Oncoming Tour- Sheung Wan Culinary Tour- Pre-trip

As we are going to organize another trip-the Sheung Wan Cultural trip, for our dearest guests, we actually went to Sheung Wan to have a sight visit. We wish we can be prepared before we actually begin the trip, so we had a simulation of the cultural trip on that day. We realize holding a trip like this is no as easy as it seems. The following are some challenges we have encountered:

•      Bad weather

Unfortunately, it was a rainy day. Although we have umbrellas, we still get wet and we were quite concerned if our guests’ mood will be affected. We are still thinking of how to solve the problem as our other trip- the Tai Po 1-day Trip also involved a large proportion of outdoor activities.

•      Crowded street

Since the places we visited are public areas and they are located in the middle of a busy urban area in the city, there is nothing we can do if the streets are crowded. We are surprised why it is so crowded even when it is raining. People are working, selling goods, walking around. Apparently, we have to choose a better time period next time.

•      Bad attitude of shopkeepers

I appears that the shop owners and shopkeepers has a perception that we young people usually just look but do not buy from them as we usually cannot afford expensive seafood. So their attitude is quite disappointing. They speak not too politely with apathetic tones and it seems that we are just not welcomed.

•      Difficulty to lead a tour

Unlike the Tai Po trip, we do not have many open areas for us to take a break or have a briefing. And there also weren’t wide roads for us to walk through. So it is quite inconvenient for us to lead the tour and we have to pay extra care to see if there is any missing guest.

•      Knowledge about dried marine product

When talking about the marine product, we are just amateur and we need to do many research before we go. However, even when we did a lot of researches, it is still not enough. We are in lack of experience in the field and when guests ask more in-depth questions, it will be quite difficult to give them a very good answer.

Despite the challenges we face, we have learned a lot. First, we gain experience in holding this kind of city tour, which will help us in our future when we organize similar city tours. We also gained knowledge about sea food and marine product. During our researches and when we actually introduce them to our guests, we learned a lot about them. That is really great. Besides, our skills of leading a tour is sharpened, we learned how to deal with unexpected situation such as bad weather or so. It definitely helps when we further develop our tour services. We are so glad that we have been to this event.

Ison was introducing the dried fish.

Our friend from America

Group picture 1- We started from there.




Group picture 2 - we ended at in front of the dried fish shop.

 

Video 2

Ikko! Join Us!

What are you waitnig for? Come and join us!
Please come and join our tour- From Bustle to Tranquility.
Invite your friends or relatives to go with you. Let's have a happy and nice day.
See you there!

Our tour is held on every Saturdays and Sundays

Medium of communication can be English or Cantonese or Japanese

Children under 7 years old are not welcomed

5-15 persons in a group

Please apply 10 days before the date of the tour

Apply and information at 31133006

E-mail: ikko-ecotour @xmail.com
If raining, we will inform you before one day of the tour and rearrange or refund 80% of the fee.

Recommended Restaurant in Tai Mei Tuk

Chung Shing Thai Restaurant 忠誠泰菜

Address: G/F, No. 187, Lung Mei, Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po

Telephone: 26733322

Open hour: everyday 12nn-10pm

Price range: $100-$150

Payment: Cash and credit card

Signature dishes: Tom Yum, Changmai Curry, Roast pastry

Features:

Chung Shing is one of the popular restaurants in Tai Po. The locally authentic restaurant began in small scale business and expands its restaurant because of good selling of roast pastry. Tom yum, fish in the clay-pot with sweet, sour sauce and curry are must try items. Managed by Thais, customer’s service is ultimately important to them. Every dishes are served in big portion.

Café De Country Art 藝程雅聚

Address: G/F, No. 202, Lung Mei, Tai Mei Tuk Tai Po

Telephone: 26726701

Open hour: Tuesdays to Sundays 12nn-10pm

Price range: $41-$150

Payment: Cash and credit card

Signature dishes: Traditional Cheese Tomato Vanilla Pizza, Rack of Lamb

Features:

Tai Mei Tuk

Lung Mei

When you ride a bicycle to Tai Mei Tuk, you must pass through Lung Mei. This is a mangrove inhabited by numerous precise varieties of marine creatures. However, Lung Mei now is in danger as the Government is planning to build the bathing beach here! The construction needs to eradicate mangrove and fills up with sand.

Lung Mei Beach, adjacent to Ting Kok Road in Tai Po, is a natural mud land. However, the beach had not drawn so much attention because there is just a medium-size piece of mangrove until the Government has started to propose building a man-made bathing beach in 2007. Many environmental organizations opposed to the plan as Lung Mei is a high scientific value mangrove which inhabits 200 species of marine creatures while some of them is about to extinct such as Phoronis australis. They think that the mud land offers good conditions to gestate the biodiversity of the nearby marine environment.

It is a good possibility to carry out the plan before 2011. Today, you may take the last chance to approach the easy-access but valued mangrove by your bike.

What can you do there?

Take a short break after a long riding from Sam Mun Tsai or Tai Po. Remember to take some pictures here. You may experience the scarce tranquility when seeing the absolute clear water and blue sky with egrets. Try looking in the water, and you will discover the wonder of marine life.

Tai Mei Tuk

Tai Mei Tuk is at the northwestern end of the main dam is a popular barbecue site in Hong Kong. There is a good place for you to escape from the bustle city life.

Here, you may:

Rent a boat to explore the nearby shore

Flying a kite

Hiking!!! Experience the hiking trail in Hong Kong

Rest and Relax in this peaceful place

Think of how to protect our Earth!

 

Plover Cove Reservoir

Plover Cove Reservoir located within Plover Cove Country Park, is the largest reservoir in Hong Kong in terms of area, and the second-largest in terms of volume. It is the first in the world that constructed a lake from an ocean. Its main dam was one of the largest in the world at the time of its construction, disconnecting Plover Cove from the sea.Today, Plover Cove Reservoir is a natural fish pond that supports a diverse wildlife, including many freshwater fish species.

At 17:30, we will sit and rest on the dam and wait for the sunset.



The sunset, Gorgeous!

The sunset



Sam Mun Tsai

Sam Mun Tsai is the largest fishing village in the region, a historical village.

In 1960, the Plover Cove Reservoir was built, the villagers have moved site to develop a new village- the current one.

Nowadays, fishermen live on the floating boats but their numbers are fewer than the past. Their life style seems so simple and peaceful fishermen are living their peaceful life, laid back, catching fish, repairing fish nets. People are singing on the boat.

Blue sky. Green hills. Quiet village. What a scenery. It’s refreshing!

What can you do there?

Enjoy beautiful scenery

Fly a kite

Go fishing

Have a picnic

Tasty fresh seafood

Rent a boat

Glimpse on fishermen life

Tai Po Waterfront Park

Tai Po Waterfront Park

Background

Tai Po Waterfront Park is the largest park managed by Leisure and Cultural Service Department. The main design feature is that the Park rests on a hill with the central part being the highest point. Visitors can capture the view of the whole Park.

 

There are many facilities in this park such as Amphitheatre, bowling greens, western garden, children's playground, insect houses, spiral lookout tower, gate ball court and model boat pool. No matter you are active or not, old or young, there are some facilities suitable for you to enjoy!

Spiral lookout tower



Tolo Harbour

 Among the above facilities, the spiral lookout tower is the most popular one, visitors can have a panoramic view of the Tolo Harbour, the Tai Po Industrial Estate and the rugged countryside stretching back to the boundary with mainland China. The plaques of the lookout tower depict the history of Tai Po, including the struggle with British army when they originally entered the New Territories, the heroic resistance against Japanese army during the occupation and prosperity after World War II.

Oh! Look! There are some chimes emitting smoke…There is Tai Po Industrial Estate. The place behind you is Tai Po New town developed in 1979.The town is well-planned which has inhabitants of 300 thousand.

History of Tolo Harbour

It was formerly known as Tai Po Hai, pearl hunting had been a major industry in Tai Po from Han Dynasty. As pearling industry was developed, the Tolo Harbour also known as "Mei Chuen To" while local fishermen called it the "Pearl River". After the British occupation, it was renamed Tolo Harbour. 



Wedding party



Sometimes, there are special events held in this park. Once, a couple was having their wedding there. This park might be part of their unforgettable memories in their lifetime!