Cheung Chau island

Sheila arrived last night just in time to join us at the famous Hairy Crab meal organised by Micky. This was our first mostly all family dinner. I was glad David and Danny and Robert and Wanda had been here for a few days and knew their way around. Danny as the youngest was switched on about what buses etc to get. I had found my way to central station to buy an octopus card for public transport earlier in the day as I explored my surroundings on my own. Sheila had purchased one at the airport so we were all set. Nothing is really very far in HK so it was only a few stops.

What a meal. Very upmarket and gourmet. Clear chicken broth for starters made from black skinned white feathered chickens! Then the crabs arrived on a platter. All entwined in blue and white rope. A great delicacy, especially if you pick a female with lots of eggs (yellow/orange roe). A favourite of Micky’s apparently.

I can’t honestly say I found them as delicious as mud crabs etc but it was different. Then came prawn balls with mayonnaise and ground sesame seeds for dolloping on. They were delicious!

There was lobster and noodles as well as a steamed fish. And a frozen table decoration with frozen tomatoes that looked like christmas

Baubles. Roger was going to eat one until he discovered they were quite solid ice.

It was a great start to the reunion.

We returned to our place the Helena May and found a new way to access it as there is no place to stop outside! Sheila and I discovered that we could direct taxis to the St Joseph’s Church behind the building and we could walk down to the gates. It is quaint with door codes which I have yet to memorise but once you have them it is easy.

Next morning we went to Cheung Chau island, ostensibly for a hike but we didn’t complete the 11 kms and opted for a swim after an hour or so. It was 30 degrees Celsius and very humid. Glorious day!

This is a no car island so there are hundreds of bikes and many little electric motorbike type lorries around the port.

We were hungry after all the excursion and found a fresh seafood place that served a pretty good menu of the day for $20 a head. Nothing fancy but good and fresh. We were looking at all the fish alive in the tanks outside. When the rest of the crowd joined us Irene showed Janes about three, how to poke ( gently) the back of the shuttle fish to see how it changes colour as a defence mechanism. It had an electric blue tinge around its exterior too.

Back to HongKong for a catch up with new arrivals and then a great meal in Happy Valley for $10 a head. The directions were the first restaurant past the light shops. There were 7 light shops! The good luck restaurant was humble, but good.

Home by taxi and off to bed. Sheila and I had lots to discuss and I successfully downloaded another eSIM from Nomad for HK. Anthea and Eileen are using it. Much easier than my other brand to install! Finally sleep!