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.

Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail

On Tuesday it was a public holiday and I'd planned to go hiking with Hannah to let Rika get some time off.    As a concession to the humidity I chose the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail.  This is on the far side of Tolo Harbour above Plover Cove reservoir.   It is only 4km with a steady climb up to 380m through woodland along the side of the Pat Sin Leng range ('Ridge of Eight Immortals').  It  normally takes 2 hours although we would be a lot slower.

I wanted to check-out this area because I plan to eventually do the Wilson Trail over the top of the ridge which has a string of 500m peaks (the '8 immortals') with terrific views.  (wiki link)

I'd planned to leave early to avoid the worst of the forecast heat but we were delayed by a series of thunder-storms, and set out around 10am.   It was initially a fairly cool 27 degrees but 95% humidity and forecast to reach a sunny 33 degrees.

Hannah at the start of the real preparing for for some strenuous hiking.

It was  nice path with good footing despite the rain and we climbed steadily above the reservoir.   At the first bamboo grove we met a small 30cm green shake (bamboo snake?) on the path.  Soon after that we reached the Spring Breeze Pavilion built in memory of the 5 teachers and students who perished in a hill-fire on a school hiking trip in 1996.

View looking south across Tei Mei Tuk village and Tolo Harbor towards Ma on Shan mountain (in cloud).  The 2km dam of Plover Cove reservoir on the left.

It stayed dry for most of the hike with only few showers.  We crossed a number of lively mountain streams with the water up following the morning storms almost covering the stepping-stones.

Hannah getting ready for some strenuous hiking in the rain.

View looking East across Plover Cove Reservoir.

The path eventually joined stage 10 of the Wilson Trail and near the top emerged briefly from the tree-line to give nice views across the hills.  The weather stayed cool with a pleasant breeze and just a little sun.  Very pleasant hiking weather.

View from the top of the trail looking east over Plover Cove Country Park to Double Haven and Crescent Island.

And looking North across Starling Inlet (below).  The back-gound hills on the left are in the Hong Kong SAR  but the grey buildings in the middle and the far hills behind-right are in Mainland China.

Detail looking North:  Yantien, an eastern suburb of Shenzen.   This is only the second time I'd seen China since arriving in Hong Kong 2 years ago.

Looking east across the valley to some old villages and one of the waterfalls of the Brides Pool area.  The decent through the forest was gentle and Hannah walked nicely.   We saw lots of butterflies including a large black-and-yellow butterfly who seemed to fall in-love with Hannahs black-and-yellow shoes, and a big stick-insect that rode for a while on the Deuter.

After a total of 3.5 hours hiking we finished the trail at Brides Pool Road near the famous Bride's Pool.   (of which more anon).   All in all a very pleasant hike.