Being part of the same RI family, a group of fellow Rotarians & Rotaractors from RI District 2710 (Hiroshima, Yamaguchi) in Japan was warmly received on both September 17 & 18. A total of 17 Japanese delegates from RI District 2710, including 3 Rotarians and 14 Rotaractors visited Hong Kong this time. Most expressed that it was their first time to visit Hong Kong and they treasured this great occasion to meet local Rotarians and Rotaractors very much.
Welcoming dinner was held on the night of September 17 at a traditional Chinese restaurant. With the support from our fellow Rotary District leaders, together with the hospitality of 25 local Rotaractors, all Japanese delegates enjoyed a fun-filled night in Hong Kong.
Before the commencement of dinner, we sang Rotaract song together. Familiar melody, repeated lyrics “Come join the world of Rotaract” broke the barrier of language difference as well as cultural difference among us, giving us a memorable start of the night.
During the dinner, DG David gave a welcoming speech and introduced his yearly project “The One” to the Japanese delegation. All Japanese Rotarians and Rotaractors were so impressed by this meaningful project. Following DG David’s presentation, DRC Vincent also expressed his heartfelt welcome to the Japanese delegation. Besides, through her presentation, DRR Edwina further pictured the structure of RI District 3450 and showed the attractiveness of Hong Kong to all the delegates. Meanwhile, DRR Noriko Ogura of RI District 2710 also showed thankfulness to our hospitable receive and proper arrangements on their visit.
In return for that, representatives from both RI District 3450 & 2710 exchanged their district souvenir as nice gesture.
Group photos, games, body languages, smiling faces could be seen throughout the dinner, the whole VIP room was flooded with uninterrupted laughs. Keeping up the exciting mood, our district board members led the Japanese Rotaractors to some famous tourist spots, including the Avenue of Stars, the Victoria Harbour, Bar Street in Knutsford Terrace at Tsim Sha Tsui. Our friendship is thus building up invisibly and speedily.
More highlights came on the next day. Over 20 Rotaractors from Japan and Hong Kong joined the sightseeing day. All the Japanese delegates were brought to some other well-known tourist attractions in Hong Kong, namely Hong Kong Museum of History, The Peak, Pottinger Street, Lascar Row and Man Mo Temple in Central, Ladies’ Market in Mongkok, shopping centres in Causeway Bay. They also got the chance to take tram, one of the earliest forms of public transport in Hong Kong, from Central to Causeway Bay. Above all, they were guided to try many different local foods, like Dim Sum, sugar cane juice, egg tarts. All these experiences were so fresh to them and we shared a joyful day together.
Though two days time was undoubtedly too short for all of us, we did cherish every moment to play, share and make friends with each other. Hopefully, this strong linkage between two RI Districts can be kept up forever and we are looking forward to our visit to RI District 2710 as well.