On Hong Kong's rocky, rugged Po Toi (photo-essay)

Considering how much I've enjoyed the two visits I've made to Po Toi (the first of which is chronicled in the form of photo-essays here, here, here and here), it can seem strange that I've only been to Hong Kong's southernmost island twice -- until you consider the following: firstly, it's not the easiest of destinations to get to, what with kaito services being on the infrequent side; and secondly, there not being that many different trekking trails on the island.

So imagine my surprise and horror when on my most recent trip there, my hiking buddy and I saw scores of other people on the path leading southeast from the Po Toi ferry pier -- presumably ferried over to the island on private charter tours!  Fortunately, the further we ventured uphill, the more the crowds melted away.  And it was downright peaceful and blissy on the final part of the hike when we found ourselves alone for much of our trek along what's officially known -- and for good reason too -- as Po Toi's Rugged Trail!

There's little question that Po Toi is one of 

Hong Kong's rugged and rockiest islands

 The island is home to ancient rock carvings that,

if truth be told, I don't find all that visually impressive ;S

Imagine the shock I had when I first caught sight of

all those people on the coastal path!

 Fortunately, we found that Po Toi most certainly was big enough 

so that we could soon be away from the madding crowd

Naturally, a crowd gathered at Turtle Rock to ooh and aah

at how a natural rock formation could so resemble an animal ;)

 A view from near the top of the formidable looking hill 

in the previous photo :)

 On this visit to Po Toi at a cooler time of the year, the views

were less clear but the (previously overgrown) Rugged Trail was!

 It sure was a good thing that was the case as 

many of the signs on Po Toi had been rendered 

downright unreadable by Hong Kong's hot sun! :O

To be continued... but of course! ;b