Friday, May 2, 2008Hong Kong
Next stop: The famous Star Ferry, to cross Victoria Bay in search of a nice dinner and good vantage point for watching the long awaited laser show over the water. The ride only lasts about five minutes (and that’s if you pad the timer), but the views are breathtaking.
FYI: The building in the distance that looks kind of like the Sydney Opera House is the Convention Center, where I’ve been all week. The scaffolding to its right (yes, bamboo) houses what will become the finished expansion a year from now, making it the largest gift show on earth.
The building on the right in the foreground in the Central Pier, where the ferry departed from. The one you see docked there still is the Golden Star—sister to the ferry I’m on.
Rumor has it the Star Ferry is being retired. Among the most beloved relics of Hong Kong (they’ve been criss-crossing the bay since 1888), it’s hard to believe that’s true. Still...with highly efficient subway service now sweeping people under the water every few minutes, it’s possible.
Just glad I had my chance to ride the crown jewel, lean over the rail, feel the wind in my hair, and smell the fragrances that are truly unique to Victoria Bay...and all for the equivalent of 75¢ US. That’s a pretty magical five minutes for next to nothing in change. Probably the best investment in Asia.
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