*dimsumdolly* - the different morsels of the life of a foodie

Snapshots of Cheng Chau 长洲

This time, I finally managed to visit one of the many outlying islands in HK. I went to Cheung Chau (长洲) for seafood, but before I unveil the nosh, let me just give you a glimpse of Cheung Chau since not many tourists actually make their way there when visiting HK.

Many fishing boats and sampans line the harbour bank. Fishermen dock here to sell their catch of the day. Residents and people who come here for seafood can actually hop onto the sampans and choose their seafood, after which they can bring it to the restaurant of their choice to have it cooked according to their tastes.

When you alight from the ferry, the first shop you'll see is a McDonald's outlet. Wow, how exciting. I come all the way to Cheung Chau only to see McDonald's. But turn left/right, and you'll see more interesting locally run restaurants and eateries.

A row of bicycles is parked outside a primary school that's located beside Cheung Chau beach (notice that bit of blue on the right middle ground of the photo). The bicycle is the usual mean of transport for Cheung Chau residents. Two murals decorate an otherwise plain and dirty school facade. The one with the pink background says "I Love Hong Kong" at the top and the students have drawn cute representations of the IFC (International Finance Centre), the Bank of China and Jardine House on the left side of the mural.

I only wished I had lessons that could take place at beaches. Why wasn't school ever as fun as this??? Here, a big group of school kids are out on a school excursion at Cheung Chau beach.

A clinic selling both Western and Chinese medicine.

A very old-style barber shop in one of the alleys. Love the swing doors. Kinda takes you back in time.

This is the Cheung Chau market which is a short walk away from the ferry terminal. However, I'm not sure if this is the only market and if it's the main market which residents patronise.

Live seafood being sold on the ground floor of the market. Poultry was being sold upstairs on the second floor.

Most of the residents live in low-rise residential buildings such as these.

I saw many homes drying and preserving their own fish and fruits, and thought it was cool that people still do such things. In Singapore, I doubt I would be able to come across such a scene!

Cheng Chau is idyllic and much more laid-back compared to the hustle and bustle of HK island and Kowloon. Exploring the island is a nice way to spend the afternoon to see another side of HK. To get there, catch a ferry from outlying island ferry pier at Central. It's a 30-40 min ferry ride from Central.

Posted by DSD at November 21, 2005 8:49 AM