Wondering what life is like on Hong Kong’s Lamma Island? It’s always good to talk to the neighbours! In our regular Street Talk feature, we get the inside scoop from residents of different areas. Here, we chat to Davina about things to do on Lamma Island and what it’s like having nature on your doorstep. Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on the best neighbourhood joints and a must-visit Lamma Island restaurant!
Name: Davina Carrete
From: UK
Occupation: Owner of Treasure Chest Theatre (acting, directing, coaching)
The Specifics
Where do you live? Wang Long Village, Lamma Island.
How long have you been here? Seven years and four months.
Why Lamma? It’s the perfect getaway after a long day in the bustle of the city – great local shops, restaurants and beaches and affordable for artists such as myself.
What transport is available to Lamma? A pretty regular ferry. It’s clean and comfortable with beautiful views!
The Scene
When you walk out of your house, what’s the first thing you see? My husband’s gym and a sweaty client!
What’s the closest store to your front door? There is one called Granny Chans (a bucket on a pulley system and an abacus for a till) that we seldom use; the next store after that would be Brothers, which has a pretty amazing selection for a small store!
What’s the unofficial uniform of Lamma? T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.
If a celebrity were to move in, who would it likely be? Pamela Anderson (now, not when she was younger).
What do you do when you’re in need of a dose of culture on Lamma? There are so many places to choose from! If we’re talking about arts culture, then there is Open Space, a wonderful forest getaway, plus Lamma Art Collective (LAC) and Sinag Art Space.
What’s one of the mandatory things to do on Lamma Island or stops for taking out-of-town guests? One of the seafood restaurants.
What’s a common myth about your area? There’s lots of snakes. I’ve only seen three in the last seven years.
If you wake up at night, what is it usually because of? My dog sleeping on top of me!
What does a massive late-night rager in your suburb involve? A cruise past all the bars and a party on the beach.
The Superlatives
What’s your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joint or Lamma Island restaurant? Jaybird restaurant (@jaybirdlamma)!
Where do you find the best local food or Lamma Island restaurant in your area? Sampan Seafood Restaurant!
What’s the strangest thing you see in your neighbourhood? Uncle with his pet lizard on his head.
What are someof the best neighbourhood bargains? Buying a book from Nick “The Bookman”!
What’s the guiltiest local pleasure? Machine Men Pale Ale at Yardley Brothers’ Beer Shack (yardleybrothers.hk) – a really nice pint!
What’s one thing you’d never change? The local charm.
If the city gave you HK$5 million to soup up your area, what would you do? Create a zip-line transport system and a boar sanctuary.
Lamma Fact File: Did You Know?
- It’s Hong Kong’s third largest island, behind Lantau and Hong Kong Island. (The fourth and fifth largest are Chek Lap Kok and Tsing Yi.)
- Originally, the island was called Pok Liu Chau (“place for docking/parking”). The name Lamma came from a misreading by Scottish geographer Alexander Dalrymple in the 1760s. He saw the Portuguese word for muddy land (“lama”) on a map and assumed it was the island’s name.
- The biggest village on Lamma is Yung Shue Wan (approximately 6,000 people), while the highest point is Mount Stenhouse (353 metres).
- A key event on Lamma is the Tin Hau Festival (around April/May), celebrated by local fishermen.
- Actor Chow Yun-fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) was born on Lamma.
- The tiny Romer’s tree frog, which is endemic to Hong Kong, was first discovered in a cave on Lamma in 1953 (but then not found again until 1984, in a different cave on the island).
Do you love your neighbourhood? Share it with others! Just email us at info@expatliving.hk with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2023/2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
