We spent an afternoon leisurely strolling along the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, starting from the terminal of the iconic green Star Ferries on the western edge of Tsim Sha Tsui, all the way to the eastern edge of the Avenue of the Stars. It was a cool day that was perfect for walking, though the heavy skies weren’t pleasing at all for photographs. Still, the glistening shores of Hong Kong island across the harbour were as stunning as ever. I don’t know how many people share my opinion, but after having been to a few places, I would still consider the Hong Kong city skyline to be the most beautiful I’ve seen so far.
It was a freak weather that day, when late in the afternoon a thick dark cloud rolled into the harbour like a scene from a doomsday movie. I later found out that the freak weather that afternoon made it to a page in CNN GO. It was apparently due to a collision of two weather systems right above our heads. The cloud brought heavy rain and mist so thick, the once glistening harbor turned into an endless expanse of white. Still, we didn’t let the weather spoil the afternoon, as we took shelter at the Starbucks on the edge of the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. We waited the rain out while sipping our frappes, until it finally stopped and the mist blew away, revealing the wonder that is the Hong Kong skyline once again.
It was a fitting conclusion to what was a very hectic day of travel. Having coffee lazily by the harbour, with the cool winds and the thick blanket of mist that came and went, it was almost like a dream.
* The Kowloon side of the Harbour and the Avenue of the Stars can be reached on foot from the MTR’s Tsim Sha Tsui or East Tsim Sha Tsui stations. Signs in the subway will lead you there.
* All photos taken April 2013, with Olympus EPM-2 and M.Zuiko 14-42mm IIR.
Rambler Sans Égal 