The fog/haze was hanging over the city again today, but it didn’t look as thick as previous mornings. Hopeful, dressed for the humidity, and stocked with water, we set off on the MTR to Shau Kei Wan station where we transferred to bus No. 9 to To Tai Wan.

Ten minutes into the bus ride we headed uphill and it was obvious the vistas were not going to be even remotely viewable – a thick, dense, hot “fog” shrouded everything.

The trees and plants dripped with it.

Hopped off the bus at the appointed stop and were treated to a nice trail map, and good signage for the three trails that started from that location. Good start.

The first 20 minutes or so looked like this – uphill. Sometimes steps, sometimes trail.

  Eventually we reached Shek O Peak, 284 meters above sea level. Pleepleus posed for picture – after being carried up the hill in my bag. Freeloader.

Jeff is sharing the lovely vista we would be enjoying if it weren’t for the fog.  We tried to capture the map too so you can see what you’re missing. THICK. FOG.

Once you go up, you eventually have to go back down. Again, a combination of steps and graded trail. Everything was so wet that down was actually pretty challenging.

The trail was well maintained and virtually no litter even though there were only litter cans at 3 or 4 points along the entire trail.  We passed a few people who had started at other trailheads and all were going the opposite direction. Wonder if they knew something we didn’t… ?

Dense, dripping foilage.

A not-as-bad-as-it-looks section of the trail.

The trail ultimately dumped out at Big Way Bay, a sleepy “surf town” on the southeast coast. We stopped at a local general store for refreshments.

 So what does one do on a Wednesday night in Hong Kong? Well, go to the race track, of course!  Happy Valley Racecourse was originally founded in 1854 and it has certainly undone some pretty swanky upgrades. It’s run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club which is a non-profit organization dating back to 1884.

A night at the track is on many must-do lists for HK and they offer a great deal for foreign passport holders: you can get entrance to the track and the Members Enclosure, which has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as track-side standing for about US$18.

A little wonky, but here are some panorama shots from track-side. Opposite the track’s six story glass enclosure are high-rise apartment buildings – odd spot for a track, but it was here first!

Also note, you can buy beer by the pitcher, and some very tasty hot dogs!