When I was a kid, I saw the movie “The World of Suzy Wong” in San Francisco, and it transported me to a place I never imagined I’d see: Hong Kong. Even the name of the city excited me. One of the more memorable scenes in the movie takes place on one of the famed Star Ferries named “Twinkling Star.” I loved that name and imagined what it would be like to be aboard. Fast forward many years, and what do you know? I moved our family to Hong Kong.
One day, I was standing at the Star Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong waiting to board that very ferry for the first time. The ride offers up one of the great bargains in the world, especially if you opt to ride in second class, which is on the main deck. Occasionally, I’d splurge and go first class on the top deck, but that wasn’t where Suzy (and Bill Holden) rode, so neither would I.
I lived in Hong Kong with my family for four years, and over that time, I had ample opportunity to ride the many Star Ferries back and forth. More often than not, I’d wait for the next one if it happened to be “Twinkling Star.” My daughters thought I was nuts, but in time they also came to understand my quirks (one of many, I assure you). Who knew how much that movie would affect my life?
Are we there yet? 