Monday DESPITE the late night at the Dynasty Club with our VIP guests on Varig's inaugural flight from Brazil to Hongkong, I wake early in the knowledge this will be a long week of short nights.
After a quick dose of caffeine (being Italian, this is the only way to start the day), I drive to my office in the Lippo Centre to deal with the weekend's paperwork. With 40 Brazilian VIPs in town, a mountain of faxes and telexes is inevitable, but my secretary, Suan Cheng, soon puts it all in order.
Being on the 21st floor, my office has a great view across the harbour. Today, however, the weather is miserable - not ideal for our planned trip to Stanley Market. A quick chat with Janny Yau at Swire Travel and a new itinerary is sorted out.
After putting the finishing touches to the arrangements for this evening's inaugural dinner reception in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom, I catch the MTR to join the group for lunch in the Regent.
Then back to the office and more faxes to answer before heading home for a quick shower and change of clothes before tonight's gala dinner.
More than 300 people pour into the ballroom, which looks stunning. The room is decorated with hundreds of lanterns, and there is a 20-piece Chinese classical orchestra, calligraphers and a lion dance. I am thrilled to see the local guests queueing alongside the Brazilians to watch the various demonstrations.