Treasure Island!

The typical postcard from Hong Kong showcases the amazing Hong Kong Island Skyline, and the view looks down from the top of the highest mountain on the Island, appropriately titled "The Peak." What most people don't know is that Hong Kong Island, where most people live and all the businesses thrive, is one of over 260 islands in the South China Sea. Lantau Island, due west of Hong Kong Island, is the largest, home to both the Hong Kong International Airport and Disneyland. To the southwest of Hong Kong Island is Lamma Island,one of the smallest with a little hippy colony (I included pictures in an entry last year).

Most recently I had the pleasure of visiting Cheung Chau Island, which is famous for being a pirate haven and treasure trove. In fact, Hong Kong waters were always attractive to pirates due to the volume of trade, as anyone who has read Taipan by James Clavell is well aware. The most famous pirate was Cheung Po-Tsai, who ruled the seas for over a decade in the early 19th century. At his height, he commanded a fleet of 12,000 junk boats and over 50,000 men. He stored treasure in caves on small islands such as Cheung Chau. In 1809, there was a famous battle between this pirate fleet and the Portuguese, which led to negotiations and eventually the surrender of the pirates with impunity.

Apart from taking a peek at the pirate's treasure cave (which we found without the help of a map with an "x" marking the spot...), my boyfriend and I had a pleasant afternoon walking around this charming island, with its rugged coastline, mystical shore and local people. Please enjoy my pictures below:

Arriving in the harbor


Confused boy in a rickshaw


Elaborate sign celebrating the Chinese Olympic wins


Inspecting the local seafood wares


Shrimp out to dry in the afternoon sunshine


Village Square of sorts


Cute children


Reaping my incense blessings


Bright midafternoon illumination


Off season Dragon boat


Land, ho!


Enjoying the sights


Let me outta this place!!


Pirates of the Caribbean, eat this for location!


Sunset over Treasure Island...