Hiking

Happy 5th wedding anniversary to my frequent hiking buddy Pam, whose hubby made her a blushing, "kilig" girl-woman this morning by sending 24 long-stemmed roses anonymously.

Places Pam, sometimes Maya, sometimes Mida, me (and Shy a long time ago) have been to: the Peak Morning Trail, Pok Fu Lam Country Park leading to the Reservoir, Long Fu Shan Country Park, Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail and Long Fu Shan Fitness Trail, Part of Trail 4 of the HK Trail from Black's Link to the beginning of Deepwater Bay Road, Wong Nai Chung Gap Road to Bowen Road, Bowen Road walking trail to Macdonnel Road, Discovery Bay to the DB Golf Club including the highest lookout point.

More places to see: MacLehose Trail, Lantau Country Park, Shek-O (Dragon's Back), Other HK Trails including Tai Tam, Aberdeen Reservoir, Jardine's Lookout, Lamma Island. HK does not feel like HK when we're on these leisurely hikes. It's a whole different world with slightly fresher air, the sound of water caressing rocks, and a shared intimacy with all shades of green. Birdcalls, the breeze, rustling leaves, a view of the harbour with ghostly ships as still as sentinels (seemingly), the chatter of fellow hikers and a cheery "cho san!" (good morning in Cantonese) serve as a backdrop for these hikes. It's rapport, an easy, companionable silence, nature-tripping and exercise in one.