Chinese New Year is always quiet for the gweilo who stay in Hong Kong over the holidays, so a few of us planned a week-long cruise up to Double Haven. We motor-sailed north out of Hebe in light wind, anchoring the first night at Tai Mei Tuk, followed by a very good-value seafood feast at a roadside Indian restaurant.
From there it was a beautiful wing-on-wing sail through the Tolo Channel and the narrow gap between Double Island and Crescent Island into Double Haven. The following days were spent diving into impossibly clear water, hiking the abandoned village trail to Cat O, and flying a drone over the old fishing village.
Heading home, Malarky broke the bolts holding the propeller shaft to the gearbox halfway across the bay, which meant an undignified tow back to Wong Shek. The weather turned for the final leg home — 20-knot easterly, blown-out mizzen sail, and two hours of the hardest solo sailing I've done. We were both glad to see the flat water of Outer Port Shelter.
If you haven't done Double Haven and Cat O, go.
