Aqualuna
The affordable cruise packages were irresistible but when I pitched the idea to my daughter, she rejected it off the bat as it would be difficult to move about if there’d be sudden infections onboard and her fears were not groundless as there were a number of cruisers who came back positive with covid-19. But wanting to really have a distinctive way to end the year, I was raking through other offers when her friend Kitty suggested the Dim Sum Cruise. After a rather short deliberation, I browsed online with fingers crossed for open spots and luckily got our chance to go on an Afternoon Tea Cruise, an experience combining four of Hong Kong’s iconic features – the red-sailed Aqualuna as one of the few remaining traditional Chinese junk boats, the gorgeous Victoria Harbour that defines its skyline, the tasty Dim Sum dishes as the pride and joy of its people and the Afternoon Tea as one of the influences of its colonial past – all in one!
With social distancing restrictions during the holidays, we needed to present our vaccination record before boarding, but we were seated right away. There was a duo who came behind us and chose to sit next to us, but good thing they moved to a different location with more wind barriers after taking snaps with the boat’s iconic red sail. That gave us the chance to take our photos as well, but afraid that I'd get seasick, I decided not to move too much so I stay put at my seat.
Dim Sum Afternoon Tea
Like a Classic Afternoon Tea or a Fusion Afternoon Tea, the Afternoon Tea set, comprised of yum cha favourites from Dim Sum Library and cakes and pastries from Aqua, came on an elegantly carved multi-tiered wooden tray and we were dumbfounded how it was really built to integrate with the small table that was in front of our seats. It came with latch clasps that would fasten the tray on the table. The holes were strategically placed on the sides for the drinks, but teapots and whatnot couldn't be easily accommodated, thus the set was paired with juice or soda, and a glass of champagne, if desired, but should be added during the online booking.
As they moved to another table, we overheard the duo saying they had to eat the dumplings before they'd get cold, so we were instantly reminded to do so as well. Surprisingly, they were still warm so we devoured the delicacies one after the other – from the black truffle har gau to black garlic siu mai pork dumpling to wagyu beef puff with black pepper – and the upscaled ingredients gave a dash of sophistication to the well-loved dim sum varieties. The warm Hong Kong-style egg tart was also good but we've tried better ones or I just probably preferred thus confused it with the expected richer taste of the Portuguese egg tart. When I was about to be disappointed thinking the scones didn't come with clotted cream and jam, my daughter pointed at the little compartment on the tray where they were hidden. As for the cakes and pastries, it seemed the cold weather kept the mousse and cream in tact, so we couldn't complain.
Victoria Harbour
We were slowly savouring the cakes and pastries until we reached the end of the Hong Kong island, so we thought, before the boat turned. But as soon as we started to notice the landscape before us, we realized how we haven’t seen those edifices before. A lot of things have changed since we last had the opportunity to cruise the Victoria harbour, and because it was at night, I guess that explained why we didn’t see anything (my daughter and I have night blindness). I couldn’t recognise Hung Hom and other places we frequented the years prior due to the massive development in the areas. That made me feel like we haven't really experienced Hong Kong to the fullest so perhaps a cruise to Aberdeen by a sampan would be the next recreational activity to check out.
Sailing Away from 2021
I was debating whether the last few years were a standstill or that I have not been able to get the privilege to travel much that I didn’t notice the changes and improvements in the other parts of the city or I was just minding my own business as usual. As we sailed away from 2021, I thought the new year needs a new me – more aware, more inclusive and more socially responsible – some new year’s resolution that I wish every individual would ponder upon. In all that’s happening in the world, all these behaviours would prove to be impactful.
Full and lulled by the rather cold breeze, we had a few minutes of serenity marvelling at the skyline, contemplating life (and sitting in rumination of the past 2 years living with the Covid-19 situation) and struggling not to shut our eyes as we sailed close to the pier. I saw the head of the pandemic retreating in the horizon and I couldn’t tell if it was optimism or it was my dizziness talking. Either way, starting the new year with an ounce of positivity and a leap of faith wouldn't hurt, would it?
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