Whoa

We stood among the throng on the pier as the Star Ferry approached.

The captain misjudged either his speed or entry angle; the ferry broadsided the pier, causing it to shudder and sway underfoot.

We've never felt the pier move as much as it had at that moment, and judging by the crowd's reaction, many within hadn't either.

Their response was comical because unlike Westerners (who'd come up with a variety of expressions), everyone uttered a single, identical interjection in unison: Waaaaaaah!

It was the Cantonese version of whoa.

Keanu Reeves would have been proud.

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