A ferry to Lamma Island
The day started out very relaxed with a coffee and muffin whilst reading the papers but then got rather stressful. We had decided to head into town early as we had to meet people at 11.30 to catch the 11.50 ferry to Lamma, therefore not wanting to be late we decided that getting their early and relaxing with coffee was the way to go. We then headed down to the pier to arrive just before 11.30 to discover that we were at the wrong pier!! The one we wanted was some way away, and so we frantically set out by taxi to arrive just on 11.50. Fortunately Bridget had the wrong time and the ferry was not leaving until 12.00. Time for a deep breath to settle my pounding heart, and soon we were aboard the ferry heading around the West of Hong Kong Island, dodging the container ships ploughing their way to post, bouncing around on their bow waves and then down to Lamma which is to the south of the island. Actually we look out over Lamma from our apartment and could have caught a much c
loser ferry from Aberdeen Harbour. Lamma is one of the many outlying Islands and with an area of 13.6 sq km, it is the third largest Island. It is very popular with visitors as there are no roads or cars, only a small community of around 5000 living in the main town of Yung Shue Wan and surrounded by lots of greenery which make it a perfect place to find space, peace and quiet. These are three commodities that are difficult to find on Hong Kong Island, especially where we live. 
We began with a wander through Yung Shue Wan (Banyan Tree Bay), following the main street that basically curves around the bay. There are a lot of little restaurants and shops, many of the more alternative type. We found a great vegetarian restaurant that is suppose to be perfect for breakfast, so next time we go there we will head off a little earlier and catch breakfast first. Then we headed off for the 4km up and down walk to the other side of the island for lunch at the suitably named village, Sok Kwu Wan (picnic Bay). We sure 
earned our lunch as the path took us the entire length of the island, often up steep inclines, passing by lovely idyllic bays and affording spectacular views. Remember the weather is very hot and steamy at the moment and we were glad that the day was overcast so that we did not have the direct sun pounding down on us. As it was I was beetroot red and very sweaty by the time we arrived at a pavilion on a ridge looking down onto Sok Kwu Wan with its many restaurants and fishing boats and rafts bobbing in the bay.
As we got closer to the bay we discovered that the rafts were in fact fishing farms with cages suspended from them, obviously for the restaurants. A small wooden boat manned by women, pottered around the harbour continually casting their glistening nets in search of fish as we sat down in The Lamma Hilton...a far cry from The Hilton chain of hotels. Simple round tables filled the outdoor covered area, with many fans to support the sea breeze in keeping us cool. We ordered platters of squid, prawns and scallops accompanied by bok choi, broccoli, and spring rolls. There is not a dead fish on the premises. All the fish are still alive and swimming in large fish tanks, if you want you can go and chose the exact fish that you want to eat and they kill it, gut it and cook it for you. So you cannot complain about the freshness, it was melt in your mouth fresh. After a huge feed, we headed down to the pier to catch the ferry back to Hong Kong Island, tired but fully satisfied with a great day out, a combination of exercise, great food and of course good company.
The day started out very relaxed with a coffee and muffin whilst reading the papers but then got rather stressful. We had decided to head into town early as we had to meet people at 11.30 to catch the 11.50 ferry to Lamma, therefore not wanting to be late we decided that getting their early and relaxing with coffee was the way to go. We then headed down to the pier to arrive just before 11.30 to discover that we were at the wrong pier!! The one we wanted was some way away, and so we frantically set out by taxi to arrive just on 11.50. Fortunately Bridget had the wrong time and the ferry was not leaving until 12.00. Time for a deep breath to settle my pounding heart, and soon we were aboard the ferry heading around the West of Hong Kong Island, dodging the container ships ploughing their way to post, bouncing around on their bow waves and then down to Lamma which is to the south of the island. Actually we look out over Lamma from our apartment and could have caught a much c
loser ferry from Aberdeen Harbour. Lamma is one of the many outlying Islands and with an area of 13.6 sq km, it is the third largest Island. It is very popular with visitors as there are no roads or cars, only a small community of around 5000 living in the main town of Yung Shue Wan and surrounded by lots of greenery which make it a perfect place to find space, peace and quiet. These are three commodities that are difficult to find on Hong Kong Island, especially where we live. 
We began with a wander through Yung Shue Wan (Banyan Tree Bay), following the main street that basically curves around the bay. There are a lot of little restaurants and shops, many of the more alternative type. We found a great vegetarian restaurant that is suppose to be perfect for breakfast, so next time we go there we will head off a little earlier and catch breakfast first. Then we headed off for the 4km up and down walk to the other side of the island for lunch at the suitably named village, Sok Kwu Wan (picnic Bay). We sure 
earned our lunch as the path took us the entire length of the island, often up steep inclines, passing by lovely idyllic bays and affording spectacular views. Remember the weather is very hot and steamy at the moment and we were glad that the day was overcast so that we did not have the direct sun pounding down on us. As it was I was beetroot red and very sweaty by the time we arrived at a pavilion on a ridge looking down onto Sok Kwu Wan with its many restaurants and fishing boats and rafts bobbing in the bay. 
As we got closer to the bay we discovered that the rafts were in fact fishing farms with cages suspended from them, obviously for the restaurants. A small wooden boat manned by women, pottered around the harbour continually casting their glistening nets in search of fish as we sat down in The Lamma Hilton...a far cry from The Hilton chain of hotels. Simple round tables filled the outdoor covered area, with many fans to support the sea breeze in keeping us cool. We ordered platters of squid, prawns and scallops accompanied by bok choi, broccoli, and spring rolls. There is not a dead fish on the premises. All the fish are still alive and swimming in large fish tanks, if you want you can go and chose the exact fish that you want to eat and they kill it, gut it and cook it for you. So you cannot complain about the freshness, it was melt in your mouth fresh. After a huge feed, we headed down to the pier to catch the ferry back to Hong Kong Island, tired but fully satisfied with a great day out, a combination of exercise, great food and of course good company.
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