With many people flying in from overseas for the wedding, Veronica and I decided to do something special for all the visitors and the people who were kind enough to be helping us on the day. We had started our planning back when the coronavirus restrictions were all still in place. The usual thing to do would have been a dinner beforehand, but it seemed to be less than ideal with potential limits on numbers and dividers between guests. As we sat eating dinner and contemplating, we saw one of the famous Hong Kong party trams roll past. This seemed to be the perfect option for us. As a form of transportation, it would be excluded from many of the coronavirus requirements and it was a uniquely Hong Kong institution which could be enjoyed by both the locals and visitors. For the next few months, I waited patiently for the booking website to update for the date I was waiting for. When the time arrived, I immediately booked the red one. It was the most iconic of all these party trams, and being the red one I also assumed it was the fastest (naturally).
A few months later, the guests started to arrive and so did the day of the party. We gathered out at the depot in Sai Wan. A couple of people had been on a party tram before, but for most it was a new experience. I was excited myself. This was something that was so much a part of living in Hong Kong as you would see it passing from the street. The tram itself was something I caught almost every day as well, so it felt like I was sharing a part of my daily life with all the visitors.
The touristy attractions can sometimes be a bit of a disappointment. They are often hyped up and the weight of expectations can be too much to be met. I was a little bit concerned that this would be the case with the tram. How good could it really be? It was just a tram after all. A standard bit of public transport that we used on a day to day basis. Everyone started to board. We had arranged our own drinks and food for the trip and there was a sense of excitement. Once on board, I began to arrange the food and drinks as most others went straight to the top to look out at the view. We started moving off and the entire tram was filled with laughing and chatter. It seemed like everything was going well.
The tram depot is in Sai Wan, close to Sai Ying Pun. We had arranged a three hour trip that would take us all the way to North Point, and then on a loop through Happy Valley before returning back to the start. I walked to the top of the tram and joined in the fun with everyone around. It was quickly clear that this was already a success. Everyone was drinking and enjoying themselves. Looking out at the moving scene of Hong Kong at night, the lights and the activity all moving past with the familiar clicking noise as the wheels passed over the tracks.
Going through Central and Causeway Bay, all heads craned upwards. The bright lights of the city felt different from the balcony on the roof. I had been on this tram ride countless times, but being out in the open and looking out unrestricted felt very different. There was a freedom that made Hong Kong feel so much "bigger".
There were nothing but smiles on the whole trip. I was immensely happy that this had turned out to be such a success and everyone seemed to agree. For both the visitors and locals alike, this was an experience that seemed to bring out the best of Hong Kong.
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