This past weekend, my friends and I have traveled to a different island called Cheung Chau. We had to take the train to the pier and take a ferry to the island. When we first arrived off the boat, there were many small shops and bikes. The island is tiny that locals are not driving cars. The only vehicles on the island are for polices and ambulances. While walking through the shops, my friends and I wanted to get something refreshing, so I got a watermelon smoothie, and they got a mango smoothie. The island is also known for mango mochi, which is a doughy rice ball with mango inside. We knew we had to get it because there is nowhere else to find fresh mango mochi. Different shops made their mango mochi, and it tasted different compared to buying packaged mochi at a local grocery store.
After that, my friends and I walked across the island to the beaches. It was a lovely day with a breeze, and I saw many people windsurfing. We wanted to participate in water activity, but the safest one we could do was kayaking because we all could not swim. My two friends had their kayak together, and I had my own. As we kayaked further out, we could see different islands across the water. It was fun compared to my previous experiences with kayaking because I usually kayak in a lake. But the beach was a bit windy, which made kayaking through waves more fun.
When it became lunchtime, we searched for a restaurant that served seafood because we knew it would be fresh. We saw a person fishing in the water near the beaches which made us know the seafood could be fresh. We ordered crab, buttered shrimp, fried squid, snail, clams. We all agreed that it tasted amazing. There were so many different food options throughout the island as well. We passed by many street vendors and bought twisted potato and curry fish balls skewers. The twisted potato is a snack where a whole potato is cut to be twisted and deep-fried until it is crispy.
I would come back to Cheung Chau Island again because it was very relaxing and much to see. My friends and I did not do other activities such as visiting the temples, hiking, and exploring caves but will do next time. I am glad I could take a quick ferry to another island away from the city because it takes my mind away from the fast-paced environment.
A Message from the Office of Global Engagement:
The safety and security of Drexel students is a priority for the University. As part of the efforts to support Drexel students that are studying abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Global Engagement has conducted a rigorous review of programming and provided additional support to participating students with customized pre-departure orientations and regular check-ins during the required self-isolation period and the term.