7 March 2014
Monkeys in the fog
Despite attempting to remain awake as long as possible last night, I still fell asleep before 10, waking briefly to turn the tv off which was showing Sharknado dubbed in Chinese.
This means that I woke up at 5AM local time, and that was a really unusual experience because I looked at the time and my brain assumed I was working in Western Australia. I genuinely looked around the room for my hi vis clothes, and it wasnt until I looked out the window that I remembered I wasnt in the desert but in Hong Kong on the 21st floor.
I swear I didnt take any drugs to sleep on the plane either.
It was still dark, nothing much happens here before lunch time, but trains are running and hiking opportunities are many.
It did however look like it might rain, so I decided to not go on my original planned hike which was long, possibly muddy, with a high possibility of getting lost.
Instead I went to the somewhat more civilized Lion Peak. Still a great hike in the fog, for those in Adelaide, its probably about double the length of Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty summit.
Once I got off the subway, I found myself at a very busy temple, so decided to wander in, its apparently good luck to pat the dragon. I can tell you that when I did locals rushed for their phones to take photos.
Unlike temples in other locations, photo taking seems to be perfectly acceptable here. There was also no entry fee.
I assumed thats where I was going, up the top of that hill, but its actually a bigger hill behind it that you cant see due to fog and mist.
The internet says something about mini bus to the start of the trail, I walked instead.
Still on the road at this point, and I came across this monkey. There were many signs warning not to feed the monkeys.
I also saw what I think was a wild boar on the trail. This was concerning as I think they have horns/tusks and can attack, I didnt see any other people up there.
The internet said that after walking up the road for an hour you will get to the trail start and theres a shop to buy water and snacks. They got it half right, maybe 2/3 right.
The trail starts here, the shops here, but the shop is closed. So I had no water, oh well, I could always drink the blood of a monkey or something.
I took this photo because I was worried as I got higher I would have no view at all as there would be fog.
The path was well built with steps, but poorly signposted. I thought I was heading in the right general direction but theres other paths going off all over the place.
Last chance for the view. It would be relatively easy to get up to this point at night, theres no gates or anything to stop you. On a clear night it would be a great photo.
Google images shows that it is, if you look for Lions Peak Hong Kong.
This is where I thought I must be lost, because I started to descend and was on the far side of the mountain.
Its also where I started to be convinced a pack of rabid monkeys was tracking me.
Eventually I found the very steep track to the rock formation summit.
These are some of the steepest stairs ever, it really was like climbing a ladder in places, it was this steep for a good 20 - 30 minutes.
Pffft, I can clearly see a path behind that sign.
Here I am at the top. What an awesome view of fog. Its quite weird being out on the ledge and there being nothing to see below.
The walk along the ridge probably has fantastic views on a clear day. Instead enjoy me again, and more signs saying you are about to plummet to your death.
Once back down again (which was treachorous due to damp rocks), I headed to Lok Wu or similar and found a Shanghai cuisine restaurant for thickened mixed fungus soup with shredded pork and preserved vegetables. Pretty good!