My husband was in HK for a one-week business trip in early March and I went over the weekend to join him. I had some time to myself and went hiking on two of the outlying islands, Cheung Chau and Lamma islands, something that I have always always wanted to do. The islands have a laid-back, 1970s feel, which is certainly something we do not easily associate HK with. Cheung Chau is the most populated outlying island (and HK has over 260 islands in all) with about 30,000 residents, and is a 45-min ferry ride away from Central in HK Island. The population is made up of mostly retirees and yuppies, who want to lead an "alternative" lifestyle and prefer the daily commute to living in pigeonholes on the crowded mainland. I had a thoroughly enjoyable walk-cum-bike ride around Cheung Chau alone, and spent some time chatting with the locals. There are no cars, cabs, buses etc on the island. People get around on bicycles, and for transporting goods, they use a small motorised bike with an attached mini-trailer to ferry stuff around.
Ping An Bao (Buns of Peace) is Cheung Chau's most famous export. Every May, there is a huge celebration in Cheung Chau where thousands of people descend on the island to participate in this festival, with street parades, temple celebrations, and tons of these buns tied to a tower structure where participants will compete to climb the tower to grab as many buns as possible. It is a huge stampede but I bet it's lots of fun. Of course, the bakeries also sell them for consumption. I was too early but managed to catch the prep work going on at the central parade square.
There seems to be plenty of these cheery little flags hanging around the island. These were in front of one the numerous Tin Hou Gong temples (Goddess of the Sea).
Cheung Chau began as a fishing village and the industry is still being kept alive by a small fishermen population on the island. But the catch is far too minimal to satisfy the seafood-mad folks from the mainland so most of the restaurants import their stocks from all over the world.
This was taken along a stretch of beaches on the opposite side of the pier. City folks come to islands like Cheung Chau and Lamma during summer to chill and do a bit of sunbathing.
And fish! This rocky stretch faces the main HK Island, which was not in sight as the weather in spring is generally foggy; I was told it is very common for ferries to collide due to the poor visibility. On my way to the island, the ferry had to stop mid-way for a while because it was completely shrouded by the mist. I was getting sick and throwing up because of the choppy waters.
There is a primary school and a secondary school on the island. The street leading to the school is named 学校路 (School Street). This shop is right outside the school and judging from the sign, it probably sells school supplies.
The signboard along the beach got me real excited and I was sad to see the shutters down. Mmm, tasty seafood BBQ dinner on the beach goes *poof*.
Random splashes of colour all over the island. This is a low wall bordering a ball court.
One of the Tin Hou Gong temples. Islands of HK always have at least one of these temples worshipping the Goddess of the Sea.
Holga 135, Kodak Ektachrome 64
Ping An Bao (Buns of Peace) is Cheung Chau's most famous export. Every May, there is a huge celebration in Cheung Chau where thousands of people descend on the island to participate in this festival, with street parades, temple celebrations, and tons of these buns tied to a tower structure where participants will compete to climb the tower to grab as many buns as possible. It is a huge stampede but I bet it's lots of fun. Of course, the bakeries also sell them for consumption. I was too early but managed to catch the prep work going on at the central parade square.
There seems to be plenty of these cheery little flags hanging around the island. These were in front of one the numerous Tin Hou Gong temples (Goddess of the Sea).
Cheung Chau began as a fishing village and the industry is still being kept alive by a small fishermen population on the island. But the catch is far too minimal to satisfy the seafood-mad folks from the mainland so most of the restaurants import their stocks from all over the world.
This was taken along a stretch of beaches on the opposite side of the pier. City folks come to islands like Cheung Chau and Lamma during summer to chill and do a bit of sunbathing.
And fish! This rocky stretch faces the main HK Island, which was not in sight as the weather in spring is generally foggy; I was told it is very common for ferries to collide due to the poor visibility. On my way to the island, the ferry had to stop mid-way for a while because it was completely shrouded by the mist. I was getting sick and throwing up because of the choppy waters.
There is a primary school and a secondary school on the island. The street leading to the school is named 学校路 (School Street). This shop is right outside the school and judging from the sign, it probably sells school supplies.
The signboard along the beach got me real excited and I was sad to see the shutters down. Mmm, tasty seafood BBQ dinner on the beach goes *poof*.
Random splashes of colour all over the island. This is a low wall bordering a ball court.
One of the Tin Hou Gong temples. Islands of HK always have at least one of these temples worshipping the Goddess of the Sea.
Holga 135, Kodak Ektachrome 64
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