Hiking with Toddler in Stroller - Only in Hong Kong! (5 Mins Read)

"Let your journeys be tough, but your determination be tougher to challenge your existence!" -Rids

Raising a generation who loves Outdoors!

 

To begin with, we were super skeptical about considering hiking with 3 year old! But Thanks to adventure seeker in us, and off course some googling we decided to take a plunge, with stroller though! It was absolutely delightful, doable, well paved, there were patches of uphill, downhill and towards the end lot of rocks to explore (which we skipped ) but super manageable.On beautiful day like this Saturday when sun was bit kind and no drop of rain yet pleasant  climate of 20 degrees, going for a hike was best decision. And taking our kiddo along was most amazing decision as he absolutely loved it!

Where did we go ? 

Cape D'Aguilar is the southern part of the Shek O Peninsula on Hong Kong Island. The cape is named after British Major-General George Charles D'Aguilar who served as Lieutant Governor of Hong Kong (1843-1848).  

 

Beautiful view just 20 mins into starting trail!

View from Lighthouse

Beautiful rock formations at marine reserve with most clear water.

Geological Diversity explained at Cape D'Aguilar

Details of marine environemnt

Just 1 hour later, you see this sign, Take right or downhill to reach marine reserve and left uphill is towards light house (Just 1000 mts walk and back)

Finally Little one got the playground. He had many questions like why there is straight rock here and vertical rock there and why there is no beach but rock near water here and on and on!

Little one walked quite a bit with us!

Hong Kong - People know only 30% of it! 70% of Hong Kong is full of nature, unexplored - Come and see for yourself :)

One of the oldest Lighthouse preserved in Hong Kong. Has history of WWII attached with it!

Mesmersing roots of trees

Some beauty within beauty :) Kiaan wondered which construction vehicle would have come to place rocks upon rocks here ;)

Cape D'Aguillar Hike. This Hike is one stop before Shek O beach from Bus No 9. One gets beautiful coastal view of South China Sea within 500 mts of walk. Totally available and relatively empty , secluded path along coastal line which leads to 20 Hectare big marine reserve. One of the oldest lighthouse of Hong Kong, An infamous, unexplored natural cave which had thunderous sound of waves hitting coast, Crab cave, Ms Willy (Whale Fish bones on display), clear water and many many geological rocks to be surprised about is what this little pain of pushing stroller is totally worth it!

Thunder Cave

Beautiful Gap and thunderous waves were worth all the efforts!

Pretty Stuff!

Source: unknown - Crab cave - which is too beautiful but we didn't go here as it was bit of rock climbing and it was high tide the day we went so rocks were little slippery.

I was not quite aware that there are so many marine reserve centres in HK

Source: unknown. Since it was high tide and too windy this beauty was not there but generally people do get to see Ms Willy - The Whale's bones just near marine reserve building

 How did we go? 

Public transport: You take Blue Island line train (MTR) to Shau Kei Wan station. Take exit A3 (It has lift and elevators). Walk straight from exit A3 and right in front you will see Bus No. 9. (Please ensure the bus mentions cape D Aguillar or you can check with Bus driver). The buses are big and spacious, so stroller can be accommodated easily here!

Your Bus No 9 will drop you here at Windy Gap. Take Left and walk straight on Cape D'Aguilar Road.

Taxis / Pvt Vehicle: Sometimes the bus would take you straight to the Shek O Beach. The ubers and taxis and private vehicle can take you till this last point (marine reserve) provided they have special license to access that route. 

How much time it took ? How difficult is it?  

From Windy Gap, where Bus NO 9, will drop you, it is 3.5 Kms walk until Marine reserve and Miss willy , the whale fish bones so approximately 1 hour walk. It is mostly plateaued walk, however these is little rough patch in between here and there but manageable. The last bit of 500 mts is downhill and then to reach some of the famous site there like crab cave, one need to be little adventurous in climbing the wet rocks, but we skipped that part obviously. 

We did see some of the cars till end of road. And many village houses on way was surprise!

Little one, went wow, wow, wow! so i am sure anybody would love it!

Good sleep and fit mind and body! Is all one needs for happy healthy life!

 

Overall, people rate it 3/10 Hike in terms of difficulty as there is not too much steep mountains to climb but yes few patches of uphill downhill. so with Baby on board, doable but with minute challenge.  With lots of breaks in between, it took us approximately 4 hours to and fro from bus stop cape d aguillar road. WIth straight walk of going and coming back might take less than 2 hours.

 What is food scene there? 

One needs to be well planned and stock your food and baby food before hand, as you will not find a thing in between. However in little detour, half way through road, there is small village house who makes few ready to eat noodles and has few drinks and water but apart from that nothing at all. S you might want to pick things near MTR or come prepared beforehand.

 

Hok Tsui village, shun kee store

P.s. We always pack our theplas and sandwiches with cheese and avacodos, some nuts and fruits as rescue plan to keep kiddo full and happy :p

Healthy food with good views!

 Toilet facilities?

Well, there is one average clean public toilet with tissues just 500 mts walk away from bus stop and later near this small restaurant stop another 1 kms ahead. But apart from that, there is no toilet facility near Marine reserve.  

Mobile toilet within 1 kms of walk on cape D Aguillar road

 

Some videos since photos don't do enough justice to it!

 

 

 

P.S. When you go downhill towards marine reserve on you left you will see few steps going down... there is no sign post there, but that is where the road towards this beautiful most Thunder cave goes to... Dont miss it. The sound of those waves hitting caves was deep engraved in memory :)

Well, with painful legs but delightful souls and with lot of walk, encountering satellite stations, radio stations and prolific nature, one reaches the oldest lighthouse in Hong Kong and some of the best cave - Thunder cave and Crab cave at the end. Definitely must must go and have a look at most hidden secret, easily accessible in Hong Kong island. Be delighted that rest of 70% of Hong Kong has to offer - Nature at its best! 

 

Happy and Safe Hiking :)

Red Leaves - Sweet Gum woods - Must Visit in Tai Lam Country Park (3 Mins Read)

Captured but Jimit Mehta! P.s. These photos are of January 2019!

…time to say goodbyes

to the summer hues and fiery cries 

for knocking my door

is the autumn delights...

 yeh mausam ka jadoo hai mitwa, na aab dil pe kabu hai mitwa. - From Hum Aapke hai kaun movie

Officially, the heat of summers are behind us and fresh breeze of mild winters have approached. This season is not only romantic but also beautiful. For the ones in Canada, States, Europe or Japan and Northern India (Kashmir and HP) are enjoying this season's colors in the name of Autumn or Falls.Where the green leaves falls and fades away giving way to dazzling, eye catching, mood enlightening and totally romantic bronze, orange, golden and red  or even dark yellow  leaves on the trees. It certainly is the view to behold in eyes for a whole year!

For Bollywood lovers again, who have seen Mohabbatein movie back in 2000 would remember that one red colored maple leave which was important part of whole movie. This is when my fascination for that red colored leaves began! And studying from London only gave me thankful exposure to those dream land where I could witness that magic. Magic of normal life turning into dream site to live in day in and day out. 

But its sad, that this phenomenon does not occur in tropical weather. And I never ever thought that after what I witnessed in Europe, I will ever see in Hong Kong.  However, Hong Kong has truly surprised me always. Known for its vibrant and dazzling city light and its view of skyline with humongous sized buildings, one can never imagine other part of Hong Kong which is absolutely close to nature. And Hong Kong gave me this opportunity to live Mohabbatein moments this time with Hubby Dear right in middle of city chaos. (Also Check where to see sunflowers in Hong Kong - HERE)

Aha! I am sure you want to know more details... Yes, Hong Kong may not see literal falls or autumn season like other famous countries but there is this one particular place which has Sweet gum woods plants and it throws us the magic of experiencing and seeing Red and golden Leaves in a good 1-2 km stretch. Now you cannot compare it with other countries which sees autumn in its full bloom. But eh, something is better than nothing!

Where can one head to see this Red Leaves?

In Tai Tong Country Park. On Maclehose Trail Stage 10 and in Tai Lam Country Park (大欖郊野公園), it is the best place to see "Red Leaves" as people in Hong Kong usually refer to Sweet Gum Woods Leaves in autumn.

When is the ideal time to visit this place?

The ideal time is when the leaves turn red in color. This phenomenon is purely nature driven and may vary from year to year. Generally they say it begins from November and remains till February. Best is to follow some Instagram pages and look for sweet gum woods red leaves, tai tong park, etc and see photos of others, if they appear like the one you wish to visit than that is ideal time :).

P.S We visited in mid January when trees where shedding red leaves but still we could catch glimpse of some beautiful sights. Its most beautiful by mid December till end or very early January. Alternatively, the best is to follow this site and check the Status For Red Leaves Index.

How can one reach this place?

One can look for Google Maps : Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods  and find your ideal travel way. 

P.S. One can reach till Tai Tong Shan road and from here its a little hilly walk of approx 2.7 to 3 kms to reach till Sweet Gum Woods Trees. Do not forget to check timings for return bus due to current situation.

By MTR & Bus: 

The Best way we found to visit here was: Traveling by MTR till Long Ping MTR (On Dark Pink West Rail Line) and just 2 mins walk from Long Ping MTR exit B2 there is bus stop for K66 bus which heads to Tai Tong. You will find signs on black board along the sky-way which will direct you towards bus stop. One has to get down at Tai Tong Shan Road bus stop (which is second last stop) The bus takes approx 30 mins to travel from MTR till beginning of trail. 

The K66 bus schedule, stops, fare and other information can be found on MOOVITAPP.COM

Source:DroneDSLR

By Taxi from Yuen Long station:

You can take taxi from Yuen Long station which will cost approx 70 HKD. 

By Red Bus:

there is red bus from Yuen Long station - Hung Min Court (I have personally not used this way and found the Bus from Long Ping station easily accessible).

Is it a difficult trail ?

Well from the Bus stop till the sweet gum woods, the walk is little less than 3.5 kms. It is stroller friendly so you can go with kids with strollers and also wheelchair friendly as it is just a normal trail but slightly hilly which is surely manageable for a fit person. 

Source: https://www.natureintouch.gov.hk

How much time can one spend here?

There are barbecue options on the way towards sweet gum woods, so one can arrive there in morning spend some time over barbecue and  head towards sweet gum woods in afternoon and overall spend whole day around here. Or,

Just do the trail, arrive at the sweet gum woods, experience the magic, capture it, and leave which may take around 4-5 hours depending on your walk and stop speed. (The only option for rest rooms and buying water or drinks is near barbecue area)

Also, just at the beginning of trail you will see there are other parks on right hand side like lychee park and tai tong organic park, etc. I do not have much information on it but I have heard from friends that it is average place to visit with kids.   

You can see there are two routes to reach sweet gum woods. One route is via all Eco park, Lychee vallye,etc and other is the one whose details have been shared here in detail.

Are there good food / drink options around?

There is only small Kiosk selling water and few drinks and chips near barbecue area. We could not find any other option so its best to carry your own food and drinks as you like. For Jain Food option, definitely carry your own snacks and bites.

Pro Tip: The Best photo capturing place and Instagram worthy shots can be captured near the Sweet gum woods Stand, which you will arrive at almost towards the end of road that you walk past red leaves trees and little bit ahead as well. 

The enthusiastic Little Hiker!

Beginning of the road!

Thoroughly overjoyed walking past street covered on either sides with Red Leaves!

The Spot with Maximum Red Leaves near the Stand.

And that moment with Hubby Dear!

yeh hasin vaadiyan, yeh khula aasman moment!

Happified We!

Cannot really capture the beauty in lens as eyes was able to witness!

Yeah! We love to pose!

while i was busy praising the glory of nature....

well, you cannot avoid crowd, in HK, in hot spots!

Some interesting facts about Red leaves in Hong Kong

Totally singing in awe of nature and mesmerized with the views but definitely bit tired, we click final picture before we leave this place!

P.S. there is no other way but to walk back 3.5 kms till the bus stop and take same route as you did while coming here.

Points to Note while visiting country park: 

1) Share the use of forest track. Safety comes first. Watch out for vehicles/bicycles.

2) Share the natural scenery, refrain from stepping on or picking plants or taking off the leaves.

3) Keep country parks clean. Sweet Gum Woods is a bin-free trail. Please take your litter home.

4) Avoid one-off disposables. Let's go plastic free.

 5) Pack light, and wear comfortable shoes for long trail.

6) Do not liter the park or the barbecue area especially.