[Mikeyy]

Well, We are having fun. PGer's that is. Sounds like there were a few small dramas for some of us. Delayed flights and lost luggage. The normal stuff. There is some industry news to report. Which I will tackle later once I confirm. There was a nice pearl presentation by the largest Indo company. They had a group of international models wearing Gold strands decked out in golden gowns. Pearls pearls pearls. And also some pearls. Bigger carry on needed for the return home.
There is good news for the Aussie pearl biz. While other farming operations around the world are struggling the Aussies were able to increase their quotas of shell by 40%. And it is wild stock. No hatchery shell used. There has been such an increase in native shell populations that they were able to dive the shell they needed in record time. Isn't that cool? Its so groovy when government and industry work together well. That's all for now.

[Miriam Reed]

Thanks for keeping us all up to date. Waiting to hear the "industry news". Have a great time.

[effisk]

Mike, are you going to that tahitian pearl auction? I'd love to hear how the auction went. It is the first one since all the news about the GIE and the export tax and it would be interesting to see how buyers react.

[pattye]

Hi Mikeyy,

We are having fun. PGer's that is.

Can you tell us who all is there? Thanks for the continuing report---------

[Kevin Canning]

There has been such an increase in native shell populations that they were able to dive the shell they needed in record time. Isn't that cool?

Any word on why the increase shell populations?

[Nerida]

Hi all, trust me to be the one to fill in the social pages....

Just in from a fun evening chatting to Terry - it is amazing to meet folks that you "know" on p-g!!
I was at the show by myself today after a social day there yesterday - had to get some work and some buying done!!

The show is in two venues - one just past the HKG airport, about 30 minutes by fast train from the city centre. I was there on Tuesday. I was gobsmacked then. The other is in the massive Hong Kong Convention Centre, and truly, I was there yesterday trying to buy pearls but instead meeting some fun and amazing people, and today again. Well, I didn't get out of the pearl pavilion all day. And that is only one out of about 10 pavilions at the show. It is completely mindblowing. I think I have given up on the idea of ever buying my FW again in China - truly the range, quality and quantity available here is just overwhelming. Still, I managed to buy lots of bits and pieces - great quality FW, and good SS and Tahitians. Didn't bother with the auction as there was so much available from the vendors inside.

All in all, great fun, hard work getting around the show, but just one of my best pearl experiences! Thanks PG and PGers for your part in my being here!

BTW, there is also a show on in Shenzhen (across the border in China) that I attended on Monday. More on that later... just changing my flight now to spend more time at the show here!!

A couple of photos tomorrow - promise!

[jshepherd]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

There is good news for the Aussie pearl biz. While other farming operations around the world are struggling the Aussies were able to increase their quotas of shell by 40%. And it is wild stock. No hatchery shell used. There has been such an increase in native shell populations that they were able to dive the shell they needed in record time. Isn't that cool? Its so groovy when government and industry work together well. That's all for now.

No hatchery shell??? More than half the shell used in Australia is hatchery. Arafura uses hatchery exclusively.

[Mikeyy]

The size and success of Arafura is highly exaggerated. There is less there then meets the eye.

[Mikeyy]

I would also like to report that PGer's can hold their liqueur better then members of other forums. Some of us even make it all the way back to our rooms. Burp!

[jshepherd]

How is that possible with a publicly traded company? All their numbers are public.

[Raisondetre]

Great, now I have to tag along as Nerida's sidekick next year. Just have to convince my friends pearl show time is a better time to get married than Christmas.

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Raisondetre

Great, now I have to tag along as Nerida's sidekick next year. Just have to convince my friends pearl show time is a better time to get married than Christmas.

Narida and I decided that this should be an annual event. So I hope more of you do decide to come along next Sept.

[Nerida]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

I would also like to report that PGer's can hold their liqueur better then members of other forums. Some of us even make it all the way back to our rooms. Burp!

Mike - we don't really know if Terry DID make it back to his room...he did have a few problems finding us even before we plonked down in the bar....Terry - where are you? Let us know you got back safely (it's your turn for the bar tab this evening!)..

[Nerida]

Raison - please come next time! For all those who might be thinking about it - Hong Kong is a fantastic, and very easy Asian city. Hot and humid but vibrant and lively. Lots of fun, great shopping, and apparently there are a couple of restaurants and bars in town, too..

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Mike - we don't really know if Terry DID make it back to his room...he did have a few problems finding us even before we plonked down in the bar....Terry - where are you? Let us know you got back safely (it's your turn for the bar tab this evening!)..

I never realized a human being could drink that many Tequila sunrises and still walk. I thought for sure he would break his neck when he started swinging from that chandelier.