Saturday, July 10, 2010

Free (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



Three weekends ago, I proclaimed on this blog that beach weather's here! And this time last week saw me at Chung Hom Kok Beach (where I took the top-most photo in this week's Photo Hunt entry) down in the southwestern section of Hong Kong Island. One of Hong Kong's 41 gazetted public beaches, its free facilities include a life guard service, changing rooms, showers, toilets and barbecue pits. In addition, for those who are not content with all that plus sun, blue skies, sand and sea, there is a free children's playground and garden (where lots of butterflies as well as greenery abound) situated nearby.

The next day, after a nice hike up in the clouds, I couldn't resist taking further advantage of the beautiful -- albeit hot -- weather and heading to the beach. Together with Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach (see the second photo from the top) stretches out for some say two -- others close to three -- kilometers. What visitors to it surely will not dispute though is that it's located in a beautiful setting -- which makes it all the more puzzling that, given that entrance to this Lantau Island beach is (as with the other public beaches) free of charge, it's really not too crowded at all!

23 comments:

CRIZ LAI said...

No sharks? LOL! I always love free beaches... with good facilities of course. :P

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

jams o donnell said...

So many beaches I am surprised that this beach was so empty. With all those free facilities I would be there as often as I could! Have a great weekend

LifeRamblings said...

the beach looks inviting and wonderful. i've always enjoy nice sandy beaches that aren't overcrowded with great facilities and a scenic view.

MaR said...

This is wonderful. Beaches are all free in Spain, but I have seen required fees in places like Germany.
Happy weeekend!
free

Maya said...

Your picture makes me want to climb that peak and then jump into the ocean. I love when a beach is crowd "free."

Gattina said...

I wished I could be at a beach right now ! It's so hot here !

Annie said...

Beautiful photos and what a wonderful beach. Most beaches here in NC are free but they don't have all those facilities.

Happy weekend!

Susan Demeter said...

Looks and sounds just lovely! I love visiting the beach. :)

ancient one said...

Beautiful photos... free beaches...

YTSL said...

Hi Criz --

Believe it or not, there *have* been shark sightings and attacks in Hong Kong -- though not in recent years. As a result, there are anti-shark nets at public beaches... :S

Hi jams --

You mean the first beach, right? One reason may be that it's a bit of a trek down to -- and then up from -- the beach from the nearest bus stop and main road. As for the second beach: There are people -- but yeah, agree that there are not as many as it deserves!

Hi Life Ramblings --

The photos are actually of two different beaches. Do they both look inviting to you? They both certainly are nicely sandy. :)

Hi Mar --

Nice to learn that beaches are all free in Spain. :)

Hi Maya --

Yes, well... have to say that I'm tempted to repeat that experience tomorrow! ;b

Hi Gattina --

Yeah, am surprised at how hot it is in Europe. A friend in Germany told me that last Sunday, the temperature went up to 40 degrees Celsius in her town!

Hi Annie --

Er... actually, the photos are of different beaches... ;S

Hi Sue --

Hope there's a nice beach near you (then)! :b

Hi ancient one --

Yes, indeedy! ;b

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

i love your interpretation of free, this is always fun having a free day at the beach

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, free beaches is a perfect choice for this week's theme. And the beaches in your photos are beautiful. I was just talking to a couple of friends and they are huge fans of Hong Kong. I can see why from reading your blog and seeing your photos.

I love the ocean too. Have a great weekend.

Kim, USA said...

I like where the beach is situated. I guess if everything is free to go there and to swim I will be there always hehe. Happy saturday!
PhotoHunt~Free

Carver said...

What a beautiful spot and photographed so well. Beaches are free where I live except there are some island beaches in the U.S. that are gated communities where you have to have a pass to go there.

healingmagichands said...

Beautiful, and so wonderful that it is free. Looks to be pretty free of litter too, which says a lot for the people where you live.

http://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/photohunt-free/

Anonymous said...

beautiful and such a free feeling when you are there! Love it.

CherryPie said...

I so love that cloud formation!

jmb said...

It looks as if although Hong Kong is a crowded place the beach is not so popular!

Happy weekend to you YTSL.

YTSL said...

Hi Noel --

You should know as I have a feeling that there are plenty of beaches where you are! ;)

Hi Trekcapri --

Glad your friends are helping spread the word of how great Hong Kong is. And that you think my blog helps too. :)

Hi Manang Kim --

Which beach? ;(

Hi Carver --

Yeah, I was thinking of those gated communities. Then there are the beaches in Penang where so many hotels have sprouted up, making them less easy to access to the non-hotel guests (i.e., locals). :S

Hi healingmagichands --

Actually, Chung Hom Kok beach was free of litter but I was shocked at the amount of plastic floating in its water. Cheung Sha Beach, OTOH, was thankfully lovely. If only one needn't have to take unpolluted places for granted... :S

Hi And Miles to Go... --

Yes, love the feeling of being at the beach. And anticipation of going as well! :)

Hi Cherry Pie --

Which one? :O (Me, I fixated more on the bright blue skies!)

Hi jmb --

Certain beaches are more popular than others because of location and close proximity to public transportation. (E.g., Shek O Beach on a Sunday is crowded like Waikiki, it feels like!)

Katya said...

Oh what lovely beaches! They are both so beautiful! Amazing! What a great take on the free theme!

Happy Weekend!

Find my entry here: http://bristolwood.net

Sreisaat said...

I am sucker for anything free! *lol*
Don't you just love it when the beaches are crowd-free? That's only when I can enjoy my time on the beach.


Sreisaat Adventures

A. @ A Changing Life said...

Your beaches are, as you point out, remarkably free of people. I was visiting Broadstairs the other day, mid week, and the (admittedly small) beach had more people than those two put together!

YTSL said...

Hi Katya --

Thanks -- and as you can see, those beaches would be fine adding you to their visitors. So, welcome sometime! ;b

Hi Sreisaat --

Have to say that I've been fortunate in having found my share of not too crowded beaches. At the same time, definitely am going to keep on checking out new and different beaches in Hong Kong since there are so many! :)

Hi A. --

What is the sand at Broadstairs like? If nicer than what I've seen at Brighton (too pebbly) and a beach in the Lake District (too silt-like), I certainly would be able to understand its popularity! :b