Good Parenting

Shek O Beach ??

The name “Shek O” literally means the “rocky bay”.

Shek O beach is a lovely sandy beach on the south-eastern part of Hong Kong Island. The water quality is fair and is gazetted Grade 2 with a shark net.

It’s very popular on weekends and holidays.

Many excellent, reasonably-priced restaurants. Choose from Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Western style.

Plenty of toilets and showers.

Nearly free

Enterprising pensioners rent deck chairs ($5) and/or umbrellas for ($20). Beach mats, swimear, hats, sunscreen, buckets & spades, inflatables and all manner of beach paraphanalia available at nearby shops. Prices very reasonable, although they seem to double on public holidays.

Parking

A large free car park, but it’s usually full by 10am on weekends and holidays. Several entreprenurial homeowners are happy to rent the space in front of and behind their houses for a mere $30/hour. Look for the ladies with ‘P’ boards waving madly at passing cars.

Public Transport

Buses No. 9 from Shau Kei Wan and No. 309 from Central (only available on Sundays and public holidays).

Green Mini Bus Route No. 16X from Chai Wan Station

Hong Kong Park

If the weather’s nice, Hong Kong park is a great day out. It’s buggyable with plenty of seating.

Little ones will love the aviary, fountain, lake, waterfall and playground.

Plenty of clean toilets dotted around.

The restaurant is quite pleasant and provides high-chairs. All outdoor seating is non-smoking since it is within the park.

Two other kiosks sell soft drinks and ice creams and another cafe is inside the Tea Museum.

The 1000-square-metre playground is on six levels. It’s a bit of a hike, but it’s worth it. Toddlers will be happy here for at least an hour. Great sandpit with diggers!

Parking

Available at Pacific Place at $20/hour. Walk up through the mall and take the escalators straight to the park.

The Peak: Victoria Peak Garden

Not normally thought of as being ‘Free’, it is possible to spend a wonderful day on the Peak for nothing or next-to-nothing.

Victoria Peak Garden is one of the only large expanses of green grass that kids can run around on freely. Let them run wild while you enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Take a picnic, balls, kites, blankets, bubbles…anything.

It’s a little difficult to walk up. Walking down is OK as the road is paved.

Nearly Free

Grab a taxi from the Peak Galleria and make life easier.

Meters at the top. Not available on Sundays and Public Holidays.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 3:12 am and is filed under Good Parenting.