In about 13 hours, this pier - this Star Ferry terminal in Central - will close for good. It's a pity, and it's greatly lamented by those who think Hong Kong has no respect for its own history - but it's not exactly an ancient historical site. It's a slightly grubby, slightly old-fashioned transport terminal, less than 50 years old. There's no doubt that it has a charm and a style, and it has a lot of affection from but tourists and locals but it's not really all that big a deal. The affection is obvious from the sheer number of people taking photos of the place, yesterday and today, and from the slightly party atmosphere on the boat on this Saturday morning. The Star Ferry itself is not going away - and that would be something to seriously lament - but it is changing, becoming a little less charming, a little more modern, a little more sterile. That is a pity, but it's not the end of the world.

Also, incidentally, it's good to see people on the boat wearing poppies. It's a long long way to Flanders Field from here, but it's still appropriate.

(This post was written while on the pier and ferry this morning, but edited and posted with photos later in the day)

Crappy cameraphone shots follow, more on site: