~ Escape from the City – Aberdeen to Lamma Island, Hong Kong ~

During our time in Hong Kong we caught a bus to Aberdeen. We hadn’t been to Aberdeen in over twenty years and was surprised at how nice the new promenade was.

  • Aberdeen Promenade
  • Bronze Sculpture of Tunka Fishermen
  • Floating Jetty, Aberdeen

Aberdeen dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and was originally known as Hong Kong. When the first foreigners landed they thought this town was the whole island. Even after they discovered this wasn’t the case, the name still stuck. The name Aberdeen comes from  George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1852-1855).

Aberdeen is still a thriving fishing harbour with many people living on their boats.

  • Homes to some of the fisher folk
  • Sampan
  • Blow up Panda on the roof!

During our stay in Hong Kong there was a “Pandamic”, advertised as a “Pandastic event”. We saw hundreds of these being blown up in Hong Kong Harbour. I couldn’t work out how this related to Christmas.

We walked along the promenade and noticed a ferry that was about to depart for Lamma Island. This was another place that we hadn’t been to since we had left Hong Kong. So without further ado, we jumped on board and sailed away.

Sailing away from Aberdeen to Lamma Island
  • Having an in depth conversation about the merits of a battery operated screwdriver
  • Nearly alighted at the wrong stop!
  • Carrying his shopping back from Abderdeen

We reached Lamma around lunchtime and meandered along the seafront looking for a place to eat. Many of the restaurants only serve seafood, mostly local cuisine. We opted for one that served Western also.

After lunch we had a wander up and down the seafront. Lamma is a fairly large island with many hiking trails. Young local Chinese often camp overnight here.

  • Quirky mural depicting life on Lamma
  • Colourful rowing boats
  • Looking up to the grass covered towering hills
  • Looking through the banana trees towards the other side of Lamma

Dragon Boats are human powered watercraft and generally made from Teak. Dragon Boating is a popular pastime in Hong Kong, there is even a public holiday for this event.

The end of the promenade, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island

If you are ever in Hong Kong and want to escape the busy city life, here is a fantastic way to see another side of Hong Kong. It’s a great day trip and easy to do. Ferries leave from Central, Hong Kong Island and Aberdeen regularly. Many people who visit HK miss out on these smaller side trips. They are not advertised much internationally but are very popular with local Hong Kong people. Ferries go back and forth regularly, both from Central and Aberdeen. The islands of Hong Kong and Country Parks are lush and verdant, which is a surprise to many.

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Author: Alison

Hi A nanny of two and a mum of two adult children, mum to two fur babies and wife of one. I love to travel and up until recently travelled the world, now exploring Western Australia! I play bridge, board games, read dance and blog in my spare time.

23 thoughts on “~ Escape from the City – Aberdeen to Lamma Island, Hong Kong ~”

  1. OMG, if I may! My husband and I had close friends on Lamma way back when. We loved to take the ferry over every time we travelled thru’ or simply flew over to eat for a week or two !!!. . . it had a far more laid-back atmosphere and I can assure you, those waterfront restaurants already there served fantastic non-touristy food! We usually managed the last almost empty ferry back to HK 🙂 . . . oh, how different it now looks . . .

    1. Thanks for your comments, it’s probably not changed as much as other places in HK
      We didn’t manage the other side though with the larger restaurants

  5. I wish it was nearer, Ali. I love the look of Lamma Island. When do you think is the best time of year to go? I need to start working on my husband.

    1. November when it’s cooler or even December to see the lights
      I think you would enjoy exploring the islands too

  6. That looks like a nice day out 🙂 I like the contrast between the old fishing boats and modern architecture in your Aberdeen shots!

  7. I haven’t been to Lamma Island, but I’ll keep it in mind. We often have a long stop over in HK when we travel to Asia from here (Canada). Maggie

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