(8) ding ding! (8) Hong Kong's Tram - an inexpensive way to travel, if you're not in a hurry
One of the best transportation bargains you can still enjoy in Hong Kong is the Tram. The 101 year old tramway system, which runs along what was the northern shore of Hong Kong Island before land reclamation, costs only $2 HKD (30 cents CAD) to ride, regardless of distance travelled. A ride from west to east on the MTR costs $7.50 HKD, but takes only 25 minutes. An end-to-end ride on the Tram from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan costs only $2, but takes 80 minutes.
The Tram, by the way, is a double-decker car that runs along a dual-track, and which runs on electricity. Passengers ent
er through two turnstiles at the back, and pay and leave at the front.The Tram is quite an anachronistic sight in Hong Kong, arguably the most fast-paced and ultra-modern city in the world. After all, most people in Hong Kong always seem to be in a hurry, and many things in Hong Kong, from the design of MTR platforms at transfer stations to the construction of elevated walkways, and even the uniquely Hong Kong Cafe de Coral/Maxim's/Fairwood fast food reverse-cafeteria-style restaurants, facilitates this fast pace. The Tram, however, clicks and clacks along Asia's financial capital at its own pace.
Most passengers I see on the Tram are elderly Hong Kong residents and Filipino maids. These people really know how to pinch their pennies, and the elderly have the time to spare. People of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds do ride the Tram for short-distance rides, e.g. from Wan Chai to Causeway Bay. Occasionally, I even see people wearing suits ride the Tram.
In addition to being slow, the Tram is, unlike all of Hong Kong's buses, minibuses, and subway trains (but also like the Star Ferries), not air-conditioned. When stuck in traffic on a hot and humid day, this is not fun. And yes, Tram cars can get stuck in traffic. Although Tram cars have dedicated lanes, there can be heavy congestion at some intersections during rush hour. Also, I find it unfortunate that Kowloon does not have its Tram system. Then again, Hong Kong Island is a much more significant political, social, and commercial area than the Kowloon side.
Do ride the Tram if you visit Hong Kong. It's a slow ride, but a charming one. Make sure you go upstairs, and try to sit at the very front or very back.
*photo used WITHOUT permission
posted by krazykrankyken @ 12:59 a.m.
10 comments
10 Comments:
Excuse me! Your attention please! It very inappropriate for you to use picture not belong to you. For the information of yourself, I know the photographer who take that picture and I present the evidence already for his information. It is utmost unethical to do this. Do you know that he is not earning big salary and from only the purchase of his artful pictures is his livelihood? Please do to take off your picture which offends and not be with arrogance by your declaration of usage without proper permission. We have reservation of the righteousness to take legal action. Thank you for your attention.
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I acknowledge receipt of your expression of unhappy protest, but liken it to an unspecified quantity of bovine excrement.
I suggest you engage in relations of a fornicatory nature with your maternal parent. Furthermore, I suggest that your friend place his reproductive and urinary appendage into his own rectal orifice.
Finally, I further suggest that you proceed to a most unpleasant region of torture and retribution that people of the religious persuasion allege to exist after the termination of life.
Hi Ken, nice blog. I like it. Need a lawyer? Hee hee... just kiding.
Enjoy blogging.
Greetings. Maybe we have get on the wrong feet from the beginning. But I must profess it is very rude from you. You have try to disguise in your acknowledgement like a learned gentleman and maybe you think that I cannot use a dictionary but I can now understand your reply of undeserving insult. Maybe I take a long time to understand what you say but your delay strategy do not change our determination for a righteous action. But we will still be gentleman and let this pass by us without feelings that is hard. If you will not take off your picture, then we must request action of a recompense nature. Thank you.
He's not making fun of your English, he's making fun of your intellect.
Hey Mr. Anonymous, why the anonymity? I'd be happy to compensate you and your friend 1 cent CAD or 10 cents HKD. I'd have to mail it to you, though, so please give me your home address. It would be purely coincidental if you receive faecal matter in your mailbox, though. If you wish to pursue this matter further, know that my friend, Wenwei, has just volunteered his services. You really want to deal with a PhD (Law) student and former judge?? And do you know how many of my old classmates are studying Law??
Oh yeah, I got the picture from wikipedia, and wikipedia has this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License
Ass.
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in case no one knows who i am, i am Kenny's cousin from edmonton.,,, i frequent hk often and love hte tram. it is a great way to get to know the city and cop a cheap feel once in a while. i recommend!
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