Back on July 4th (American Independence Day!), 2010, my regular hiking companion and I headed up to the Ngong Ping Plateau to temporarily escape the summer heat and hike along Section 4 of the Lantau Trail. Upon getting to the starting point of that stage 4, we found that it had been re-routed due to landslides two Novembers earlier. On top of it all, weather conditions at the plateau were far mistier than we had expected than it would be.
As luck would have it though, we ended up having a hiking experience that proved pretty memorable as well as enjoyable -- not least because the mist transformed the landscape into one that actually was on the mysterious side. In addition, along the way, we "discovered" a hiking trail -- the Nei Lak Shan Country Trail -- that had hitherto had been unknown to us that we not only proceeded to partially hike that day but found so interesting that we resolved to return to check out the entire circuit the following weekend! And while that later hike did turn out to be a truly superb one, this one wasn't too bad either as far as views and experiences go -- and here are some photos to prove it... :b
Misty clouds at Ngong Ping Plateau
A moss-covered tree provides testimonyof the humidity of Ngong Ping Plateau
Just one example of the many types of exotic flowersthat can be found on Hong Kong's largest island
The Wisdom Path that looks to only impart wisdomto those who are able to read Chinese script :S
A colorful phoenix sculpture and wooden archwaysignal the start of Lantau Trail Stage 4
View of the Shek Pik Reservoir and neighboring portions of Lantau Island from a portion of Lantau Trail Stage 3
Scenic junction where the Lantau Trail meets theNei Lak Shan Country Trail
The point in the hike when the mist started to come over and obscure much of the landscape
To be continued...! ;b
6 comments:
Lovely photos YTSL, I'd love to do this walk.
Hi "A Hero Never Dies" --
Thanks -- and so weird, I was over at your blog writing a comment at the same time you commented on this entry! ;O
You can still hike on the old section 4, although it is getting a little overgrown in places now. At the landslides, you have to scramble over rocks and dirt a bit, but it is not very hard. As long as you don't go right after a heavy rain, it should be perfectly safe. Our nanny government is overly protective sometimes.
Hi Brad --
Know what you mean about "our nanny government" but I have to admit that I do tend to be a cautious hiker. Still... have to say you *are* tempting me to check out the old section 4 some time... ;b
hi ytsl,
I like the mist in the photos and the reflection of the sun in the moss covered tree photo.
The Wisdom Path looks fun. Hehe.. you could make up your own wise sayings for each pole as you walk along.
Hi sbk --
Glad you like the mist photos. Those were an experiment -- wasn't sure how they would come out but yes, am pleased with the results.
Re the Wisdom Path: preferred to give it a wide berth. Instead, what I really like are certain sections of hiking trails here in Hong Kong that can get me thinking I'm in a kung fu movie, either one of those people being trained a la Shaolin kung fu style or about to be attacked by bad guys hiding just behind a big rock or such (in which case, I'd use my martial arts skills and trusty hiking stick turned weapon on them -- hehe)! :b
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