DDay -22

Observation #10:  Lan Kwai Fong, ahhhh, Lan Kwai Fong.  Think about Bourbon Street in the middle of the summer in Old New Orleans (hot, humid and vibrant) and you'll come close to getting the idea of what Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong is like.  It's a section of town between Central and the Midlevels heading up the mountain so it has steep hills and walkways, treacherous when you're trying to look sexy in your high heels and you've had a little too much of the good stuff.  On the weekends, the streets are restricted to pedestrian traffic only so it becomes one giant expat/tourist street party. There are lots of open air restaurants, bars and dance clubs and people dance in the street to the upbeat music blaring out of the clubs.

There is one bar called Marlin's which offers a free t-shirt if you can win the "10 Shot Challenge." There is a chalkboard where the bartender records the fastest time each player gulps down 10 shots and everyone stands around in the street cheering each other on as each player approaches the "walk up window" to prove they're the fastest guzzler in LKF.  Some folks dress in crazy outfits and some folks randomly dance with anyone walking down the street (they must have done the 10 shot challenge).

During the Rugby Sevens hosted in Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong goes from Bourbon Street to Brazilian Carnival overnight.  The word insane is an understatement.  Individuals move through the festively dressed crowds like ants moving through their mound of dirt.  It looks like uncontrolled chaos teetering on the edge of armageddon but it's actually carefully orchestrated since HK hosts the Sevens every year.  Lan Kwai Fong easily becomes the happiest place on Earth and it lasts for three solid days.

Lan Kwai Fong is definitely a meat market and everyone there is just looking to have lots of no-strings-attached fun.  It's harmless, though, and even during the Sevens I never felt violated or unsafe.  You just better be ready to be grabbed, danced with and maybe even kissed by a random stranger you've never seen before in your life and will probably never see again.  Ahhhhhh, Lan Kwai Fong.