Before meeting him, we wanted to have interview with local residents but it was very hard for us to talk with them.

Because it was Saturday, there were many tourists in Tai O. The street was crowed and most of the shop owners were busy to serve their customers.

Therefore, when we saw there were not many people standing around Mr Wong, we tried to talk with him.

He was kindness to answer our questions and even shared something that we didn’t ask, such as the information of To Tei Festival.

 

Mr Wong lived in Tai O since he was born and we wanted to know how local residents think of the change of Tai O.

 

We: Do you think Tai O is changing?

Mr Wong: Yes.

 

We: What is the most difference from Tai O in the past?

Mr Wong: Tai O becomes more prosperous than before. Many tourists come here, especially on holiday. As you can see, many people on the street.

 

We: Do you think such changes affect your living?

Mr Wong: Actually the influence is not that much…Because residential areas are far away from this area while tourists will only walk around the area near the port or the bus stop.

 

We: Why? Because they don’t have interest in understanding the living of Tai O residents?

Mr Wong: Not really. I think it is the problem of time limited. Usually tourists reach Tai O around 12 pm and they may have lunch here. They properly leave Tai O before 6 pm. They don’t really have enough time to walk through Tai O.

 

Mr Wong mentioned tourists came from different places while tourists from mainland China shared the highest proportion in recent years.

Hong Kong tourists was decreasing. Mr Wong believed it was time-consuming for busy Hong Kong people to go Tai O.

He said, most of the Hong Kong people went Tai O only for one time and they were less likely to go for the second time since they thought one time was enough to understand the place of Tai O.

He felt disappointed.

 

Mr Wong: Although Tai O is very small, many places in Tai O are worth to go. Many places in Hong Kong has been changed totally, such as Yuen Long, Sheung Shui and Kam Tin, but Tai O can still preserve at least 80% of the original style and features.

 

We: Are there many local residents move away Tai O to live?

Mr Wong: In the past, it is true. But now, Tai O is becoming more prosperous and the transportation is becoming more convenient than before. People even move back Tai O to live nowadays.