Delicious snake soup 蛇王協

Snake soup is just one of the many unusual things you can taste in Hong Kong.  Other local delicacies included chickens’ feet, Peking duck, dim sum and century egg.

Why do people like snake soup?

Snake soup is believed to have medicinal properties.  To this effect, people in China have been enjoying snake soup for some 2000 years.  The gall bladder in particular is supposed to be effective on coughs and aid virility.

Where can I try snake soup?

This is Chau Ka Ling, owner of the Shia Wong Hip (蛇王協) snake restaurant in ‪#‎shamshuipo‬. After a bowlful of warming ‪#‎snakesoup‬ she will happily let you hold the ‪#‎snakes‬. This is a ‪#‎kingcobra‬, one of 6 species of snake used in her delicious recipe. ‪#‎hongkong‬ ‪#‎privatetour‬ ‪#‎hkgreeters‬

If you want to try it for yourself, find it at 170 Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po, nearest MTR exit A2.

Even if you’re not sure about tasting snake soup, you can see live snakes in glass cases at the entrance to the small shop and see other diners enjoying their fare.

Facebook:@snakesoup

Sham Shui Po

There are various spots around Hong Kong where you can buy snake soup or even snake wine.  We like Sham Shui Po because it’s such a vibrant and interesting neigbourhood.  As well as snake soup, investigate the electronics shops on Apliu Street.  Wander around and you will see tiny barbershops, busy hole-in-the-wall laundries and plenty of wet market stalls selling fresh meat and vegetables.

 

Chinese New Year Celebrations – Year of the Monkey

Chinese New Year is a time of great celebration here in Hong Kong. 
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Thank you to all our valued guests who joined us for fireworks, boats and many many tours over the Chinese New Year period. It is always a special time in Hong Kong and it was great to share it with you all.

The fireworks cruise was fabulous (despite the head organiser being unable to attend due to food poisoning!)

A Feast fit for an Emperor

We had a full Chinese buffet, including a stuffed roasted pig, Year of the Monkey cakes and free-flow hospitality. The captain of our luxury yacht also managed to get us a ring-side spot for the astounding 24 minute firework display – the best display of the year and certainly the best position for the evening.

More Festive Fun to ring in the Chinese New Year

We also enjoyed dragon dances, God of Wealth rituals, street performances and getting bespoke New Year Banners made with visiting guests.

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Replace Your Husband in Tai O

Replacement Husband Tai O Food

On a recent trip to Tai O on Lantau Island, we were delighted to uncover replacement husbands for sale at a bargain price of HK $25 only!!  We’re kidding.  No husbands are for sale and however much they annoy us, most of us wouldn’t replace them.  In actual fact, what they are selling is a shrimp and pork pancake.  The pancakes are fried over a coal barbeque and well worth the money if ever you make a visit. Below is a clip of the locally prepared gai dahn zhai (鷄蛋仔) or little chicken egg waffles cooked in the same way.

What and where is Tai O?

Tai O is just a ten minute bus ride away from the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island.  Some 50 years ago it was a thriving village, through fishing, agriculture and merchant industries. It is notable for its unique stilt houses dotted around the coastline.  These stilt home were a product of the Tanka people not being allowed to build on land.  It is the only remaining stilt village in Hong Kong.  However, with constant modernisation, nobody’s sure how long it retain its charm, so now is the time to visit.

Nowadays, Tai O is famous for its dried fish products, dragon boat water parade in June, mangrove forest and access to the Chinese white dolphin.  However, please note that we would recommend a tour with the Hong Kong DolphinWatch for the best experience.

Additionally, Tai O village offers a boutique heritage hotel.  With only 9 rooms in this former village police station and a pleasant restaurant, you’ll find it’s a lovely place to stay.  Especially as it is renown for the spectacular sunset.  Located on the most westerly point of Hong Kong, Tai O is definitely worth the detour!

#TaiO #鷄蛋仔 #iloveHK #HongKongGreeter

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Inquire about the various tours we offer at Hong Kong Greeters.  Our Lantau Island day trip including a trip to Tai O is highly popular.

HK Greeters play Hong Kong Beach 5’s

Hong Kong Beach 5’s has been an annual event since 2011.  Every year it gets bigger and better.  Held in Repulse Bay, teams of 5 compete at various sports including rugby, football, dodge ball, netball and volleyball. It’s not as famous as the Hong Kong rugby sevens or the Dragon Boat racing that takes place in June, but it’s growing in popularity.  Not only that, it’s the largest beach sport’s festival in Asia.

Hong Kong Greeters gets Sporty at the Hong Kong Beach 5’s

As a locally based company, we love being involved in local events.  This year we entered our very own netball team into the competition.  Here they are – the gorgeous Hong Kong Beach 5 Netball team representing Hong Kong Greeters.  Their kit is rather dashing don’t you think?

Well done to our team who thrashed in out in 29 degree heat and the toughest netball terrain! #HKBeach5s

They were also featured twice in the Southside Magazine… Go Girls!

Hong Kong Greeters Beach 5 Team

You can read a little more about a tour we ran in Repulse Bay, (where the Hong Kong Beach 5’s are held), here.

Other Hong Kong Sporting Events

The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens

Established in 1976, this growing event has evolved into possibly the biggest party in town.  The games are fast and furious, the crowd is international, ebullient and often in fancy dress.  Keep an eye on the Hong Kong Sevens website to find out upcoming dates and make sure you don’t miss this fabulous Hong Kong sporting event.

Dragon Boat Racing

There is both a Dragon Boat Festival and a Dragon Boat Carnival.  The Festival is a one day event and there will be various races held around the city.  Stanley, Sai Kung, Sha Tin and Tai O all have their own races.  The Dragon Boat carnival is a larger event held in Victoria Harbour.  It lasts three whole days.  Three days of colourful competition set to the beat of a drum.