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SCMP Reporter

While Michael Jordan is most often pictured in mid-flight, Hong Kong's ban on after-dark helicopter trips meant the basketball superstar had to use more down-to-earth means to enter the city last night.

Fresh off a private plane from the mainland, Jordan arrived at the Peninsula hotel in a silver seven-seater van shortly after 8.45pm to the cheers of about 100 fans waiting outside.

Wearing a grey and white T-shirt embossed with the Jordan logo, he spent about 10 seconds waving to assembled fans before heading into the hotel amid heavy security.

Less than two hours later, he slipped out of the hotel and went with his entourage to Central's exclusive Kee Club.

Police officers stood at both ends of Wellington Street when the group arrived. His bodyguards and club security guards cordoned off a segment of the street as Jordan, smoking a cigar, went inside. He is in town for just one day.

Outside the hotel, 21-year-old Kaka Hui, a Polytechnic University student, had been waiting with her 'No Mike, no life' banner since 5pm. 'When I first arrived it was empty so I thought I had missed him, but more people arrived so I knew I hadn't. Now that I have caught a glimpse of him, I am happy.'

Earlier in the day, Jordan attended the final of the mainland high school basketball championships in Beijing.

Minutes into the last period a huge scream went up as thousands of fans welcomed arguably the game's greatest player.

Though there was no repeat of the frantic scenes that awaited Jordan at Dongdan stadium the day before, the event's host did have to give a warning to calm the audience: 'If you don't calm down and sit down Michael will leave early.'

After presenting awards to the winning team, Shenyang No31 High School, and complimenting them on being 'very competitive', Jordan left. His entire stay lasted only about 20 minutes and fans were left milling around forlornly clutching their 'Michael is the King', or '23 fly forever' banners, their hero long gone.

One 19-year-old admitted skipping classes for a week to travel from Taiyuan in Shanxi province to see Jordan, saying 'my dream has come true'.

A Beijing boy who proudly sported Jordan's number 23 Chicago Bulls jersey said: 'To see Jordan is a compulsory masterclass  for everyone who plays basketball.'



His Airness Michael Jordan comes down to earth on flying visit