SB and I went for a long overdue hike with Cousin Shirley on Sunday after our belated Thanksgiving pig-out. We caught a ferry from the typhoon harbour in Sai Wan Ho (operated by Lam Kei Kai To 林記街渡). The round trip fare for the three of us was 84 HKD, which made it a very reasonably priced day. The ferry stop was only noticeable by the poster in front of the stairs where it disembarked from. SB had previously sublet a flat in the Grand Promenade right next door and never knew this existed so we're grateful that Cousin Shoils is so on top of this stuff.
Tung Lung Chau is located off the peninsula of Clear Water Bay, sadly within view of that golf course. I am sure that the view must be marvelous from the green but from where we were it was an eyesore. Luckily the island is small enough (2.42 km²) that you can quickly hike to the other side where all you see is beautiful ocean and seemingly unspoilt vegetation.
One of the sites of interest is Tung Lung Fort, constructed 300 years ago during the Qing Dynasty. It was supposedly built to defend against pirates. The recent preservation efforts have been well carried out. The other major site is that of a prehistoric stone carving measuring 1.8 m by 2.40 m. It is the largest ancient in situ rock carving in Hong Kong, and depicts the image of a dragon in its complicated patterns.
There is a campground that is situated very close to the cliffs on one side of the island. These cliffs made the island an ideal site for rock climbing with all the natural walls. There is a website that gives a decent amount of info for interested rock climbers.
"artifacts"
Our trio simply wanted a nice place to hike for a few hours and get away from it all. We thought from 9:30 am to 3 pm would be enough, and it would have been if all we did was hike up and down the various cliffs and shores. But being curious souls, we were compelled to scale the cliffs (not the ones that required equipment; we're not that silly), search around tidal pools, and inspect an official looking fenced off area. SB scaled down to the rocks by the water at one point and poked around down there while Shoils and I peered over from a higher perch. He disappeared from sight for longer than my liking and them came back up soaking wet. He had decided to creep along a rock ledge and did not regard the wetness of the ledge above him as he should have. Then a large wave hit him but luckily he managed to hold onto the ledge and not get swept out and dashed against the rocks. He is a strong swimmer and would have known to swim away from the rocks but still, I was not pleased with his risk.
His punishment was that he was soggy for the rest of the hike. We continued into the center and up a hill before veering off to a beach and listening to the musical sound of waves ebbing and flowing over sea polished rocks. Then it was almost time to leave and we had to race to the pier. The ride back to civilization is 30 minutes, just long enough to relax at the front of the boat and enjoy the waves. We finished up with some dan tats and coffee at the Princess Bakery.
pebble symphony with the waves
Shoils making a path for us
SB climbs down below
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