The off-site ended with happy hour with an amazing view of Hong Kong Island. I just can't take enough pictures of the harbor and island.
Saturday was an amazing weather day. I was told that I must take advantage of the good weather now, because the humidity is coming. It was 65-75F and 54-85% humidity. So I ended up going to Cheung Chau - why? - I don't know. I was looking for things to do on a Friday evening, and this jumped out at me.
Cheung Chau is an island in the South China Sea 10 km SW from HK Island with a total area of 2.5 square km. In my reading about it - there are 2 granite masses joined in the middle at sea level resulting in a dumbbell shape. The population and fishing village are in the middle.
Cheung Chau is known for windsurfing, a bun festival, and no motor vehicles. However, there are safety exceptions. I saw a mini ambulance, an ATV moving debris, and I heard the fire trucks are also motorized.
So, I started off on the Star Ferry to get me to Pier 5 in Central. I took a picture of a colorful ferry (which I brought home later in the day).
Then I had to find my next ferry. There are 2 types of ferries - Fast Ferry (30 minutes) and Ordinary Ferry (50 minutes) and they alternate leaving every 30 minutes. I ended on on Ordinary both directions. It was fun on my way there - so no good photo ops. I got more strategic in my seating on the way back.
Once I was off the ferry, I was somewhat surprised by how much it felt like Hong Kong - I could see 2 7-11s, 2 Wellcome grocery stores, and a O-K convenience store. What did not feel like Hong Kong was all the bicycles and the lack of traffic noice. Here are a few pictures of fishing boats, a souvenir stand (with lots of buns), and the mass of bicycles. You can rent a bike - I might do that next visit.
Off to the first highlight - Pak Tai Temple. It was originally built in 1783, demolished and rebuilt in 1989. It honors the Taoist god of the sea. The annual bun festival is held here. I still have not figured out the Bun festival - except that it's a tourist attraction.
I did some research, but I decided to just wing it. The island has great maps and signs (at just the perfect places). Here is the map outside the temple. You can see the red "You Are Here" on the north part of the middle.
From looking at the map I decided to head north to the highest point - North Lookout. It has 360 degree view. With blue skies - I had to do it.
As I strolled long the coast - I came upon a beach. So, I had to take a stroll and pick up a few shells. I had the place to myself with the exception of a few ferry going to and from Macau.
Some other sights - an ATV moving rubbish and fire beaters. Thankfully, I did not need to use a fire beater, but they were at frequent intervals of all paths.
I found a sign pointing up the mountain/hill/mound to North Lookout - so up I went. About 20 meters up the trail, I came upon Tai Kwai Wan Garden - had to check it out. Uneventful.
Back to the trail (all paved). For most of this part of my trek, I was all by myself - peaceful. I discovered that there might have been a faster (but steeper) route which I took down.
Once I was at the top, I caught my breath (realized how out of shape I am) and started taking pictures all around.
Cheung Chao (city proper maybe) with the fishing boats on the west and beach on the east.
Lantau Island - known for the Big Buddha and Airport (not visible - on the other side)
Hong Kong Island - 10 km away
Lamma Island - explored there previously, but will explore more in the future. (sorry for the finger blur)
And back to Cheung Chau - where you can see the south side of the island. (I'll check out that part next trip)
And then the trek down - much steeper and very fast. Snapped another picture of Lantau, lots of directional signs and found a map along the way.
Ended up back at the Temple. Spent the rest of my time exploring the populated part of the island and eating. Here you can see the Fast Ferry, the Love Lock fence, the ambulance, and more boats.
Important part of the trip - food. I had read about the Curry Fishballs - so for HK$10 I got a couple. Pretty good and spicy - I found a bottle of water after that. I then got directed to a seafood stand by ladies trying to get everyone to eat there. I got suckered, but the steamed shrimp were good - before and after picture below. My problem was - I dug into them like any other peel and eat, but I forgot napkins are not typically provided. I managed through - then found a public toilet to wash my hands. I topped it off with egg balls (otherwise knowns as egg waffles).
Sign to the beach.
I ended my time here checking out Tung Wan beach. In the pictures below you can see some other popular street food - watermelon on a stick and cotton candy.
Back to the pier for the ride home. As I said earlier - I chose a seat with optimal view for the ride home. Here are the last pictures of Cheung Chau as we pulled away. The bottom right picture is the peak of the North Lookout.
Along the way we passed a sailboat.
Here are the pictures of HK Island from the harbor as we came into Central.
Sunday took me to Kennedy Town with friends to a Micro Brewery - Simple Creatures. Here is my tasting.
After getting home, I took a walk and found flamingos in Kowloon Park - who knew?
And lastly, I checked out the new neighborhood. I was scoping out potential grocery stores, etc. I found a place on Friday, finalized negotiations on Saturday, and will hopefully sign a lease early this coming week with a move in date of March 1. Here is a picture of my place from my walk. Center building, right side, 7 floors from the top (I think).
