Ron and Debbie Baillie returned to the territory on Tuesday night, two years after leaving for a new life in Australia. They missed the excitement and pace of Hong Kong, and deliberately decided to return in time for the Rugby Sevens. But like thousands of others, the former Island School sweethearts are finding tickets elusive and expensive.
What's on your mind? Debbie: It's good to be back. We wanted to be back before the Sevens. We had a lot of things to finish off so that we could get here in time.
Are you back for good? Ron: We'll see how it goes. They might throw us out, you never know. I lived in Hong Kong for 23 years before, this is more home than anywhere else for me. It was relatively quiet in Sydney. Really we just missed Hong Kong and the feeling of being connected to the rest of the world.
Would tickets for the Sevens make a perfect homecoming party? Debbie: It would be a nice lead-in to Hong Kong life again. I'm sure we'd spot quite a few familiar faces, too. What's the point of being here for Sevens weekend if you can't go? Did you realise how tough it would be to get tickets? Ron: We were planning to go on the morning of the first day to see if there was anyone selling tickets. The first thing I did on the plane was grab hold of the South China Morning Post to find out what was going on. There was an ad saying 'Desperately wanted, Sevens tickets'. A lot were for sale in Australia, in the clubs down there, but it's a closed shop and you can't get hold of them.
Debbie: It used to be really easy to get tickets, but the last few years it's been impossible. I've been to about 10 in the past, including when I was at school. I used to sell T-shirts at the site, which was then the Football Club. You used to be able to just turn up at the door and get a ticket.
Ron: There is the thought that this might be the last one. What's going to happen to the Sevens in the future? What will you do if you can't get tickets? Debbie: We've got a few friends to call. If they haven't got tickets either then we'll probably be round their house watching it on the television, which is a pity. But we can do that and have our own little party.
