Lamma Island (南丫島) is located on the southwest of Hong Kong Island. Both the English and Mandarin name of this island have interesting origins. The name “Lamma” was actually a mistake by a Scottish geographer reading a map marked in Portuguese stating the place as “Lama” (mud in Portuguese), and he thought it was the name of the island. Ever since the island had been called “Lama”. Nevertheless, again Lama was wrote incorrectly to become “Lamma” we know today. Although I find the name Lamma quite cute and is close to llama that some part of me hope there are llamas on that island, unfortunately it is a no. As for the Mandarin name, people just simply called the island 丫 due to the shape of the island. Therefore, it is also called Y island as well in English by some.
There are two ports that can take people to Lamma Island, one is on the north side, Yung Shue Wan (榕樹灣), and the other is on the south, Sok Kwu Wan (索罟灣). This time, I traveled from the Yung Shue Wan port on the north. Once I got off the boat, I immediately saw a very beautiful library, North Lamma Public Library (南丫島北段公共圖書館及南丫島歷史文物室)(photo 2) with an old poem on it talking about the benefit of reading. Moreover, I went on the election day, so there are many election posters (photo 3 right) from candidates all over the place lolll. I also saw locals lining up for voting. I consider myself very lucky to have a chance to witness it within such a short period of stay in Hong Kong. Yung Shue Wan is a more popular area compared with Sok Kwu Wan, as many tourist attractions are near the place. The port has many foreign restaurants around it probably because Lamma Island is one of foreigners’ most beloved residences in Hong Kong. Even though ferries are the main transportation to get to the island, the island itself is quite small and is a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Nevertheless, to purchase local seafood or go to seafood restaurants, Sok Kua Wan is the right port to go.
When I was looking up information about visiting Lamma Island, Hung Shing Yeh Beach (洪聖爺灣泳灘) struck me as a must visit. Though the beach doesn’t look as fancy as that in Long Ke Wan (浪茄灣), it is my favorite beach in Hong Kong to…
