Blogging
From Abroad

When you think of Hong Kong, you may think of nothing but big buildings and thousands of people crowded onto one street. I know that’s all I imagined. However, after living here for a few months now, I have come to the conclusion that no matter where you go in Hong Kong you can feel like you are in a completely different country.

Last week I traveled to a place about two hours away called Sai Kong. It is a small little area with amazing fresh seafood restaurants and lots of outdoorsy things to do. I went with a few friends and we hiked all day to one of the most amazing beaches I have ever seen called Tai Long Wan Beach. I completely forgot that I was in Hong Kong. That is what is so great about Hong Kong. It is truly a place that serves any interest.

The week before that I went to Tai O, which is a small fishing village that is just a boat ride away from Central Hong Kong. There you feel like you are taken back about 50yrs. It is a small area with very tiny houses and everyone seems to just make money by selling dry seafood or souvenirs to tourists. A popular way to make money is by selling shrimp paste. I never actually tried it, but basically you just use it to cook. It is supposed to be very popular with the locals. I just can’t even begin to explain the differences in the way the people of the fishing village live compared to those from Hong Kong Island, and then those that live in the New Territories (where Lingnan University is located).

The fishing village seems so old fashioned, central Hong Kong is filled with Westerners and higher class locals, and then you have the New Territories which is a place where nobody speaks English and the majority of people are older. You go towards the east of the New Territories and you will find beaches and people living the laid back lifestyle. It is just unbelievable that this is all still part of Hong Kong. I love it! It is a place of many worlds in one! You could never even leave the country but feel like you have.

It is just unimaginable how much there is to do in Hong Kong and how there is something that will fit any type of person’s interest. I would have to say that going hiking has been my favorite thing to do here so far. I love hiking and camping back in West Virginia, but to be able to sleep right on the beach after a long day of hiking is something I would never be able to do in Morgantown. In addition, the fact that I can easily go from an overpopulated city, and then just a 2 hour bus ride later I find myself hiking deep into the woods towards a beach is something I never thought possible.

Here are some pictures from various parts of Hong Kong to show the differences in Hong Kong lifestyle….

View from Sai Kung hiking trail

Tai O fishing village

Houses at the fishing village

Me on top of Sharp’s Peak in Sai Kung

Tai Long Wan Beach

Central Hong Kong

Hong Kong architecture tour