Have Your Say – Helena Harrison

Author/ Being Neighbourly
1 February 2025

Helena Harrison is originally from the UK. She backpacked to Hong Kong 30 years ago and though she wasn’t expecting to stay, Hong Kong worked its magic! Harrison is a long-time resident of Lamma Island, where she’s lived in her current home for 17 years. She knows every nook and cranny, as you’ll find out.

How long have you lived where you live?

I’ve lived on Lamma for 30 years, I arrived with a backpack when I was 30 expecting to stay for a few years and I’ve now got a house full of stuff and two grown-up children. We’ve lived in our current house for 17 years. It’s a great place with high ceilings and outside space.

Can you see yourself living anywhere else?

I absolutely love Lamma. We’ve lived here a long time and we’re very connected to the place but I’d still like to live somewhere else for a while but I just don’t know where…. Maybe the UK to be near my family, but I’ve become quite intolerant to the cold so I’m not sure how that will work out!

What’s so great about your home/neighbourhood?

The most amazing and truly unique thing about Lamma is the small village of Yung Shue Wan, there are no cars and everyone walks everywhere and because of this life is full of social interactions; on the ferry; having coffee; in the shops; walking down the street; sitting on the beach; going to the gym; in the pub. You name it there’ll be someone who’s up for a chat. It’s also a very equitable place. No one lives in a big house, no one drives an expensive car and most people are casually dressed. I like this element of living here; it feels inclusive. It’s also been an incredibly safe place to live. If I was walking home alone at night in the UK I used to feel quite fearful. I have never felt that here or anywhere in Hong Kong and that really is a wonderful thing.

Best little known gems?

Hmmm……? I’m not sure that I know of any hidden gems, everything is very easy to find when you walk through the village. Although I do really like the hidden deck behind The Banyan Bay Cafe, it’s great for watching sunsets or just generally gazing out to sea.

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

I’m going to have to recommend every restaurant, bar and cafe!! I know all the owners!! But
these are a few of my favourite places. Chinese at the Man Fung; European at LAPA; Indian at Spicy Island; Spanish at Candela; Thai at Little Thai; Dim Sum at the Sampan and great gelato at Gelato. Whatever you fancy is available.

Best places to drink coffee/find a drink?

The best coffee is definitely at LAPA where you can sit outside and watch the world go by. Lots of the restaurants make great cocktails, Candela, Lamma Grill, Terracotta and of course LAPA again. It’s also lovely to just grab a drink from a shop and go down to the jetty and watch the sun go down. It’s very peaceful.

Best other hangouts?

A new place has just opened called Hi Lido. They make some great noodle dishes but are only open at the weekend between 12 and 8pm.

What’s true/not true about your neighbourhood?

It’s not true that Lamma is full of hippies but it is true that it’s full of people from many different countries. There’s a very diverse population for such a small place.