Monday, August 24, 2015

A Lantau hike that largely took place outside the country parks (Photo-essay)

Hong Kong is presently home to 24 country parks and 11 designated Special Areas, and it stands to reasons that most of the territory's hiking trails are located within them.  Every so often, however, one will find oneself hiking in countryside that's actually neither country park nor designated Special Area (with one example being Po Toi and another being Cheung Chau).  

In addition, there are those hiking trails with sections partly inside a country park and other sections that are not.  One of the more popular of these is that which takes one from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo via the Trappist Monastery -- a route that's almost entirely paved and fairly easy going but nonetheless quite interesting and consequently one that I have gone on a few times now, including with a friend who I've only managed to drag out on hikes just twice thus far! ;b

but this time around, we opted for a considerably easier hike! ;)

This easier route begins at sea level by Nim Shue Wan

Nim Shue Wan's a location some shiny bugs seem to find romantic ;b

It would be easy to assume that the monastery in question
is Buddhist, given that this is Hong Kong after all --
but it's actually Catholic, Trappist to be more exact! ;b

In between Nim Shue Wan village and the Trappist Haven Monastery
lies an organic farm where one can buy vegetables if so inclined

The next time I'm over in Peng Chau, I should check to see if
the Trappist Monastery on neighboring Lantau's visible from there ;)

This wild looking section of the hike is one of the 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

You should be able to see the Trappist Monastry from Peng Chau alright. At least for the Cross and the tower.

Thanks & Best Regards,
T

YTSL said...

Hi T --

Thanks. I haven't been to Peng Chau in a while and should since every time I've been there, I've come away feeling that it's a really nice place to spend a day in. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

Peng Chau was (and still is) a very peaceful island. Population is small if compared to Cheung Chau. Back in the 1980s I used to share a flat there with friends there for a few years. Spent many weekends and holidays there.

The Trappists used produce cookies besides Fresh Milk then and Peng Chau used to be their major bridgehead. I don't know if the Kai-To between Peng Chau - Nim Shue Wan - Trappist is still running regularly these days.

Thanks & Best Regards,
T

YTSL said...

Hi again T --

Over the years, I've heard several people sing Peng Chau's praises, including a Frenchman who lived there and Taiwanese theater doyen Stan Lai Sheng Chuan, who learnt about Peng Chau from a HK Rep actress who was born there.

And yes, the kaito you mentioned does still run regularly... :)

http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/ferries/service_details/#k11