Are you surprised that I actually do sports? Well you should be if I do. Sorry I don't. (In fact,…read morethe last time I had my hands on a basketball or my feet on a football was when I was in Physical Education lesson in high school. I swear.) Anyways, I review on this mainly because Southorn Playground is such an iconic place in Hong Kong and no one does not know about this place, whether you do sports or not. Southorn Playground is a recreational and sports facility at the heart of Wan Chai that consists of basketball courts, kids' playground and a football field. No matter when it is, you are bound to see loads of sweaty shirtless men doing all kind of sports, (or maybe some elderly just playing chess... or lying on the bench chilling...) I am actually pretty surprised how much heat they can take... anyways, for those people who live in Wan Chai, it is a perfect place to just chat with locals and spend a lazy afternoon there. During lunch hour, when everywhere is super packed, some choose to order take-out and eat it here as well mainly because it is spacious. However sometimes if you are there long enough, you will find the interaction of people here rather amusing. For example, some drunkies will yell at whoever is playing at the court saying how badly they are playing; some girls crying over their boyfriends, businessmen constantly on their phones and stuff... Just be observant and you will find an ordinary place like this can be quite unordinary.

Yesterday, as my boyfriend and I walked towards Exit A3 in Wan Chai station, we noticed the…read more'Southorn Stadium' and wondered whether that was part of the adjacent playground or if it was something else. After some research, I found out that they are different things, but part of the same complex. I have reviewed the playground previously and hadn't taken this area into account. The Southorn Stadium is in fact an indoor stadium managed by the Hong Kong Southorn Association. It can accommodate around 2,000 people, but there's room for an extra 500 seats that can be added. I wouldn't have imagined that given the size of it from outside (but then again I'm really bad with figures). As you come in, there's a big lobby at the entrance and you'll find the ticketing office on the left hand side. There are entrances on both sides of the lobby to the main arena which is 28x15 m with two led screen at both sides of it and 6 different exits. Toilets are located on both sides too. This arena is usually used for basketball games as it was originally designed - the size of the arena has the standard international basketball ground and it's got wooden flooring. However the space can be rented out by companies, associations or non for profit organizations for events of other nature (culture, music, education, sports, etc.) for as much as 10,000 per session (4 hours) and at any time during the day from 9am to 11pm. The stadium was renovated in 2013 and it looks today as modern as ever.

This might be the wrong platform to say this, but I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to all…read morethe victims of the HK fires at the Wang Fuk Court buildings. I've been visiting Hong Kong since childhood, and seeing what has happened to our Cantonese/Chinese/Asian family and community is truly devastating. I'm speechless -- the negligence is unforgivable. God(s) bless Hong Kong, and may the city and its people remain in our prayers always.