Estonian Paavo Jarvi with Japan’s NHK Symphony (in Hong Kong)

Shannon and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary early this year — 29 years in May — by sneaking over to Hong Kong for a short week in March.

We’re going to fly Cathay Pacific Airline’s “premium economy” class on a new Airbus (“all jet, no lag”) A-350. (The tickets were deeply discounted at the recent CyberMonday sale).

We’re going to stay at the historic Peninsula Hotel (“Enjoy a complimentary fourth night,” thanks to AMEX’s “Fine Hotels & Resorts” program). Ha!

It’s a short walk to the Hong Kong Cultural Center, where I bought tickets today to see Paavo Järvi conduct the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

“Distinguished Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi returns to Hong Kong for the first time in two decades, this time as Chief Conductor for Japan’s leading NHK Symphony Orchestra.

“The contrasting programme opens with a shimmering sonic landscape by Takemitsu, followed by Ravel’s exhilarating, jazz-infused Piano Concerto with acclaimed soloist Zee Zee (Zhang Zuo) and Prokofiev’s heartrending Symphony No 6, rarely performed in Hong Kong.”

The classical music concert is occurring during the 47th annual Hong Kong Arts Festival.

We’ll also ride the Star Ferry; travel to Victoria Peak, Nan Lian Garden and other sites; and sample the street food and go to some popular restaurants.

Here’s “Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown: Hong Kong.” It’s a spellbinding episode (RIP, Anthony):

Author: jeffpelline

Jeff Pelline is a veteran editor and award-winning journalist - in print and online. He is publisher of Sierra FoodWineArt magazine and its website SierraCulture.com. Jeff covered business and technology for The San Francisco Chronicle for 12 years, and he was a founding editor and Editor of CNET News for eight years, among other positions. Jeff has a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a master's from Northwestern University. His hobbies include sailing, swimming, and trout fishing in the Sierra. View all posts by jeffpelline