After my very relaxing layover in Hong Kong three weeks ago, I want to be a bit more active this time.

After arriving, even though we are very tired, a colleague and I go to a small sushi restaurant around the corner for dinner. The long line surprises us at first, but then we realise that it is Saturday evening. So we take a number and go to the supermarket first. I need to buy provisions for my hike tomorrow. It takes us a while before we get a seat, but that does not matter, since we are having a good time catching up on each other’s lives. We enjoy our meal, and later I fall into bed, full and tired.

McLehose Trail Section I & II

Three weeks ago, one of my regional colleagues told me about the second section of the MacLehose Trail. The trail runs through Hong Kong in 10 sections, and I have already hiked other parts of it. She loves hiking in Hong Kong, especially since it is by the sea. I cannot agree more and am always in awe at the combination of skyscrapers, green hills and the wide sea.

So this morning I set off on my “journey” to the High Island East Reservoir. It takes an hour and a half and requires the metro and three buses to get there. Since it is Sunday, I am obviously not the only one. However, this also means the bus goes all the way to the reservoir, and I do not have to take a taxi for the last leg.

I walk along a paved path between dense green bushes up the hill. After just a few meters, I have left the hustle and bustle of the dam behind me. The birds are chirping, and many colorful butterflies flutter by. And then, around the corner, the first beach appears. It is still a bit hazy, yet the white sand and the emerald-green water are gleaming. It looks absolutely beautiful. I am so happy I chose this hike today.

A few tents are pitched on the beach. The small campground was used over the weekend. I only take a short break and continue walking. Next up is the big climb of the day to the 314-meter-high Sai Wan. It is quite hot, and I am sweating a lot. I overtake a few hikers and, halfway up, I sit down in a shady pavilion for a short drink break. There is another one at the summit. Asian hikers look so different from Western ones. Long sleeves, long trousers, wide-brimmed hats, and the women often wear a kind of mask on their faces so that not a single centimeter of skin comes into contact with the sun.

A Well Deserved Swim

After the biggest climb and descent of the day, the Sai Wan beach awaits me as a reward. The colors are magnificent. I find a shady spot and change my clothes. The sea is wonderfully refreshing. I could easily spend the rest of the day here. And maybe even rent a surfboard, since there are four surfers in the water. The waves are quite small, though. But I will keep that in mind. Perhaps I will come back here on another layover when the waves are bigger.

The next beach is not far. Here, too, I can understand why Ham Tin Beach is considered “one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches.” It is gorgeous. The white sand, the greenish-turquoise water. Simply stunning. I have to go back in the water… Good thing I am still wearing my bikini. There are a few more people on this beach, but it is still very manageable. The cowpats on the path already indicated that the path is sometimes used by cows. And lo and behold, two of them come down the steps and continue along the beach into the mangrove forest.

With a heavy heart, I leave the coast behind and walk through the greenery to the road near Pak Tam Au. First, the path leads across sand, then alongside a pond. Frogs croak loudly, and bizarre butterflies with delicate, transparent upper wings and dense underwings look almost like bats.

The path leads through a small cluster of houses. A few cold drinks are available for purchase. Otherwise, most of the houses are dilapidated and reclaimed by the forest. A few beautifully painted signs made from old surfboards mark the way.

The last few kilometers lead gently uphill and downhill through a light, green forest. It was such a beautiful hike. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Being able to break up the 15km with two swims was a wonderful change of pace and I loved it. Finally, I take the double-decker bus back to the metro and even get the premium seat upstairs at the front.

At the hotel, I take a shower. The mixture of sunscreen, sweat, and salt water has to come off. In the evening, I meet up with my colleague again for dinner, and afterward, my tired bones simply collapse into bed. What a wonderful day!!

Hong Kong’s Waterfront

I start my departure day leisurely with tea and breakfast in bed, and reading the newspaper. It feels great to take it easy this morning and relax. At midday, we meet for a walk along the waterfront to Tsim Sha Tsui. The view of all the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island is always impressive. Day or night, I never get tired of this view. However, my legs are still a bit tired from yesterday and I am happy that we are taking the bus back.

A little more rest, and then it is back home in the evening. 13 hours of flight time. That is quite a long time. However, time passes quickly.

And then I am looking forward to a few days at home…

What a lovely layover again. Hong Kong is always great. City or nature, there is always something to discover.

In 2018 I went hiking to the Lion Rock.

Though it was not a hiking layover in 2023, I spent very active days on Lantau Island, in Stanley and the city. And let us not forget about Christmas 2023 spent in Hong Kong.