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Distance
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Duration*
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Elevation
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Level of Difficulty
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Shing Mun - Tai Po
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? hrs |
Lowest: ? m
Highest: ? m |
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 A group of fourteen Trampers showed up for this week's walk and were rewarded by the finest walking weather so far this season. We began our walk at Shing Mun Reservoir and, with a stiff breeze at our backs, made the steep climb to the top of Needle Hill, travelling onwards from there over Grassy Hill and Lead Mine Pass to Tai Po. The clear skies allowed us to partake in some particularly fine views of much of Hong Kong territory from the numerous high-ground vantage points we had along the way.
Unfortunately, we were disappointed in our hopes of catching sight of one of the legendary Needle Hill cows. As readers of the better informed local guide books will be aware, these cows are purported to have been introduced to the area some decades ago by the Trappist monks of Lantau. Reared on the humanitarian teachings of the monks, the cows have been trained to wander about Needle Hill with flasks of beer tied about their necks, seeking out (and bringing succour to) thirsty hikers. Regrettably, these publicity shy beasts appear to have been deterred from showing themselves by the large number of camera-toting Trampers (much to the chagrin of some very thirsty members of our group). However, we did come upon a small herd of their more common (and more gregarious) relatives, the Grassy Hill cows (bovinus grassy hillus), who gladly posed for a few snapshots.
We had the good fortune to find a large limousine passing by the way on the last stretch of our walk, and were glad to be able to hitch a ride to a local Thai restaurant (and cold Thai beer) in Lai Chi Shan village, just outside Tai Po.
Last update: 22-03-2006 09:28
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