One person leaving the Japanese Garden was saying, They should not allow cyclists into the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. So unsafe. I went to the security guard to confirm if what I was hearing was true. Can cyclists enter the Gardens? I thought there was a rule that said we cannot? I have been stopped before. The security guard said, Yes you can now cycle in the Gardens. Later, my wife and I were walking out at the Chinese Garden’s exit at the Chinese Garden MRT side. I asked the security guard there, Can we cycle in the Gardens? Yes you can. What happened? I thought all along we cannot. The management made a decision this week to allow and we have been instructed to allow cyclists in, he replied.
Last week I was disappointed to see one thirds of the Jurong Lake Park Connector boarded up completely for upgrading works. Now there is some comfort in this piece of good news that we can cycle inside the gardens.
Here are some photos to prove this is for real but I do not know if this is temporary or permanent.
Brompton in front of lake in Chinese GardenTern in front of MuLanBrompton with some famous and loyal Chinese prime minister of the pastBrompton in front of main building of Chinese GardenTern in front of the twin pagodaConfucius met Brompton for the first time and advised it not to bid for any government tendersWefie on the bridge that joins the Chinese with the Japanese Gardens
Finally we’re at Brompton Road.A must have photo for keepsakes.
Pastor Richard Wong offered to bring me around the Ponggol Park and the Coney Island. He also requested that we search for a road in Jalan Kayu named Brompton Road. I am not fully initiated into the Brompton bicycle cult so I was thinking, What’s the big deal? He read my mind and went on to explain that he wanted to pose in front of that road sign and take some photos of himself with the Brompton bike. He had seen it in many Brompton Facebook groups and wanted to have some pictures too. It was near Ponggol, so I didn’t mind, though I was mildly amused by his enthusiasm.
So I picked him up at Potong Pasir and the two folded Bromptons fitted snugly into my Nissan Latio car boot. I keyed in the road and the Google navigation system brought us to Brompton Road. We could not find the road sign and had to circle a few times to finally land near the spot. We unfolded our bikes and took turns to pose and take pictures . I couldn’t believe I was doing this, posing in front of the Brompton Road sign with a Brompton bike beside me.
A late morning coffee with workers from Seletar Aerospace Park.The Anglican Church of the Epiphany
Later we rode around and stopped for coffee and pau at a rustic coffee shop opposite the Seletar Aerospace Park entrance. It felt like we were in the 1960s. We later rode around and I saw the Anglican Church of the Epiphany, that my friend Bishop Raphael Samuel and his wife Michelle served with in his early years of ministry several decades ago in the 1980s.
Waterpoint Mall is next to Ponggol River – cool.Punggol Marina Country Club in the background.
We parked the car at Waterpoint Mall which was along the Ponggol River. We pushed our bikes through the shopping mall ( you can only do this with a Brompton) and to the riverfront and began our burning hot ride under the overhead sun. It was nearly 11 am when we started off.
At the Punggol PromenadeBeautiful promenade overlooking the Johor StraitsMost photographed gate of Coney IslandLovely coniferous trees grow lushly on the islandNice open stretches with great vistas of the riverThe reddish brown Halus Bridge in the background.One day I would like to cross the beautifully designed Halus Bridge into Pasir Ris
Pastor Richard knew the area inside out. We rode around the river all the way to the Ponggol Promenade and to Coney Island. On the way back we passed by Halus Bridge which links Pasir Ris to Ponggol. Richard knew which were the best spots for taking shots with beautiful background.
Beautiful public housing HDB flats by the river.Green surroundings landscaped to catch the eye and to be easily maintainedReaching the Mall. It was a long loop.I was a satisfied Brompton rider.
The HDB homes built about a stones’ throw from the river banks were beautiful and such real estate along a beautiful riverfront is rare at the prices that the residents bought them. Their value would probably double by the time they are able sell their properties.
One thing left to do: have a good lunch and talk shop at the Subway.
After the ride we had a Subway sandwich and coffee for lunch. We conveniently parked our bikes near where we sat and chatted in the wonderfully chilled shopping mall. Later, we folded our bikes, put them in the car boot and we were off again. It was interesting and fun. Although the sun bore down on us, I was glad I finally rode the Ponggol Park. Pastor Lawrence Koo, another pastor, who rides a Brompton, often bragged about Ponggol Park in his Facebook. I must agree with him that it is a beautiful park. Give it another five years for the young trees to grow bigger and shadier and it will be perfect.
Things did not turn out the way I had intended. However the Lord has a way of arranging things for our good. The plan was to do 5 days of trekking on the more scenic sections of the 100km MacLehose trail in the New Territories, Hong Kong. I managed only one day. I was knocked out after round 1. Overnight flight
We flew Scoot budget and I loved the seat space and legroom. It helped in this overnight flight. I was surprised I slept so well. My body must be tired. I usually die at the thought of overnight flights.
Kenny and Vincent at Royal Park ShatinThe women hikers all ready for the first day’s hike.The male hikers waiting for the bus for the first days’ hike.
Stayed in Shatin
We landed on 6th November, a Saturday. We took a bus to the Shatin Bus Station and the hotel was around the corner. We checked in, left our luggage, and went in search of brunch. Our first tim sum was next to a public building. The food was better than what I have tasted in Singapore. I must qualify here that I am not a tim sum fan but unanimously everyone, which is about 20 of us, agreed its better value and taste than what they had in Singapore.
We orientated ourselves to the surroundings and looked for supplies for the first day of trek, but were soon tired and ended up in the hotel waiting for the room to be ready by 3pm. Rooms were large and well maintained at Royal Park Hotel and I shared a family room with Vincent, Goh and his son, Keane.
Pleasant walk beside the reservoir up a gentle slope.Lots of cows along the MacLehose trails.Hiking together with my wife at least once a year is a healthy habit.Colourful posing among red reservoir rocks by the shore
The first section of MacLehose trail
We met to have a 29 HK dollars breakfast set of noodle soup and tea in a small kopitiam opposite the hotel at 6 am. The morning’s trek was rated easiest of the whole stretch: a kind of reservoir hike. To add challenge a part of Section 2 was added to the day’s hike. That added part proved to be a killer for me.
The hike had beautiful views of the reservoir though the weather was warmer that we had expected during what was supposed to be the onset of autumn in Hong Kong. By midday it was as hot as Singapore though less humid. We had our lunch at a pavilion at the end point of the reservoir walk. There were lots of local hikers around.
Scenic views of the MacLehose section 2Lunch at the beach frontThe sun was beating on us but at the same time the views were inspiringNearing the end of section 2.
Section 2 and its effects
The sun was directly overhead when we started uphill for the beginning of section 2. It seemed okay but I did not anticipate that the trek up and down several hills in the hot sun would strain my legs so much. I must admit my physical conditioning was not up to scratch. Since Bukit Timah Hill was closed to hikers, I have not hiked weekly like I did in the past. I have done more cycling but that conditions a different set of leg muscles. I had hoped to return to hiking two months before Hong Kong but the haze killed that plan. So, I paid a price. After 8 hours of a 22 kilometres hike, my legs were aching by the time we went for a delicious Cantonese dinner at the shopping mall. The left thigh and lower leg was tight. I was struggling whether to trek the next day or to rest. I finally decided to rest a day and do the following day’s hike.
I slept over. My legs ached as I walked down the stairs and I felt assured I made the right decision. That morning I had a time of reflection, and meditated on the Revelation chapter I would next be preaching from, and read some commentary notes in my phone. After that I explored the interconnected shopping malls: New Town Plaza (like Takashimaya in Singapore), New Town Plaza II and New Town Plaza III (middle range), and Hilton and Chan Malls (older lower end malls). It took some time for me to get used to this maze. Lunch was a Japanese meal alone as others have gone hiking or touring. I did not mind as I do get charged up when I am alone. Peng Chou Island and Finger Hill
The second day after the strenuous trek my muscles ached even more than after the first day. Another struggle: I thought I would be okay to go, but then my left leg was still sore. So I gave the day’s hike a miss. It turned out well as I joined Goh who was leading another group on a day-trip to an island called Peng Chou. The ferry brought us there. It had a rustic, kampong feel, with low rise buildings that hark back to the 1950’s. The people there too looked old and there were hardly any young people around. I felt the strong community bonds in this town. It was like everybody knew others via the grapevine of the small tim sum restaurants.
Peng Chau IslandThis is what the island is all aboutThese ladies look greatGoh and son KeaneWith the lovely Ching familyRegular hikers Nellie and Tan at the peak of Finger HillJeffrey and Katharine in playful moodRule 1 of hiking: always dress colourfully for the photo opportunity!The view from the top of Finger Hill
We walked up and down the kinder slopes of Finger Hill in cool and windy weather and caught scenic views of sea and sky. It was leisurely, restful and refreshing. We ended up in a small tim sum place, sitting beside some senior citizens who may have been there since morning. We caught the ferry back and ended up shopping along the main city streets famous for dried goods. Most of the men decided to go back and the ladies wanted to visit the night markets nearby so we parted ways.
Landmark at LaojieShenzhen: shops, noise, shouting, people, sales.Eat what the locals eat.
Shenzhen shopping
Wednesday was declared a day of rest as the key guy on the ground, Vincent, wanted to go to Shenzhen to attend a friend’s birthday function. So Goh led us to Shenzhen. It was convenient by MTR, Hong Kong’s efficient train system. We breezed through immigration and took the train to Lao Jie the shopping belt in Shenzhen. The place reminded me of the several shopping belts in China that I had occasion to visit. The streets were invariably filled with people, noise, salesmen barking to get your attention, and bright red signs of special sales at every corner. After several hours, in my shopping cart was one small penknife with multiple tools; in my wife’s shopping cart: household and personal stuff in bulky boxes. I said, You can also get all this bulky stuff in Singapore. She said, But it’s cheap here. End of story.
Church folks in the hiking group have dinner with the Chong family and Vincent.
Meeting friends from church
On Thursday, some resumed hiking to the highest mountain in Hong Kong in cool and misty weather. Others went to tour Lantau Island – the ferry, the cable car, the gigantic Buddha statue, and a premium vegetarian lunch. I stayed back at the hotel and summarized chapter 5 of “Christian Spirituality” by Alister MacGrath, an AGST assignment for a module in December. I met up with Sunny, Annie and Jacob Chong (who had landed in the early morning) at the Shatin MTR at 4.30pm and my wife and I showed them around and fellowshipped over dessert. Later we had dinner together with Simon and Joy, and Judith, the other church members in the hiking group, and Vincent.
Macau by night with the tower standing like a shining needleCasinos everywhere, glittering in the nightHunting for the best Portuguese egg tartSumptous when eaten freshly cooked.The famous ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral in the backgroundAt famous Senada Square, starting point to ruins of St Paul’s CathedralThe hiking group with Linda, the leader, stooping at extreme left.
Macau by boat
On Friday we said goodbye to Hong Kong and took the ferry to Macau. We checked into Rio Hotel. I peeped and saw in a discreet doorway people gambling in the casino. Casinos were as commonplace and accepted as Kopitiam in Singapore. The gamblers looked ordinary enough. It was hard to figure who gambled and who does not. We saw lots of stores selling luxury goods, and pawnshops displaying lots of expensive watches.
Macau is a world heritage site. So that afternoon we explored a few heritage areas and searched for the holy grail of the best egg tart in Macau. By the end of the long day we ate burgers in MacDonalds (long story) and walked back by the scenic night skyline of the Macau Tower. It was more of the same thing the next day: visiting Senado Square, shopping along the way up to the St Dominic’s Church and then the ruins of St Paul’s Church on the summit of the hill. It was extremely humid and sun was scorching down. Another group had gone to Zhuhai City in mainland China but I gave it a skip – I had enough of the border crossings and that kind of shopping. Outside of its casinos, Macau is interesting for its Portuguese heritage, historical sites, and the Portuguese egg tart. 3 days and 2 nights should do. Rural and rustic Hong Kong
As a whole I did not do what I had intended. I had planned to hike on alternate days since I knew I was not physically conditioned for the treks. But as it turned out I could only do one hike and spent the other days resting, leisurely touring and soaking the atmosphere, doing some work, and seeing the rural and rustic parts of Hong Kong I never saw before. This is the part of Hong Kong that I am beginning to fall in love with. I dislike the rudeness and impatience of restaurants staff. I dislike the crowds. I fear the language barrier. But I love the mild seasonal changes. I like the possible weekend leisure options of island hopping, and the many hiking trails and interesting places to explore. I also like the transport system: the MTR, the bus system, the taxi. I used to dislike Hong Kong because most of what I had experienced was limited to attending Christian conferences, and moving in crowded shopping areas, trains and city life. I hope to again hike and explore the rural areas there in the future.
