Itchy (This week's Photo Hunt theme)

Near the entrance to Chung Hom Kok Beach (which, like 40 other public beaches in Hong Kong, is managed by the territory's Leisure and Cultural Services Department), there is a sign which lists a large number of what's not allowed on it (including dogs, motorcycles and ball games). Since all I wanted to do there was wander about the beach, admire the scenery, take photos and just generally hang out and chill, that actually was okay by me. So in I strolled and after looking around a bit, I thought I had found a nice shady place where I would be able to lie down undisturbed for a time to enjoy the sun, breeze, sand and overall scene.

For about 10 minutes there, I felt a sense of sheer bliss and got to thinking "This is the life". But then I started getting an itchy feeling around my ankles and calves and got to noticing little dots appearing on my skin. In other words, I belatedly discovered that I had unwittingly sent out an open invitation to some sandflies to come and feast on my blood. :(

So if there's a lesson to learn from this Photo Hunt entry, it's that pretty pictures may not tell the whole story. Put another way: Chung Hom Kok Beach may have a visually pleasing location but my experience that afternoon there means that it's not one that I've got completely great memories of and, in fact, is really low on my list of Hong Kong beaches to return to -- this especially when my other options include such as the sandfly-less (in my experience at least!) and frankly way more beautiful beaches at Cheung Sha and Sai Kung's Tai Long Wan!