Asia Adventure 08

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Lamma Island is just a 40 minute ferry ride from central Hong Kong and tends to be a favorite among locals and expats alike. It is known for its no car policy and bohemian atmosphere, not to mention the best seafood I have ever had!
This island is the third largest island in Hong Kong spanning 14 sq. km. "Lamma" in Chinese means the southern tree branch, which is similar to the shape of the island. In 1931 a priest discovered several stone containers, believed to have been produced in the new stone age. Most historical pieces found in Hong Kong, most having to do with the ocean and fishing industry, were found on Lamma Island. It is believed that early human settlements were found on the island even in ancient periods. There are two small villages on Lamma where most of the population dwells. Upon arrival to the first town, Yung Shue Wan we jumped off the boat and walked into a row of seafood restaurants all with huge tanks filled with a variety of sea creatures. Everything ranging from live eel, shrimp, grouper to shark, lobster and some undistinguishable creatures. Most places on Sunday morning serve Dim Sum similar to an american Sunday brunch. After a rocky boat ride, due to stormy weather on Hong Kong island, shrimp dumplings and breakfast tea were in order, to settle our stomachs.

Following breakfast we began the easy walk down the 1.5 hr coastal path on the peaceful island en route to the second town of Sok Kwu Wan. The path named the Lamma faimly trail, winds around the small island and faces many different directions on the way south, giving 360 views of surrounding islands and passes several beaches, non of which were very clean. Along the path we encountered several points of interest, some being cultural while others environmental. While walking through the area you encounter countless butterflies, mostly Painted Ladies but several other species are seen as well. The diversified ambiance of the surroundings are peaceful, except for the view of the Lamma power plant in the distance.

There are many variations of plant life that we came across, from the succession of pioneer plants to strangling plants and regenerated forests, all the way down to the importance of mudflats. The most impressive environmental finale was the multitude of Wood Spiders ( Nephila Maculata) nestled off the path, a reassuring distance away. It is recognizable by the pattern on its body that resembles a human face not to mention being a humongous arachnid, just the body measuring up to 15 cm long. Its webs are large multidimensional configurations.

Nearing the end of the trail we noticed the Kamikaze Grottos, where during the Japanese occupation, tunnels were carved into the mountain side to store equipment, boats and also used as shelter. Arriving to Sok Kwu Wan we discovered a Tin Hau temple over a hundred years old in which the mascot was a rare enormous sea monster truly caught off of the islands coast. This creature is an Oar Fish (Regalecus Glesne) and legend has it that one glimpse of this fish will ensure eternal happiness.

At the end of the trail we sat down for a well deserved seafood lunch at one of the local harbor side restaurants that had great meal choices and the price included the ferry ride back to Hong Kong Island! A great ending to a wonderful day!

This holiday weekend has been full of exploration and green surroundings. Begining with a wonderful not too streneous hike up the famous Dragons Back which is stage 8 of the Hong Trail. The Dragons Back has been hailed by Time as Asia's best urban hike "the city's finest and most surprising ramble". Located on the Southeastern part of Hong Kong Island, it is 8.5 km long and takes a little under 3 hours to complete. There are the most fantastic views from the ridge of the coast and sea, including the dynamic south coast of the Hong Kong peninsula. Starting from Tei Wan, passing between Pottinger Peak and Mount Collision with the trail ending at Tai Long wan. The name Dragons Back derives from the shape of the ridge that rolls up and down like the back ridge of the legendary beast. When the northeast monsoon is blowing, Dragon's Back is popular with paragliders who climb up with their heavy packs, then launch themselves from grassy slopes, hang in the air, and eventually drift down to a beach at Shek O. And birds of prey like the rising air currents too - you can often see Black Kites here, and could spot a White-bellied Sea-Eagle. The path takes you through bamboo forests to areas with trees that are covered with Painted Ladies, the local butterfly.
At the end of this trail you are on the beach, you exit at Big Wave Bay a popular surfing spot or further south at the well known, preferred by the locals beach called Shek O. In the past a fishing community, Shek O is now quite mixed with luxury houses. For amazing views and a great ending, this is the hike for you!

Typhoons in Hong Kong are notorious in combination with 98% humidity during summer months. June through early September. If you happen to be in Hong Kong during a typhoon you are quite out of luck as almost everything comes to a standstill. The Hong Kong Observatory has typhoon warnings according to how close and how strong they are, this usually begins with a typhoon number one signal which tends to escalate to three. When the number 8 signal is raised it mean HK will directly be affected. School, offices, stores and public transportation close immediately and everyone goes home. People are advised not to go outside, and like hurricanes in Miami after the excitement of watching the storm getting closer dies down you are left with nothing to do but stay inside and wait it out. I know friends who are in the Philippines now who suffered much worse then us, a few days earlier due to the same typhoon. The following is the message sent to those in my program during our first (and hopefully last) HK typhoon.

Typhoon Fengshen

The No. 8 Southwest Gale or Storm Signal is in force.

This means that winds with mean speeds of 63 kilometres per hour or more are expected from the southwest quarter.

At 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Fengshen was centred about 90 kilometres north of Hong Kong Observatory (near 23.1 degrees north 114.0 degrees east) and is forecast to move north or north-northwest at about 14 kilometres per hour moving further into Guangdong.

Fengshen is gradually weakening after making landfall. The Observatory will issue the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 soon.

Conditions over the Western part of the Territory are still rather windy and rainy. The public should remain on the alert.

In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded at Chek Lap Kok and Cheung Chau were 59 and 57 kilometres per hour with maximum gusts 69 and 77 kilometres per hour respectively.

(Precautionary Announcements with No. 8 Signal)

1. Since seas are rough, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.

2. Flights at Hong Kong International Airport may be affected by the weather. Please contact your airline for the latest flight information before departing for the airport.

3. Please listen to your radio or watch your TV for the latest weather information broadcast at the 15th, 30th, 45th and 58th minute of each hour. You can also browse the Hong Kong Observatory's web site for the information. http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm

Amber Rainstorm Warning Signal Special Announcement issued at 10:10 a.m.

The Rainstorm Warning Signal is now Amber. This means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.

There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding.

Please continue to exercise due care. People who have to travel should carefully consider weather and road conditions and take necessary precautions.

Please listen to radio or watch television for traffic conditions and further announcements on the rainstorm.

Here is regulations issued by the Hong Kong Government regarding working issues related to the weather. For more detailed information, please refer to the attachment.

The warning/signal is in force before normal working hours

◆ All employees other than essential staff are not required to report for duty.

◆ Essential staff are required to report for duty.

◆ Essential staff should inform their supervisors as soon as practicable if they have difficulties in reporting for duty.

The Hong Kong Central library is pretty amazing. The Library was open to the public on 17 May 2001 and it is now the largest public library in Hong Kong with a capacity of holding 2 million items of library materials. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and digital library facilities so really none of the books are very old and they have an extensive travel section in English. In fact they have quite a large selection of books in English. The most interesting thing about it is the type of people who are here and how into the books they are. In the U.S. you don't see people flocking to the library on their lunch breaks to read like they do here. People are so involved in their books that they hardly look up during loud distractions. The children are in quantity and seem ready to soak up what ever the white little pages have to offer, they even bring carts from home in which to wheel the books around behind them. It really is a breath of fresh air to find such a relaxing place with a great ambiance and an amazing view of the skyline!

June 22 Aquathon

Sprint Distance (2km run & 275m swim & 2km run)
Swim leg – 275m, 1 lap – competitors swim around two marker buoys in a clockwise direction.
Run Legs (x 2) – 2km, 1 lap – an out and back course along South Bay Road. Turning Point A is 900m from the start line. Participants then return along the same route back to South Bay Beach. After the first run leg participants will go to transition to prepare for the swim. After the second run leg, participants will cross the finish line on the road. Drink stations: There is one drink station on the run course.

This will be my adventure on Sunday. I have never been involved in a multi-sport activity and I have to say that I am quite excited. I am the only person I know out of the 400 that will be participating in this race.
After the race:
Wow it was challenging, what they didn't mention was that the running part was uphill! The swimming part was the difficult part for me...after you get out of the water, all the tension from the first 2k has been released and you can just feel gravity asking you to lie down. But.. I kicked my butt in gear and made it in 32 minutes and 40 seconds! The coolest part that in my age category 20-29 I came in top 10 as # 7! With an overall place of 35 out of 250 people!