October 2008 HK, the ride

Aren't you glad that October 2008 is behind us? Read my article on the thrilling attraction in Hong Kong:



The “October 2008 HK” is, beyond dispute, one of the best thrill-rides in Hong Kong. At the end of Pedder Street looms the towering International Finance Centre, once the tallest building in Hong Kong, right next to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The International Finance Centre has been deserted since 2028 and the signs of neglect are everywhere. In the background you’re listening to haunting melodies from the past by Madonna, Linden Park, Jackie Cheung and other notables from that era. (You also hear the screams of the elevator riders.)

When you enter the lobby, you see that everything is covered by dust and cobwebs. There’s a set of clocks are genuine Renaissance antiques. There are French bronzes and porcelain from China. The paintings are replicas. On the Concierge desk, there’s a Times magazine from September 2008 with “Lehman Brothers has fallen, who’s next?” on its cover.

From here, you’re directed to the elevator lobby. Before the door closes and the lights dim, look around.

The room gets dark, the TV turns on and there in black and white is Alfred Hitchcock. He begins with “Tonight’s story is somewhat strange. You’d have to be prepared for surprises.”

Then, on the TV screen, You’ll see the International Finance Centre in its heyday. A young executive and two school children enter the elevator. The school children are arguing over something. The young executive looks on impatiently and pushes the control panel hard. The doors close, they start to go up, lightning hits the building and they vanish.

With a crack of lightning, the lights in the elevator lobby turn back on, a door opens and you enter a long corridor with dazzling light and sound effects. You are guided to board a 2005 service elevator.

Once you’ve fastened your seatbelt, the doors close and the elevator heads up. First stop, the doors open and you see a very cool optical illusion. The doors close again and at the next stop, you move forward.

Get ready, this is where the real fun begins. The PA system warns: “You have to keep your seat belt fastened and stay in your seat at all times.”

The next thing you knew, your fun ride had just fallen from the 32nd floor to the 10th floor, within a matter of 3 seconds. The rider next to you was screaming with all his might but you couldn’t hear him. That’s because you were screaming twice louder. The elevator came to a sudden halt. You breathed out a sigh of relief, unfastened your seat belt, tried to get up and leave. Without any sign of warning, your fun-ride dashed upwards again back to the 15th floor and stayed there. The result was the ceiling of the elevator crushing onto your head. Your forehead was bleeding but surprisingly it didn’t hurt. All you could feel was overwhelming fear and panic. You wanted out but were frightened that the elevator would shoot up again, or worse still, fall and smash to the ground.

While you were panting and trying to re-fasten your seat belt, the doors of the elevator sprung open. The PA system came on again, “Congratulations. You have survived October 2008 HK. We hope you have enjoyed the thrill as much as we have giving it. Make your way out through the door on your left. Your photos are ready for order just behind the door. For more thrill, you can advance to the next ride, the 2009 Surprises. Medical assistance is available upon request just before the exit. Don’t bother to check whether you have left your belongings behind, there isn't any left,”