30 Oct 2011 ~ Travelator

Listening to: Viola Lee Blues ~ Phil Lesh & Friends, Bill Graham Civic Center, SF, 12-30-2008

Yesterday I spent exploring Central and Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong Island. Streets in between are narrow and winding, with some so steep that steps replace roads.

The highlight is the Escalator [or Travelator as the signs indicate]. It consists of twenty escalators and three moving side-walks.  According to Guinness World Records, these escalators together form the longest outdoor covered escalator system at 2600 ft/800 m. It runs downhill from 6am-10am and uphill from 10:30am - midnight. The total travel time is twenty minutes, but most people walk while the escalator moves to shorten their trip.

It was built in 1993 to ease the passage of residents getting home via taxi and minubus through the winding streets. Expected passenger usage was 27,000 people per day, but daily traffic exceeds 55,000 per day.

Along the way, there are restaurants and shops, especially in the lower sections, making fun and easy to enjoy the surrounding areas.

This is getting ready to head up the escalator.

Here is a view of an alley way with lots of markets.

And here is the view from midway up and you can see all the covered sections.

I'm offically boycotting the NBA season this year, even if they start in Dec or Feb. Sorry folks, I won't be the commish for our fantasy league. Maybe next year.