the Family Walk path that hugs the
shore, and you’ll come to Lo So Shing
Beach after about 30 minutes. Take
the turn and reach Lamma’s most
secluded, beautiful white-sand beach,
where Tang Dynasty kilns can still
be found. There, the kids can have
another run around before heading
towards Sok Kwu Wan’s shoreline
where you’ll see a temple ahead.
You’ve reached your destination
when a row of lively seafood
restaurants come into view. Indulge
in a freshly caught seafood dinner – a
perfect end to a good hike.
•
The ferry pier for the boat back to Central
is just past the restaurants. The ferry costs
HK$17.10 for adults, HK$8.60 for kids
over three, and under-threes go free.
3
Long Ke Wan
Long Ke Wan Beach, situated
on the east of the Sai Kung Country
Park and facing the South China
Sea, is my absolute favourite beach in
Hong Kong. A day trip to Long Ke
Wan will leave you wondering why
you don’t spend every weekend here.
Its perfect white sands, crystal blue
waters and backdrop of pine trees
make it an exceptionally peaceful
spot for hikers, and a playground
for the kids. Surrounded by a cape
called Tsang Pang Kok, the beach is
an official campsite, though seldom
does it have many campers there.
It’s not surprising that many travel
magazines compare Long Ke Wan to
the Maldives. Whilst you put your feet
up in a hammock, or wiggle your toes
in the warm silky sands, the children
will find starfish, crabs and anemones
in the never-ending rock pools, can
test their rock climbing skills in the
small waterfalls that trickle down
the rocks, or surf in the endless blue
waters. The pine trees give an eternal
shade to the otherwise sun-kissed
beach, and hours of fun can be found
in climbing trees, or jumping from
stump to stump.
To get to Long Ke Wan: If you’re
hiking, take Bus 94 at Sai Kung or
96R at Diamond Hill MTR bus
station and get off at the entrance to
the Sai Kung Country Park – the Pak
Tam Chung stop. Follow the signpost
to Maclehose Trail Stage 1 and walk
along Man Yee Road until you get to
the High Island Reservoir Geo Trail.
If you are going with small kids, it’s
better to take the bus to the entrance
of the Sai Kung Country Park (or
drive and park in the free car park),
and then get a taxi and ask to be
dropped at the end of the High Island
Reservoir at the start of the Maclehose
Trail Stage 2 (about HK$120). From
there, walk up and then down the trail
for around 25 minutes, until you see
the magical Long Ke Wan below you
– the children usually run the last part
of the trail, surf-boards under their
arms.
It can sometimes be tricky to get
a taxi on the way out, so it is best to
call in advance (or offer to pay a little
more!) and have one waiting for you.
If you’re travelling the last leg of your
journey by car, it might be worth
packing the pyjamas because by the
time you’ve reached the car, the little
ones will all be sound asleep from the
full day in the fresh air.
February 2016
71
