The easy way by foot to Stanley (Photo-essay)

When people talk about hiking to Stanley, they tend to assume that it involves a climb up and over The Twins, a pair of Hong Kong Island hills that take more than 1,000 steps straight uphill to mount.  An easier but less well known option is to go along the Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path which hugs the western side of Violet Hill and the Twins, and follows a catchwater for much of the way.  And even easier and less well known still is a trail located far closer to the water and sea level that lies just off Island Road near the Hong Kong Country Club.

After getting off at a nearby bus stop, I went along an elevated walkway that's known as the Mills & Chung Path to Deep Water Bay Beach, then along the Seaview Promenade from there to Repulse Bay (both of which I first visited when attending the Sculpture on Hong Kong Sea 2009 event).  Then after spending time checking out the colorful Kwun Yam Shrine at Repulse Bay, I continued my trek initially along the side of a road before connecting to a shaded trail I hitherto hadn't realize existed, and which eventually took me to Stanley via Ma Hang Park. 

Although this excursion is too urban for the most part as well as easy to really feel like a genuine hike, it still can be quite a workout on a hot summer's afternoon; with my pedometer showing that I had taken close to 18,000 steps after I got home that day.  Also, much to my surprise, I did actually get in some critter spotting along the way.  So I guess I did get close to nature to some extent after all on this outing! ;b

Ocean Park's cable car ride and rollercoasters are visible 

on a fine day from the Mills & Chung Path

 

Looking back from the Seaview Promenade at

Deep Water Bay Beach and the surrounding hills

 

Looking out across the water to Middle Island, home to 

clubhouses belonging to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and 

less prestigious -- but reputedly friendlier -- Aberdeen Boat Club

 

My praying mantis photographic subject stopped and 

stared boldly at me and my camera! ;b

 

On the way to Repulse Bay, I caught sight of The Twins

and felt so good to be able to say I've been up those twin peaks!

 

Can you spot the brown stick insect?

 

This considerably longer green stick insect

should be much easier to catch sight of! ;b

 

Yes, there were some stairs to go up --

but they were way fewer than if I had

gone to Stanley via The Twins! :)