Category Archives: Sightseeing

Granville Island (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

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Granville Island

The 14 hectare (35-acre) Granville Island, a peninsula (originally used by the Musqueam First Nations as a fishing area)and shopping district in the Fairview neighborhood, across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver, is under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge.

Granville Island Ferry Dock

Granville Island Marina

In the 20th century, the peninsula was an industrial manufacturing area named after Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville. Technically a sandspit and not an island, the neighborhood sits just south of the downtown peninsula, right under the Granville Bridge.

Artsclub Theater Company

Waterfront Theatre

The Improv Centre

It includes a public market, an marina, a hotel, the False Creek Community Centre, as well as various performing arts theatres including the Arts Club Theatre Company, Carousel Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Axis Theatre Company, Boca Del Lupo, Carousel Theatre for Young People, Ruby Slippers Production Company, and the Vancouver Theatre Sports League.

Cheska and Grace strolling along Duranleau Street

Jandy, Grace and Cheska at Tap & Barrel – Bridges Restaurant

Granville Island was used as the finale of the film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). The Vancouver International Children’s Festival, the Vancouver Fringe Festival and the Vancouver Writers Fest are all held here.

Festival House

Gallery

One of the best ways to get to Granville Island is one of the adorable mini-tugboat ferries that crisscross False Creek. False Creek Ferries and Aquabus, favorites among young and old, provide ferry service from Granville Island to Downtown Vancouver, Yaletown, False Creek, the West End, and Vanier Park.

Boat Rentals

Waterbike Rental

Other water transportation options include a water taxi service to Bowen Island provided by English Bay Launch. WESTCOAST Sightseeing and Vancouver Trolley Hop-On, Hop-Off services both have stops located at Granville Island.

Artisan District

Artisan District

Between 1998 and 2011, the Vancouver Downtown Historic Railway operated between Granville Island and Science World. The streetcar is now permanently shut down.

The old streetcar tracks. The railway between Granville Island and Olympic Village Station was discontinued in 2012 after the City of Vancouver decided to end its $100,000 annual subsidy for the volunteer-related service. For 15 years, it ran on weekends and holidays, from May to October, carrying 133,000 passengers over its lifespan.

Once you’re there, the biggest attraction on Granville Island is the year-round Granville Island Public Market.  For the food-focused, a walking tour of the market can be a great way to get an insider’s insight.

Granville Island Public Market

Established in 1979 as a location where farmers and other food vendors could sell to consumers, it operates in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase, in endless rows of stalls, fresh produce, meat, smoked salmon, exclusive teas, gourmet foods, baked goods, seafood, cheeses and other products, many locally sourced.

Granville Island Public Market

Attracting both local residents and tourists, the market generally has 50 vendors including retail food vendors that sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market includes a “kids market” designed for children.

Tap & Barrel – Bridges Restaurant

My Island Cafe

Often described as a “food lover’s paradise,” an impromptu picnic is easily picked up between vendors offering cheese, charcuterie, bread and fresh produce. The popular food court, at the end of the market building, is where you’ll find something casual but already put together. If you prefer restaurants, there are some great restaurants offering seafood down there and there’s nothing like dining by the waterfront.

Dalbergia Wood and Fine Objects

Amy Stewart Art and Shira Gold Photography

The area is home to an artisan sake maker (the first in Canada), a spirits distillery, and two breweries.  Granville Island Brewing Co. is the name of a beer company which originated on Granville Island in 1984, but whose main base of operations was moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, some time later.

Granville Island Brewing

JN Glass

In 2009 it was purchased by Molson’s Brewery and continues to brew small batches of its varieties at the Granville Island brewing original site, and offers beer tasting and tours of their brewing facilities.

Pressure Group 6 (1982) by Barry Cogswell. A Corrosion-resistant weathering steel sculpture along path S.E. of Community Center

Ocean Concrete is the longest-established tenant on the island, having set up shop there in 1917. In 2014, OSGEMEOS (Portuguese for THE TWINS), consisting of brother duo Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, revamped the concrete silos with their ongoing mural project, ‘Giants’.

Materna Ceramics Studio

The Liberty Distillery

Canada’s only hammock shop, the Hamuhk Hangout Place, has been operating on Granville Island since 1995.In the early 1900s, Granville Island was home to factories, plants and sawmills. Things are a little different today—Granville Island is both a locals’ favorite and a huge draw for visitors. The Granville Island Public Market acts as a hub of activity, but it’s also one of the city’s most important cultural districts with theatres, artisan workshops and craft studios.

Railspur Park Playground

Granville Island, with a mix of unique crafts, skilled artisans, outdoor outfitters and deluxe gourmet stores, is one of the best places in the city to purchase souvenirs for back home. At the Net Loft Building, check out the stores for First Nations artworks, B.C. wines, and other unique gifts.

S&R Apron Co.

Performance Works

Along Railspur Alley and the far end of the island, you can peek into artisan studios where glassblowers, potters, jewellers and even a broom maker ply their crafts.  Outside of the market, catch a show at one of the many theatres on the island, browse an art gallery show, or appeal to your outdoorsy side with a kayaking or paddleboarding tour.

Kids Market

Craft Council of British Columbia

Granville Island: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Website: www.granvilleisland.com. Coordinates: 49°16′15″N 123°08′03″W.

Space Needle (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)

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Seattle’s Space Needle

From Pike Place, Val drove Danny and I to the Seattle Center, home to Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the Space Needle in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood.  It had already stopped raining when we arrived and the sun was again shining.  We didn’t have time to explore the first two but Danny and I were excited to go up the open-air observation deck of the Space Needle 160 m.(520 ft.) above ground, our first time to do so.  Val had done this a couple of times, so he just offered to wait for us till we returned.

Check out “Pike Place”

The author (right) with friend Val Salgado with the Space Needle in the background

This observation tower, a designated a Seattle landmark, is considered to be an icon of the city.  Unlike many other similar structures (such as the CN Tower in Toronto), the Space Needle is not used for broadcasting purposes.The Space Needle was, upon completion by Howard S. Wright Construction Co., the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, replacing the Smith Tower in downtown Seattle as the tallest building west of the Mississippi since 1914.Today, it is dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, among them the 295 m. (967 ft.) high Columbia Center.

The author and Danny Macaventa

The Space Needle is 184 m.(605 ft.) high, 42 m.(138 ft.) wide and weighs 8,660 metric tons (9,550 short tons).  It was built to withstand wind speeds of up to 320 kms./hr. (200 mph), double the requirements in the building code of 1962. As the Space Needle sways only 25 mm.(1 in.) per 16 kms./hr.(10 mph) of wind speed, it can also be made to withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds.

The architecture of the Space Needle is the result of a compromise between the designs of local architect John Graham‘s concept of a flying saucer (the halo that houses the restaurant and observation deck)and the sketch (on a napkin) of Edward E. Carlson (president of a hotel company and chairman of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle)which depicted a giant balloon tethered to the ground (the gently sloping base). The hourglass profile of the tower was introduced by Victor Steinbrueck.

Carlson,inspired by a recent visit to the Stuttgart Tower of Germany, also had an idea for erecting a tower with a restaurant at the World’s Fair. As a result of his success in designing Northgate Mall, architect John Graham soon became involved, altering the restaurant’s original design to a revolving restaurant, similar to his previous design of the La Ronde tower restaurant at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Hawaii.From April 1, 1962, to April 1, 1982, the revolving restaurant was operated by Western International Hotels, of which Carlson was President, under a 20-year contract.

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair(which drew over 2.3 million visitors, with 20,000 people a day riding the elevators to the Observation Deck during the course of the Fair), the construction of the Space Needle was privately financed and built by the Pentagram Corporation (consisting of Bagley Wright, contractor Howard S. Wright, architect John Graham, Ned Skinner, and Norton Clapp).

With time an issue, the construction team worked around the clockand the Space Needle was finished in less than one year. The Space Needle had to withstand earthquakes of up to 9.0 magnitude (as strong as the 1700 Cascadia earthquake) so its earthquake stability was ensured when a hole was dug 9.1 m.(30 ft.) deep and 37 m.(120 ft.) across, and 467 concrete trucks took one full day to fill it. The foundation weighs 5,310 metric tons (5,850 short tons), including 230 metric tons (250 short tons) or of reinforcing steel, the same as the above-ground structure. The structure is bolted to the foundation with 72 bolts, each one 9.1 m.(30 ft.) long.

A scaled model of the Space Needle at the Building the Marvel” Exhibit

The domed top, housing the top five levels (including the restaurants and observation deck), was perfectly balanced so that the restaurant could rotate with the help of one tiny electric motor, originally 0.8 KW (1.1 HP), later replaced with a 1.1 KW (1.5 HP) motor. A grand spiral entryway(shown in a 1962 Seattle World’s Fair poster), with 848 steps from the basement to the top of the observation deck leading to the elevator, was ultimately omitted from final building plans. For paint colors, Orbital Olive was used for the body, Astronaut White for the legs, Re-entry Red for the saucer and Galaxy Gold for the roof.

During the World’s Fair, an imitation carillon (using recordings of bells, rather than live bells),built by the Schulmerich Bells Company of Hatfield, Pennsylvania under the name “Carillon Americana,” was installed in the Space Needle and played several times a day. The instrument, recreating the sounds of 538 bells, was the largest in the world until it was eclipsed by a 732 bell instrument at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Another scaled model of the Space Needle at the ground floor Gift Shop

The operator’s console, located in the base of the Space Needle, was completely enclosed in glass to allow observation of the musician playing the instrument. Also capable of being played from a roll, like a player piano, the 44 stentors (speakers) of the carillon were located underneath the Needle’s disc at the 61 m.(200-ft.) level, and were audible over the entire fairgrounds and up to 16 kms. (10 mi.) away. After the fair’s close, the carillon was disassembled.  The “Carillon Americana,” featured on a 12-track LP record (called “Bells On High-Fi,” catalog number AR-8, produced by Americana Records, of Sellersville, Pennsylvania), was recorded in a studio and performed by noted carillonneur John Klein (1915-1981).

Here is the historical timeline of the Space Needle:

  • In 1961, investors discovered and bought (for $75,000) a suitable lot, measuring 37 by 37 m. (120 by 120 ft.), containing switching equipment for the fire and police alarm systems, for the proposed Space Needle site (it had no pre-selected site since it was not financed by the city and land had to be purchased within the fairgrounds).
  • In April 1962, the Space Needle was completed at a cost of $4.5 million.
  • On April 21, 1962, the last elevator car was installed the day before the Fair opened.
  • In 1963, a radio broadcast studio was built, used for morning broadcasts by Radio KING and its sister TV station KING-TV from July 1963 to May 1966, and KIRO Radio from 1966 to 1974, on the observation level of the Space Needle.
  • On March 27, 1964, as a result of the 9.2 earthquake in Alaska, the restaurant atop the Space Needle stopped rotating.
  • For six months in 1974, disc jockey Bobby Wooten of country music station KAYO-AM lived in an apartment built adjacent to the Space Needle’s broadcast studio, requiring a permit variance from the city government.
  • On March 4, 1974, Paul D. Baker committed suicide by jumping from the Space Needle, the first person to do so.
  • On May 25, 1974, Mary Lucille Wolf also jumped from the tower.
  • In 1977,Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner and Norton Clapp sold their interest to Howard S. Wright who now controls it under the name of Space Needle Corporation.
  • On July 5, 1978, in spite of the installation netting beneath and improved fencing around the observation deck, Dixie Reeder was able to commit suicide.
  • In 1982, the SkyLine level was added at the height of 30 m.(100 ft.).
  • In 1992, the University of Washington (UW) Huskies football team logo was painted at the tower after the team won the 1992 Rose Bowl.
  • In 1993, the elevators were replaced with new computerized versions that descend at a rate of 16 kms./hr. (10 mph).
  • In 1995, when the game show Wheel of Fortune taped episodes in Seattle, it was painted to resemble the titular wheel as part of an intro sequence with Vanna White.
  • On April 19, 1999, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board designated the tower a historic landmark.
  • On December 31, 1999, the Legacy Light or Skybeam, a powerful beam of light, was unveiled for the first time.
  • Between 1999 and 2000, renovations included the SkyCity restaurant, SpaceBase retail store, Skybeam installation, Observation Deck overhaul, lighting additions and repainting.
  • In 2000, renovations were completed at a cost ($21 million) approximately the same in inflated dollars as the original construction price.
  • In 2000, the Space Needle Restaurant (originally named Eye of the Needle) and the Emerald Suite, the two restaurants 150 m.(500 ft.) above the ground at the hovering disk of the Space Needle, were closed to make way for SkyCity, a larger restaurant that features Pacific Northwest cuisine.
  • In 2000, because of perceived terror threats against the structure after investigations into the foiled millennium bombing plots, public celebrations were canceled but the fireworks show was still performed.
  • In 2001, the 6.8 Mw Nisqually earthquake jolted the Space Needle enough for water to slosh out of the toilets in the restrooms.
  • From September 11, 2001, to September 22, 2001, in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Legacy Light (or Skybeam) remain lit for eleven days in a row.
  • In 2002, to promote tourism, a real estate consultant in Bellevue proposed the construction of five smaller replicas of the Space Needle around the city though official plans to build the proposed structures have not yet materialized.
  • On May 19, 2007, the Space Needle welcomed its 45 millionth visitor, Greg Novoa from California, who received a free trip for two to Paris.
  • In May 2008, since the opening of the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle received its first professional deep cleaning by being pressure washed by Kärcher with water at a pressure of almost 2,611 psi (18,000 kPa) and a temperature of approximately 194 °F (90 °C). In consideration of the Seattle Center and the nearby Experience Music Project, no detergents were used and the cleaning was only done at night so that the Space Needle could stay open to the public.
  • In April 2012, as part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Needle was painted “Galaxy Gold”, which is more of an orangish color in practice. This is the same color used when the needle was originally constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair. This temporary makeover was only intended to last through the summer.
  • In the summer of 2017, a renovation of the top of the Space Needle, called the Century Project,began. An all-glass floor was added to the restaurant, the observation platform windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass panels (to more closely match the 1962 original concept sketches) and the internal systems were upgraded and updated. The work, tocost $100 million in private funds provided by the Wright family (owners of the Space Needle),was scheduled to finish by June 2018. The designer is Olson Kundig Architects and the general contractor is Hoffman Construction Company. The rotating restaurant’s motor was replaced, the elevator capacity was increased by adding elevators or double-stacking them and,with the aim of achieving LEED Gold Certification, the energy efficiency of the building was improved. The temporary scaffold’s 13,000 kg.(28,000 lbs.), 4,148 sq. m. (4,650-sq. ft.) platform under the top structure, made by Safway Services (a company specializing in unique construction scaffolding),was assembled on the ground, and then lifted by cables 150 m.(500 ft.) from the ground to the underside of the structure, controlled by 12 operators standing on the platform as it was raised. So that the Space Needle was never completely shut down to the public, only one-sixth of the observation deck was closed at a time.
  • In August 2018, the Space Needle reopened as the Loupe, an indoor observation deck with a revolving glass floor that takes 45 mins. to do a full rotation. Two sets of stairs called the Oculus Stairs,named after the glass oculus at the base of the stairs where the Space Needle elevators can be seen ascending and descending,were added to connect the two new additional levels. A café, wine bar, more restrooms, and an additional accessibility elevator to the top observation deck were also added.
  • In 2020, the fireworks display was canceled because of high winds, with a laser light show being used at midnight instead.
  • In 2021, the fireworks show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and replaced by a broadcast-only augmented realitypresentation on KING-TV.

 

The queue at the Mezzanine Level

The Space Needle, a visual symbol of Seattle and of the Pacific Northwest, has made numerous appearances in films (It Happened at the World’s Fair in 1962, The Parallax View in 1974, Sleepless in Seattle in 1993,Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999,  Chronicle in 2012), TV shows (Frasier, Grey’s Anatomy, Dark Angel, Bill Nye the Science Guy, etc.), and other works of fiction, often being used in establishing shots as an economical means to tell the audience the setting is Seattle, and has been incorporated into the logos of NBA, WNBA, MLS, and NHL professional sports teams.

Queuing past the “Building the Marvel” Exhibit

After paying the admission fee, we joined the queue of visitors at the mezzanine level (overlooking the gift shop below) waiting for the three elevators (two of them high speed), which can each accommodate 25 people, to take us up the inside observation area.  As it was the summer month, there was a bit of a line as the number of visitors usually climbs to well over a thousand a day. While waiting for our turn, along the line was the “Building the Marvel Exhibit,” a custom exhibit installed in April 2016, of compelling images, interactive experiences, and fun and historical memorabilia that tells the story of how the Space Needle’s conception and construction.  There are also miniature replicas of the Needle, showing the construction’s progress, plus cool vintage advertisements, posters of the Words fair and clippings from magazine articles praising this architectural marvel.

Inside the 25-pax elevator

Once inside the elevator, it took us 42 seconds to reach the top, travelling at a rate of 10 mph (or 880 ft. per min.). Stepping out of the elevator into the inside observation area, we had awe-inspiring and dramatic views of the downtown Seattle skyline, front and center, with buildings shimmering in the sun.

The Inside Observation Area

Seamless floor-to-ceiling  glass walls gave us unobstructed, 360-degree sights of the region –  Lake Union, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the inky waters of Elliott Bay, the ever-popular Great Wheel along the waterfront, and various islands in glittering Puget Sound, with ferries floating around  On a clear day, the flat top of snow-capped Mt. St. Helens can be seen in the distance.

The Inside Observation Area

From the inside observation area, Danny and I stepped out of the door (one of 12) into the open observation deck which was already filled with tourists taking photos and selfies.  Here, we had a more unparalleled experience with a unique, uninhibited bird’s-eye view of the abovementioned landmarks, protected by a series of 11 ft. tall and 7 ft. wide glass panels (which replaced the old wire cages) starting at the floor and tilting outwards.  Lining the edge of the panels are new glass benches, following the angle of the transparent walls, designed at a slant, a perfect, jaw-dropping selfie spot that makes you feel like you are hanging in the air, floating above Seattle.

Danny and the author at the Open Observation Deck

On our way back down, an elevator attendant took the time to point out locations of interest to us, sharing some historical landmark facts and answering questions. Our elevator had windows where we could watch our rapid descent.  Soon the doors opened and we disembarked into the gigantic gift shop at the ground floor before exiting the building.  Every year on New Year’s Eve, the Space Needle celebrates with a fireworks show at midnight that is synchronized to music. Alberto Navarro, a fireworks artist from Bellevue, is the lead architect of the show, which is viewed by thousands from the Seattle Center grounds.

View of the city skyline

To honor national holidays and special occasions in Seattle, the Legacy Light (or Skybeam), derived from the official 1962 World’s Fair poster (which depicted such a light source although none was incorporated into the original design), is lit. Powered by lamps that total 85 million candela shining skyward from the top of the Space Needle, it was originally planned to be turned on 75 nights per year but it has generally been used fewer than a dozen times per year as it is somewhat controversial because of the light pollution it creates.

View of Puget Sound

Since its opening, six (four of them part of an authorized promotion in 1996, withone of them got injured and broke a bone in her back while attempting the stunt) parachutists have leaped from the tower in a sport known as BASE jumping which is legal only with prior authorization (the other two jumped illegally and were arrested).

The Gift Shop

Seattle Needle: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, Washington 98109. Tel: (20) 905-2100. E-mail: guestservice@spaceneedle.com. Website:  www.spaceneedle.com. General admission:: US435 – 39 (regular, ages 13 -64), US$30  -33 (senior, aged 65+) and US$26 – 29 (youth, ages 5 – 12).  Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM (Sundays to Fridays) and 9 AM to 9 PM (Saturdays).  Coordinates: 47.6204°N 122.3491°W

Pike Place Starbucks Store (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)

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Pike Place Starbucks Store

After lunch at Seafood City, Val drove Danny and I to the historic Pike Place Market in the downtown core of Seattle, Washington,.  Once parked, we walked towards the Pike Place Starbucks Store (also known as the Original Starbucks), the first Starbucks store in the world.

Check out “Pikes Place Market“

The store front

A known tourist attraction, it was hosting crowds during our visit. In fact, they say there was never a day without The Line which winds out the door and stretches down the street but it also keeps on moving as the baristas there are said to be as good as any on the planet.

However, many people, just like us, didn’t come to 1912 Pike for a cup of coffee. Instead, we came to experience the place where it all began. Founded in 1971, the store was opened by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, three partners who were inspired by Alfred Peet of Peet’s Coffee to open the store and sell high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans, tea and spices from around the world to take home as well as coffee making equipment and accessories.

The store interior

The name was inspired by the  Moby Dick, the 1851 classic tale of Herman Melville, which evoked the romance of the high seas and seafaring tradition of early coffee traders.  The name of the store was originally going to be called Cargo House or Pequod (Captain Ahab”s hip in the book), but the brand consultant (who also designed the chain’s logo , produced from an old 1800s map), but decided on Starbuck, the first mate and no-nonsense crew member on the Perquod. Starbos is also the name of a mining town which features in the book.

Everything in the entire store, truly one of a kind, is original, from the floors, the fixtures, the counters, etc.  They also still proudly display the brass labels that were on their bulk coffee bins in 1971.  However, while it commonly referred to as the first Starbucks location, the current address is the second for the Pike Place store as, for five years, the first restaurant was located at 2000 Western Avenue. In 1977, it moved one block away to 1912 Pike Place where it has been in continuous operation ever since.

Val Salgado, the author and Danny Macaventa outside the store

The sign outside this branch, unlike others, features the original logo – a seductive, bare-breasted siren that was modeled after a 15th-century Norse woodcut. It also features a pig statue called “Pork’n Beans,” a sculpture created locally for the 2001 Pigs on Parade competition that raised money for the Pike Place Market Foundation.

Starbucks logo from 1971 to 1987

Pike Place Starbucks Store: 1912 Pike Place, Seattle 98101, Washington .  Tel: +1 206-448-8762. Coordinates: 47.609899°N 122.342441°W.

Honda Celebration of Light (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

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Honda Celebration of Lights

Grace, Jandy and I were lucky that our one-and-a half month long visit coincided with the 30th edition of the Honda Celebration of Light (formerly known as Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire and The HSBC Celebration of Light), an annual international musical fireworks competition and one of Vancouver’s largest and most well-known festivals. Recognized as the largest and longest running off-shore fireworks competitions in the world, this multiple-day event has an estimated annual attendance of 1.4 million people.

People making their way, on foot, to Alexandra Park, English Bay Beach

The first “Symphony of Fire” was held from July 25 to August 5, 1990 with some the world’s best fireworks pyro technicians, from 3 counties, competing over 3 nights to present the best show. The event was last held in 2019 as in 2020, the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia.

Kyle, Bryan and Grace joining the crowd

This year’s much anticipated festival that embodies summer was held on July 23 (Saturday), with Japan’s Akariya Fireworks participating; on July 27 (Wednesday), with Canada’s award-winning Midnight Sun Fireworks participating; and July 30 (Saturday), with Spain’s Pirotecnia Zaragozana participating.

Mounted police patrolling at the corner of Beach Avenue and Denman Street

We attended the last mentioned.  Prior to the fireworks show, the Red Bull Air Show did a spectacular pre-show performance (happening on all three festival nights), with formation flyovers performed from the iconic Canadian Snowbird team, presented by Concord Pacific, at English Bay.

Alexandra Park slowing filling up with people

Joined by our grandson Kyle, we were to be met by my son-in law Bryan who booked an Uber to bring us to Alexandra Park.  We never got near there as road closures were already in effect from 7 PM in the West End, including Davie, Denman and Beach Avenue. Access roads into Kits Point were also closed from 6 PM.

The gazebo at Alexandra Park

Roads will only re-open once the crowds have dispersed and police have given their all clear at approximately 11 PM.  Instead, we were dropped off at Bidwell Street and walked over to a MacDonalds along Robson Street where we met with Bryan.

English Bay Beach already filled up

Together, the five of us joined others, on bikes, scooters or on foot, who were headed towards the festival site.  It was as if the entire city was moving in the same direction, with all roads lead to the English Bay. Policemen, on horseback, were patrolling the streets, scanning the crowd and seemingly looking for people with alcohol, making us feel very safe. As we got closer to the beach, we realized the magnitude of this event.

Upon reaching Alexandra Park, we chose a nice grassy spot unobstructed by trees, near the corner of Burnaby Street and Beach Avenue.  We came prepared as we brought along three portable folding seats, a beach mat, snacks and water.  The park was already slowly filling up.  There’s much more happening here than just fireworks as a whole family fun type of party atmosphere was happening, with and food carts, food vendors and concession stands were doing brisk business.

The Concord Lounge at English Bay

People and sunset watching was part of the fun too.  As it was early, we strolled along the English Bay Beach already seemingly packed with hundreds of thousands of people, many in swimming attire.  Never before had I seen so many people coming together.

Dinner with a view at Concord Lounge

The reserved seating of the Grandstand, the most popular of the festival’s ticketed venues for visitors, families or groups, offering elevated and direct sightlines to the fireworks barges, was also filled up.  Other reserved seating venues were the Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk Peninsula, overlooking English Bay, and the Scotiabank Lounge on the bathhouse roof in English Bay.

The Grandstand along English Bay

The pyro-musical performance can also be seen and heard from vantage points throughout Metro Vancouver such as Vanier Park at the edge of English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, the pedestrian sidewall at Burrard Bridge (standing room only), Dundarave Pier at the West end of West Vancouver seawall, Kits Point, Sunset Beach, Stanley Park and at sailboats and yachts on English Bay.

English Bay packed with yachts, speedboats and kayaks

Promptly, at 9 PM, the carefully designed and planned synchronized fireworks were launched from barges located in English Bay, regaling the crowd with a spectacular, 25-minute fireworks display, over the water, set to accompanying music so the colored lights seem like they’re dancing to the rhythm.

Sunset over English Bay

It was a spectacular show by the Spanish team, with brilliant firework shapes and colors we had never seen before. The mind blowing finale was one of the most incredible we have ever seen.  I can’t even imagine how much it cost so set up such a show.

Jandy and the author all set to watch the fireworks show at Alexandra Park

After the wonderful and free show, we packed up our chairs and joined the crowd making their way back home.  The frustration at trying to leave English Bay or the downtown core after the show was the only drawback.

We booked an Uber but had to walk a number of blocks to be picked up. Still, this attraction was well worth our time and the best part is that’s its absolutely FREE. The fireworks were excellent, the crowd was huge but well behaved, the overall atmosphere was friendly and cool and it was a fun event well worth going to when visiting Vancouver. It certainly helped that the weather was fine and warm.

The three teams representing their country and setting their colorful expressions to music were judged on the Sizing of the Show, Overall Design and Artistry, Synchronization, Originality of Effects, Quality of Soundtrack and Quality of Fireworks.

The winning team, announced on Tuesday, August 2, was the Canadian Team which delivered the show-stopping performance with a breathtaking display that pushed creative boundaries, according to a press release. It was a pleasant and memorable evening that made Vancouver look absolutely stunning. Over the course of the festival’s three nights, there were approximately 1.3 million attendees.

Honda Celebration of Light: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Website: www.hondacelebrationoflight.com.

Maragondon Cultural River Cruise (Cavite)

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Maragodon Cultural River Cruise

Part Three of “Drive, Dine and Discover” Cavite Caravan

From the Bonifacio Trial Museum, it was a short 5-min., 1.2-km. drive, via narrow alleys, to Caingin Fish Port, the gateway to our Maragondon Cultural River Cruise.  Docked at the port were two gaily decorated balsas (bamboo rafts), of operator Balsa de Santo Nino, for our two-hour cruise of part of the scenic, 35.6 km. long  Maragondon River (average width: 10 m.), one of six major river basins of Cavite, once adjudged as among the country’s cleanest and greenest bodies of water.  Each balsa can carry 10 to 15 passengers.

Check out “Bonifacio Trial Museum Revisited”

Caingin Fish Port and the Caingin Hanging Bridge

Also docked at the port was another larger floating restaurant type of raft similar to the one used in the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol.  According to AAP Lakbay consultant Ms. Eva Carmona, it was booked for a wedding reception. Nearby, across this river, was the dangling and swaying Caingin Hanging Bridge.  Erected in December 1999, it is the link going to the 280 m. high Mt. Buntis. 

Check out “Loboc River Cruise”

A floating restaurant type of raft

Upon boarding the two balsas, we were soon on our way, our balsas towed by a motorized banca. Cruising along the turquoise waters and the heavily vegetated riverbank, we also passed the Pinagsanhan Hanging Bridge (the link going to the 100 m. high Mt. Nagpatong, home of the Andres Bonifacio National Shrine) and some settlements, watching local residents doing their daily chores as we enjoyed the serene landscape of the river.

Boarding our respective balsas…..

On board …..

Throughout the cruise, we were serenaded by a quartet (2 men and 2 women), in native attire, rendering folk songs.  Our cruise took us, for 2 kms., from Brgy. Caingin to the boundary of the neighboring town of Ternate, before turning back to return to port.

Our on board entertainment …..

Each of our balsas had a bamboo table and benches. One had a bamboo deck, accessible by a bamboo stair, as a roof.  Arrayed on the table was our packed lunch catered by Honorio’s Restaurant, a Maragondon culinary icon.

Pack lunch catered by Honorio’s

Our lunch fare consisted of sinigang sa miso, pork adobo sa patis (wherein the soy sauce was replaced by fish sauce), pakbet and a dessert of sliced watermelon.  These we all washed down with bottled water or fresh buko juice straight from the shell.

Our balsa also towed a small 1.2 x 1.2 m. (4 x 4 ft.) outriggered bamboo raft (trono de hila) with a bamboo chair (or throne) on it where one or two passengers can take selfies or be photographed from the larger balsa.

Boarding the trono de hila …..

The author seated at the trono de hila

Also on board our balsa are two rubber inner tubes for those who want to engage in river floating.  Other recreational activities that could be done on the river include wakeboarding, with a motorized banca pulling you.

The Cavite Caravan participants

For those who still have time after the cruise, you can also visit the Maragondon Stone Sculptures (popularly called ukit-ukit) which are accessible by tricycle from the riverside of Brgy. Caingin.  It consists  of 9 religious images of Biblical scenes (the Last Supper, Pieta, Jesus Christ and the Virgin and the Christ) as well as Pope John Paul II carved directly on adobe outcrops along the road, last March 2014, by brothers Valerio and Oscar Suarez, both former ice sculptors.

Maragondon Stone Carvings (photo: Visit Maragondon Facebook Page)

Balsa de Santo Nino River Cruise: Brgy. Caingin Poblacion, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Mobile numbers: (0926) 593-5902.

Maragondon Municipal Tourism Office: G/F, Municipal Bldg., Brgy. Poblacion 1-A, Maragondon, 4112 Cavite.  Tel: (046) 686-3139. Mobile number: (0926) 237-6537.

Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP): AAP Tower, 683 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1112. Tel: (632) 8723-0808 and (632) 8705-3333. Website: www.aap.org.ph. E-mail:  info@aap.org.ph.

AAP Lakbay, Inc.: G/F, Sea Tower Bldg., 332 Roxas Blvd. cor. Arnaiz St., Pasay City.  Tel: (32) 8551-0025 and (632) 8403-543.  E-mail: aaplakbay.caravan@gmail.com.  Coordinates:
14.5456531, 120.9914728.

Phillip Island – Cowes (Melbourne Australia)

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Cowes

From the Nobbies Ocean Discovery Center, we again boarded our coach for the 15-km. drive, via the Ventnor Rd./C473, to Cowes, the main township and largest town on Phillip Island, for some sightseeing.  Phillip Island Road, the main road of the island, led us into Cowes, becoming Thompson Avenue, the town’s main road.

Facing towards French Island and the Mornington Peninsula, Cowes has a small 2016 population of 4,839.

Check out “Phillip Island – Nobbies Ocean Discovery Center“

Originally known as Mussel Rocks, it was renamed, in 1865, by government surveyor Henry Cox after the seaport town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England.

In fact, many of the town’s roads are named after other towns and villages on the Isle of Wight, the island that inspired Cowe’s as well as the town of Ventnor‘s names. A Post Office was opened here on August 1, 1869.

In recent years, Cowes, in the Gippsland region on the northern side of the island, has rapidly expanded in its size with many estates and apartments being built, on what was previously rural farmland, in and around the town. An estimated 70% of the houses here are owned by absentee owners, most of whom live in and around Melbourne.

An ideal base to explore Phillip Island’s many attractions, Cowes is 12 kms. from the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade at Summerlands, 14 kms. from the scenic Nobbies rock formations and visitor center, 6 kms. from the Phillip island Grand Prix Circuit, 7 kms. from the Koala Conservation Centre and 9 kms. from the peaceful fishing village of Rhyll.

Cowes Beach

We were all dropped off at Thompson Avenue whose distinctive features are Golden Cypress trees (recognized by the National Trust of Australia), planted in the early 20th century, which lines the road for 1 km.

Walking further into commercial center of Cowes, the road began a gradual descent, terminating with a T-intersection at the waterfront. As we approached the waterfront, the density of restaurants, cafes, gift shops, hotels, supermarkets and general retail outlets, all catering to the busy holiday crowds, increased.

At the end of Thompson Avenue was the waterfront boulevard of The Esplanade and the attractive, not too crowded and well maintained Cowes foreshore which stretches between Mussel Rocks and Erehwon Point.

Cheska, Bryan and Kyle among the rock formations of Cowes Beach

The foreshore, consisting of wide expanses of lawn shaded by a mixture of native and cypress trees, complete with barbecue areas, picnic shelters and pathways, slopes down to the clean, sheltered, golden sand Cowes Beach whose inviting waters are popular with swimmers and families. Showers, changing rooms and toilets are all located close to the beach.

Nearby is the Cowes War Memorial, a granite memorial obelisk erected in 1920 in memory of the 13 men of Phillip Island who made the supreme sacrifice in World War One. Names of the fallen from World War Two were added at a later date.

War Memorial

On the beach, opposite the Isle of Wight Hotel (which was built in 1870), is the Cowes Jetty.

Cowes Jetty

Built in 1870, it remains a focal point of the town. At its entrance is an outdoor café.

Its T-shaped jetty structure, the departure point for several ferries and tourist boat cruises, is also suitable for fishing.

Outdoor Cafe

Cowes: Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.

How to Get There: Cowes is about a 2 hours’ drive, by road to the mainland via a bridge at San Remo, from Melbourne and can also be reached by coach, or passenger ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula.

Jiufen Old Street (Taipei, Taiwan)

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The scenic mountain village of Jiufen

After our arrival in Taipei and a deliciously filling lunch at Chien-Yen Shabu Shabu, we all boarded our tourist bus for the nearly one-hour drive to Jiufen (also spelled Jioufen or Chiufen), a small village in the mountains, arriving there by 2:45 PM. The weather was overcast, with some light rain. The town of Jiufen is built into the side of the hills, slightly inland from the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Check out “Restaurant Review: Chien-Yen Shabu Shabu“

Panoramic view of the Pacific coastline

In 2001, the village has been made more popular largely due to its similarity to the downtown in Hayao Miyazaki’s popular, Oscar-winning Japanese anime movie Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. Jiufen soon became a must visit place among Japanese tourists, with many Japanese travel magazines and guide books about Taiwan introduced Jiufen. However, Miyazaki himself denied that Jiufen was the model city of the movie

The author at the entrance of Shan Yu Hai B&B

The village can be explored in under 3 hours but, as we were pressed for time, Mr. Vincent Chen, our friendly Eagle Tours guide, allotted us just an hour to explore the village. From a viewpoint at the Taiyang parking lot, we had sweeping but hazy views of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Map of Jiufen Village

I, together with Joyce Ventura, explored all the way up to Fushan Temple while Jandy and most of the group explored the bustling, 24-hour, extremely touristy and crowded Jiufen Old Street, a narrow alleyway lined up with small food stalls, authentic tea houses, souvenir shops, and pottery stores.  They got there via Qiche Road, climbing up the long series of stairs that crosses over to the heart of Jiufan.

Check out “Fushan Temple”

The approach to Fushan Temple (top right)

Jiufen Old Street is actually composed of three parallel streets – Jishan Street (which runs along the ridge line), Cingbian Road and Qiche Road.  Jishan Street is the most densely populated with snacks and specialty shops.

Shuqi (or Shuchi) Road, perpendicular to the three, runs up and down the slope of the hill and comprises hundreds of stone steps with many teahouses.

The long, steep and narrow stairway leading to the center of the village

Shops here sell street food such as beef noodle soup, fish ball soup, ice cream peanut pancakes and Jiufen’s famous country snacks such as Ah Lan Glutinous Rice Cake, Taro Glutinous Rice Cake, Hongzao (Oxo Cubes) Meatball, cold or hot Ah Gan Taro Balls,  A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll, Taiwanese Sausages (Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’), Zhang Ji Traditional Fish Balls.  You can also buy locally produced ginger tea and plum wine.

Red lanterns were everywhere….

The century-old, richly decorated and picturesque, multi-storey A-Mei Teahouse, said to be the inspiration behind the Bath House in Spirited Away. Popularly known as the Grand Tea House, it is the most famous structure in all of Jiufen.  Perched on top of a hill, it is strategically located just a little off the main street. From its balcony, it has a picturesque view of Keelung Mountain to the right and northern shores of Taiwan on the left. You definitely need to book ahead if you want to have a tea here.

Souvenir store

Another noted teahouse is the City of Sadness Restaurant, an eatery overlooking the square, where A City of Sadness, another critically acclaimed movie (and the first film to touch on the February 28 Incident of 1947, in which thousands of people were massacred, then a taboo subject in Taiwan) by Hou Hsiao-hsien was filmed.  This film masterpiece bagged the  Golden Lion Award during the 1989 Venice Film Festival.

Railway tunnel

Jiufen was also known as a gold mining town.  In 1890, flakes of gold were discovered by workmen constructing the new Taipei-Keelung Railway and the resulting gold rush hastened the village’s development into a town.

Jandy beside a statue of a miner

During World War II, Kinkaseki, a POW camp for Allied soldiers captured in Singapore, was set up in the town and the POWs here were made to work in the nearby mines.

Mine entrance leading to the Taiwan Sweet Potato Teahouse

After the war, gold mining activities declined and the mine was shut down in 1971 for safety reasons.  A graffiti-filled mining tunnel, located right next to the A-Mei Teahouse, serves as a quaint entrance to Taiwan Sweet Potato Teahouse.

Teahouse at Taiyang parking lot

At Jiufen Gold Ore Museum, you can learn more about Jiufen’s history as a mining town.

Jiufen Police Station

Jiufen Old Street: Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224. Tel:  +886 2 2496 8978.

Eagle Tours: +886-910-130-180 (Mr. Vincent Chen) and +886-932-013-880 (Ms. Joyce Chen). 

How to Get There: Take the MRT blue line to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station Exit 1, then take bus 1062 to Jiufen Old Street Station. The town is served by buses that run from Keelung, Taipei, etc. The nearest train station is Rueifang Station of the TRA Yilan Line, which is 15 minutes away by bus.

Tai O Fishing Village (Lantau Island, Hong Kong)

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Entrance to Tai O Fishing Village

From the Ngong Ping Village, we walked towards the bus terminal and boarded Bus 21 which leaves about every hour or so for Tai O (Chinese: 大澳) Fishing Village, a short 15-min. (6.7- km). drive via the Lantau Trail Section 4 and Tai O Rd.

Check out “Ngong Ping Village“

This quaint and picturesque fishing town is partly located on an island of the same name on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Despite damage by a large fire in July 2000, Tai O is still a tourist spot for both foreigners and residents of other parts of Hong Kong.

The village’s name, meaning “large inlet,” refers to the outlet for Tai O Creek and Tai O River which merges as it moves through Tai O. On the southwest part of Lantau Island, the Tai O River splits to the north (as Tai O Creek) and west.  At this fork lies the island referred to as Tai O.

The village is located mostly on the banks of the Tai O River. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river on its northern and western forks. The western and northern parts of the island, facing the South China Sea, are uninhabited.

For a short time, Tai O was once occupied by Portuguese during the Battle of Tamao (a naval battle, in 1521, where the Ming imperial navy defeated a Portuguese fleet led by Diogo Calvo).

Souvenir items

In 1729, a fort was built at nearby Fan Lau  to protect shipping on the Pearl River. When the British came to Hong Kong, Tai O was then known as a village of the Tanka, a community of fisher folk who’ve, for generations, built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau Island.

Dried squid

During and after the Chinese Civil War, Tai O became a primary entry point for illegal immigration for those (mostly Cantonese) escaping from the People’s Republic of China, some of whom stayed in Tai O.  Tai O also attracted people from other Hong Kong ethnic groups, including Hoklo (Hokkien) and Hakka.

Dried fish

Tai O used to be a very important trading and fishing port, but this is a thing of the past. Currently, while many residents still continue to fish, the fishing lifestyle in Tai O is dying out as it barely provides a subsistence income. Though there is a public school on the island, most of its young people move away when they come of age.  Today, tourism seems to be Tai O’s drawcard with the Stilt Village it’s biggest attraction.

The harbor

Upon arrival at the bus terminus, we walked towards the lively, traditional seafood market.  A feast for the eyes (but, perhaps, not the nose), we strolled through its stalls and alleys, checking out the live seafood tanks and the vast array of dried traditional salted fish, shrimp paste, XO sauce, salted egg yolk, laogong bin (husband cake), vegetables (some of which we did not recognize), knick knacks and souvenirs (pearl jewelry) being sold at storefronts.

Boarding our kaido

At the booth of Tai O Boat Excursion Limited, we boarded one its kaidos (small ferry boats that accommodates around 10-12 people) that would take us on an approximately 20-min. tour (which we booked beforehand online) along the river, for a close up view, of activity surrounding the harbor and the daily life in the stilt houses and, then, for a short jaunt into the sea.

Stilt houses along the river

Our ride first took us for a look at the stilt houses (pang uks) right over the waterway. In spite of the houses’ dilapidated look, the village is still a quite scenic and enchanting photographer’s paradise.

The unusual but traditional stilt houses, with its pretty setting on the coast framed by the mountains, is predominant of the old Southern Chinese fishing villages and one of the few remaining places where you can still see them in Hong Kong.

Sun Ki Bridge

All interconnected, they form a tightly knit community that literally lives on the water. There are also cafes and restaurant alongside the river plus some old house boats.

Tai Chung Bridge

After riding around the stilt village, our boat then headed out to the harbor and open sea. Before heading out to sea, we passed underneath the Tai Chung Bridge, a manually operated steel pedestrian drawbridge spanning the narrow creek dividing the town which replaced, in October 1996, a  rope-drawn “ferry,” tended by local Tanka women for over 85 years, which used to be quite popular with visitors. The Sun Ki Bridge, completed in 1979, also connects the village to the mainland.

A pair of fishing boats

As we cruised along the harbor, we saw fishermen coming and going and cleaning and putting away catch and gear, all traces of what this active fishing port used to be. Out at sea, we saw some some beautiful cliffs and rock formations along the coastline of Lantau Island.

The coastline of Lantau Island

Many tourists also come to Tai O to see the sunset and, specifically, to take boat trips to see rare, endangered Chinese white dolphins (also known as “Pink Dolphins”) but it was too early for the former and we didn’t see any of the latter. From afar, we espied the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB), the cross-border mega bridge linking Lantau with Macau and Zhuhai which, incidentally, official opened on that day.

Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB)

Though Tai O is known as the “Venice of Hong Kong” or “Venice of the Orient,” don’t expect too much of a comparison as its stilt house architecture is a far cry from that of the famous and romantic Italian city.

The author

With Lantau Island becoming much more accessible, through new transportation options, and the new influx of tourists to the Big Buddha and Ngong Ping area, things in Tai O are changing fast.  Though still very much a quaint fishing village, sooner or later Tai O cannot escape the inevitable phase of development that is bound to come. Still, Tai O was definitely worth the trip from Hong Kong.

How to Get There:

  • From Central, take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, then Bus No. 1 to Tai O bus terminus. The bus journey takes approximately 50 minutes.
  • From Kowloon, the easiest way is to get there is taking the MTR to Tung Chung Station, then Bus No. 11 to Tai O. From Tung Chung Station Exit B, take Ngong Ping Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village (approximately 25 minutes) then take Bus No. 21 (HK$6.6 on weekdays, for single journeys, and HK14 on Sundays and public holidays) to Tai O terminus (approximately 20 minutes). Sometimes Bus No. 21 fills up quick so, instead of waiting for the next one, consider a taxi (the taxi stands are right next to the bus stop). The taxi ride costs about HK50.At the terminus, walk for around five minutes to the steel drawbridge and then take a stroll along the waterfront.
  • By New Lantau Bus, Tai O can be reached from Mui Wo(Bus No. 1, HK$12 on weekdays, for single journeys, and HK20 on Sundays and public holidays), Tung Chung (Bus No. 11, HK$12 on weekdays, for single journeys, and HK120 on Sundays and public holidays) and Ngong Ping (Bus No. 21).
  • There are ferry piers on Tai O, close to Tai O bus terminus. It operates daily as the following routes connecting Tai O with Tuen Mun(Tuen Mun Ferry Pier, service by Fortune Ferry), Tung Chung (Tung Chung New Development Ferry Pier, service by Fortune Ferry) and Sha Lo Wan (operated by Fortune Ferry).

Tai O Fishing Village: Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Boat rides are offered by the locals and you will have no trouble getting on one.  As soon as you get off the bus or as you walk around the market, you will find somebody peddling their services. The boats depart from many points, including the bridge and the main marina, but they all cover the same main spots.  Prices for the boat rides are negotiable.  You are expected to pay about HK20 per adult (half for children) but, the bigger your group, the more leverage you will have.

Ngong Ping 360 (Hong Kong)

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On board the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.  L-R: Bryan, the author, Kyle, Jandy, Cheska and Grace

Our fourth day in Hong Kong was reserved for Ngong Ping 360, which consists of a continuous circulating bi-cable aerial ropeway gondola lift system (referred to by its operators as a “cable car”) ride and a themed Ngong Ping Village, plus its nearby sites such as the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), Po Lin Monastery, and the Tai O Fishing Village .

Check out “Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Buddha “Tai O Fishing Village,” and Ngong Ping Village“

The long queue for tickets at Tung Chung Terminal

From Yau Ma Tei Station, we all took the Tsuen Wan line to Lai King where we transferred to the Tung Chung line (Orange Line) and got off at Tung Chung Station. As we all had an Octopus card (their equivalent of Singapore’s EZ-link card) plus Cheska easily found our way around on the MTR, getting there was a breeze. The whole trip took all of 40 mins., passing 9 stations along the way.

Getting our passes at the exclusive Klook VIP counter

Once we got to Tung Chung station, we followed the signage out of the station (Exit B).  Past Citygate Outlets, we found the Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal. When we got there, the queue was long, with long waiting times, for those purchasing tickets on the spot even if this this was on a Wednesday afternoon. I could only imagine how bad it can get during peak periods. Lucky for us, Cheska used Klook to get us cheaper cable car tickets.  At the Klook VIP counter, she simply flashed the e-voucher to redeem our physical ticket.

At the shorter queue for Crystal Cabin passengers

Once again, in order to avoid long queues, Cheska got us round trip tickets costing HK$210 each on Klook versus HK$255 on the official Ngong Ping 360’s website (tickets available two weeks in advance) which Cheska found reliable and easy to use, especially with her mobile app.

A set of cable cars

Her choice of the crystal cabin (the cable car with a glass bottom) was deliberate as the snaking queue for the standard, non-glass-bottomed cabin, though a fair bit cheaper, tended to be far longer. This turned out to be true. Both sets of cabins circulate on the same cable but their passengers are segregated by queuing systems at both terminals.

Kyle seated on the transparent, 3-layer, 5 cm. thick glass bottom of our cable car

Past the queue, we got on the cable car.  As they usually try to fit in about 7–8 people per cabin (and standing room for another 7) and our group was smaller than that, a couple joined us in our cabin.

Yat Tung Estate on Lantau Island

It was to be a 25-minute, 5.7-km. (3.5 mi.) ride to Ngong Ping Village.  The system has a capacity of 3,500 people per hour in each direction.

Ngong Ping Cable Car Angle Station

The lift system runs across eight towers (including the stations) with five of the towers located within the country park. From Tung Chung Terminal, our cable car ran across Tung Chung Bay to Airport Island Angle Station on Chek Lap Kok, where it turns through about 60 degrees before returning across Tung Chung Bay.

Ngong Ping 360’s magnificent views

It then ran up the Lantau North Country Park to another angle station near Nei Lak Shan (Nei Lak Shan Angle Station), before finally descending to the Ngong Ping Terminal.

Hong Kong International Airport

It changed direction twice at the two angle stations, one on the south shore of Chek Lap Kok; the other west of Nei Lak Shan within the Lantau North Country Park.

Boardwalk at Lantau North Country Park

Waterfall at Lantau North Country Park

During the 25 minute journey, we had a stunning bird’s eye view, from our windows as well as from our transparent, three-layer 5 cm. thick glass floor, over the verdant landscape of North Lantau Country Park, the South China Sea, the southern shore of Hong Kong International Airport, the Tung Chung valley, Ngong Ping Plateau and surrounding terrain and waterways. As we approached Ngong Ping, we saw The Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery.

Kaido cruising Tung Chung Bay

Ngong Ping Cable Car: Runs daily, 10 AM to 6 PM.

A Symphony of Lights (Hong Kong)

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A Symphony of Lights

A Symphony of Lights (Chinese: 幻彩詠香江, SoL)), a daily multimedia light and sound show in Hong Kong setting the harbor ablaze every night since January 17, 2004 (initially with walls of 18 buildings as a performance venue), is an orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays and pyrotechnic fireworks conceptualized, created, and installed by LaserVision.

Victoria Harbor during daylight

According to the Guinness World Records, it is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the show is held, with good weather, every night at 8 pm Hong Kong Time (UTC+8) and lasts for around 14 minutes. Recognized as one of the world’s most spectacular light shows, it has become the signature icon for Hong Kong, showcasing the vibrancy and glamorous night vista of the city and symbolizing its dynamic energy and contrasting culture.

Promenade Deck

Since December 23, 2005, the Symphony of Lights extended to the Kowloon peninsula (including the Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom). In December 2017, exciting, new elements plus a new musical score entwined with a vibrant and contemporary flavor, performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, were introduced, taking on a new direction and transforming Hong Kong’s cityscape into a true symphony representing its charismatic rhythm.

Promenade Deck

Traditional Chinese flutes and bowed string instruments (such as the erhu), have been interwoven to create a truly distinctive sound, matching Hong Kong’s character of “East meets West.” In 2018, a second phase was launched, expanding the show to even more buildings.

Avenue of the Stars

Iconic buildings on both sides of the harbor, with a myriad of searchlights, lasers, LED screens and lighting, work in symphony and unite to form a harmonious canvas for a sensational multimedia extravaganza for the enjoyment of millions of tourists.  Placed together, this nightly spectacle transformed the Hong Kong skyline into an outdoor audiovisual feast  for the senses.

Victoria Harbor at night

SoL’s source of inspiration is the patterned symmetry of Hong Kong’s skyline, modern metropolitan design, forested mountain terrain and expanse of the harbor, offering a truly all-encompassing visual and sound scape of the its soul. Each participating building is joined into a harmonious and complete canvas by a symphonic approach, working effortlessly together to the beat in unison.

Victoria Harbor at night

The show comprises five major themes (“Awakenings,” “Energy,” “Heritage,” “Partnership” and “Celebration”), taking spectators on a unique journey celebrating the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.  “Awakening,” symbolizing the genesis and powerful growth of Hong Kong, begins with flashes of laser lights that give life to a nucleus of light-energy which gradually illuminates participating buildings using an array of dancing lights and rainbow color.

Star Ferry

“Energy,” signifying the vibrant energy of Hong Kong, is represented by the display of rising color patterns and the sweeping of the lasers and searchlights energetically across the night sky.  “Heritage,” symbolizing Hong Kong’s colorful heritage and rich cultural traditions, displays traditional lucky red and gold colors across buildings on both sides of the Harbor, complemented by the introduction of music using Chinese musical instruments.

Aqua Luna

“Partnership,” representing an illuminated connection with the opposite side, features a display, scanning across the Harbor, of sweeping searchlights and laser beams reaching out to symbolically connect the two sides of the Harbor into one greater and unified partnership. The exciting “Celebration,” signifying the celebration of the close partnership between the two sides of the Harbor and representing an even brighter future for Hong Kong, brings out a powerful rhythmic display of swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns of lights and beams dancing lively across the Harbor.

The best vantage points at the harbor front areas, where the Show’s music (to tune in to the music, download the show’s mobile app) and narration are broadcast live, are “Avenue of Stars” (on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront near Hong Kong Cultural Center), and on the waterfront promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.  Sightseeing ferries (i.e. Star Ferry, also check out  harbour cruises), running across the Victoria Harbor, are also good vantage points for watching the show.

Check out “Avenue of the Stars“

There are 47 participating buildings, on both sides of glamorous  Victoria Harbor, with different types of lighting effects included in the show, such as laser, searchlights, LED lights, simple lighting and projection lighting.

The 20 buildings (^ indicates fireworks are included on special days), from east to west, included in Hong Kong Island North Shore (including Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central) are:

The 23 buildings (^ indicates fireworks are included on special days) included in the Kowloon Peninsula are:

  • Star House (from December 23, 2005) – projection lighting
  • Hong Kong Cultural Centre^ (from December 23, 2005) – searchlights, projection lighting
  • One Peking^ (from December 23, 2005) – searchlights
  • Hong Kong Museum of Art^ (from December 23, 2005) – LED lights, searchlights, projection lighting
  • The Peninsula Hong Kong (from December 23, 2005) – simple lighting
  • Avenue of Stars (from December 23, 2005) – searchlights, LED lights
  • Hotel Panorama^ (from December 23, 2005) – projection lighting
  • New World Centre^ (from December 23, 2005) – searchlights (under redevelopment)
  • Tsim Sha Tsui Centre (from December 23, 2005) – LED lights, searchlights
  • Empire Centre^ (from December 23, 2005) – LED lights, searchlights
  • InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong (from December 23, 2005) – simple lighting
  • Hong Kong Coliseum (from December 23, 2005) – LED lights, searchlights, projection lighting
  • The Gateway (with Gateway Tower 5 building combined) – Harbour City (from May 1,  2007) – LED lights, searchlights
  • Ocean Terminal – Harbour City (from June 26, 2007)- projection lighting
  • Langham Place (from June 26, 2007) – LED lights, searchlights
  • 26 Nathan Road^ (from May 1, 2007) – LED lights
  • K11 (from June 26, 2007)- laser
  • Harbourview Horizon All-Suite Hotel (from June 26, 2007)- LED lights
  • Harbourfront Horizon All-Suite Hotel (from June 26, 2007)- LED lights
  • EMax (from June 26, 2007) – searchlights
  • Megabox (from October 1, 2007) – LED lights, searchlights
  • International Commerce Centre (from May 1, 2012) – LED lights, laser
  • Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (from late 2014) – searchlights

The 4 buildings added in Hong Kong Island include:

  • AIA Central(from December 23, 2005) – LED lights
  • Bank of America Tower (from May 1, 2007) – LED lights
  • Standard Chartered Bank Building (from May 1, 2007) – LED lights
  • CCB Tower (from 2014) – LED lights, laser

Symphony of Lights: Buildings both on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.  8pm nightly. Tel:+852 2508 1234.  Website: www.tourism.gov.hk. Admission is free. No admission ticket is required.

The show may be suspended during days of mourning, the night of Earth Hour and in emergencies without prior notice. The narration is in English nn Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; in Mandarin on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Cantonese on Sundays. Special pyrotechnic fireworks, added (since New Year’s Eve of 2007) to the show on the rooftop of participating buildings on both sides of the harbor or on stages off at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, are used during Chinese New Year, Christmas or on special events. When, on any given day, the Hong Kong Observatory issues Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 or above or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal at or after 3 pm, the show is suspended for that evening, even if the warning is subsequently rescinded prior to the 8 pm start time.

The mobile application of “A Symphony of Lights” can be downloaded from the following websites:

Spectators can also tune into the music of “A Symphony of Lights” through the dedicated mobile application. 

How to Get to Vantage Points:

  • Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre – MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit L6. Follow the signs and walk for around five minutes.
  • Golden Bauhinia Square – MTR Wan Chai Station, Exit A5. Follow the signs, take the skybridge to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and head for the Golden Bauhinia Square.