B&B Review: Hong Kong's 'Returning to Nature' (歸園田居)

Anyone who is familiar with Chinese literature would know a poem or two written by the renowned poet Tao Yuan-ming from the Six Dynasties period. Two of his works are particularly famous - 'Peach Blossom Spring' (桃花源記), and 'Returning to Nature' (歸園田居). The daoist theme is evident in Tao's works as manifested in his wish to escape from the world of secular desires such as fame, wealth and power.

A widely-known stereotypical image of Hong Kong is its early state as a small fishing village before the Opium War. I hear that some tourists go to Hong Kong anticipating to see fishing boats and fishermen like those appearing on the postcards. (Don't they have internet, television, books, newspaper or any of this sort to keep track on the current events in countries other than their own for the past century?) Shifting to the tertiary industry, Hong Kong has a much weaker and stagnant secondary industry as the manufacturing process has been moved to other places for lower cost, let alone the primary industry like fishing. Having said that, there are still primitive, unpolluted local fishing businesses in Tai O (大澳) on the Lantau Island. What? An island? Well, it doesn't seem THAT far as the Hong Kong airport is in effect on the very same island.

In Tai O, you may visit the two small museums pertaining to the history of Tai O and local culture, go to see stilt houses, take a boat ride, buy souvenirs, or even to stay for one night at the B&B, 'Espace Elastique'. The Chinese name of the B&B is '歸田園居' (another name commonly used for Tao's 'Returning to Nature') which refers to returning to the countryside, or in this case, to a fishing village.

On the rooftop of Espace Elastique, there is a relaxing jacuzzi, which is rare luxury for B&Bs in Hong Kong. The surface of the bathtub is a bit coarse; some may like the roughness though. Some packages offer complimentary breakfast - toast and beverages. While the thought of going green and recycling usable things are welcomed by all, it is unhygienic to require guests putting on the B&B's reused slippers that might very well be a hose of germs.

http://www.espaceelastique.com.hk/home_e.html

Review: (5 highest - 1 lowest)

Room: 3

Room Rate: 2.5
Style: 3.5
Cleanliness: 2.5
Complimentary Breakfast: 2
Facilities: 3 (Jacuzzi is rare for B&Bs in Hong Kong)
Staff: 2.5