Stanley – Travels with Ali

~ Day Tripping to Stanley, Hong Kong ~

During our recent stay in Hong Kong we paid a visit to Stanley for old time’s sake. I used to love going there on the odd occasion with friends for shopping and lunch. I can’t believe I used to drive, I was much braver in those days! Merging fearlessly onto the four lane highway and going up and over flyovers. This time we took the bus, which is also a great way to see the surrounding countryside, especially if you’re lucky enough to get front row top deck seats.

Once off the freeway the roads become very narrow and the trees and branches knock and scratch at the windows.

**Red Hill Plaza overlooking Tai Tam Beach**

Hong Kong, surprisingly for many, has some beautiful beaches. Some are only accessible by boat.

Unlucky for us the front row was
already taken

Stanley is named after Lord Stanley (subsequently Earl of Derby), British Colonial Secretary at the time of the cession of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom, and subsequently Prime Minister. Stanley Fort is situated here, the former British Army barracks, and is now occupied by the People’s Liberation Army.

It is mostly famous for the market and bars and restaurants along the promenade and is situated on the peninsula of Hong Kong Island.

The market is not the same as it was and mostly full of tourist stalls and art galleries. I remember my first visit to Stanley and was in awe of all the beautiful silk clothes for sale. I bought myself a raw silk suit and silk blouse for work. Realising too late that silk is not the ideal material to wear in 90% humidity!

Detailed paintings from a gallery in the market

A typical side alley in Stanley, also trying to work our way back to the bus stop through the labyrinth of alleys.

I enjoyed our time in Stanley, walking down memory lane, an hour or two is enough to explore and have a nice lunch. Then it was time to get back on the bus back to Central.

Touring Tasmania – Highfield House, Stanley

During our short stay in Stanley we visited Highfield Historic Site. I love a historical house, more so when it has an English background in another country.

Highfield was built in 1826 in the Regency style of 1811 – 1820, by Edward Curr. Mr. Curr was the newly appointed manager of Van Diemans Land company that had bought 250,000 acres in this region. He and his wife Elizabeth had 15 children, most sent away to school during their early years.

I was fascinated by this house and all the gruesome history that went with it. Being built by the hands of the convicts that were being transported from England at the time. It was a very harsh and rugged terrain and many ventures failed due to the inclement weather.

They made sure they were warm with all these beautiful fireplaces. One in every room.

One of the conversations written down for prosperity!

We had a wonderful time exploring this house, with all the in-depth information available. There are portraits on the wall of everyone who has lived here and some background history, extracts of diaries from the ladies of the house as well as detailed goods that were needed to run such a busy household.

Of course it must be remembered that before this settlement was built it was home to the diminishing Tasmanian Aboriginal People. With the contest for these lands between the Company and the Indigenous People came many violent deaths and massacres.

Touring Tasmania – Stanley

By the time we had reached our hotel in Stanley it was past 7.30 pm. The reception was closed so I headed into the bistro attached to the hotel. It was noisy, lively and full. One of the bar staff checked us in and gave us a key to our room. When I asked about the possibility of dinner, she said they were completely full and the only other option was the seafood restaurant down in the harbour. She kindly made a quick phone call and booked us a table, last orders were at 8pm.
Not sure of our bearings we drove the two minute drive!

A view of the setting sun through the window and hubby’s dinner

The Stanley Hotel where we were staying for two nights. We had a wonderful room with a sea view

The next morning we walked just a few minutes up the road to a lovely little cafe Touchwood, where we had breakfast with a sea view. Most places in Stanley would give you a sea view.

After breakfast and a walk through Stanley, we headed to The Nut. I wanted to take the chairlift up and hubby wanted to walk, but I said he had to come with me and could walk later!

The Nut Chairlift was designed and manufactured in Austria It traverses a distance of 250 meters, rising 95 meters. After a leisurely five minute ride to the top of The Nut, you can explore the plateau, soak up the incredible views and take advantage of the superb photographic opportunities. Source: The Nut Chairlift. The Nut is the remains of an ancient volcanic plug with a large, mostly flat surface that can be circumnavigated on foot (hence its original name, Circular Head).

**I think this is a crocus, growing out of the rocks**

Stanley is such a peaceful little town and so well kept. It reminded me of places in Devon and Cornwall with its quaint harbour, shops and cottages.

St. Paul’s Church 1887
Town Hall
A building from 1840
Joe Lyons’ Cottage – Tasmania’s First Prime Minister – 1932 – 1939

Down by the harbour

The lighthouse above was used in the filming of “The Light Between the Oceans”

Later that afternoon we drove out to Highfield House and also stopped at Anthony’s Beach. Hubby’s namesake!

We both loved Stanley and had a fabulous two nights here. I guess because of Covid many places have shut down, leaving limited options for eating out at night. We had dinner on both nights at Hersey’s Seafood and enjoyed the food and especially the wine!

Touring Tasmania – Sheffield, Town of Murals

I was very excited to see this town, a whole place dedicated to murals. I find murals very intriguing as there is so much to see in them. Like an outside art gallery. It is the mural capital of Australia and it is modelled on a similar place in Canada. As we were still driving…