Known online as the Centtwinz, the duo recently traded Johannesburg’s familiar autumn horizon for the neon-pulsed skyline of Hong Kong, embarking on a journey that balanced high-octane sporting tradition with the quiet luxury of world-class travel. The trip played out in real-time across social media as the pair shared their adventures.
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A memorable Hong Kong Sevens
The visit coincided with the historic 50th edition of the Hong Kong Sevens, a three-day rugby spectacle that attracts fans from around the globe and is renowned for its carnival atmosphere as much as the sport itself. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Kai Tak stadium, the tournament was more than a sporting event; it became a vibrant global carnival of colour, costumes, and camaraderie.
For the twins, the journey began well before the first whistle. Travelling from South Africa to Hong Kong meant crossing continents overnight, swapping Johannesburg’s autumn chill for the vibrant pulse of the vibrant hub of culture and commerce.
The long-haul trip unfolded at a slower pace than the weekend that followed, offering a rare pause before the crowds, colour, and stadium noise of the Hong Kong Sevens weekend.
By the time the aircraft descended toward Hong Kong’s harbour-lined skyline, the shift in rhythm was already underway.
“It felt like the moment we boarded that the trip really started. You’re leaving home, but you’re also heading somewhere completely different. We made the journey to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, travelling in business class on the airline’s state-of-the-art A350-900 connecting South Africa with Hong Kong and beyond,” Mashile reflects.
“Business class was transformed into a private sanctuary where the journey was as intentional as the destination. Between the seamless connectivity of in-flight Wi-Fi and the quiet luxury of the cabin, the flight offered a rare pocket of slow time. The culinary experience served as a curated introduction to the city’s soul. We enjoyed menus inspired by the renowned Michelin star dining scene.”
The experience extended beyond the aircraft into the refined halls of Hong Kong International Airport. Transit became an indulgence rather than a pause, with the twins exploring the airline’s flagship lounges. At The Pier, the sensory experience is centred on well-being and understated elegance. A visit to the newly launched The Wing First Lounge offers a glimpse into a world of ultimate privacy.
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A city with a pulse
Regulars travelling to Hong Kong know that they will be met with a city at full volume immediately on arrival, with towering buildings framing the harbour as ferries cross the water and neon lights flicker to life as evening falls.
The sisters’ first moments in the city unfolded along Victoria Harbour, the stretch of waterfront where Hong Kong’s skyline rises in dense clusters above the water. “In photos, you see the skyline, but standing there is something else,” says Sadiki. “It’s busy but also beautiful. Everything feels alive.”
“The pace only intensified once Sevens weekend began. Inside Kai Tak Stadium, thousands of fans gathered to watch international rugby unfold across three days of competition and entertainment. The tournament has been a fixture on Hong Kong’s sporting calendar since 1976 and is widely regarded as the most vibrant stop on the global rugby sevens circuit.”
“Costumes, music and packed stands create an atmosphere closer to a festival than a conventional sporting event. The experience quickly became one of the defining moments of the trip,” says Mashile. “The energy inside the stadium was incredible. You had people from all over the world there, everyone dressed up, cheering, and just enjoying the moment.”
As much as the rugby shaped the weekend, Hong Kong itself proved equally compelling for the twins. Evenings often drifted toward the city’s famous nightlife districts, particularly Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo, two adjoining pockets of Central that basically run on restaurants, bars and late-night spill-outs onto the street. Lan Kwai Fong is compact and loud, with venues packed tightly together so the crowds naturally end up outside.
SoHo sits slightly uphill along the Mid-Levels escalator route, a mix of cocktail spots, small eateries and rooftop terraces where people tend to start the night before it inevitably runs long. During their stay at The Kowloon Shangri-La, located in the heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui district, the twins experienced the height of Cantonese fine dining at the two Michelin-starred Shang Palace.
“Every night felt like something was happening. You could go from a quiet dinner and think you’re calling it early, then step outside and there’s music somewhere, people spilling onto the streets, taxis, lights, movement everywhere. It never really settles into one pace; it just keeps shifting around you, so you either go with it or you miss half of it,” says Mashile.
Quieter views of the city
Beyond the roar of the Sevens crowds, the twins found time for quieter views of the city. A trip up Victoria Peak revealed Hong Kong from above, with skyscrapers stretching toward the harbour and mountains framing the city’s edges. Their exploration focused on the south side of Hong Kong Island, headlined by a visit to 92-hectare marine-life theme park, Ocean Park Hong Kong, and was complemented by a visit to M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture. To round up the trip, a stop at Repulse Bay provided a literal breath of fresh air.
“It’s the kind of view that makes you pause for a second,” Sadiki says.
“Hong Kong moves fast, but from up there you realise how much space and nature surrounds it too. The city feels dense when you’re inside it, then suddenly you see the mountains and water, and it shifts your perspective. What captivated me is the different versions of the city you can experience in one trip, from the streets’ rhythm to shopping spots, harbour walks, and outdoor spaces.”
“Go for the rugby and the food and the beautiful sights and scenes,” Sadiki says, “but I guarantee you’ll end up staying for everything else that’s happening around it.”
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