From Pak Kung Au down to Mui Wo (Photo-essay)

No lie: for the third hike in a row, my hiking friend and I spotted a snake while out in the wilds of Hong Kong!  But unlike with the previous two hikes (whose photo-essays (complete with snake pics) can be seen here and here), the slithery critter we encountered slithered away before I could take a photo of it, so you're going to have to take my word for it with regards to our having come across it.

Happily however, other critters were more inclined to pose for my camera -- and even if they didn't, this trek along the eastern section of the South Lantau Country Trail that's become one of my favorite Hong Kong hiking trails to go along still did yield some scenic sights were savouring and, I reckon, sharing with others:-

At Pak Kung Au (aka Tung Chung Au), I worried that 

the trail'd be crowded with competitive hikers that afternoon

 ...but as it turned out, we saw more grasshoppers 

on the trail that day than we did other people -- truly! ;b

I know this colorful critter is a common Hong Kong butterfly

but I still am happy to see and take photos of it all the same! :)

Proof that I wasn't the only hiker out on the trail that day

who was into taking photos along the way ;)

This trail is criss-crossed with mountain streams,

some of which produce waterfalls during the rainy season

On a good visibility day, one can get splendid views that 

take in Pui O (village and beach), and the Chi Ma Wan peninsula

At Nam Shan, we decided to press on along down

the old village footpath to Mui Wo via Luk Tei Tong

Village houses are the most common architectural sights

in the greater Mui Wo area but also still standing are a few 

watch towers originally built for defence against pirates