Ooooo, MTR discounts for ferry commuters

Check out this announcement from MTR:

HK$1.5 discount for MTR passengers interchanging from five Outlying Island ferry routes

From 16 July 2011 to 15 January 2012, Adult Octopus cardholders taking the Outlying Island Ferry services from Sok Kwu Wan, Yung Shue Wan, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau and Mui Wo to Central to interchange for the MTR will be able to enjoy a $1.5 discount off their MTR fare. All they have to do is swipe their Octopus cards at the new Fare Discount Processor installed at the respective ferry piers before entering the MTR network through Central or Hong Kong Station on the same day.

The Fare Discount Processors are located at:
(1) Sok Kwu Wan Route : Before exit at Central Ferry Pier 4 (Sok Kwu Wan Route exit)
(2) Yung Shue Wan Route : Paid area of Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier
(3) Peng Chau Route : Paid area of Peng Chau Ferry Pier
(4) Cheung Chau Route: Unpaid area of Cheung Chau Ferry Pier
(5) Mui Wo Route : Unpaid area of Mui Wo Ferry Pier

The Interchange Discount is not applicable to Airport Express and the free MTR connection journeys offered by Airport Express.

For details of the new Interchange Discount, passengers may refer to the MTR website at www.mtr.com.hk or call the MTR Hotline at 2881-8888 during office hours.

Peng Chau – by accident

We thought we'd taken the ferry back from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo but forgot there was another kaido service to Peng Chau. Our first inkling that something was wrong was that the fare was just HK$10+ instead of the HK$30 for two we'd paid on the way there.

But luckily, we'd left enough time for exploring so the unexpected detour didn't stress us out... much. I've always wanted to visit Peng Chau but I'd thought it would have been a planned trip.

It was interesting to see how the different island destinations – Mui Wo, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau – have their own character. I think Mui Wo is the most charming but of course, I am biased.

Maybe it was the lack of time or the fact that it was an unplanned trip but I didn't quite take to Peng Chau. It looked like what all the islands might look like if the local councils had their way – ugly concrete municipal offices right smack on the waterfront overshadowing the characterful streets and shops behind.

But the snacks were yummy so maybe we might return for a proper trip one day.