Tai Lam Hiking Trail

It has been a long time since the last gathering with my old schoolmates, no more karaoke and film watching… our gathering yeterday was go hiking. Our trail was from Tai Lam Tunnel-Yuen Long to Tai Lam Chung-Tuen Mun. It was around 13km long, and we took total 4 hours to finish. You can see Tai Lam Chung Reservoir along the trail. Only describing by text was not enough, so I recorded our trail by photos, and here we go:

where we start >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>add oil!!

view from the hill >>>>>>>>>>>>>see... fish in catchwater!

poem written on stone >>>>>>>>>a clear stream

mountain biking >>>>>>>>>>>>>water is so cool!

Ho Pui Reservoir >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

the main dam >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>finally we're here... destination

It's a nice trip i would recommend, but I have a problem now, my skin got a little sunburn and darker >_<, so please be well prepared for sunblock if going there on sunny day.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Another hot spot for tourists? I think it should probably be Hong Kong Disneyland. You will find all the signature attractions inside this theme park once passing through the main gate e.g. Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and more....

As you walk along the Main Street, you are getting closer and closer to the main Castle. All the well known friends such as Mickey, Donald and others are waiting to give you a big hug.

Besides those attractions in the theme park, if you have some extra time to spare. I would highly recommend to stay and relax in the resort hotel for one night. It is located on the other side of the theme park. Other facilities e.g. big pool, tennis courts are available for all guests.

For more information, please visit http://www.disney.com.hk/en/index_flash.html to get details on admission pricing, park operating hours, transportation and accommodation info.

Seafood Paradise

The fishing village of Lei Yue Mun is famous for its seafood restaurants. When walking around Lei Yue Mun, don't be surprised by the crowds hogging the sidewalks that are loaded with stalls and tanks of live seafood. This is LeiYueMun's specialty.

Those seafood restaurants provide number of seafood sets for you to choose. Moreover, you can pick up your seafood from the tanks and ask them to cook according to your specification. Watching the wonderful night views of Hong Kong's spectacular harbour and having the freshest live seafood, feel it, nothing couldn't possibly get any better than that.

Direction to Lei Yue Mun
Get off at Kwun Tong MTR Station (Kwun Tong Line). Take Exit A1 to Yue Man Square and take bus No. 14C. Or, get off at Yau Tong MTR Station and take a taxi.

Tsing Yi Nature Trail - Viewing the Tsing Ma Bridge

This trial is one of the popular family routes. It is easy, short and close to city. Normally, it takes you 2.5 hours for a slow walk. If you do not have much spare time but want to go outdoor. This trial may be a good choice.

I meet my family members in Tsing Yi, MTR station in front of hangseng bank (exit A1). Then, we took taxi(the most convenient way, around $25) to the starting point of the trial at the end of Liu To Road.

Starting from the southern entrance of the Tsing Yi Nature Trail, we see the Tsuen Wan and Ma Wan Channel. When we climb up the hill, we see the Tsing Ma Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge. The trail at the Lin To Valley, Tsing Yi, is a popular spot for morning hikers and visitors. Hikers may take a rest in pavilions along the trail. It is well paved and with resting points, butterflies of various species are often found in the valley.

When we arrived the end point of the trial, we took mini-bus to Tsing Yi MTR station and had dinner there.

Opening Store - New Balance !

I read the newspaper today and found that the New Balance is "Opening Store". I need to buy a pair of running shoes and decided to go to one of the stores in Lei Chi Kok.

There are a lot of variety of shoes, tops, sandals, short and trouses for the brand name of New Balance, Converse and Mizuno in the shop. I focus to shop for the running shoes and the salesman was very patient, and explained the functions and the speciality of each pair of the shoes to me politely. The price was reasonable, ranging from HK$299 to HK$399. You can have either a T-shirt, or short, or a pair of shocks free for spending HK$300 during "opening store" period.

Here is the pair of shoes, New Balance that I bought for only $299 reduced from HK$650. Very good deal!

It is the latest design and with shock resistance. The shoes lining is very comfortable and soft. I also get a pair of running short for free for spending HK$300 (they gave me even though I spent HK$299).

Location:
Room A, 1/F, Hoi Yuen Industrial Building, No. 47 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong (Opposite the Bank of East Asia)
Room 9, 7/F, Block B, Hong Kong Industrial Center, Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan (Lai Chi KoK MTR Exit C)

Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun 11:00am - 8:00pm (Kwun Tong)
Mon - Sat 11:00am - 8:00pm, Sun 11:00am - 7:00pm (Cheung Sha Wan)

Payment Method: Cash ONLY

Ladies Market

Hong Kong is a shopping paradise, you can easily find many well-known brands outlets along the roadside. However, would you consider to find something special and cheap? Ladies Market is a place you must visit. Ladies market, sometimes people call Ladies Street, the official name is Tung Choi Street which is located in Mong Kok. There are lots of small shops. Although it is called Ladies Market, the products are not only for women, they are also suitable for men and children. Toys, clothes, bags watches, accessories, electronics... many products you can find in the market. One thing you must remember when, jeans, shopping in Ladies Market is to bargain. Take this challenge, you may pay much more cheaper. It may take half of day if you really walk through the whole market. Not a problem, restaurants and small food stalls are packed while the market is open.

Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon Open from: 12:30pm - 10:30pm everyday

Best Dessert in Town

Have you ever wondered what the best to do under 30 plus degree hot weather? How about an icy cool mango coconut drink to cool down your throat all the way down to the stomach? So here it is, a special mango drink from Hui Lau Shan. As you can see from the picture, this mango drink comes in different varieties. For example, you can mix the mango juice with red bean, crystal jelly, sago or tapioca. With the combination of these different ingredients, they mix a delicious summer special drink.

Want to try it out yourself? Hui Lau Shan Dessert House is located in most areas of HK like Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui etc.

High Island Reservoir

During autumn, it is good time for hiking as the weather is very nice. Today, my friends and I go to the High Island Reservoir, located in the Sai Kung Country Park. We meet in Diamond Hill MTR station around 9:00am. Then, we took 96R bus (only provide service on weekend & public holiday) in the bus terminal to Pak Tam Chung.

Around 10:00am, we arrive the entrance of Pak Tam Chung Country Park. Then, we walk along Pak Tam Road for a few minutes, turn right, pass a bridge and go to Sheung Yiu Folk Museum. We make a brief stop at the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum – a typical late 19th century Hakka Village. This small museum allows us a glimpse into how people used to live in Hong Kong’s New Territories.

Then, we went back to Pak Tam Road and start our hiking towards High Island Reservoir. It was quite easy for this trial as we walk in a well-paved road. However, the scene was pretty beautiful. We can see great views over many islands off Sai Kung. After walk for 3 hours, we reach the east main cofferdam of High Island Reservoir protected by the concrete "Dolosse" that is unique and distinctive. Standing on the dam to enjoy the moist sea breeze is certainly an extraordinary thing to do. The surrounding of east main dam and Po Pin Chau by the queer looking hexagonal tuff is also a grandeur.

We had brought our lunch box and enjoy it in the main dam. I had quite a good feel of refreshment surrounding by such lovely natural environment.