I went to Hong Kong SAR last month immediately after the conclusion of Malaysia Open.
I experience a culture shock after checking in into the notorious Chung King Mansion at Tsim Sha Sui area.
However, as my first visit to Hong Kong, I did the tourist thing and visited the usual area like the Peak, Lantau Island, Stanley and a day trip to Macau SAR.
However, Hong Kong is well known for shopping, being tax free.
Badminton shops are located all over the place like Mongkok, Jordan and Central. However, I visited the famous sneaker street or Poh Hai Gai in Cantonese.
The famous Rose Sports, well known from Badminton central. However, I found to my disappointment that Rose Sports is not a dedicated badminton shop but sells hiking shoes/bags and other sporting stuff. Badminton racquets are few.
Racquets at Rose Sports
Mizuno/Yonex Shoes at Rose Sports.
One of the shop with a much bigger selection than Rose Sports, ESL Racquets and Sports Megashop.
This is my second visit to Kuching Sarawak. However this time with the added bonus of watching Malaysia Open.
The stadium where the event is held is called Stadium Perpaduan. Located in a sports complex area called Petra Jaya which is similar to Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur.
There is even a large aquatics centre for swimming competition.
The stadium is located pretty far from Kuching town, I did take an uber to get there costing around RM 16...and return I took a Grab car back to the hotel.
Funny thing, the players are staying in Kuching Town, and I was shocked to see Chen Long in a 7-11 shop buying ice packs as was the 7-11 cashier. Many Sarawakians are die hard badminton fans and badminton stars are easily recognized.
I managed to take selfie photos with some players while walking around the street of Kuching.
I saw Lee Chong Wei coming back from training to the Grand Margherita hotel whilst I was about to board a minivan to the Sarawak Cultural Center.
Many players were seen doing their laundry at a 24 hours laundromat, owing the pricey hotel laundry service...
Anyway back to the action.
The stadium is pretty big with many seats.
The interior of the stadium.
The center ceiling of the stadium.
Four courts during the 1st day.
Local team playing...
Freezing the jumpsmash using high shutter speed. However, I did not have a high aperture lens to let in more light. My telephoto lens is a constant F4.
Pro cameraman in action.
Another cameraman with Bazooka Telephoto lens. Lens can get pretty big and expensive once you shoot sports photography professionally.
The sponsor of Malaysia Open is Victor, hence a booth selling Victor stuff.
Bags...
Racquets...
The Victor booth. I did not buy anything there. Prices are pretty competitive with most badminton shops.
There is even an autograph signing session by Victor stars, like Kim Ha Na etc.
This Malaysia Open witness a dream final between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, with Lin Dan finally beating Lee Chong Wei in the final.
I have just returned from Bangkok, watching the Thailand Masters at the Nimibutur Stadium.
The stadium is located in the sports/stadium cluster. There is the BTS stadium called National Stadium.
Below are the views, shot from the Holiday Inn Hotel's top floor.
Picture 1. The indoor stadium, where the game was held
Picture 2. The track and field stadium
Picture 3.The main stadium
Centrally located at the Pathumwan area, the Stadium is next to the famous Mah Boon Krong or MBK.
Tickets cost 200 Baht for quarter-finals and 400 Baht for semi-finals.
The stadium is dimly lit with the main lights focus on the courts.
There is also tight security where policemen and policewomen will check your bags after you pass through the metal detector.
Picture 4. Policeman manning the entrance to the seating area
There is a Yonex booth, media booth and history booth.
Picture 5. Yonex booth
Local Heroine, Ratchanok Intanon was spotted signing autographs and taking photos with fans during the semi-finals.
The Yonex booth displayed latest gears like racquets, bag and clothes.
The latest, Duora Z-Strike was available at the booth as well.
However, the price is retail price and I did not buy anything. Besides the Thai sports shopping street is just behind the stadium and prices are much lower.
The stadium is a bit old, but it is well maintained though.
Picture 6. Layout of the stadium
The atmosphere was quite lively as other Thai athletes came in a group, singing and chanting,'Thailand! Thailand!" accompanied by drums and dancing.
Picture 7. One of the colourful Thai supporters
Surprisingly, the stadium is so near the hotels that the players were seen walking to the stadium on foot. Besides after the game, many players can be seen going to MBK and Siam Paragon.
Although less lively than the Indonesian Open at Istora Senayan, badminton watching in Thailand is an interesting experience. The Thais are very polite, well organised and respectful of opponents.
Picture 8. Thai player doing the 'Wai' to the supporters and spectators.
All in all, my first experience watching badminton in Thailand. Of course, a great holiday, which I thoroughly enjoyed; combining eating, shopping and watching badminton.
Here is the mini movie I made about the trip. I realised that I still need a lot of experience/skill to edit a proper vlog. My editing and story telling, will need improvement, though.
