Mr. Shangkong | Avian visitor curries favour with Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has been worried about how to boost local spending for some years, and apparently this yellow duck is doing its bit for the local economy
That duck - don’t pretend you don’t know the one I’m talking about - is the talk of the town.
Hong Kong has never had trouble dreaming up new and varied ways to stay in the spotlight and this month it’s hit on a bird theme: ‘duck’. Not ‘roast duck’ or ‘Peking duck’ or ‘duck a l’orange’ but more rubber duck. A giant rubber duck has made its temporary home in the harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui near Harbour City, one of Kowloon’s biggest shopping malls.
Hong Kong has also never been slow to capitalise on a good idea, and businesses are cashing in.
The giant rubber duck may remind some readers of bathtime as a child, but has inspired others to post photos of curried duck and circulate them online. It’s inspired other bloggers to share their favourite duck recipes, while some restaurants are adding curried duck to their menus.
Some local restaurants alongside Victoria Harbour are also offering so-called “duck view” tables where you can dine in style, and watch the huge synthetic bird floating.
It’s not just about food. Swarovski, better known for crystal jewellery and accessories, is also jumping in on the action.
The luxury label is selling a yellow duck resembling a life guard, exclusively at Harbour City, which sponsored the Hong Kong leg of the 16.5 metre high art installation created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman.
