Hiking, Korean style

We have been seeing more and more hikers on our favourite Mui Wo-Pui O trail now that the weather is perfect for hitting the trails.

Most of us are well-equipped with walking sticks, proper hiking boots and fleeces but the Korean hikers beat us all flat.

On our walk today, we spotted a group that also brought along a portable stove. They set up camp at the Shap Long sitting-out area and promptly began to get the stove going to make den jang jjigae.

Then, from the other backpacks, other goodies started emerging: apples, sandwiches, kimbap, dok and even a container full of homemade radish kimchi.

They saw us casting envious looks and generously offered to share their food with us. So, with the sun on our faces and the sea breeze helping us work up an appetite, we took part in one of the best picnics we've ever known.

To the lovely folks who made our routine hike so much more special: 감사합니다!

Nam Shan historical trail

You see it on signposts as you leave the ferry and on the big map of Mui Wo just before entering the beach. Nam Shan historical trail, according to the map, is 20 minutes from the beach and just beside Luk Tei Tong.

It caught my imagination. What does a historical trail have? Lots of stalls selling traditional goods? Cantonese opera performances? Maybe a few museums scattered along the way?

So, after a few false starts (including following a trail past the Luk Tei Tong temple into someone's garden), we finally found it. The start was an unassuming bit of dirt in someone's backyard leading first to a few graves (I hate graves but when you walk anywhere in the hills in Hong Kong Kong, you are sure to find one or two because of the good feng shui).

The AFCD website states: "Historical records show that South Lantau's complex circuitry of village paths date back several hundred years. Most stone trails still existing today, known as traditional paths, are frequented by hikers.''

But this path looked "historical" only in a sense that it was not modern. Instead of concrete stairs, huge boulders led the way upwards.

And it was up, up, up, without a pause. Sure, it was only half an hour but it felt like forever.

But it opened up to the Nam Shan picnic area, which felt like an English park. Very pretty... but I think next time, we'll just take a taxi there.