Vignettes of the World
The original plan of the day was to hike the general areas of Hong Kong east, namely, Mount Butler, Mount Parker or the Quarry Pass area. We began at Nam Fung Sun Tsuen but that was the last thing we knew. Some wrong ways here …
Pre World War II History The British built the Sai Wan Battery early during the colonial times. Originally, they built only the redoubt up on the hilltop in 1895. Three years later, the British military added two 6-inch gun platform as well, and construction completed …
It could not have been a better weather for a ride on the sea. I was joining a friend for lunch at Sai Wan Ho. We planned on meeting at Soho East, the well-known restaurant strip right next to the Sai Wan Ho Pier. It was out of convenience that I decided to take the ferry, and it turned out to be a wonderful decision.
I took a bus to Kwun Tong and got off at Millennium City. I walked for ten minutes toward the sea and arrived at the Kwun Tong Public Pier. Its humility came as a surprise to me. I did not know what to expect, to begin with, but in the back of my mind I had the image of the swanky pier establishments in Central. Surely, someone thought that the selling point of this pier was its humble, simple elegance. On one of the main pillars there are printed words saying “boats of nostalgia.”
The ferry schedule is simple. In each hour of operation, the ferry comes twice, on the 18th and 48th minute. True to its word, the ferry to Sai Wan Ho came at 11:48am. When it arrived, I understood immediately the meaning of “boats of nostalgia.”
The ferry was clown-themed. It came with a very festive décor, perhaps in an outmoded way. The operator is Coral Sea, a company that I have not heard of. But the wooden ferry in its bright colors made me smile. I went on board and saw a clown, smiling ear-to-ear, sitting in the middle of the boat. It was as much a surprise as it was comical, “ah-ha, so these are clown colors!”
I took the stairs to the upper deck. The ferry headed right across the eastern entry to the Victoria Harbour, the Lei Yue Mun Pass. The first landmark that came into sight was the former runway of the Kai Tak Airport. Then came open, wide open, views of the Victoria Harbour. All of Hong Kong’s skyline, from the eastern corridor to the very western end, and on both sides of the harbour, reeled by.
Very frankly, I did not foresee that a boat ride could so refreshing. It really brightened up the day for me. I told my friend that I would be going for lunch with her again. And yes, I would do this again, and again.
Originally we were going to hike the Lung Mun Country Trail from Chuen Lung Village to the Shing Mun Reservoir. However, after a mad good time at dim sum at the village, we were left with little time for the intended trail. Therefore we changed …
You can’t miss it, spring is here in Hong Kong. It is time to see flowers. The local press has been reporting on the Shun Sum Yuen Farm in San Tin, Yuen Long. My friend and I took a trip out there this past Sunday. …
The Lung Ha Wan (also known as Lobster Bay) Country Trail shows exceptional aerial views of the outlaying islands and Kowloon’s eastern coastline at Clear Water Bay. I was hiking this day with a group. Someone would be leading and I could enjoy the views and the hike.
Originally, we intended to take Minibus 16 from the Po Lam Bus Terminus, then get off at Tai Au Mun. What would have followed was a half-hour walk to the beginning of the Lung Ha Wan Trail inside the Clear Water Bay Country Park.
However, it was a Sunday and a long line formed at the minibus stop. We waited for more than half hour, then decided to just hail down a cab. The cab took us into the Clear Water Bay Country Park (where the Lobster Bay Viewing Point is). We then began at the Lung Ha Wan Country Trail.
The Lung Ha Wan Country Trail is a path up Tai Leng Tong. The initial stairs up takes a good twenty to thirty minutes. There are views of the golf course and the coast on this part of the trail.
Once up at the top, we came upon the first photo spot. It is a rock on a gentle slope. Given the right angle, the photograph shows some illusions of a dangerous maneuver, but in fact the gentle slope is just a few feet below the rock.
At that location we have already passed the peak of Tai Leng Tong. We then headed onto a downward path. Despite a sunny morning, it became very cloudy and windy when we started our hike. Although we could observe the beautiful coastline and the outlaying islands, the photographs do not do justice to the views.
We passed by another rock. And we kept going downward. The trail ends at the Clearwater Bat Equestrian Center. The kite flying site of Lung Ha Wan is also nearby. Hang on though because that is by no means the end of hiking. We headed onto Lung Ha Wan Road. Soon enough we passed by Lung Ha Wan (Lobster Bay). It is a rocky stretch of a beach.
Another site worthy of visit on Lung Ha Wan Road is the Lung Ha Wan Rock Carving. According to the descriptions on site, the rock carving is possibly dated to 3,000 years old ago during the Bronze Age. These carvings show geometric patterns that symbolize clouds, thunders and other forces of nature generally. The patterns are also consistent with the patterns shown on the pottery and vessels of the Bronze Age unearthed in the territory. There are a total of nine such rock carvings found in Hong Kong, most of them along the coast. A possible explanation is that the early inhabitants of Hong Kong were sea farers and therefore they might have done these carvings to invoke the power of the sea.
I think we walked on Lung Ha Wan Road for a little more than thirty minutes until we reached the roundabout at Tai Au Mun. We then took Bus 91 back to Choi Hung. It was a wonderful hike, if only the sun could show a bit more.
It is with sadness that Hoi An Cafe, with 69 years of history behind it, has now permanently closed, as of October 2021. Reports suggest that the owner had to close it because nobody was going to take over the operation of the restaurant. Farewell …
I have long heard that there is a path going up the Peak from Pokfield Road. On this sunny day I finally had the opportunity to try this route. At the Pokfield Road Bus Terminus, look for a long flight of stairs up next to …
According to its Facebook page, Wat Mekthumvanaram is one of the three Thai temples in Hong Kong that the King of Thailand recognizes. The temple is simply known as the Thai Temple of Tai Wo in Hong Kong.
Behind the temple ground there is a small stream. There is a structure standing by the stream but in ruins. It might have been a meditation or study chamber once.
The scenery is beautiful although a stop for pictures there would only take ten minutes or so.
The Thai Temple of Tai Wo remains in active observance of Buddhism today. Therefore if you make it out there, and your sole purpose is to see the ruins, be sure to remain quiet and respectful throughout the temple grounds. The Facebook page of the temple states that your only purpose in visiting the site should be for Buddha worship. Although the monks there would not stop you, be appreciative of the fact that it is not a tourist site.
The Devil’s Peak has been on the top of my bucket list in terms of wartime relics. I finally had the opportunity to head out on a bright afternoon. At a depth of 22 metres, the Lei Yue Mun Pass is very narrow and is …