On one of the southern tips
of Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen is the
largest satellite town with a population of about sixty thousand. It
was a pirates' den two centuries ago and later turned into a simple
fishing village. In recent years, with local high-rise building
developments, Aberdeen has modernized, and now it becomes a vibrant
waterfront resort for people from metropolitan Hong Kong.
Despite modernization, traditional fishing life still
prevails. Especially, in Bei Fung Tong Typhoon Shelter of Aberdeen,
hundreds of junks and sampans, old-fashioned boats serve as floating
homes for thousands of people. They crowd in the narrow harbor,
dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise building that
spreads up the nearby hillsides. If you were lucky, warm-hearted
fishers would invite you onto their dwellings, from where you can
glimpse the life of the boat people. If no invitation forthcoming,
you can always take a sampan ride yourself. But do place caution and
safety first. You should take rides only with licensed operators.
Besides experiencing the traditional life of
boat-dwellers, you may also try the Jumbo Floating Restaurant and
enjoy the tasty seafood here. Two magnificent floating restaurants,
namely Jumbo and the Tai Bak seafood boats are available. They are
anchored in the Aberdeen Harbor, where guests can take a free
ferryboat shuttle to reach them for a feast of delicious seafood.
In Aberdeen, you may go to visit Aberdeen Country Park
or Aberdeen Promenade. The Country Park has an area of about 423
hectares (1,045 acres). It's one of the country parks that Hong Kong
developed in the earlier period. The Promenade neighbors on Aberdeen
Wholesale Fish Market on the west and Aberdeen Squash &Tennis Center
on the east with a total length of around 800 meters. The Promenade
provides the open-air plaza, children's playground, basketball
ground and many other facilities. Along the seashore of the
Promenade, there are a few of piers, which offer the ships to Ap Lei
Chau and the outlying islands. The ferryboats to Jumbo also anchor
there. |
