Hong Kong - Stanley to Deep Water Bay

It is appropriate to wrap up my Asia trip with an account of a day trip to Stanley and Repulse Bay, in itself a journey of nostalgia.  There were happy memories of childhood day trips to Stanley for the food and Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay (and Shek O) for the beaches.  This visit was a little different.  A good friend of ours was in Hong Kong at the same time and being an annual visitor, he was more familiar with getting around the outskirts and so acted as tour guide for us.  We took a bus from Central (buses during off hours are quite comfortable) and got a front row centre view on the very scenic drive to Stanley.

Our first stop was Murray House, which was moved here from old Central District.  It overlooked Blake Pier, a beautifully designed historic pier, also moved here from Central.   We had delicious pork trotters for lunch at the King Ludwig Beerhall at Murray House, an unexpected German treat in this out of the way place.   There was a nice waterfront trail beside the pier for an after lunch walk. We then proceeded to hop on the bus to Repulse Bay.  After a tea break at Repulse Bay, we took the waterfront trail to Deep Water Bay before getting on the bus to return to the city in time for dinner.  This was almost like a "Hop on Hop off" bus tour - highly recommended loop!

Murray House (former colonial barracks in Central District)

Blake Pier 

Innovative bus shelters at Stanley - a combination of modern design and columns from old buildings

Tin Hau Temple built in 1767

Repulse Bay Hotel built on the former site of the romantic historic Repulse Bay Hotel of "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" fame.  The gaping hole in the apartment building was supposedly designed to let the dragon pass through for good Feng Shui...

Have your choice of high /low tea at the Verandah Restaurant on the former site of the Repulse Bay hotel or simple pastry in the courtyard beside tropical palms 

Repulse Bay Beach

A waterfront trail at Repulse Bay beach took us to Deep Water Bay after a short 45 minutes. It was an easy relaxing hike, the perfect way to take in one of the most scenic parts of the Hong Kong south coast.

Waterfront trail between Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay

Many of Hong Kong's recreation areas were equipped with BBQ pits for picnics

Deep Water Bay

This is the last post on my Asia trip from February/March 2014 - I am relieved to complete the series before the year is out!   Next posts:  California