13 Mar 2012 – Movies movies!

The Lady*** is a true story about an extraordinary couple and family who sacrifice their happiness at great human cost for a higher cause. This is about Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, Michael Aris. Despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile militant regime, their love endures until the very end.

Formally Burma, now officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar where she is originally from and where her callings are to free her people from the regime, a very admirable and noble cause. But Michelle Yeoh did not do justice to Aung San Suu Kyi’s character. From what I have read, The real Lady has quite a dynamic personality,

جدایی نادر از سیمین‎ Jodái-e Náder az Simin/A Separation**** received the Golden Bear for Best Film and the Silver Bears for Best Actress and Best Actor at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to win the Golden Bear. Nader and Simin who prefers to leave Iran to provide better opportunities for their only daughter, Termeh. However, Nader refuses to go because he thinks she must stay in Iran and take care of his ailing Alzheimer’s father…

Good movie. Interesting to see that even in another culture and society, the problems and issues in relationships and basic human decency are the not much different from anywhere! Well directed and good acting.

But sad when politics get in the way of the arts… Iran cancels ceremony to honour A Separation director. Authorities deny permit for event which Asghar Farhadi, who directed the Oscar-winning Iranian film…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/mar/13/iran-cancels-ceremony-a-separation?newsfeed=

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies – Groucho Marx

12 Mar 2012 – were British Colonies!

7-8 Mar: random pix at Sai Kung and en route to the airport from the hotel with a reminder that Drug Driving may be your Journey to Death! Wonder if alcohol is also considered a drug since it is legally on sale?? Let’s hope that the bus driver and the pilot are not driving or flying under any influence alcohol or drugs…

The few days with friends were limited as the purpose of this trip was to hike the 100km thru’ hike. For the benefit to those who are not familiar about this trail:

The MacLehose Trail/麥理浩徑 opened 26 Oct 1979, is a hiking trail starting Pak Tam Chung/Sai Kung, in the east to Tuen Mun in the west. 100 kilometres long, marked by distance posts at 500m intervals along the path. It is named after Crawford Murray MacLehose, the longest-serving HKG governor (1971-1982) who established the Country Parks and was himself an enthusiastic hiker. This Scotsman did what he thought was best for HKG at that time and he did much good for HKG too!

From some FB comments, his name managed to provoke interesting discussions from opium war to British imperialism and anti-colonist, including suggestions to changing these British names! Amazing to see how a name can bring about such emotions. We cannot change history but can at least try to learn from it.

I am Chinese of race, speaks and understands minimum and do not read or write it. Lived nearly 40yrs in Europe & USA. Living in the present, ie NOW and trying as best as I know how to prevent bad karma for the future generations. History has Past, Future is a Mystery, just enjoy the Present to the fullest and give some respect and appreciations to Mother Nature ie do not abuse or misuse!

Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power – Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881, British Prime Minister)

Good quote even though he was a Brit, but would have been better if words is added besides conduct… 🙂

11 Mar 2012 – Sections 2 & 1

Tue 6 Mar:  0630hrs bus & cab to Pak Tam Au M049. Hiking thru’ urban jungle on ups and downs hard concrete. Rather welcoming after days of wet, slippery muddy paths! 

Passing the empty village of Chek Keng, mysteriously beautiful in the mist. Stopping to make use of an avant garde designed toilet M043. Passed by two tents and a sleeping body in a sleeping bag outside the tent!

No views from the two pavilions M023 & M025, unlike the last hike with Harry, exposed and sunny! Pleasant along Tai Long and Sai Wan enjoying a bowl of dau-fu-fa/soya bean curd with a Swiss fellow hiker. Continuing to Long Ke Wan, lovely picnic and camping area M020, by a drug rehab centre. Uphill towards the main dam.

The final Section 1 M020 is along the Highland Reservoir, a hard 10km on surface road taking us 2hrs. Must be tired and not focus. Fell on my face but thank goodness on soft grounds topped with dead leaf. Can understand why Harry wanted to take the cab last year thru’ this section to start our hike from Section 2. Was quite done with this section after a quick shot.

Ran (no joke) for the bus which brought us to Sai Kung and from there another bus to the MTR. Noticed that other passengers did not sit next to us 🙂

Tue 5 Mar Day 5: 0630hrs from LMHV. On Trail 0645hrs. Bus 1700hrs
24.5km/15.3mi. Sections 2 & 1. M048-M001

Thu3Jun2021: edited by choosing the best video for me to reflect&remember this hike. Appreciations to Torbjørn’s Once Upon A Saga:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URppHo2OGoE

10 Mar 2012 – Sections 6, 5 and parts of 4

Sun 4 Mar: 0600hrs MTR to Sham Shui Po and cab back to Tai Po Rd. Ascended from Lion Rock Country Park M115 and this location was infested by monkeys. Graceful Grace took the lead and we were safely back on to the no-monkey-trail! Taking a short break in a wooden shelter.

Another misty day like yesterday with no view@Beacon Hill. Nearly mid-point + high point! a cafe serving noodles and a pix of Chow Yuen Fatt@Shatin Pass M101. A bowl of hot noodle hits the spot and continuing uphill to the mid-point M100.

Ups & downs muddy and slippery paths whole afternoon. Concentrating on every step. Planning to do 23km today, but hiking in these conditions and in the dark is too risky. Instead of hiking to Kei Ling Ha M069, decided to hike down from the deserted Mau Ping Village M085 to Pak Kong. Got a cab HK$70 to Lady MacLehose Holiday Village LMHV/HK$20 per night for senior and HK$21 dinner with 5 dishes. A wise and good decision 🙂

Sun 4 Mar Day 3: 0600 from Tsim Sha Tsui . Trail 0700hrs. Cab 1700hrs
15km/9.3mi. Sections 6, 5 and parts of 4 M115-M085

Do not stand in a place of danger trusting in miracles – Arabic Proverb

Sections 4 & 3

Mon 5 Mar:  0630hrs bus & cab to Pak Kong, hiked up back to the deserted Mau Ping Village M085. Continued to Ma On Shan 702m/2,303ft and down hard surface road to Kei Ling Ha where toilets and a welcoming vending machine are located. Muddy, misty, slippery and time-consuming hike.

More ups and downs in the mist, Kai Kung Shan 399m 1,309ft, Lui Ta Shek 379m 1,243ft, Ngau Yee Shek Shan. Due to time and conditions, did not stop or take pix as again did not wish to hike in the dark. Wanted to get in to a warm dinner and hot shower back at LMHV!

Even with all the climbing, today’s hike was yet another limited view day, but better misty than too hot. It was one of those days having to concentrate and focusing on every step. Well like everything in life, the ups and downs have to be experienced and that too shall pass 🙂

Mon 5 Mar Day 4:  0630hrs from LMHV.  Trail 0700hrs. Cab 1800hrs.
15km/9.3mi. Sections 4 & 3 M085-M045

The brain has muscles for thinking as the legs have muscles for walking – Julien Offroy de La Mettire

9 Mar 2012 – Sections 8, 7 and parts of 6

Sat 3 Mar: started later thinking that it was a 14km day, later to discover it should be 17km. Up up up to Tai Mo Shan 957m 3,140ft (Big Hat Mt). Mispronounced that slightly and it will be Big Misty Mt! Some photographers were waiting for the weather to clear but unfortunately for them, no such luck. Showed them the sunset pix, best shots in this hike ie can say so now that the hike is completed 🙂

Continued on hard surface road. Met LokMan & his pal- both fit, handsome young men on their bicycles. Nice to chat and exchanged contacts. Above pix credits to him. Grace’s friend Ben joined us here.

Pass M143 

Misty and treacherous ups & downs Grassy/647m 2,123ft & Needle Hills/532m 1,745ft M130. Knees are aching. Down to road where the Wilson Trail crosses@Pineapple Dam.

A monkey grabbed my ice-cream cone@Shing Mun Country Park M125 🙁

M123 Pilboxes and trenches from war days. Towards Golden Hill Rd and down to Tai Po Rd M115. Grace messaged to warn about the monkeys. Got her to pick me in a cab at that stretch. No other hikers – was totally alone and this human does not deal, get involved or near monkey business! 14km as originally calculated is correct for me. Cab 2-3km from Monkey Alley to main road!

Took another cab from the main road connecting with the MTR for accommodations@New Peking Guest House/Tsim Sha Tsui. HK$210pp

Sat 3 Mar Day 2: started 0800 from hostel. Trail 0815hrs. Cab 1700hrs
17km/10.6mi. Sections 8, 7 and parts of 6 M143-M115

If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys – James Goldsmith

8 Mar 2012 – Sections 10, 9 and parts of 8

Fri 2 Mar: overnight Thu 1 Mar@Tin Shui Wai to be nearer the trail. Tkx to John C for dinner. Caught the first Light Rail, connecting to MTR to Tuen Mun and took us over an hour to find the trail head due to constructions in the area!! This section starts thru’ some poverty & slum, quite a sad sight. No, do not wish to go further or document this in pix but the sun was shinning and let that be the happy start of this 100km hike.

Continued to hard and concrete trails with views of Tai Lam Chung Water Catchment area (interesting Marble cake looking rock formation), views of Castle Peak and Wong Ngai Tun Reservoir. Got off track for quite a bit day-dreaming in the heat. Had to back-track and fortunately found the markings at a junction by the portable toilets. Thank goodness for excellent markings, posted nearly every 500 meters/M001-M200. Hilo-pad sighted,  in case of emergency, indeed very civilized way to hike 🙂

The old abandoned house M179 (stated in Hiker’s Guide) is now a shrine and one can light candles or joss-sticks, but the matches and lighter there did not worked! Left the coins so as to lighten weight in daypack. A nice camping ground@Route Twist. Heading to Tai Mo Shan/957m 3,140ft (HKG highest peak) on hard surface-road uphill and a side road to the Sze Lok Yuen Youth Hostel. The sunset was one of the most beautiful ones experienced. That made up for the run-down hostel costing HK$65 per night for members. Such a pity, what a spectacular location.

Fri 2 Mar: Day 1 started 0600 from hotel. On the trail 0930hrs, in hostel 1830hrs
28.5km/18mi. Sections 10, 9 and parts of 8 M200-M143

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven – John Lubbock

7 Mar 2012 – Worn-out Body & Mind!

Gratitude and special thanks to gracious Grace for her charming companion and for being there. Appreciations to HKG friends Harry, Henrietta & Francis, Jack, John C, Johnny, Lesley, Richard, Lok Man+his pal(cyclists on top of Tai Mo Shan), to people in Camper’s Corner(SIN), SMU Hiking group(SIN) and to all for their encouragement and support to make this hike a success. To Henry, hoping that he is feeling better as this hike was for him.

Woke up with stiff muscles and an empty mind. Another thru’ hike accomplished and a reminder that the body is not as it used to be even when the mind is willing. The odour of the hiking clothes was so bad that they had to be placed in an air-tight garbage bag under the bed. Sent them off to the laundry first thing in the morning warning them to wear face mask when opening! 7lbs of clothes+1 pair of shoes HK$42 is reasonable.

Tkx Harry for a lovely dim-sum lunch and till we meet again, who knows when or where.

In the meanwhile appreciations to him for introducing Section 2 Pak Tam Au to Long Ke of this trail last year,

2 Mar 2011/pix. Agree with Harry that this is the most beautiful section of the MacLehose now that the thru’ hike is completed.

Such coincidence, Peggy, Ian and Rachel are passing thru’ HKG from China on their way back to Perth/Aus while Ian continues to KL to give more medical talks. Tkx John C for a delicious Shanghai dinner. Uncle Vincent, Peggy’s father was the first to introduced the Shanghainese eel dish to us when we could still count our age with one digit 🙂

Tomorrow, time to ride the Tiger back to SIN and will start to put the thoughts and pix of this 5 days hike together!

Good friends are like stars…. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there – 

1 Mar 2012 – Heading on the MacLehose

Thank you to HKG friends – Chanel, John C, Johnny, Harry, Henry, Henrietta & Francis for the lovely company & advices (Richard via FB!) to start off the 100km hike.

Apologies, no posting from today until after 7 Mar.

Safe journeys and Happy Trails to us all.

Mar Family Dates

9 Mar – Happy Bday LEONG Sue Lynn

11 Mar – Happy Bday Ken TAN

14 Mar – Happy Bday Ellie HALL

17 Mar – Happy Bday LEONG Pat Lynn and Happy St Patrick’s Day

18 Mar – Happy Bdays Linn HALL & LAM Yi Sun

21 Mar – Happy Anniversary to Ivy & Leslie LAM

31 Mar – Happy Bday Josephine LAM

Happy Mar Bdays to: Alex CHUA, Anthony CHAO, John LIM, Gel YEO, Hannah LEONG & Natty TAY (SIN); Amelia POWER, Paul DRUMM & Steven KAO (Dublin/Eire); Thomas HEGGELUND (Norway); Al SOSA, Cee WOREL & Janice TUBBS (USA)

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step – Lao Tzu

29 Feb 2012 – Greetings from HKG

Last day in Feb and this is a leap year. According to folk tradition, women on the British isles may propose marriage only on leap years. No worries, not heading to the British isles, and even when SIN & HKG were once part of the colony, have NO intentions to propose even though surrounded by such charming gentlemen 🙂

Why get married and make one man miserable when I can stay single and make thousands miserable – Carrie Snow.

Imagine being born 29 Feb? Does that mean then that you are only one year older every four years 🙂 🙂

Tkx to Johnny & LokLok for breakfast, Henrietta & Francis for lunch in the wonderful company of Chanel & Harry; and to Henry for dinner.

Two nights on HKG island. Appreciations to Johnny for booking the accommodation, perfect location just by the MTR and a bus to the airport across the road.

Tomorrow night lodgings in Tin Shui Wai so as to get on the trail 2 Mar by 0600hrs.

Hiking the MacLehose starting from Section/Stage 10/Tuen Mun. So if no words and postings, just means that the nature bug has got into the system. No worries, the pink camera will be a good companion to help update postings after the hike.

The weather forecast so far looks to be on my side… time will show 🙂

02 Mar ( Fri )	17	22		Sunny periods. Misty in the morning and at night.
03 Mar ( Sat )	18	21		Sunny intervals with mist.
04 Mar ( Sun )	18	22		Sunny intervals. Foggy in the morning and at night.

28 Feb 2012 – with a good moral!

Shared this on FB with a pix uploaded, thanks to KiWi.

A secretary got an expensive pen as a birthday gift from her boss.

She sent her boss a Thank You’ note via SMS. The wife read the text and angrily shows her husband the message:

‘Your penis wonderful, I enjoyed using it last night. Thanks’

Moral:- Space is essential in every successful married life and relationships…

• 

  Mette Backer Ooooops….. Ha ha :-)))

• 

  Aileen Koh-Tang LOL!!!

• 

  Helen Yow unforgivable mistake!

• 

  Helen Yow love the moral that came out of it though

• 

  Ravin Dimantha · LOL!

• 

  Amy Lam with a tickle for OMGIM (oh my gosh it’s Mon). Moral is good or perhaps a Freudian slip! Just a thought! LOL hahaha 🙂

• 

  Helen Yow Back in my childhood in HK, one of our very first English lessons was like this : ‘A man. A pen. A man and a pen’. Now I know why they taught us that early.

• 

  Amy Lam Perhaps man should not give pen, especially to woman. LOL.
  
• Victoria Mitchell · Yep! Us mortals need both time and space. :O)))

Hugo*** the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station who encounters a cold, reserved man who runs the toy shop. Hugo  is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure. Had to see this movie before taking off or will miss it… but not really my kind of movie. Katy would probably have enjoyed it more. A fairy tale ending for this highly-hype movie and an entertaining way to pass an afternoon.

Will soon have to find my way for the Tiger heading to HKG to enjoy a few days with my HKG friends before taking off on the 100km hike. Mental space can be reached anywhere, just space out and not think.

To me being alone in nature is the physical space lacking when living in cities and it is time for some of that…

Nature has always had more power than education – Voltaire