The Hong Kong Star Ferry started operations between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon in 1888, the same year that the Victoria Peak Tram opened. Amazingly, this ferry was the primary means of transportation across Victoria harbour until the cross harbour tunnel was built in 1972!
The following photo is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, a weekly showcase of travel photos organized by Budget Traveler’s Sandbox. Check it out to see many more great travel photos.
I took this shot of us arriving at the ferry dock on the Hong Kong Island side of the harbour late one night after a family dinner in Tsim Sha Tsui. My youngest son was intrigued by the dock worker standing there ready to tie the boat up once we arrived.
Below are some additional shots take of or from the ferry on one of my handful of trips across the harbour.
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With the skyscraper backdrops, the photos of the ferry reminds me of NYC’s State Island Ferry.
I’ve been to New York twice, but have not gone on the Staten Island ferry. I’ll put that high on my list for next time. Thanks!
I’d seen this before as I had been to Hong Kong but your shots were certainly fantastic especially that of the ferry with the Hong Kong’s skycraper’s backdrop.
Here’s mine:http://jorietravel.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photos-thursday-singapores.html
Thanks. I only wish that I had a more clear day to shoot the towers. A nice blue sky would have been much better than the haze. I’m pretty sure we had blue skies two years ago so I think the haze in the picture was more of a perpetual mist than pure pollution – I hope.
You have caught interesting angles of the ferry. I like the drama that you captured with the guy waiting for the boat to dock. I also really like the one with the life rings on – I find it quite moving.
Thanks. I tried using my 50mm lens more on this trip and I’ve found that it really forces me to choose some interesting shots. They say that the photographer is way more important than the equipment, but sometimes the equipment helps to drive the photographer!
Old girl has quite a history! Great little story and photos
Thanks! It was fun hearing stories from our parents about riding the ferries for work everyday. We paid a few extra cents to ride on the upper decks because “they used to transport chickens on the lower decks”.
This brings back such great memories! I was in Hong Kong in 1998 and loved taking the Star Ferry back and forth from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. It is remarkable how it is still such a popular mode of transportation, even though there are faster and more efficient ways to do the trip. Nothing beats that skyline too!
I love HK and the Star Ferry. This brings back some great memories for me too. I’m really overdue for trip to HK. Lovely photos. You’ve really caught the atmosphere.
Thanks for joining Travel Photo Thursday.
An interesting series on the Star Ferry. My first crossing on it from Kowloon, where I was staying at the time, dates back to just before the harbour tunnel was built…
That’s a ferry I’ve heard so much about but have never seen a picture. I love your Hong Kong shots at night too.
I can remember those Star ferry boats from 1974. Still looking the same.
Thanks for jogging the memories.
Awesome place, Can’t wait to see it
http://www.justincarmack.blogspot.com
These are some amazing pictures. I have never been but do enjoy “visiting” through your pictures. I really like the very first one of you standing at the ferry dock. The feel was great and I liked the colors.
Thanks. I thought the colours were nice too. It took me awhile to get my camera set up to get the light just right. Luckily the boat moves slowly. Oh – and not me in the pic! I was behind the camera.
Great photos! Thank you for sharing them. I especially like the city lit up at night. Very nice.
Beautiful pictures