Organic farm

I learnt a new phrase during the Japan tsunami: agricultural polytunnels. And we spotted what looked like some outside Luk Tei Tong recently.

Turns out it was Mabel's Roselle Garden, which sells organic produce.

Mabel wasn't in when we passed by but we'll be back in hopes of snaring those really fresh greens.

Oh oh... someone's in big trouble!

But I guess it's really the fault of the vegetable patch owner for not keeping the fence in good repair.

Return to the lands

Mui Wo has its roots in farming and fishing. And while fishing may be dying a slow death, at least it looks like farming is enjoying a revival.

We haven't taken a walk by the abandoned fish farms (don't you love the phrase? It smacks of "meet you by the abandoned fish farms, Batman" gags) for a while so we were pleasantly surprised by the thriving vegetable farm that has appeared there.

I bought some pak choy from the woman at the pier at HK$10 a bundle. Wonder if it came from this farm?

Stall-warts

We don't need to go to the supermarket to get fresh produce.

At the pier, there are always two regulars – I call them the Vegetable Lady and the Banana Uncle because I can't communicate more than "How much?" to either of them.

And sometimes, when the weather's good and the tourists spill out from the ferries, there is also Vegetable Lady 2.0, who sets up her stall outside the McDonald's.

Her vegetables are always so fresh that they catch the eye of many home cooks.

When I was there buying her beetroots (HK$13 a catty in case you're wondering), a couple stopped by and got some too.

Because I brought her luck, and translated for her, she gave me two stalks of spring onions. I'll definitely be back!

Vegging out

One thing good about travelling to and fro Mui Wo every weekend is that the pier to Mui Wo is just next to the Star Ferry Pier. It's a looooong walk to the pier but you're usually rewarded by somehing happening at the other end.

This week, we were early (for once) for the ferry so managed to catch the organic and fair-trade fair. It was super crowded so obviously many people make it a Sunday destination.

We bought some lovely baby peppers (red, green and orange) and chillies. The great thing about buying our vegetables straight from the source is that psychologically, they seem to taste better (the veg, not the farmers). The only drawback... don't be caught without your own shopping bag. The fair is so green you feel like so eco-incompetent asking for a bag to cart all your goodies.

The LOHAS Square fair is held every Sunday from 11am to 5pm at the Central Star Ferry Pier (No.7). For more info: http://www.climatechange.hk/eng/news/news-LOHASSquare-eng.aspx