What an amazing afternoon it was on that sunny day, on the 25th of May.  It started off as a trickle of people entering the store as we stood with our wine glasses and celebrated the launch of the Boat Race. Then more and more people arrived and at one point it was heaving. What a great feeling it was to see so many people there, who had taken out the time to come and support the event. Despite not being prepared to talk and being completely overwhelmed with the presence of all my wonderful friends and also people I had not met before, I managed to say a few words.

I would like to thank a few people who played an integral part in making this happen.

Firstly Arti Mirchandani, the lovely owner of Bookazine who invited me for the launch at the store. Thank you also to Ms Aurea and all the staff of Bookazine, Princes building, who were encouraging and helpful throughout the process. They created a beautiful invitation for the launch and displayed the books very well on the day. Thank you Arti. http://www.google.com/#q=bookazine+prince’s+building+hk

I must thank Cissy Chan, who handed out leaflets, served the drinks and looked after the guests to such an extent that people actually thought that she worked for Bookazine! Cissy had been the driving force in promoting my books in Hong Kong. She is also a very kind and generous lady and has bought many books to donate to school libraries.

A big thank you to Aiza and Alfred who have for all this time helped me transport books and all sorts to my book events at schools and to the launch.

Without my husband and my sons I would not have got this far. They have supported me throughout the process and their faces beaming with pride at the launch said it all. I especially thank Rohit for his input in all my illustrations, and all three of them for their undying patience.

I would like to thank Jason Ng a well acclaimed author who made the event very special by his presence. Please look at his website. http://www.jasonyng.com/  His books, Hong Kong State of Mind and No City for Slow Men are really good.

Most of all I would like to thank all of you, my friends. There were people at the launch from all walks of life in Hong Kong. My heart was filled with happiness to see you all there. It meant a lot to me that you came and supported my event. Without you it would not have been what it was. I thank you for being part of my life. I am so pleased I met you in Hong Kong.

More importantly I would like to thank all the children who came. I write from my heart for children. It is all about them and I was delighted to talk to them and make paper boats for them at the event. I hope you enjoy THE BOAT RACE and the other books.

Lastly our wonderful photographer, Monika Ganswindt, who is a good friend and fellow member of Connect GSIS. I would like to thank her for endlessly clicking away as people came and went over the long period. I don’t think she stopped once during the time. I will leave you now with some of her lovely photographs and I look forward to seeing you at the next one!

 

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