Baby T-T and I finally got to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum last week – only about six months after its reopening at Central Pier 8. Previously located down at Stanley’s Murray House, the new location is certainly more convenient than its predecessor, making it even more ridiculous that we hadn’t yet visited!

Entering on the first floor, we duly handed over our $30 admittance fee (under fours go free), and headed straight into the temporary exhibition space. As part of the Le French May arts festival, the gallery currently has a display of items from the luxurious French ocean liners of the late 19th and early 20th century, including some extremely blingy tableware, glamorous photos and gorgeous Louis Vuitton luggage, along with some trés chic travel posters too.

Despite visiting on a Sunday, the museum was pretty quiet, so we had plenty of space to wander around without battling the throng that we usually run into at the Science Museum in TST – another favourite Baby T-T hangout on account of the many cars and planes throughout.

After the French liner exhibition, we headed downstairs for a walk through Hong Kong’s maritime history, which translated to me snatching a read of the highly informative plaques wherever possible while Baby T-T bombed around the model displays. With galleries covering trade, shipbuilding, pirates and the history of Victoria Harbour, along with a lovely harbour viewing gallery with very cool Hong Kong map carpet, there’s plenty to get through here. Look out for the virtual cargo-loading game, where you use a joystick to attempt to load a container ship without sinking it… far harder than you’d think!

On the whole, it was a fun experience for both of us, although I did feel that three-year-old Baby T-T may get a little more from some of the exhibits once he’s a bit older. That said, he enjoyed himself immensely running around looking at all the “big toy ships” (just not in the way that the curators planned, I’m sure!).

If you’re in need of a sit down and a bite to eat after packing in the culture then pop upstairs to Café 8 on the second floor – full review here!

Opening hours: Weekdays, 9.30am – 5.30pm; Weekends 10am – 7pm

Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Ferry Pier 8, Central, Hong Kong; 3713 2500; info@hkmaritimemuseum.org
www.hkmaritimemuseum.org