Saturday, June 18, 2011

Informative (This week's Photo Hunt theme)




When out hiking in Hong Kong, I like to have a relevant Hong Kong countryside map on me. For although there are people who seem content to just rely on the many informative signposts and signs erected by the country park authorities, I find that some signposts -- such as the distance posts for such as the four main long trails (i.e., the Hong Kong, Maclehose, Wilson and Lantau Trails) and various official Country Trails -- are more informative when used with a countryside map (which contains markings for them).

More than by the way, for those wondering where the photos above were taking: the top most shot was taken about two thirds into a trek leading from Shek Kong to Ma On Kong; the middle one was taken at the end of Hong Kong Trail Stage 8 (an earlier part of which takes one along the famously scenic Dragon's Back); while the bottom photo is at Sai Kung's Tai Long Wan, where one can rest for a bit before continuing along Stage 1 of the Maclehose Trail.

More re the last photograph: Here's recommending -- like with many other photos I offer up on my Photo Hunt entries (and, actually, my non-Photo Hunt entries too!) -- that you click on it to view an enlarged form of it. For then, you'll not only be able to appreciate the view but also see that one of the informative signs in them say "Warning: Do not cross stream when water covers bridge/stepping stones or the flow is rapid)" while the other contains a graphic illustration featuring what I come to call "the cute little men" of this particular area's big waves and their people tossing strengths! :b

20 comments:

Carver said...

Great choice for informative. I also like to have maps. Even walking trails near me I find that the sign posts aren't very accurate or rather they don't give a good reference point. I have greenway trail maps which I use to determine how far a segment will be.

magiceye said...

wonderful take on the theme!

jmb said...

Well those signs would not be much good to me since I can't read them so I would definitely need a map, but in English.

Happy weekend to you YTSL

Anonymous said...

Very informative. I love those little men on the swirly waves.

YTSL said...

Hi Carver --

The Hong Kong Countryside series of maps are great. Very detailed and thus super informative. :)

Hi magiceye --

Thanks! :)

Hi jmb --

Er... actually, those signs HAVE English as well as Chinese on them! Maybe you were just in shock over some place names here sounding, er... "foreign" (even) when written out in romanized script? ;b

Hi archiearchive --

Yes, I love those little men. They appear in a lot of different signs -- and in various levels of "distress". ;b

Luna Miranda said...

your posts and links are always informative. signs posts are helpful but not always accurate. and here, some of them are even vandalized.

Sreisaat Adventures said...

I love maps - I always make sure I get one in every city I visit. With English translations, of course. Very useful as I prefer walking myself as I explore the city. I also love collecting maps :)

LifeRamblings said...

when i travel to new places, i like to have informative booklets and detailed Metro maps in English.

Anonymous said...

Lots of information in those pictures - great captures for this week's theme.

jams o donnell said...

Another extremely informative post YTSL. Have a great weekend

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, great photos and take on this week's theme. The warning sign with the people tossing wave is cute. It would definitely stop me from crossing when the waters are high flowing. :)

Have a great weekend.

Susan Demeter said...

I like to keep maps with me too. I usually have one in my purse or backpack. :) Great pics for the theme :)

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Great choice... I would need a translator and a map :-)

Liz said...

Beautiful shots. Have a fabulous weekend!

Liz @ MLC

YTSL said...

Hi Luna Miranda --

Thanks for your compliments. Re your comment re vandalized signs: *sigh* I wish some people would be less criminally anti-social...

Hi Sreeisat Adventures --

I like maps and walking in cities too. :)

Hi Life Ramblings --

Agreed -- it's nice to have aids to help you know where you are when traveling. :)

Hi JDeQ --

Am glad you found the photos informative. :)

Hi Jams --

Thanks for visiting once again and happy weekend to you too! :)

Hi Trekcapri --

Actually, I think the warnings re big waves aren't just for that stream but the waters in that area in general. Incidentally, Tai Long Wan means Big Wave Bay in Cantonese. So... yes, there are big waves (by Hong Kong standards, that is!) there. :b

Hi Sue --

I don't always have maps with me -- but yeah, definitely want to have them when out hiking and/or visiting a less familiar part of the world. :)

Hi Sandi --

In Hong Kong? I think you should be able to get by in English for the most part, actually! :b

Hi Liz --

Thanks and hope you have a good weekend too. :)

Colin Campbell said...

Thank you. Very informative and interesting. I will have to come to Hong Kong and do some hiking some time. Have a nice weekend.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I really don't think of Hong Kong much for hiking. But I see there quite a bit.

Thanks for visit and coffee is on.

Anonymous said...

Sadly I am one of those who just can't read or follow a map at all and have to rely on the information on signposts.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

are there still parts of HK which is good for hiking?

YTSL said...

Hi Colin --

Hiking in Hong Kong is highly recommended. A note: many people prefer hiking in cooler months than now or the next few months -- though (and I've just put a new blog entry up to it) I do think there definitely are good points to hiking in the summer here. :)

Hi peppylady --

There most certainly is quite a bit of hiking space in Hong Kong -- and it is a popular activity. :)

Hi ewok1993 --

Eeks... because signposts aren't always helpful, I find. :S

Hi Ann --

Hell, yes! Actually, large swathes of Hong Kong is not only still countryside but country park.

And yes, I'd encourage to check out more of my blog -- including those marked as hiking photo-essays! :b