Woke up and decided to head on over to Hong Kong Island to ride the infamously vibey and beloved Hong Kong Tramways, also known affectionately as 叮叮 (Ding Ding).
The endearing nickname ‘ding ding’ comes from the bell’s warning sounds, and this distinctive sound is a living symbol of everyday life in Hong Kong and has become a cherished part of the city’s identity. It has been operating since 1904 and was Hong Kong’s first large-scale transportation system and a historical symbol of the city’s transformation. Initially they were single decked but as demand grew, it expanded to double decker trams in 1912. Hong Kong Tramways now holds the Guinness World Records title for the world’s largest double-decker tram fleet in service with 165 tramcars.
It's definitely not as fast as the MTR since it has many stops and shares the street with vehicular traffic, and so it offers an alternative leisurely and relaxing pace in contrast to the daily hustle of HK life. While it's popular with tourists there's still plenty of locals that use it as part of their daily commute or to get around town. I highly recommend it for anyone traveling to HK, and definitely sit up on the second deck.
First, gonna grab some breakfast and then make my way over to Kennedy Town, the most western terminus of the system
Quiet mornings, the city wakes up slowly and then all at once