Aboard a Sampan

When reading about this, it sounded like a really good idea. Getting to go on a sampan, while sightseeing the Aberdeen Floating Village, and maybe have lunch at Jumbo Floating Restaurant. Also, a great way to explore the south side of Hong Kong Island. Right? Well, reality is a bit different… Reality is quite boring… Yes, there are plenty of boats lined up next to each other – junks, trawlers, cabin cruisers – an eclectic mix, but looking at rows of boats gets pretty dull after a while. I’d rather do an airbnb on one of those cabin cruisers, and use the sampans for transfer – that sounds a lot more fun! After sailing through the floating village, the huge Jumbo Floating Restaurant appeared, and looked closed, so didn’t go for lunch. Not sure I would have done it anyway, because it didn’t look too tempting. Next it was back to the harbour, and that was it. For what I got, it turned out to be an expensive experience! Interesting to see the inside of a sampan, but still… As the junk ride was the whole reason for coming to Aberdeen, and the town not being especially exiting in itself, I just had to write this day trip off as a blunder. You win some, you lose some.

Getting to Aberdeen is public transportation wise bus only, no MTR. Upon arriving you simply head over to the harbour, and you’ll soon find some sailer waiting to take you out.