Welcome to The Moodie Report’s temporary Sanya bureau on Hainan Island. Looking out at these early morning views from my room at the St Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort, I’m not so certain that I’ll ever leave. Hainan is often dubbed ‘China’s Hawaii’ but I don’t think it needs any such comparison. It very much
People
Why it’s time to support a woman who supports so many others
Yesterday in Beijing I had the immense pleasure of catching up with Shell Xue, who heads cleft charity The Smile Train in China. Shell and her small, amazingly dedicated team, have changed the lives of over 270,000 Chinese children in recent years, including 28,447 cases last year. No child on this planet should have to
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Events
The expressions of China’s centuries
Growing up in a small provincial city in New Zealand, I could never have suspected that one day I would spend my working life travelling around the world and experiencing different countries and cultures. Perhaps that’s why I have never lost the sense of wonder that I felt in my early days of overseas travel, nor
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Miscellaneous
“Ride it like you stole it!”
On Saturday, courtesy of Welsh jewellery brand Clogau, I was lucky enough to go to a Test Match and meet the Wales Team Captain. For a proud Welshwoman, this was the stuff of dreams. But for once, I’m not talking rugby; I’m talking Arena Polo. The Moodie Report’s Claire Wates and Rebecca Mann, with Clogau’s
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Miscellaneous
Up close with Korean culture, commerce and commitment
I’m at Incheon International Airport, preparing to fly to Beijing Capital International Airport for the TFWA/APTRA China Century Conference and then on to Hainan to look at China Duty Free Group’s dazzling new Haitang Bay project this weekend. It’s been an enthralling couple of days in Seoul. Yesterday I spent quality time in the company
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Miscellaneous
Vino Volo: A story of passion, pride and people
At The Moodie Report we like to champion those companies and individuals who put passion and heart into the way they run their businesses. Few do so with such commitment as the team at Vino Volo, the fast-growing US wine bar operator and retailer. Even if you’re not a wine enthusiast, you’d find it hard
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Miscellaneous
Returning to the world’s biggest duty free market
I’m back in South Korea, the land of the morning calm, though that description seldom applies to the country’s duty free industry, which always seems to be moving at frenetic pace. The harsh Korean winter is drawing to a close though it’s still a brisk 2 degrees here in Seoul. It’s a beautiful view over
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Miscellaneous
The icing on the cake
What kindness I find in people as I move around the globe. Today is St David’s Day, honouring the patron saint of Wales. It’s also my birthday, though I’m not the patron saint of anyone. But that didn’t stop the Ever Rich Duty Free team here who staff the Huan Yu VIP Terminal so graciously
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Miscellaneous
Memories of life and death on the Kinmen Islands
The Kinmen Islands are steeped in history. They are a place of beauty but also of poignancy and sorrow. Many people died here in the first and second Straits Crises between Taiwan and Mainland China decades ago. The islands, commonly known simply as Kinmen, are a small archipelago off the coast of Mainland China administered by
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Events
Celebrating 18 years of giving back to society
What a night. What an occasion. Over the past quarter of a century or so, I’ve been privileged to attend many wonderful industry events. Last night’s Ever Rich Duty Free Shop 18th anniversary Gala Dinner was one that will live in my memory forever. The event was held at the Ever Rich Duty Free Plaza
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Airports
The richest of welcomes to Taiwan
What a welcome. As I stepped off the plane at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after the long, long journey from Heathrow via Hong Kong International, there was my old friend (well, very young friend actually), the delightful Nancy from the Huan Yu VIP Terminal to greet me straight off the plane. Nancy welcomed me warmly by
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Events
A fascinating whistle-stop tour of Asia begins
I’m at a very busy London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, about to depart on what promises to be an enthralling trip around North Asia. Having escaped far from the madding crowd (above) to the Cathay Pacific lounge, I’m supping on a delightful Picpoul de Pinet (check it out, a great white wine discovery from the
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Miscellaneous
A day of remembrance, a day of love for Christchurch
Two years ago to this day I was about to head to Suvarnabhumi Airport after an unfortunate and unscheduled hospital stay in Bangkok had meant that 2011 was The Trinity Forum ‘that never was’ for me. I was at the Pullman Bangkok King Power hotel, checking my e-mails before taking breakfast with an old school