Tsim Sha Tsui, Star Ferry





I recently watched (for the Nth time) the 1960 film "The World of Suzie Wong". I am always full of nostalgia and longing for the days when Hong Kong still had a lot of character. Before the mad rush of the 70's and 80's, to demolish old and build new, managed to destroy so much of what was charming in Hong Kong. So much treasure lost so that a few rich land owners could get even richer.

The epitome of it all has to be a recent news story that is causing a lot of furore. The government considered tearing down some buildings it built for low cost housing in Hung Hom, right after it took over from the last British administration. Well the buildings have been sitting there and never occupied. Now the government is considering tearing them down and selling the land to private developers. That is how ridiculous things have gotten thanks to the eternal greed that keeps destroying and re-building in order to make more money.

There is a scene in the movie where the William Holden comes off the ferry pier and into Tsim Sha Tsui and I was surprised at how little the pier building itself has changed. Come to think of it, there are not many of the original Star Ferry pier buildings still left. Anyone who shares my longing for nostalgic images of Hong Kong ought to watch this film if for nothing else the amazing outdoor scenes of Wanchai, Central, Aberdeen and so on.

These were my thoughts tonight whilst I was standing inside the pier building waiting for the next ferry back to Hong Kong island and these thoughts precisely are what prompted me to take the photo showing a bit of the Hong Kong island skyline by night as a ferry pulls in to dock.

I sure hope they will not think of demolishing an of the still standing Star Ferry pier and even more so, that they will never think of puting the ferries to rest. Along with the old trams, they are two of the best treasures Hong Kong still has. But the question is, do Hong Kong people realize that?

Here is a photo taken inside the ferry as we approach Hong Kong island:




© evangelo costadimas 2004

Posted: Saturday - December 04, 2004 at 10:56 PM          

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