A Day in Tai O with the Olympus Trip

There’s something timeless about Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island. Since I first arrived in Hong Kong 38 years ago, the only obvious changes to the main waterway is the addition of a metal bridge, instead of a raft pulled across the water by two old ladies. And I love the new trendy teahouses overlooking the water, great way to escape the midday heat!

Known for its stilt houses and small bustling fish market, it's most famous for it's shrimp paste that is manufactured literally at the roadside. I recently spent a day there with my mum wandering its narrow lanes, capturing its charm through the lens of my Olympus Trip 35 and a roll of Fomapan 100.

Produced from 1967-1984, I was super happy to get this nicely restored vintage film camera from Japan

The Olympus Trip is now my trusty travel companion—lightweight, compact, and fully automatic with its selenium light meter. Paired with the fine grain and low contrast of Fomapan 100, it's the perfect setup to document the quiet nostalgia of Tai O.

Walking along the stilt houses, I was struck by the interplay of light and shadow. Stepping out of the temple into the super bright midday sun, I'm impressed the Olympus Trip handled the conditions to show the weathered textures of wooden walls, metal shutters and beautiful houses. The 40mm Zuiko lens rendering sharp details and beautiful tones on the Fomapan. Also: This is not an ad. No sponsor. Just homage to a cool camera.

This trip reminded me why I love film photography. It’s not just about the photos you take, but the process—the way it slows you down and makes you savor every moment. Tai O, with its old-world charm, felt like the perfect subject for this journey back in time.

Here are a few shots from the day.

What do you like about the Olympus Trip? Let me know in the comme