Hong Kong at Night

Hong Kong boasts more skyscrapers than any other city. Its skyline stretches on and on, with layer upon layer jutting up from the hills like sharp teeth. By day it’s daunting and gray, but at night it’s like a colorful star system twinkling in the distance.

On the night our ship was due to leave, we watched a local pilot climb onto our ship, a ground crew gather to cast off lines, and a tugboat lingering nearby to escort us out of the harbor.

We looked forward to watching the sunset as we left port, but it was not to be. Thirty passengers failed to go through immigration in time. Again and again the cruise director came over the intercom to call them by name, imploring them to go through the mandatory immigration. As a result, we left port three hours late.

Not only is this rude of the passengers, but the ship had to pay the pilot, ground crew, and tugboat for their time. We found out from crew members that on top of that, the harbor leveled a fine against the ship. Sheesh!Read more