In this post, I’ll share what we did on our last full day in Hong Kong before heading back to mainland China. Keep reading and scrolling find out more about what we got up to on our final day.
Little Cove Espresso (again)
After yesterday’s rave reviews of Little Cove Espresso, we were back again for another breakfast to keep eating and drinking our way through their delicious menu and to take in the ambience.
After yesterday’s slightly aimless day, we thought about different options. Our trip to Lamma Island was very enjoyable and we were looking to check out another island around Hong Kong. This took us to Cheung Chau Island, about 10km away from Central.
Getting There
After breakfast, we took a taxi to pier 5 and got our tickets and before we knew it, we were on our way again. One thing that really struck me on this occasion were the amount of PRC flags on the trawlers as we arrived at Cheung Chau Public Pier. Similar to Lamma Island, the surrounding area by the pier was full of people but to be honest it was far noisier and busier.
Bike Rental
Upon arrival, we rented bikes for approx $50HKD each (a bit cheaper than we were expecting) and had to pay a deposit of $500HKD (a bit more than we were expecting). There are a few places to rent bikes around the island (we took a right upon arrival at the pier and walked along the path until it got quieter).
Satay on Cheung Chau Island
One of my friends told me that Cheung Chau is supposed to be known for it’s satay beef noodles. I didn’t think too much about it initially. I was completed sold once I tried it though! There was no name on the restaurant where we went to but it was like a food court next to the public toilets. Get there a bit before lunchtime and expect to wait!
North Lookout Pavilion
After lunch, we attempted to cycle our bikes in the direction of the North Lookout Pavilion, on the other end of the island. The first part of the journey was spent walking through the main crowd around the pier area but the further north we went, the quieter it became. There’s a nice short cycle along the waterfront and eventually you’ll reach a steep hill which involves a 15-20 minute walk until you reach a point where you’ll most likely need to leave your bikes.
As we were walking, there were always a few passers-by who all came for the same reason. There was plenty of time to stop and take pictures without holding people up or getting in their way.
To be fair, the North Lookout Pavilion gives your great visibility from up above. If you’re going to visit the island, it’s worth the walk and it’ll get your steps right up! There was a bit of cloud when we were there, but I could still see the power station across at Lamma Island and it’s the perfect viewpoint onto Tung Wan Beach. As it’s an elevated area and windy you should bring an extra layer.
Coffee Stop: Haika Coffee
By this point, it was mid-afternoon and we made our way back to our bikes, back down the steep hill. I took a chance and let my bike coast down (along with seriously using the brakes) but my friends didn’t risk it. There were some nice cafes along the pier area but the one that stood out to us was called Haika Coffee. This cafe had a camping theme to it with small tables and deckchairs. The hooded are above was a nice touch as well. I found it interesting that there was no wifi so that people had to interact with each other. It’s also the perfect people watching spot. That said, most customers seemed to be engaged with their phones. I’m including myself in this as I spent half of my time taking photos for one very obvious reason.
I opted for a house white which I enjoyed (I’m not a coffee expert, but I’m pretty sure that it’s a flat white) and then we shared a dirty tart. It may look very rich but it had a very nice balance of flavour to it. That said, I’m glad that I shared it. I think if I were to go there weekly, I wouldn’t be ordering it but I’m glad I tried it nonetheless. If you’re into coffee, they sell their coffee beans as well! I would have bought them but I don’t have a coffee grinder.
Late Afternoon/Evening:
During the late afternoon, I got the ferry back to Central to meet a friend and former colleague of mine from my time in Shanghai. We hadn’t seen each other in almost 4 years so it was great to catch up! That said, I couldn’t leave without taking a few last minute snaps of my time in Cheung Chau Island.
Afterwards, I headed to Elgin St to meet up with my friends again but to be honest I got a bit lost and it was late so we just ended up heading home. For nightlife, this is probably where I saw the most atmosphere as people poured out from the bars, chatting to friends and work colleagues for after work drinks. I also noticed that police were carrying out searches while I was there as well, looking for passports. By now, it was getting late and we needed to be up at 4am to be at their airport for or 7am flights back to mainland China.
Finally, a note on the early morning flights from Hong Kong – don’t do it to yourself unless you have to! We had to complete health declarations and show Covid test results at check-in and before departure (a lot of this has been lifted since).
All in all, it was a great trip and a nice first taste of freedom from strict controls over the last few years. Hong Kong is a great city and has something for everyone, but it certainly isn’t the cheapest, either! Until next time!
