Monday, August 15, 2016

Usual and not so usual sights on a hike from Tung Chung to Tai O (Photo-essay)

The first year that I hiked in Hong Kong, the longest route that I went on was the around 15 kilometer long stretch that takes one largely along the water's edge from Tung Chung to Tai O.  Some nine years on, this Lantau Island trail remains one of my favorites; and one that I've ventured along at various times of the year, including in the summer.  

Another time I hiked this trail was after a fire had laid waste to substantial swathes of the countryside near Tai O.  It's my sincere hope that that devastated section of land -- and the flora and fauna found on it -- has managed to recover in the period since because that desolate stretch really did tear at my heart even while certain sights at other points on this same excursion were able to lift up my spirit and made me really feel alive...

Yes, this is one of those rare countryside hikes where you'll
catch glimpses of a cable car ride and a busy airport! ;b

Thanks to a staff member at the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, I now can
identify white dragontail butterflies and am aware of how rare they are
-- so it's a major thrill to catch sight of, and photograph, them :b
 
Every time I pass by this remote section of Hong Kong,
I think how it'd make a cool movie location...
 
Not the biggest lizard I've ever seen... (that honor goes to 
 
 ...but it sure does have a long tail! :O
 
 I realize some might find this critter creepy looking
but I like how transluscent and transparent its wings are!

The next time I pass this way again, I sincerely hope 
I'll see much more green than burnt vegetation
 
There are reasons why signs and warnings like these exist
-- now if only people would heed them!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Some of the villages along the Tung Chun Tai O Ancient Trail used to be farms. You should be able to see Pigsties on various locations.

On the other hand, I saw a row of Jackfruit trees in Tung Chung at approximate this location (https://goo.gl/maps/YSbWbx6NQtE2) close to the marker. The stores at Sum Wat Villages might have local bananas, star fruits and jack fruits for sale.

T

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Just in case if the marker did not show up, you may use the follow coordinates in Google Earth:

22.2802778 N, 113.9341667 E

T

YTSL said...

Hi T --

I totally can see some of the villages along that ancient trail between Tung Chung and Tai O having had farms. In fact, I'd say that the last time I passed through the area, there seemed to still be some land being farmed -- and yes, some of them did indeed have fruit trees on them.

Actually, just yesterday, I saw what appeared to be a jackfruit tree growing on Bowen Road. The fruit on it were on the small side but they were recognizably jackfruit all the same! ;b

Anonymous said...

Hi There,

I have tasted some of those local jackfruits in Sam Wat Village. They actually taste better then imports from Thailand.

T

YTSL said...

Hi T --

I usually don't stop to eat or drink anything along the way from Tung Chung to Tai O. You've encouraged me to consider checking out the fruit on sale the next time I go on that trail! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

The stores in Sam Wat village usually have Instant Noodles, boiled vegetables of the season, various soft drinks and the mentioned local fruits available for visitors. Sometimes they even have red bean\green bean desserts.

T

YTSL said...

Hi once more T --

I tend to not stop by to eat in the middle of the hike; preferring to wait until hike's end to reward myself with a feast! Occasionally though, I will make an exception for a bowl of tofu fah... ;b