Lyla D.
Yelp
After our shore excursion group's photo stop enjoyment at Victoria Peak, our skilled driver whipped downhill towards Repulse Bay. Our guide kept mentioning the high cost of properties at The Peak but then said it's even more expensive to purchase or live in Repulse Bay. Repulse Bay is home or vacation home to many rich and famous Asians and non-Asians.
Although I can see the beauty, less hectic atmosphere, and exclusivity of living in this bay area where residents can escape the frenetic city life, the name "Repulse Bay" annoyed me. So, I asked our guide about its history. He told the group that there are several unsubstantiated stories about the origin of the bay's name. But he's sticking to saying, "This bay was used as a base by pirates and caused serious concern to foreign merchant ships trading with China. The Royal Navy subsequently repulsed the pirates, hence the name."
Anyway, we were allotted an hour to either wander along the beach sand (IMHO, the sand was coarse and not like the finer sand we have in Hawai'i) while dipping our toes into the cool water, roam through their shopping mall, or follow the guide to the Taoist Kwun Yam (Guanyin) Shrine at the southeastern side of the beach. We followed the group to the Kwun Yam Shrine to view the gigantic statues of Guanyin (Chinese Goddess of Mercy) and Tiānhòu (Empress of Heaven or Goddess of the Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors, and any occupations related to the sea). According to our guide, the Kwun Yam Shrine isn't "active"; the shrine-like exterior is just a façade for a small convenience store, although several people offered prayers with joss sticks or incense to the statues. The guide encouraged everyone to cross "The Bridge of Longevity" at least seven times because of the belief in extending your life an additional ten years with each crossing. Woohoo! My husband and I quickly jumped on board with that belief and traversed that bridge!
We felt relieved and comforted by walking along the beachfront yet slightly unsettled by the densely built-up apartment buildings and estates behind us as the development reminded us about Hawai'i's Waikīkī, Kaka'ako, and Ala Moana neighborhoods. But, thankfully, our island isn't as densely populated as Hong Kong.