If you are in Hong Kong, take the opportunity to venture beyond the usual tourist spots by making a trip across the waters to Lamma Island.
Getting there is easy enough – simply take the ferry to Yung Shue Wan, walk across to Sok Kwu Wan (or vice versa), indulge in a seafood meal (or two) and catch the return ferry from there.
You will realise after pulling into Yung Shue Wan, that there are many westerners living there, and judging by the sheer number of organic convenience stores, the vegetarian restaurants, the trinket stores and so on, it appears that this little village has become a haven for artists, hippies and down-shifters.
More affordable rents, coupled with a relaxed and healthy lifestyle on this island-without-cars would add to its appeal to expats.
It was a nice cool temperature (for people used to Malaysian weather) and ideal for hiking. Hung Shing Yeh Beach is just a short distance away.
One big improvement in Hong Kong since the old days is the standard of public toilets.
When Hong Kong was under British rule, public toilets were to be avoided at all costs but nowadays they are mostly clean with hands-free taps, foot pedal flushes and soap. Well done, Hong Kong!
The Lamma Power Station is a prominent sight along the skyline. This is not surprising as Hong Kong’s population has gone up by about a million people in the past 17 years.
Fortunately Lamma has so far managed to avoid major new housing developments and the island remains relatively green and pristine.
In fact Lamma is greener than it used to be thanks to numerous forest regeneration projects.
At its highest point, the trail has a viewing pavilion overlooking Ha Mei Wan with the lofty peak, Shan Tei Tong in the background.
The path wound its way down to sea level passing one or two rural villages on the way.
Some cute puppies were playing on the beach and it was hard not to take them home.
The path passes in front of the so-called Kamikazi Grottos, a couple of roughly hewn tunnels dug by the Japanese during WWII.
According to some, Japanese forces intended to launch suicide boat attacks against Allied ships from these caves but the war ended before construction was completed.
Arriving in Sok Kwu Wan, you will pass Tin Hau Temple which has had a facelift or two in recent years.
Sok Kwu Wan is basically a strip of seafood restaurants that serve delicious dishes from the fish cultivated in the fish farms filling the bay.
There is a wide choice of local and imported seafood on display in the live tanks outside the restaurants.
The Lamma Hilton is a restaurant that has been around for ages and has always been popular with the locals and tourists.
It is good to know that some of the simpler pleasures of days gone by are still available in Hong Kong.
This article first appeared on thriftytraveller.wordpress.com