Auntie Bride's Pool

After we reached the end of the Pat Sing Leng Nature Trail, we crossed the road to walk the Bride's Pool Nature Trail and see the famous waterfalls (wiki link) which were engorged by the mornings rain.

I wasn't at all surprised to see the inevitable groups of Aunties picnicking.  I must say I admire the way they seem to make the most of living in Hong Kong on a budget.  More than the locals, they seem to get out to enjoy Hong Kongs parks and picnic spots.  They socialize in good natured and relaxed groups, with lots of food and always lots of laughter.   (And I wonder how much of this can be related to their christian faith which is also often in evidence).  

Large groups of Aunties can be incredibly noisy as dozens of them squawk with laughter at the same time - like comedy-hour in a parakeet house.    And gathered in their hundreds - like Sunday afternoon in Central - they can be almost intimidating.   (Its an odd thought, but sometimes I imagine that a mob of Aunties could just pounce on someone and tear them apart without leaving a trace - like seagulls with a crust of bread).

As we approached on the path to the falls I was surprised to see increasing numbers of Aunties frolicking in the streams and taking photos of each other.

Frolicking and taking photos of each other.

Nearing the Bride's Pool, the Auntie-density increased to the point where we simply could not proceed any further.   Literally every rock and every pool was overflowing with reclining aunties  in various stages of undress.   The noise of laughter and throbbing of streams cascading over the rocks was deafening.

It was like we had intruded into the ladies' section of some gigantic Tahitian hammam.  Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of this amazing sight, as my iPhone was all fogged-up in the moist air.  

So we retreated to the bus stop.  And apart from this distant view from the car park, we never actually saw the Bride's Pool.