Today we ventured back onto the Kowloon Peninsula, to roam around the various galleries and museums that populate the North bank. How to cross the vast South China Sea you ask? Fortunately the brief 1km stretch can be navigated on another ye olde service, the Star Ferry.
The Star Ferry boats are filled with character, the fleet appears to have been largely fabricated in the 1950s – 1960s. Bizarrely the pair built in the eighties were decommissioned in 2011, the old faithfuls appear to be outliving the fresh crop.
On the way across we sat on the upper deck for the (extremely reasonable) price of HK$3.40, around 34p. We have found that although the general cost of living in HK is high, the public transport is remarkably low cost.
The views of HK island and the peninsula from the ferry were staggering.
On landing the Cultural Centre was thrown into view, a multifunctional space that encompasses a concert hall, two theatres and an array of rehearsal spaces.
Unfortunately the Museum of Art and the Space Museum were closed for renovation, but there was live music to enjoy as we wandered about the promenade. Below is an except, consistent perhaps with ambient blog reading music.
As it neared late afternoon we decided to stop for a bite to eat. The Harbour City plaza offered a range of eateries. We opted for Green Common, and their bizarrely meaty yet plant-based ‘The Beyond Burger’.
After the meal we hopped back on the Star Ferry to get a quick pause back at the hotel before the late night cruise on a wooden junk ship around the harbour.
The trip on the ancient style of Chinese sailing ship started around 9:45pm, darkness had truly fallen, and we were able to soak in the dual aspect city lights!
The junk had an upper and lower deck; bar and indoor seating below the upper deck, and a lower outdoor portion complete with seating, ropes, ladders and and signature red sails.
The trip on the junk was a great way to round off the day, it was nice to see the city from yet another perspective.
We had the boat to ourselves for the last ten minutes or so, as most of the folks departed on the north side of the harbour; perhaps the nearest we’ll get to chartering a junk!
James
You are both having an amazing time. I’m glad you got a trip on a junk. It definitely looks like a must X❤️