CHRIS PATTEN, ex-Governor-turned-author, may have a sore hand when he ends his first visit to Hong Kong since the handover after attending 15 book signings in four days.
Mr Patten and wife Lavender will arrive on Wednesday to promote his book East and West.
Though Mr Patten will not receive the gubernatorial treatment he had during his five-year term, publisher Macmillan - which is paying for the trip - is trying to match it.
The former Governor will be travelling in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz S320L and will be staying at the five-star Conrad Hotel.
Mr Patten will have no bodyguard but will be accompanied by sales director of Macmillan Publisher (China) Tommy Chung Wai-to. Mr Chung said a colleague's car had been arranged for Mrs Patten.
And despite his strained relationship with China, private citizen Mr Patten will be able to use the plush VIP lounge at Chek Lap Kok, reserved for officials of ministerial rank from the mainland and foreign countries. A government spokesman said a request had been received and the lounge would be made available.
Apart from back-to-back book signings, Mr Patten will give four television interviews, two speeches and one press conference.