Announcement:

May 21st: Annual Ball with Rtn. Francesco deciding using professional from Ocean Park, Ms. Lisa Tsang and a band. Guest price has been reduced too. Bring some guests.
May 20: Meeting moved to Annual Ball.
June 3rd: Inter City Dinner Meeting with RI Directors at the Regent Hotel. Our target is 2-table of attendance. Chinese meal. Start with "Sucking pig" end with "…" Please bring your spouse as the RI directors' spouses will be presented too. Please sign up with Deborah.
May 28th: China Rotary Village Opening call Nick ASAP.

Did you put down those dates in your appointment book? Are you sure? Don't lie to yourself.

President Nick welcomes Rotarians and guests to our regular but well attended lunch meeting.

Fellowship Chairman PP Nigel noted that there is not visiting Rotarians. And:

Rtnne Caroline, better half of Rtn. Nico Kooij.
Ms. Lisa Tsang, Guest of Rtn. Francesco Cavazonni, will be organizing our events next week. FYI, Ocean Park's Panda Grand Opening will be next Monday.
Mr. Kevin Jones, Tim Brears, Elizabeth Thomas, Guests of Rtn. Kishore.

Sergeant-at-arm, PP Nigel's official chauffeur, Rtn. Daphne announced the donations is 940 and the raffle raised 550 totaling $1490 surpassed the target set by Hon. Treasurer Rtn. Simon in our coming year budget. Yes, this is pressure.

The Speaker

International Director Nico introduced Mr. Kaarlo V. Schepel. Kaarlo arrived HK in 1976. He is in the travelling business and import / export. With David Bottomley, they have conducted all kind of walks. Kaarlo has been representing HK in International Chess contests, and he regularly assists SCMP chess page.

Kaarlo was a merchant seaman, which brought him to HK. On the second day in HK, he traveled to countryside. He noted that currently 45% of HK land area is still countryside. Many of his friends found this to be unbelievable but true. He loves hiking because of his previous job as merchant seaman. While on sea, he did not have much chance seeing land Thus, he loves to see more land.

His long-time hiking partner Mr. David Bottomley is an Australian. He is a living legend in Marketing Research and public opinion pollster. He is starting a new market survey company in China. Nico knew David for about 4 years. Their Magic Walk held weekly walk 50 people members from all countries: Europeans, Asia, Americans, Chinese, and more. Through this Magic Walk, they made many friends.

Knowing that there had not been a HK hiking book for more than 9 years, Kaarlo started his hiking book writing career. Several of his books have been no. 1 as the best selling list for more than several weeks. Five of his books on hiking were collaborated with the SCMP. Having been a best seller, Kaarlo assured the audience that good writers can be a millionaire from multi-millionaire. On the other hand, he also promotes HK as a hiking destinations working with HKTA. Kaarlo and David has provided selfless service to Hong Kong people.

Magic Walk's has many different hiking routes. With the current infrastructure, Yuen Long to TST and Central is only 25 minutes away. Magic Walk have some difficult routes, and there are easy routes that even an 85 year old member can handle easily.

Kaarlo's favorite route is on Lantau Island looking over the Jetfoil passage. The Walking club is free to join. No obligation no attendance. Hmmm…..

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

President Nick presented the 2 awards to the fellows:

Mr. Kaarlo Schepel & Mr. David Bottomley.

By some really remote chance, you may not know who Paul Harris Fellow is. Please see Internet tip of the week.

President Nick thank our speakers indicating that his walk last time drew equally big crowd Rtn. Barrett and Rtn. Mimi.

Internet Tip of the week:

Of course the website of all website. Rotary International website:

http://www.rotary.org/

You can order all kinds of Rotary Publication.

Find information about Rotary from procedures and forms. And Many things about Rotary.