Birth of Goddess of the Sea

Every 23rd of the third lunar month, it is the birthday of Tin Hau, aka Mazu. She was a native of Fujian Province. It is believed that at the age of 13, she was taught by a Taoist priest for weather and future prediction, and even rescued the drowned people, making her goddess of the sea. As time goes by, she is worshiped by sailors and fishermen for safe voyages and abundant catches.

The Tin Hau Temple in Sai Kung is just one of the temples dedicated to her across Hong Kong. Due to the schedule of the opera troupe, the celebration of her birthday in Sai Kung is always postponed one month. During the festivities, a hive of activities will be organised, from vibrant processions, lion dances to boat parades, as a joyous expression of gratitude and devotion to her.

Cantonese opera troupes will be hired to stage operas to appease gods (神功戲) as well as entertain the local community in the temporary bamboo sheds. As an intangible cultural heritage, the routine repertoires “Prime Minister of Six States” and “The Fairy's Baby” are played. To pray for a successful performance, “White Tiger” ritual will be practiced on the stage on the first day.

If time allows, island hopping in Sai Kung is highly recommended, in order to discover the diverse characteristics of over 70 islands. It takes around 30-minute boat ride from its new public pier to Hap Mun Bay Beach (厦門灣). Admire the iconic Elephant Trunk Cave (象鼻洞) upon the tranquil water. But it is never the last spot of wondrous geological formations in Sai Kung.

Another 10-minute boat ride brings you from Hap Mun Bay Beach to the Sharp Island (橋咀島). Geological studies revealed that some 143 million years ago, a great volcano over 20 km across at its base erupted for millions of years. The mass production of volcanic ash and lava formed the surrounding hills and islands. Time to spot the trace of igneous rock crop in this Global Geopark.

Besides Rhyolite (流紋岩) and Volcanic Breccia (火山角礫岩), the “Pineapple Bun Rock (菠蘿包石)” is the most famous “rock star” in the island. Thermal expansion and contraction have caused network fractures on the surface of these quartz monzonite (石英二長岩), and seawater erosion has deepened and enlarged its cracks.

Sharp Island possesses one of the tombolo (連島沙洲) in Hong Kong. This sandbar connecting two islands is submerged during high tide, and it reappears above the water surface at low tide. While playing hide-and-seek with the Fairy Path (神隱之路), better cone across the conch metal sculpture “Ocean Says (海洋說)” , to think about our roles in nature and environment protection.

Remember, if street food in the food stalls is far from satisfactory, seafood street offers a row of restaurants specialising in seafood delicacies along the waterfront promenade. Bon appetite!