Turning mmmmmm sup mmmmmmm 55

My Dear Great Ones,

I turned mmmmm sup mmmmmmm on March 25.  Mmmmm sup mmmm  is how 55 sounds in Cantonese.  I am totally amused by that.  I spent my birthday with Celia and an excellent group of former students, their parents and a few fellow teachers on an outing to Sai Kung.  It was a great time and a very memorable way to celebrate my mmmmm sup mmmmm birthday.

This is Shingo my birthday twin.  He turned 10 on March 25.

A great group of people to share my day with.

The day started off with us taking a boat to Kiu Tau Island.  Luckily the boat was sturdy enough to haul us all.

The beach on Kiu Tau was loaded with tons of interesting shells.

Too bad that the tombolo was under water due to high tide.

After an hour on Kiu Tau we headed to Sai Kung for lunch.  People live on these boats.

So random.  A group were walking their bulldogs.  One pup was being pushed in a baby carriage.

Seafood restaurants in Sai Kung display their wares in colorful aquariums.

Siew Bao.  A pastry cooked in bamboo containers.  This was my birthday cake and little Eugenia is giving me a little memento of my day.

After lunch we moved on to:

 High Island Reservoir is one of Hong Kong's most popular geological sites, and home to our most spectacular rock wonder. Here, volcanic rock composes neat arrays of giant polygonal joint columns along the shore. Amongst these the hexagonal rock columns are most typical examples. Catching your eyes with striking angular facets, these giants are rare natural prodigies and invaluable geo-tourism resources that draw great interest.

 Hexogonal rhyote columns

The concrete blocks, more like the shape of giant anchors, break up the ocean water during a typhoon keeping the dam safe.

Celia doing a jump shot.

After our time at the dam we headed to Ke Long beach.  The trail to the beach clung to the side of a steep hill offering great views.

Beautiful scenery all around.

Kids had a fun time at the beach.

It was great to celebrate my mmmmm sup mmmm birthday with my beautiful wife.

Have a great week!  Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

War Relics/Wilson Trail

Dear Great Ones,
I went with Celia on the war relics trail again, but this time we went further and had a delightful, albeit strenuous two hour hike.  What is great about the hike as well is that we only have to walk about ten minutes from our place to get to the starting point.  Awesome.

Some of the views from the trail.  Above is Shing Mun reservoir, Tai Ma Shan (Mountain), and a view of Kwai Chung. 

Hard to believe you are in Hong Kong.

Lots of stairs.

A closer look at one of the bunkers built during World War 2 to defend against the Japanese.

Part of the trail hugs along a side of a mountain offering great views.

The trail then gives way to a forest with interesting rock outcroppings.

Eventually you come to a steep, lung busting road.

The trees and plant life along this journey are very interesting.

Plenty of stairs are great for the butt.

Off into the deep dark woods.

Some strange trees along the way.

Some beauty blossoms.

Shing Mun Dam was built in the 30's and was one of the first dams built in HK.  The territory has several of these which not only provides valuable water but are great for flood control.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk