Giant rubber duck makes splash in Hong Kong harbor

[May 03, 2013]  HONG KONG (AP) -- A six-story-high rubber duck is making a big splash in Hong Kong.

Crowds watched the inflatable duck being pulled by tugboat across Victoria Harbour in front of Hong Kong's signature skyscraper skyline.

Tourist Zhang Wenjin from Shanghai says it's a big surprise. "This is huge. My daughter liked it when she saw it just now. Because kids like cute stuff."

Yu Kwan Yee of Hong Kong was part of the crowd. "The duckie is swimming," the 2 1/2-year-old said.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman created the bright-yellow duck, and it was built of PVC material in New Zealand by a company specializing in large sails.

Hofman was on hand as the duck arrived and said it later had to be deflated because high winds and waves created a "big challenge."

The duck has been transported around the world since 2007, bringing a message of peace and harmony. It has previously been to Osaka, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Auckland, New Zealand; and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

It will be anchored at a Hong Kong terminal for display until June.

[Associated Press; By ANNIE HO]

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