Hong Kong on Tuesday joyfully welcomed the return of a giant inflatable rubber duck, which drew tens of thousands of visitors before it was abruptly deflated for maintenance for almost a week.
The city has taken the 16.5-metre-tall yellow inflatable duck, conceived by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, to its heart since it was towed into the harbour on May 2 to cheering crowds.
Duck mania has gripped the city ever since, with locals and tourists packing the streets near where it is moored to catch a glimpse of it. Stalls and shops throughout the city sold replicas and restaurants created special duck dishes.
So many were disconsolate when the cheerful giant-sized bath toy was transformed into a deflated disc resembling a floating fried egg last Wednesday.
“It went for a body check and for maintenance, now all the work is finished and it will see everybody again,” said Andrew Yeung, advertising and promotions manager of shopping mall Harbour City which is organising the exhibit.
Hundreds packed the waterfront late on Tuesday and greeted the duck with cheers.