Summer has once again come to Hong Kong. In fact, what I consider “summer” has been here for months already and isn’t going away any time soon. What I mean, though, is that Hong Kong summer is now reaching its heigh, and it's in full force. It’s been sunny and beachable for months, but now it’s hot, humid and—er—absolutely wonderful. Sorry, but I love summertime, and in Hong Kong it’s one of the best times of the year. The territory’s stunning natural location makes it the perfect locale for all your typical recreation, from water sports and sunbathing to boat trips and rooftop barbecues. This being my second summer in the SAR, I know I’ve written before about the joys of the season here. But each weekend I remember all over again why every day I am grateful to be where I am. And so I'm going to write about it some more.
The heat can be a killer, make no mistake! Combined with the humidity, it can be downright awful. I read a description a few weeks ago in the New York Times that perfectly captures what it's like here on a humid day. Basically, the writer said that there are only a few precious weeks in Hong Kong (after winter ends but before full-out summer) until it starts to feel like you're walking around town wrapped in a hot, wet blanket. Still, the air conditioning works very well indeed, and almost all indoor spaces are kept incredibly cold. We often joke that Hong Kong is one of the only cities where businessmen carry their blazers or suit jackets into work and then put them on once they are sitting at their desk. But it’s all too true. Our office in IFC is absolutely freezing, and the air conditioner seems to have a mind of its own. So even though I'm living in a subtropical climate, I get good use out of an old Villanova hoodie.
However, on the weekends or after work, when you can relax in a t-shirt, shorts and pair of flip flops, Hong Kong’s weather seems to be its greatest blessing. With forty free public beaches scattered all over the territory, Hong Kong is a summer paradise. You can take a taxi for less than fifteen minutes and be on pristine white shores overlooking the soothing waves of the South China Sea. And those willing to put in more effort can find exponentially more thrilling beaches, with stunning rock formations, cliffs merging into crashing seas and—I’ve been told—waterfalls and natural pools steps from the beach.
The heat can be a killer, make no mistake! Combined with the humidity, it can be downright awful. I read a description a few weeks ago in the New York Times that perfectly captures what it's like here on a humid day. Basically, the writer said that there are only a few precious weeks in Hong Kong (after winter ends but before full-out summer) until it starts to feel like you're walking around town wrapped in a hot, wet blanket. Still, the air conditioning works very well indeed, and almost all indoor spaces are kept incredibly cold. We often joke that Hong Kong is one of the only cities where businessmen carry their blazers or suit jackets into work and then put them on once they are sitting at their desk. But it’s all too true. Our office in IFC is absolutely freezing, and the air conditioner seems to have a mind of its own. So even though I'm living in a subtropical climate, I get good use out of an old Villanova hoodie.
However, on the weekends or after work, when you can relax in a t-shirt, shorts and pair of flip flops, Hong Kong’s weather seems to be its greatest blessing. With forty free public beaches scattered all over the territory, Hong Kong is a summer paradise. You can take a taxi for less than fifteen minutes and be on pristine white shores overlooking the soothing waves of the South China Sea. And those willing to put in more effort can find exponentially more thrilling beaches, with stunning rock formations, cliffs merging into crashing seas and—I’ve been told—waterfalls and natural pools steps from the beach.
The beach at Repulse Bay—one of the SAR's most popular stretches of sand
Junk boats are a staple of the summer social season in Hong Kong. One person, or perhaps a couple, will charter a junk and invite their friends to join along. The captain will sail out to remote, inaccessible beaches and islands and drop anchor for several hours. There, the junk-goers can swim, banana boat, jet ski, wakeboard or participate in any number of activities.
Me, my roommate Richard and our friend Jasmin on a "birthday" junk
And of course, for those wishing to stay dry, there’s always the sun deck and the bar! We just had a junk trip two weekends ago, and I'm looking forward to many more before the season's end. Ahh, junk trips—one of the aspects of Hong Kong life I know I will miss most when the inevitable day arrives when I must leave this wonderful place.
On the junk trip to Sai Kung a few weeks ago
Although we’ve had our fair share of bad weather and rain over the past month or so, a single good day seems to wipe away the gloomy memories. For me, summertime in Hong Kong is without doubt the crown jewel of expat life in the former British colony. Thankfully, as I mentioned, “summertime” runs from April though October.
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