Some background relating to Repulse Bay

I think we chose well living in Repulse Bay - yes we're paying loads for it, but it's well worth it. The views; the space; the amenities; the easy route to work. It's all very convenient - but, yes, very Gweilo too.

More on Gweilo another day.

Repulse Bay feels like another part of Hong Kong entirely. You head South out of the crazy full-on-space that is Hong Kong Central (The Northern part of Hong Kong Island) ... go thru the Aberdeen tunnel and the BURST through into another world that's not skyscrapers on speed ... but greenery; South China shimmering sea and calm(ish).

Here's what Wiki has to say about the place:

In 1841 the bay was used as a base by pirates and caused serious concern to foreign merchant ships trading with China. The pirates were subsequently repulsed by the British Fleet; hence the name. Another theory holds that the bay was named after the HMS Repulse which was stationed at the bay at one point.

In the 1910s, Repulse Bay was developed into a beach, and the Repulse Bay Hotel was built in 1920. To attract swimmers, a bus route from Central to Repulse Bay was created, and now stands as one of Hong Kong's oldest bus routes. During the Battle of Hong Kong in World War II, Repulse Bay was an important strategic location.

We recently went to the excellent Hong Kong Coastal Defence Museum .... a must visit - more later.

The former Repulse Bay Hotel was refurnished to become a shopping mall in 1982, providing fast food, shops and restaurants. The hotel's colonial architecture was retained. Aside from the attraction of the beach, Repulse Bay is also a popular place for family or friends to gather because of its barbecue sites have looked for these -- can't find them!.

On the beach there are large statues of two goddesses, Kwun Yum and Tin Hau. Also overlooking Repulse Bay, although from higher up, is the famous "building with a hole".

The building with a hole is built that way to allow the mountain dragons access to the beach (bad Feng Shui otherwise).