Special shrimp paste

Mention Tai O and the locals will go: "Ah, har cheong!" The place is known for its very aromatic (some will say smelly) shrimp paste that goes with virtually anything – some have it with beancurd. To find the place, turn left at Tai O Market and continue walking past the public toilets. You will soon find a very distinctive smell pervading the air.

The ground-up shrimp is left to ferment in blue containers until it becomes this smooth paste that is packed with umami.

Some go into bottle while others are dried in blocks.

I'd think I were in heaven too if I were a cat.

Tai O on a sleepy Monday

I had a day off today so we went on a photo frenzy in Tai O. It's great going there on a weekday because the crowds thin and you get to see bits of the town you don't normally go to and see activity that doesn't usually happen over the weekend.

Like the building of the lift that will connect the luxury hotel that will open at the former Tai O police station. Doesn't that remind you of the Peak Tram?

The shy cats don't need to hide as there are fewer visitors.

View from the Dolphin Watch trail.

Refueling. Squid with spicy salt, egg with salted egg yolks, sweet sour pork. There was roast pork too but we were so hungry we ate that before we thought of taking photos.

Ngong Ping, finally

It's embarrassing to confess this but, despite living in Mui Wo, we haven't gone to Ngong Ping... until now. Determined to get our arses in gear and finally see the Big Buddha, we got on the 11.30am bus and prepared for an adventure.

I had the impression that it would all be very Buddhist but it actually turned out to be quite fun. Ngong Ping Village is like a cross between a ski resort (but without the snow) and Disneyland (but without the exorbitant entry fees).

I think it's best seen during winter. That open square must be baking in summer.
An added reason to go: Free chocolate tasting until January 2! Marshmallows dipped in Leonidas chocolate. Yummy!

These are hand-crafted chocolate figurines. If I remember correctly, they cost HK$120 each.

Another must-do is trying out the vegetarian meal at the Po Lin Monastery. You have a choice of the HK$60 or the HK$100 per person menu. We checked and there didn't seem to be much difference in terms of the dishes serves. Apparently the ambience is nicer for the more expensive menu but we were pretty happy with the more local atmosphere.

The meal was wonderfully cooked, plus you had the added smugness of being able to tell yourself it was all vegetables and therefore healthier(ish).

We enjoyed ourselves so much we couldn't believe we took so long to get to Ngong Ping. Best part is, it's only a half-hour bus ride away, so we are definitely going to do it more often!