Park Island, Ma Wan, Hong Kong

The original fit-out of the Park Island apartments is pretty good and of a high standard. However, as foreigners start moving in, some are starting to do some really nice rennovations. Below is a picture of one really nice apartment at Park Island, furnished in a style that many foreigners are starting to adopt. A modern kitchen in a Park Island apartment Kitchen with gas cookers A nice kitchen in a Hong Kong apartmrmt A Hong Kong apartment with oven If you like this style of kitchen you can ask your agent to help you find such an apartment if you are looking to rent on Park Island.

One thing I like about cafes in the US, is that a newspaper, once read is "recycled". It is left, usually in a designated place, for other customers to come along and read. I have notice this also happens on the Park Island ferry. There is a luggage rack, in the middle of the ferry, which is usually not used for luggage. Rather, people put used newspapers here, and other people wanting to read them can take it. This is how I get to read my morning newspaper when I travel to HK island in the mornings. Ma Wan Ferry Further, at the end of the day, in line with the environmentally principles of Park Island, all newspapers are gathered up and used for newspaper recycling.

The main beach in Ma Wan is wonderful this time of year. Park Island residents probably like it best keep a "secret", but anyhow here are a few details for anyone who want to come visit. Take the number 2 ferry from central over to Ma Wan. Trip is around 20 minutes. Once off the ferry, walk along the boulevard, and you will find a path the veers off to the left. This will take you down to the beach. If you want to stock up on drinks or snacks you can stop by the Park and Shop or the 7-11 first. There are also other less known beaches on Ma Wan, but to find those you will need to a bit of exploring. Below are some photos. Nice huh? And all at the very doorstep of Park Island residents. I personally start each morning with a 20 minute swim in the ocean. A great and healthy way to start the day! Get off the ferry terminal and walk past the palm trees. Piazaa at Park Island Along the beach Boulevard... Stop and smell the flowers... Flowers on Park Island Follow

Many people living on Park Island take the ferry to work on Hong Kong Island. Its especially nice for people who work directly in Central, but also pretty good for anyone who works on Hong Kong Island. The photo below is of the Ferry Terminal on Park Island. Park Island Ferry Terminal Ferries dock on both sides, and run very regularly. Its a really nice feeling to leave HK Island behind after a day working in the city, and then come back to a place that is peaceful, with clean air, a nice breeze, trees and a beach. It really does feel like you are arriving at a holiday resort, each day! Almost every resident on Park Island says the same thing. Its a great feeling to arrive home! Some people grab a beer at the HK side and enjoy unwinding on the way home. Others stop off the the 7-11 on Park Island when they arrive, and have a beer or two at the tables outside with other residents. The ferry is HKD $17 per trip for HK residents, which to me is a very reasonable price to pay for t

I woke up early today, and decided to walk to the other side of Ma Wan. This part of Ma Wan is entirely undeveloped, and the paths are all "natural" unlike the Peak on Hong Kong island, which is slowly being paved over by overzealous government officials who have no idea of what nature and hiking is really about. I saw not a single person during my hike, and as the paths up the mountain where not clearly marked, I had to explore and find the way by myself. The views from up the top are stunning, and there is also an old cemetary up there. What a great thing to be able to do, to start the morning with a hike like this on your doorstep. And if you had a dog, this would be a great hike to take him or her on, as there there is no traffic, and plenty of open space for him to run around and "jungle" to explore. I took some photos along the way. Hiking on Ma Wan Hiking on Park Island Beautiful ocean views from Ma Wan

Just like Lan Kwai Fong, where youngsters buy cheap beer at "Club 7-11", Park Island has its own version of this popular drinking franchise. Only with a few slight differences... The first difference is that there are actually nice outdoor tables, where people enjoying a drink from club 7-11 can sit with friends. Secondly, unlike LQF where club 7-11 patrons are likely be be aged 14-18 years of age, on Park Island you will regularly find a table outside the club consisting of Park Island residents aged 40+! I don't know this crowd too well, but they are a friendly bunch happy to have any new resident join them. They can be found virtually every night, at the same table outside the Park Island 7-11. Attached are some (poor quality) pics. In the background of the second pic you can see the Tsing Ma bridge. I really feel that the landscapers and architects did a great job with the Park Island community mall area, with the trees, shops, walkways, ferry terminal, ocean views