Have Your Say – Katie Flowers

Author/ Being Neighbourly
25 October 2025

Katie Flowers is a registered art therapist with a long list of qualifications to her name. She has long operated Wild At Art, a welcoming studio space on Elgin Street in Central where she and others give art workshops to adults, children and target groups, such as foreign domestic helpers. When not presiding over students in Hong Kong, Flowers is leading art retreats in countries in the region.

How long have you lived where you live?

27 years ago I made the decision to leave the city and live on Lamma Island. My son was a baby and I had a strong desire to be in nature, by the sea with an outside area at home and a community.

Can you see yourself anywhere else?

I have never ever regretted that decision, Lamma welcomed me with open arms. I found a wonderful group of “baby mums” . We are still friends and many are still here. I found a creative and spiritual community who are lifelong friends and a way of life that suits me down to the ground. There is nowhere else in the world like Lamma, safe, people of all ages living here, no cars, all nationalities living here, people who will go out of their way to help or offer kindness in some way. The population has probably quadrupled since I first came here, but there is a level of community intimacy that we all treasure.

What’s so great about your home/neighbourhood?

Lamma offers such a gentle way of being, because we all travel on ferries, and the community is often built around who you see each day on the boat. The absence of cars means that we walk to and from ferries which introduces a whole other level of engagement as people meet and greet along the way, often stopping for chats and generally getting to know each other.

It’s a strange thing you might pass someone on a regular basis and never get to say hi, but if you meet each other off Lamma somewhere else there will be a big friendly hello!

Shared community is an amazing foundation for all aspects of life, it’s more than just a social system, it’s an incredible support system on a personal and group level. The Lamma year has always been peppered with annual events that celebrate life, raise money for various charities and offer opportunities for get togethers from an array of music festivals such as the annual Folk Music Festival, Dickstock Music Festival, Lamma Funday, the Lamma 500 dragon boat event, the Lamma Art Collective annual Artswap event, various Treasure hunts, incredible temple festivals on Tin Hau and CNY, the annual Tin Hau Chinese Opera and many many pub quizzes!

Best little known gems?

I am biased, my son works at The Beer Shack and so my family and friends are often to be be found there, its super friendly, fabulous Yardley beer and live music, but our favourite session is the Sunday Bluegrass Brunch held twice a month, we love to go for the family atmosphere and meet friends. There is a Write of Die writing group for budding poets and authors and they meet in people’s homes weekly. The Sinag Art Gallery owned by well known local musician Vianee Fernee hosts exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. Lamma personalities! Nick the Book, Harry Harrison and Lamma Gung to name a few !

Best places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner?

We have lots of choices here, from the seafront Terracotta restaurant offering an exquisite menu from Chef Richard to local noodle shops. You can eat a Masala Dosa for Breakfast at the Waterfront or Shakshuka at Candela Spanish restaurant. You could have a variety of Chinese dinners at the various outlets, amazing meals at Lapa from South African butchers Ian and Pam. I also love the Tapas at Candela and designer burgers at the Beershack!

Best places to drink coffee/find a drink?

Well hands down a Gin and Tonic at Terracotta they have a brilliant recipe and mixologist, but Tony the Coffee guy who only sells his wares in the early morning from ferry commuters has delicious coffee. Many people love Jaybird and the Lamma grill as they both look over the sea and the sunset which never gets old!

Best other hangouts?

Lamma Art Collective offers all kinds of Art Workshops, art exhibitions throughout the year, live music events, dance workshops, drumming workshops, children’s art workshops. Lots of activities take place at the beach and you never know quite what might be on offer until you get there!

What’s true/not true about your neighbourhood?

There is a very jaded view that Lamma is home to a laissez faire hippies………… you only have to spend an afternoon here or even take a ferry ride to see that the community is diverse in age, nationality and demographic.There are many creatives here which I love, there are also many teachers, lecturers, entrepreneurs, journalists, coaches, designers and architects and more !

I now live in a very tiny village without cars or amenities of any kind, it even has its own somewhat irregular ferry ! But I love Pak Kok because it is my Sanctuary. I’m proud of my village and my island home in case you didn’t get that!