Before you knew it I was receiving LIVE gifts in appreciation of my efforts. Perhaps it was audience sympathy – they may have thought I was past my cell by date – but whatever the reasons the livestream ranked number three in Hainan that day.
Airports
How a €3,000-plus lucky lighter proves it really does pay to shop duty free
Irish auctioneer Gormleys is putting the lighter under the hammer – hopefully not literally – with a guide price of €2,300. Already it has attracted a bid of €2,900 and that’s likely to go much higher.
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Promotions
How CDF created a new style of duty free gift-rapping
Hey presto, like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, with the adept deployment of a strategically placed dot CDFG created Dottie as an emblem of its world-class shopping offer.
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Events
Creating unforgettable memories with Maison Margiela
Chris Lee, delicate, almost bird-like in her androgynous beauty, was the star of the show, generating a rapturous reaction from hundreds of fans gathered for the event launch.
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Quirky
Assessing the great Olivetti vs ChatGPT showdown
Ah, even saying the word ‘Olivetti’ out loud fills me with affection and nostalgia. I learned my craft on it. I didn’t need ChatGPT then just as I have never felt the need for an automatic garage door.
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Quirky
Filling in time before filling time as we say ‘Hello Hong Kong’
There that didn’t hurt a bit, did it? My dentist in the 1960s, a Dr. Landsberg, used to say that after drilling through my young teeth and practically straight through to the other side of the earth (which from Christchurch would be A Coruña in Galicia, Northwest Spain, which might explain my later predilection for Ribeiro wines).
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Quirky
Years of sorrow become tears of joy
Armed with my trusty Pokefi, I am seldom out of wi-fi contact. Trains, boats and planes, Ubers, it makes no difference. Heck, one day I might even get to post a story on a helicopter or in a submarine (though that would technically make me a sub-editor).
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Quirky
In search of Christmas miracles and festive rituals
‘Mistletoe Moments’ brought me a fortune balm, together with an instruction to prep, moisturise and protect my lips before applying my festive lipstick shade. I am still pondering my preferred colour though I suspect it might be New Zealand Pinot Noir red at lunchtime.
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Travel
I’ve been everywhere, man; I’ve crossed the deserts bare, man
Talking Heads and talking points. Road to Nowhere and Flights to Nowhere. I’ve been everywhere, man and it’s a long journey home. There are some great contenders for a travel retail anthem.
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Travel
Of Irish jigs, Triple Salchows and an end to Hong Kong hotel quarantine
In the face of inevitable and glittering industry acknowledgements Martin, you will always be more famous as the guy that did the Triple Salchow off the hotel bed during lockdown.
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Quirky
Celebrating 20 years as The Muffy Report is born for a day
Matilda’s name (and I’m not making this up) was taken from Australia’s beloved folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, a result of her penchant for stepping waltz-like from side to side.
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Quirky
Three RATS and a full moon in Hong Kong
Yesterday as I was packing to go and checking all the quarantine room drawers for my belongings, I noticed the room safe for the first time. If only I had spotted it earlier I may not have stolen my own passport.
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Miscellaneous
Mounting a challenge at Mount Juliet
“It’s not how, it’s how many.” With that well-worn golf phrase and a wry smile did Paraguayan pro Fabrizio Zanotti try to temper my disaffection with another ropey golf shot at the Horizon Irish Open Pro Am at Mount Juliet, County Kilkenny on Wednesday. There I was a guest of Executive Vice Chairman and CEO