while on the highway, I was constantly thinking as to what I had forgotten to pack.

" ..... passport, tickets, cloths, Betacam ..... oh geez ! .. did I pack my scanner radio ?"

I had organized to be at the airport two hours before the flight departed, mainly due to the delays I expected with excess baggage and the Carnet document that I needed for Customs to check over. All was going well, only a short delay with Qantas staff sorting out the waiver on my 220 kg (485 lbs) of excess baggage.

Finally I make my way to the Qantas 767 aircraft .... one quick stop first .... some duty free shopping, photographic film and a bottle of Rum (I'd carry a carton of Rum on a "Round the World" trip given the cheap duty free price).

At last I was seated, and taking off on the short flight to Cairns (one hour stop over to pick up more passengers).

When we re-boarded, I was confronted with the concern as to who I would be sitting next to for the next six hours .... would it be someone that will bore me with idle chat, a European wanting to practice their broken English on me or a young 18 year old youth that plays his walkman at full volume and discovers that drinks are free during the flight. To my surprise, I was soon talking to a middle aged man that turned out to be a Australian Federal Policeman (equiverlent of the FBI), giving us a few common interests of discussion.

The flight was ok, meals up to the usual standard and the best part, two in-flight movies that I hadn't seen beforehand (Jacki Chan's First Strike and Shadow Conspiracy with Charlie Sheen).

Arriving at Hong Kong ... enjoying the "entertaining" approach into the runway (just missing rooftops of buildings). Next step, getting fourteen cases off the carousel, through Customs, and out of the terminal building .... this was fun .... have you ever had to push two fully laden baggage carts on your own !

At last ..... Hong Kong .... 30 degree C (86 degree F) and 93% Humidity, and that was around eight at night. My Hong Kong driver with his van were there to meet me ... thank god ... I couldn't managed these two baggage carts much longer (not in these temperatures and crowds). The final leg now of the trip, the Hotel, the one part of this assignment that we were all to cherished.

The Conrad Hotel would have to be one of the best, if not the highest rated Hotels in Hong Kong. The staff there were the most efficient, always there and willing to help us (even if it was at $473 Australian a night). Every night there was a new gift for us in our rooms, being either a stuffed toy or some Caviar with crackers.

As soon as I had my luggage stacked in the room, it was time to find the other Seven Network guys that had arrived before me ... and where else would one find them ... the local bar drinking beer.

The next morning, what can I say .... my first day on assignment and I had a slight hangover. A combination of constant drinking during the flight over, topped off with a few rounds of beer with the co-workers. Not a good start for the assignment !

Day One Fri 27th
First thing was to get my Accreditation sorted out. As usual, this takes a few hours ... waiting in ques, filling out forms, a photo taken and what !!! , after all this time, the accreditation will not be ready for 24 hours !

Next a few quick promo shots with Reporters Stan Grant and Mike Amor, and the rush across Wan Chai to get to the feed point. I can tell you, it's not a good idea to be running in Hong Kong, especially during the hot day, and while carrying equipment.

Day Two Sat 28th
Shoot story with Chris Reason on the Editor of a local Newspaper & TVW cross

Day Three Sun 29th
4am Sunrise cross with Mike Amor. Lunchtime, standups with Chris Reason and Alison Fan at the Lookout. Afternoon walk in Wan Chai looking for Newspaper related shots, TVW cross,

Day Four Mon 30th
4am Sunrise Cross (Mike Amor), 9am cross for 11AM, and afternoon setup for 4 hour night time cross of the Handover ceremonies. Towards end of cross, strong gust of wind blows over light stand, causing bulb to blow and mains power fuse to trip. Ever tried to find an electrician at 3am who speaks english. Finally got about one hours sleep on the floor of the Acadamy of Performimg Arts building

Day Five Tue 1st
4am Sunrise Cross (Stan Grant), 11AM cross cancelled due to rain. Afternoon cross with individual sessions with each of the Seven Network stations. Late edit (Stan Grant story story)

Day Six Wed 2nd
Pack up gear day and vacate the Media Center. Store equipment back at Conrad Hotel, then shoot standup and record voice over for Alison Fan. Quick trip down to WTN to send Alison's material out on the satellite. Night time, and we all go to a local restauent for diner.

Day Seven Thurs 3rd
Standup with Mike, record voice over, feed out at WTN, visit Nuno and lunch, quick stop at shops, final pack and off to the airport