Well, we managed to get everything to our new apartment and sort of unpack so that I was able to still lead my first hike for the meeting group I recently joined.

The new apartment — a typical building in Prince Edward, Kowloon. 

My significant other thought I was mad, but I still wanted to volunteer to lead the hikers on the only trail that I know well enough to lead — the walk from DB to Mui Wo. I had walked it a few times while I lived on Lantau so I figured the others might enjoy it.

Amazingly, about 40 people signed up (much more than I had expected), but because of the slightly rainy weather, only half that amount showed up today. Which I was grateful for. However, I was not prepared for the girls who showed up in jeans and cute little tops and white girly running shoes for a 3-hour hike over the mountains in the light rain. No rain coat, no hat, no track pants… they looked like they were going to the movies. I don’t get it. I don’t know what they were thinking. On the website I said to wear proper rain gear and good boots. Simply boggles the mind.

After they bought some $10 rain ponchos from the 7-11 we started up the hill behind DB to the Lookout Point but unfortunately it was very poor visibility.  On a good day you can see all of Hong Kong but today we could only see Peng Chau island.

After huffing and puffing our way up the hill, we continued past the DB reservoir…

And onto the trail.

I personally don’t think it’s a difficult hike, but a few people were butsu-butsu , which is Japanese for bitching, moaning, and complaining. One chick even came and asked me, ‘Is the rest of the trail going to have so many trees?’ Well, considering we are hiking over a mountain, yes my dear, there are trees. Strange people! Why do they go hiking if they are afraid of dirt/bush/bugs?

Apart from the whingers, it was a great hike. We had to pass by the Trappist Monastery, which is a proper monastery with monks and all, and they traditionally raised cattle and made milk. The sign outside the monastery said ‘Please observe our monastic silence’. Never knew ‘monastic’ was a word.

These were the great hikers who were well prepared, enthusiastic, energetic, and no butsu-butsu during the hike! Almost there to Mui Wo. From here it was all downhill to Silvermine Beach, and on to the China Bear for pints and snacks. The others went on to Pui O for dinner and we stayed in Mui Wo until the boat came for us.

I really love hiking in Hong Kong. This might be a small place, but it is incredibly mountainous and excellent for bushwhackers. Once I learn a few more trails, I’d definitely like to volunteer as a leader again… but hopefully next time no wimps will show up!