Guest Post: Destination Hong Kong

Today’s post comes from Andrew Dunkle of GO! Overseas. GO! Overseas is community-diven website that focuses on teaching, studying and volunteering abroad. Currently calling San Francisco his home, Andrew has traveled extensively (hitting 30 countries so far) and has no plans to stop anytime soon. His next destination will be South America — all of it. But, before that, Andrew put together this photo essay from his time spent in Hong Kong recently.

Destination Hong Kong

Early morning. It’s February and the air is crisp. I am in Kowloon walking along the Avenue of Stars, breakfast pastry in hand. Across the harbor is my destination — Hong Kong. The island is covered in skyscrapers, but only one catches my eye — the International Finance Center. I discover it perfectly silhouetted by red Chinese lanterns.

This isn’t my first visit to Hong Kong, but I eagerly await the arrival of the Star Ferry to take me into the city. Even now I feel my neck crane, unable to look away from these magnificent towers. The ferry’s horn blows. It’s time for departure. Hong Kong, here I come.

There are many markets and shopping plazas in Hong Kong, but none have quite the same charm as Stanley Market. I drift through, curiously looking at Chinese trinkets, paintings, and what each food stall has to offer. I try on a leather jacket. The sales lady sells me on how handsome I have suddenly become. Sold!

Hong Kong 愛. I love Hong Kong. Suddenly I have a new Chinese lantern that I’m convinced will look perfect in the corner of my living room back home. Sadly, it didn’t survive my suitcase.

The afternoon sun sets in and I am transfixed by the endless water traffic in Hong Kong harbour. Back and forth, back and forth the ferries go. Behind this ferry is the Bank of China Tower, just one of the 7650 skyscrapers that soar above me.

More Star Ferries. Everyday they move 70,000 passengers in and out of Hong Kong. I imagine myself living here and ‘tolerating’ this view on my way home. Make it happen, I say.

I move to the top of Hong Kong. The lights go on and the city displays itself to me. Wow. I feel a buzz against my skin, as if the city below me is alive and growing. Its energy is irresistible.

I don’t know any of these people by name, but they shared these moments with me that day. The lights of Hong Kong attracted all of us together, like moths to a flame. A city is nothing without people.

Follow Andrew on Twitter: GoOverseas

You may also like: