Round and Round a Rocky Bay.

Today I decided to visit Shek O on the south east side of Hong Kong Island. That's quite a long way from where I live, so I had to take a bus, 2 MTR lines and another bus, but I got there in the end. Shek O literally means Rocky Bay. To get there, first go to Shau Kei Wan, then board the number 9 bus. The drive is very picturesque with beautiful scenery on both sides. Red minibuses also run to Shek O from Shau Kei Wan. Today is Monday; on a weekday the journey to Shek O is enjoyable. At weekends and on public holidays it's busy, busy, busy with very long queues for the bus. That's because many people want to visit Shek O itself or nearby Big Wave Bay, both of which have excellent beaches, or they want to hike the dragon's back, one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong, or hike Cape D' Aguilar which is also very, very beautiful.

In Shau Kei Wan, before I boarded the bus, I was surprised to see lemons growing on the trees in the bus station. Hong Kong is hot and produces a lot of fruit and vegetables but for some reason it's unusual to see citrus fruit growing here.

Art in Shau Kei Wan MTR.

Lemons at the bus station.

Lemons at the bus station.

When I reached Shek O, I began my wanderings by heading to the main beach. Hong Kong isn't particularly hassely, but I've never managed to come to Shek O without being followed by someone trying to rent me a beach umbrella. If you plan to spend the day on the beach, you'll need one, but I was here more to look around and take photos. I didn't swim, as I had too many valuables with me to leave them on the beach, but I did go in for a paddle. The water was lovely and still refreshing, unlike our swimming pool which is now like a bath. In the distance it's possible to see some of the Po Toi Islands. I want to go there. They are nicknamed the South Pole of Hong Kong as they are the furthest south it's possible to go from here and still be in Hong Kong.

The main beach.

The main beach.

The main beach.

The main beach.

Paddling at the main beach.

Enjoying the main beach.

The main beach through the trees.

The main beach through the trees.

Proof of why it's called Rocky Bay.

Surf boards on the main beach.

After looking at the beach, I wandered the nearby shops. They prepare people for the beach, stocking flip flops, inflatable toys, buckets, spades, everything you might need for a day at the beach. They are colourful and fun to wander around.

Inflatable toys.

Inflatable toys.

Inflatable toys.

Buckets and spades.

Flip flops.

Green Shek O.

Then I headed to Shek O Village. On the main Street there are many cafes and restaurants, a lot of them are Thai. On visits here in the past, when Peter didn't have eye problems, we normally swam at the beach then ate at the Thai. I hadn't realised before but I've never really wandered around Shek O Village. Today I did.

Lulu Restaurant.

Peaceful restaurant.

Advertising a restaurant.

Historically Shek O Village was created by fishermen of the Chan, Yip, Li and Lau clans around two hundred years ago. It was once renowned for its lobster. Nowadays it is colourful, flower-filled, relaxed and beautiful. People who live here love the sea and all it entails.

Colourful streets.

Colourful streets.

Colourful streets.

Colourful streets.

Welcoming streets.

Blue Houses.

Rainbow boats.

Always have your surf board at hand.

And your boat nearby.

I don't know the name of this street, but it should be called Jungle Street.

I don't know the name of this street, but it should be called Jungle Street.

Cheerful flower.

As pretty as a picture.

Bicycle with psycadelic background.

Ornate doors.

Inviting doors.

Orange doors.

Pink doors.

Flowery Houses.

Flowery Houses.

Flowery Houses.

Flowery Window.

The village has a lovely Tin Hau Temple which was built in 1891. It has some very pretty paintings outside. Tin Hau had to have a temple here as Shek O is all about the sea and Tin Hau is goddess of the sea. Fishermen would have prayed here before heading out to sea.

Tin Hau Temple.

Inside the temple.

Tin Hau in her temple.

Temple drum.

In front of the temple.

Bird and flower painting outside temple.

Horseman painting outside temple. Apparently a scene from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Chinese ladies painting outside temple.

Horsemen painting outside temple.

I think this is Jurojin, god of longevity, riding a deer painting outside temple.

Lotus painting outside temple.

Behind the village there is a second lesser known beach called Shek O Back Beach. This is smaller, less crowded and more peaceful than the main beach. There is a restaurant bar behind it. While walking here I befriended a pleasant village dog.

Back Beach.

Back Beach.

Surf boards on Back Beach.

I want to sail away on that boat.

Friendly dog.

Friendly dog.

Looking towards the Shek O Country Club. There's a large golf course next to it.

Boats on Back Beach.

Boats on Back Beach.

Bar behind beach.

Back Beach Promenade.

I wandered around Shek O several times, each time discovering something new and always ending back at the main beach. At one point when I was strolling along the promenade near the back beach a film was being made. I think I accidentally got in the middle of it. Oops! There are pleasant rocky views from this walkway.

Rocky Promenade.

Rocky Promenade.

I caught a red minibus back to Shau Kei Wan and tried to take pictures of the stunning views as we sped past. That could explain any blurring!!

I didn't really do justice to the view over Shek O though who came blame me. Red minibus drivers are fast.

Views on the way back.

Views on the way back.