Giant rubber duck sails into Hong Kong harbor

Eric Pfeiffer
·Reporter

It was like something out of a Ducks Unlimited member’s dreams: A 54-foot-tall rubber duck sailed into a Hong Kong harbor on Thursday.

Hundreds gathered at Victoria Harbour to cheer the arrival of the duck, which was designed by Dutch artist Flortentijn Hofman. The enormous duckling was built in 2007 and has since traveled to 13 cities and nine countries.

"My sculptures cause an uproar, astonishment and put a smile on your face," Hoffman told the Daily Mail. "They give people a break from their daily routines. Passers-by stop in front of them and enter into conversation with other spectators. People are making contact with each other again."

You can watch a slideshow of the Rubber Duck's arrival below:

Click image to see more photos. (Photo By Jessica Hromas/Getty Images)

Click image to see more photos. (Credit goes here for cover photo)

Over the years, Hofman has created a number of strange, larger-than-life creatures, including a red dog, a parrot named after political filmmaker Michael Moore and even a dead fly.

So does the duck have a specific message for the people of the world?

Well, sort of. On Hofman’s website, he offers the following explanation for the history of his creation: “The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate people and doesn't have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relieve mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!”