A Dutch tall ship docked in Victoria Harbour will be open for public tours over the July 1 holiday weekend. Photo: Sam TsangHongkongers can visit a European tall ship that has docked in the city as part of its two-year world tour and is expected to receive more than 500 visitors.
The 19th century-style Clipper Stad Amsterdam set sail from the Dutch capital last August and recently arrived in Asia for the first time in its 25-year history.
The ship docked at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Ocean Terminal on Saturday and will be moored at Central Pier No 9 until next Tuesday, stretching across the July 1 holiday that commemorates the return of the city’s sovereignty to China.
The public can take a 45-minute guided tour on the deck of the ship and meet the vessel’s captain and crew members.
“When the green light was given to initiate the world tour, it was quite easy to say we needed to include Hong Kong if we are going to Asia,” said Bart van Liempt, the ship’s hospitality manager.
“Hong Kong represents the traditional way of sailing as it is one of the oldest ports in the world.”
The ship last docked in Shanghai. It had previously made stops in Yokohama, Tokyo and Kobe in Japan, which was the first country the vessel called on in Asia.
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“Shanghai and Hong Kong are so enthusiastic about us coming here, the excitement is overwhelming,” van Liempt said.
Crew member Megan Camphuijsen said: “It’s really nice to see and learn about the cultural differences between Asia and Europe. Hong Kong is so alive and is such a vibrant city.”
The Clipper Stad Amsterdam is 76 metres in length and has 31 sails, with teak and brass interior finishings that are characteristic of many 19th century European tall ships. It contains 14 guest cabins and a restaurant, but those facilities will not be open to the public during the tour. It is operated by 30 crew members.
First launched in 2000, the ship previously only sailed in European waters, or to the United States.
This time, however, it travelled from San Francisco to Japan in a voyage that lasted 26 days.
The ship’s next Asian destination is Sorong in Indonesia, where it is scheduled for a short stopover for refuelling and will not be open to the public. It will then continue on its journey to Sydney.