Hong Kong's English-language daily newspapers -- South China Morning Post, The Standard -- today feature what will become (in November) Hongkongside's new Star Ferry terminal. Front page stuff, something to do with completion of the external features of the new terminal: The Standard
The workaday Star Ferry terminal (Hongkongside) has been in its current spot for more than fifty years. Within spitting distance of Central, the public area this side of the terminal's turnstyles was the place for strangers to meet, acquaintances to become friends, and where lovers' hearts were made and broken. A super convenient way to get to Kowloon from Central, a journey on the Star Ferry offered we the hurried masses a pleasant pause, a cool breeze, and what once passed for fresh air.
(click on image to enlarge)
No more. Locals, be they commuters or otherwise, will abandon the Star Ferry in their droves. Why? The new ferry terminal is a good ten-minute walk from Central and half way across the harbour. For those who take the trouble to take the ferry, it only gets worse: the planners are closing the bus station outside Star Ferry Kowloonside. What was once a transport hub will be no more. Go figure. Expect to see Star Ferry's numbers plummet and current usage -- locals (70%) and tourists (30%) -- reverse within a short time of opening. Such is the way of progress.
Meanwhile, the old ferry terminal is to be "reclaimed" -- that is, the site is going to be filled in all the way along to the Hong Kong Convention Centre in Wanchai. What for, you might ask. To enable the construction of yet another highway. As for Hong Kong's once magnificent harbour, it shrinks by the month and is destined to become a narrow drain.
Yes, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot. . .
1 comment:
Cool photos!
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