THE WAHBIANG BLOG

(Photo Taken: Soho, Hong Kong – The billboard is real. The red circle is real too. Just not sure about the news on it. )

(Photo Taken: DBS Bank & Hang Seng Bank, Central, Hong Kong – For the past 3 months [every afternoon during lunch hours, rain or shine], these protesters have been publicizing their grievances outside the banks. It is time the banks in Hong Kong learn how to clean up their mess. Again, this is "Freedom of Speech"! Surely, you will never find such a scene outside our DBS Bank back in Singapore. We do know how to clean up our "corporate image" and any "undesirable presence".)

(Photo Taken: Tung Lung Island, Hong Kong – Taking a private, undisturbed afternoon cool dip in the clear shallow water at a secluded beach at Tung Lung Island. Taken with my 400mm paparazzi lens.)

We were looking for a "marine park" but we found ourselves stranded on this strange eastern island, Tung Lung Island ("Eastern Dragon Island" 東龍洲).

30-minute ferry ride from my house, this island is largely uninhabited. Do not expect any town shops like Tai-O or Cheung Chau. More likely, you find creepy looking spiders and hairy caterpillars within your first 10 minutes on the island. Despite the remoteness, this island offers great hill-top terrain for camping and hiking. Its coast is also easily accessible with decent beach and shallow clear water for beach-goers.

This island is more well-known for its 300-year old fort and the Hong Kong’s largest ancient rock craving (1.8 x 2.4m). We didn’t manage to see both of its star attractions. We were kinda lost and terribly worn-out. Equipped with the wrong footwear and clothing, the kids and the adult barely made it back to the jetty. The bad weather (humid and rainy) made it very uncomfortable for us to proceed.

The hike was tiring – especially for the Ho Family (to me, it is more steep than Lamma Island). Poor Sherry and Hong Fei, they have to carry their little 3-year old prince up and down the rocky hills. Elkan was in his usual pranks, screaming at his top of his voice at every sight of flying insects – destroying the tranquility of this quiet place. The best moment for us both (Daddy and son) was when we hiked to the edge of the cliffs (step by step, hand in hand) to see the rock formations below. What an adventure for my little darling!

Lunch was certainly the star itinerary of the day. We possibly had the most authentic "Gong Zai Mian" (港式公仔面) at a very old eatery island wooden hut. Eating at this place reminded us of those kampong houses back home in Malaysia. Look at the photos – it was really tasty!

Perhaps we should plan our trip properly. This seems like a good place to camp overnight. Maybe there are more to see here. We may be on the wrong track. Anyway, it is a good Sunday outing – certainly better than crowding with the shoppers at Causeway Bay. The sun, the sea and the sand is always more desirable.

(Photo Taken: Meet the "Nites" – From Moscow to Tokyo, the Creative Mafia is here!)

(Photo Taken: Tai O Fishing Town – Maybe someone should tell the 80-year old Ah Pek inside that his beloved Snow White is just a stone’s throw away from him. Hong Kong Disneyland is on the same island, 20 minutes taxi ride away.)

Just when I thought we have covered most of Hong Kong’s outlying islands last Summer, I realised there are a couple more islands which we haven’t explore. May-June is always the best season to explore these places – Blue sky, good sun and cool breeze. Before the arrival of the dreadful typhoon season (July-Oct), I am going to plan our next 4 weekends visiting all the outdoor attractions (Marine Park, Geo Park and Coral Islands). First stop of my list – Tai O (大澳) Fishing Town.

Located at the north-western part of the Lantau Island, Tai O is also known to many as the "Venice of Hong Kong". Seriously, there is nothing "Venice" or romantic about it. In fact, it has a notorious past. It was a stronghold for pirates back in the 16th century and later a dark territory for the smuggling of drugs, tobacco and guns into China. Today, it is a major tourist attractions for its iconic floating stilt houses (棚屋). It reminded me of those houses I have seen along the river in Malacca River and Mekong River. 

Like Cheung Chau Island, Tai O offers visitors a rare glimpse of its "floating town-life". While the pier is buzzing with shops selling dried seafood and local delicacies, the real Tai O awaits its visitors right deep inside the town. Take a slow walk into the narrow platforms of the stilt houses. A closely-knitted community, most residents leave their doors / windows wide open. Take a peek into their living space and you get to witness their day-to-day life. You see old folks playing mahjongs out on the deck, kids fishing by the water, mothers preparing dinners and fishermen preparing their tools for tomorrow fishing trips.

I feel the Hong Kong Government (and the Tourism Board) should do more to preserve and clean up this beautiful place before it becomes a awful junkyard. Educate the residents to do more for the fragile environment they live in. (After all, they need to keep this place in shape for the tourists.) Today, the residents simply flushed out their rubbish right below their stilt houses. We saw a lot of garbage in the waters. 

Go visit these islands with a empty stomach for there are many nice authentic local food around. Be prepared to queue up especially on a weekend like this. Take your time to explore as there is always a surprise at the next turn.