Hike

Hiking or running is the only sport – the only one I know of, anyway – for which you need nothing more than a pair of shoes. It may be true that, in most circumstances, you can find someone to go together. Sure, you might. 

If I go hiking, I can go on my own, or with family and friends. Hiking alone entails a healthy dose of strenuous exercise. My solo hiking can often go as much as 20 kilometres' walk, double the usual distance covered with companion.

Which is why I have downloaded a mobile phone app designed by Hong Kong police. The track function and rescue signal from the app, after successfully passing a field test in a Dubai desert, should have better safety for hikers.

In the first week of October, I hiked for six hours, from Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls via MacLehose Trail. Two weeks later, I hiked with my secondary school friends and started our trek near Ng Tung Chai, heading for Tai To Yan (or "Big Knife Cliff" in Chinese). When I emerged on a ridge at the ninth highest peak in Kong Kong with sweeping views over Sha Tau Kok, I could see all the way to Shenzhen in the north. Little did I know, just two days later, I'd be hiking to that area, close to the village near Kai Kuk Shue Ha with my wife and daughter.

And yes, the mercury hasn't seemed to dip even it's October now. Yet one thing is certain. I have had the good fortune and opportunity to enjoy the hikes.