Out for a Duck.

The duck all alone.

And with his friend.

Many years ago a Dutch artist called, Florentijn Hofman, came up with the idea of creating a giant rubber duck that could be floated out to sea in various parts of the world. I remember talk of the seas and oceans being a giant interconnected bathtub and the fact that whatever people did in one part of the world would affect those in other parts. Well, this is very much still true and we are all feeling the effects of what we and others do with respect to the climate and the global environment.

Hofman launched his first duck at Saint-Nazaire in France in 2007. He then went on a world tour to twelve different locations in four continents. I don't know all the locations but I believe he held exhibits in Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

The duck first came to Hong Kong in 2013. I can remember going to see it in Tsim Sha Tsui. I had worked out when I was going, but saw In the news the duck had deflated. I was disappointed, but later it was reinflated and I managed to see it after alI. I also saw it by chance when Peter and I were in Macau and hadn't even realised it was there until we noticed it from our hotel balcony.

It's been ten years since the duck's last visit here and to mark this event, Hoffman created two identical ducks. These bright yellow ducks are made of rubber and are eighteen metres high. The exhibition is known as Double Ducks. They are supposed to resemble the Chinese characters for happiness and friends, which both have the same symbol twice: happiness 囍 and friends 朋. I believe the exhibition is all about re-embracing life post covid and is supposed to spread happiness and joy.

Last Friday the ducks were pulled by tugboats from a shipyard in Tsing Yi and placed in front of Tamar Park in Admiralty. I intended to go and see them next week, but on their first full day on display, disaster struck. It was so hot and one of the duck's rubber was stretching so much, it seemed likely to tear so it had to be deflated. Although I really wanted to see the two ducks together, I went on Sunday to see the remaining one in case it also deflates.

One of my friends was fortunate enough to see the two ducks together on Friday night. When I got home, I saw there is a plan to repair the second duck and continue the double duck exhibition, so I may have to go back.

Several MTR station are publicising the event by having duck displays. I think about eight different stations are involved. I have had a look at two of them: Admiralty and Hong Kong Station.

Double duck.

Ducks in Central Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Ducks Admiralty Station.

Duck staircase Admiralty Station.

It was really hot today when I went to the duck exhibition. I viewed the ducks from several different vantage points. I started with from far away.

Very distant view of the duck.

Duck from a distance.

Then I had a look at it from very close up.

Side view of the duck.

Close up of the duck.

Finally from the viewing platform above it.

The duck from the viewing platform..

The duck from the viewing platform.

So many people had come to see the duck even though there was only one on display.

The duck and its fans.

The duck and its fans.

The duck and its fans.

Selfie with duck.

Many people were combining their visit to see the duck with having a picnic in the open air

Typical Sunday crowds.

In addition to the duck, I found one of the gummy bear statues that used to be on display in Tsim Sha Tsui and a rainbow star ferry.

Gummy bear.

Rainbow star ferry.

Peter had asked me to go shopping in Marks and Spencers for him, so I went there before going home.

A couple of days later I saw on the news that the deflated duck had been repaired and was back, plus my friend sent me a picture of the ducks by night, so I decided I would just have to go out to see them again. I went by ferry. The sun was setting as I crossed to Victoria Harbour.

Sunset over the harbour.

Sunset over the harbour.

Sunset over the harbour.

There was a lovely cruise boat about to set off for a harbour tour. It kept changing colour. It was quite beautiful.

Chameleon cruise ship.

Chameleon cruise ship.

Chameleon cruise ship.

The aqua Luna junk was also there and beautifully lit up.

Junk trip by night.

Junk trip by night.

I could see the ducks in the distance and was pleased that this time there were two of them.

Ducks on the harbour at night.

The junk visited them, too.

They are looking very peaceful.

Side view.

Quite a lot of people.

Someone was sitting peacefully painting them when suddenly a huge cockroach ran across his canvas causing him to knock it over. Cockroaches here can be rather large.

The calm before the cockroach.

Of course I had to have a photo taken with the ducks.

I just made it back home before another massive thunder storm. I don't think I will be out for a duck for a third time.