The government has announced that the annual National Day fireworks display on 1 October have been again cancelled due to Covid.
image: HK Tourism
Tag: Victoria Harbour
Virtual Skydive Over Hong Kong
Not sure what to do with your consumption vouchers? Drop $300 or more at Lok Fu Place and enjoy a free virtual skydive over Hong Kong.
As part of the mall’s August ‘Sportival‘ festival, as well as a free fitness bootcamp shoppers can enjoy a VR skydiving experience that offers a virtual flight from 10,000 feet. Glide over Victoria Harbour, steer through the sky and land in Lok Fu.
While in the area check out the Rooftop Republic urban farm for locally grown seasonal greens.
Star Ferry Price Increases
Chief Executive Carrie Lam has approved The “Star” Ferry Company, Limited application for fare increases for its two franchised ferry services, “Central-Tsim Sha Tsui” and “Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui”.
The Star Ferry applied for an increase of $0.3 and $0.5 in April 2019 and the new fares will take effect on 9 February, 2021. The increase is the first since 2017
Santa Staycation Stamps Available Today
Ignoring the National Security Law, Wuhan virus quarantine and social distancing rules Santa Claus has come to town! Hongkong Post launches it’s fourth set of Christmas stamps (previous issues were in 2002, 2007 and 2014).
The set of four stamps features Santa enjoying a short staycation – twelve days, not one less – while his new hybrid electric/reindeer sleigh is recharging. Savouring Chinese tea and dim sum, playing on the swings in a children’s playground, practising Tai Chi on the Victoria Harbour waterfront Santa finds the ‘Worlds Greatest City’ much changed before jumping on a Ding Ding to deliver presents and seasonal blessings of hope to the people of Hong Kong.
The $2 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet sees Santa savouring a Hong Kong-style Christmas feast of yum cha. On the stamp sheetlet, Santa is sharing dim sum from a cart with the homeless.
$3.7 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet, Santa and Rudolph chill out on the swings reminiscing about pre-Covid Christmas and free speech.
The $4.9 stamp has Santa Claus join his gingerbread men friends for a Tai Chi workout on the Victoria Harbour waterfront. The $4.9 stamp sheetlet has Santa and the gingerbread man enjoying a mental workout over a game of Chinese chess.
$5 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet – with his reindeer recovering from being pepper-sprayed while trying to park his sleigh in Central – has Santa taking a ding ding to finish delivering his presents…
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a trip on the Star Ferry, Santa crosses the harbour to bring love, peace and joy to those unable to sit at home with piles of cash.
The assorted Christmas stamps and philatelic products can be bought at any post office or ordered online here
Lunar New Year Fireworks Cancelled
Home Affairs Secretary Lau Kong-wah announced that the fireworks display in Victoria Harbour, traditionally held on the second day of the Lunar New Year has been cancelled for security reasons.
It appears that the government is unable to exert enough control on the HK Police to ensure public safety. And that more video of police beating and arresting random people will further erode the tourism industry.
A mainland visitor, when asked if she was afraid of coming to Hong Kong, answered: “I’m afraid of being attacked or arrested for no reason”.
National Day Fireworks Cancelled
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department have announced that the National Day fireworks in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of China’s formation on 1 October have been cancelled for ‘public safety’ reasons.
The last time the fireworks were cancelled was in 2014 during the Umbrella Movement.
Floating Companion
Florentijn Hofman’s giant yellow floating duck was the talk of the town in 2013, what will Hongkongers make of ‘Companion’ the 37-metre-long inflatable version of American street artist Kaws signature character which will float in the middle of Victoria Harbour later this month during Art Basel.
The 10-day waterborne installation starts on the 22 March and Hong Kong is the latest stop for the touring exhibition dubbed ‘Kaws:Holiday’. Companion will be anchored in the harbour by a metal base weighing 40 tons, with the project costing an insane HK$10 million.
Water Taxis on Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour, even today’s current shrunken version, is one of the most beautiful in the world. Something that we all enjoy looking at, yet beyond the Star Ferry very few people ever get to travel upon or use it.
There are increasing attempts and initiatives to make the harbour more available and user friendly among these is the concept of re-introducing ‘water taxis’.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), sponsored by Designing Hong Kong and the Harbour Business Forum is conducting a survey gauging the demand for a water taxi system for Victoria Harbour.
On-demand small boats, often known as walla-wallas or kaidos, offer rides in some of the typhoon shelters such Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan and to-or-from destinations around Lantau and Sai Kung.
What are your views on a water-taxi service between destinations along Victoria Harbour? Take a few minutes to fill in this survey
Survey: https://goo.gl/hhW4g1