Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 419

The Greater Bay Area: Contemporary yet Quaint
Harrow International School Hong Kong, Wong, Zoe - 13
I looked out the window, and the frenzied pulses from my chest quickened. The adrenaline rush sent an electric
impulse swirling down my spine giving me the shivers. I was breathing haphazardly as the mesmerizing view
took over my body. The bus then slowly skidded to a stop; we had arrived. I alighted the bus and immediately
my senses were hit by a whirlwind of wonderful sights and smells.
A backdrop of rolling, emerald green mountains. Eagles gliding gracefully. The sun playing hide and seek with
the clouds. Nature existed congenially outside the Greater Bay Area, but a different scene plays in the busy
streets. I strolled under a loud banner that welcomed visitors with “Greater Bay Area - Where Your Wildest
Dreams Is Brought Into Reality”, looked above and saw a skyscraper of magnificence which gleamed in the
intense blue of the morning sky. It had a distinct Chinese facade of an imperial building. To my left, extravagant
and eco-friendly skyscrapers showed off wooden posts, eye-catching multi-inclined roofs and immaculate
details. The wooden walls in this ingenious design unique to China serve as the separation of rooms without
bearing the weight of the entire building. Holograms of intimidating yet magnificent dragons floated around the
buildings and on the streets; tourists stopped to take pictures and stare in amazement. It was as though I had been
transported back thousands of years to ancient China, but I was not. Next door were Hong Kong Tong Lau
buildings of various colours and shapes which housed offices and all shared a similarly smooth, curved structure.
The riot of colours were flamboyant but harmonious, with paint that was in perfect condition, unweathered by
the sun. This place has distinctive characteristics which no other place holds. The clash of modern and old in the
building designs requires lots of creativity and also intrepidity.
I crossed the road and stepped onto the litter-free pavement, before being greeted by a few exquisite
monasteries which had equally stunning interiors, filled with brilliant books to quench the thirst of curious minds
for knowledge. A grand cathedral boasted two large clocks which sang after every hour. To my right, there was a
busy coffee shop which was commended in the “Michelin Guide - Flavours of the Greater Bay Area” I read on
the bus. The air was thick with the luscious scent of coffee and pastries baking. Unable to resist the temptation, I
decided to try a Portugeuse egg tart and a panty-hose milk tea. A waiter called my ticket number; my mouth
watered uncontrollably as soon as I saw the egg tart. I took a bite of heavenly flavour and brushed crumbs off the
corner of my mouth. I sniffed the wafty aroma coming out from my coffee cup and took the first sip, feeling the
milkiness spill over my taste-buds and warming my throat. Simply delicious.
I strolled over to the spacious promenade near the coast and leaned over the railings, watching the waves roll
along the shore in a graceful, gentle rhythm as if they were dancing with the land. The warmth of the sun tickled
my arms and face and the cool sea breeze tugged on my shirt. I sit on one of the benches and let time fly by as I
observed the sun gradually set. The cheerful colours of sunset filled the sky with a deep red flame, setting the
clouds ablaze.
“Ring!”. School had ended as I watched the children walk cheerfully out of school; their voices babbled happily
like a trickling river. After some more time I heard the fierce footsteps and constant clicking of polished heels
from adults trying to return home quickly. “Sik Wu!” exclaims a fruity voice. I turned my head and saw a group
of elders around a table who had just finished playing Mah Jong and were ready to go home. Over at an openair
stall, the elderly women were making dumplings to sell later. The air was thick with their tales, gossip and
sometimes an old song or two, with the radio playing in the back.
I traced my footsteps back to the same road I came from. It was now a totally different scene and a hologram of
neon letters screamed “Temple Street Night Market” over the bustling scene. Stalls were neatly arranged in
preparation for the night market. Assortments of fresh and affordable foods were sold and a blend of different
cultural music could be heard in the background amidst the constant shouting. Dodging past busy people, I saw
stalls serving huge platters of food. From tender meat begging to be dipped in sauces to a variety of dim sum,
seafood and all types of food “on a stick”, this place has everything!