Where shall I begin? (:

1. Rattling Minibus Windows

This is a big one that never fails to tick me off. Every time an old mini-bus goes over a bump, you’re bound to hear the rattle of the window on your side, caused by the glass thickening on the bottom and thinning in the middle. Hell, when these things start rattling you’d swear that someone had just fired a gun next to your ear. Many a time have I found entertainment in seeing a poor lad fall asleep against a window and then to have his brains shaken out as soon as the bus starts.

Solutions? There aren’t any. You could try muffling it with your forearm, but that’d just result in a horrible finger cramp that’ll be bound to last at least 10 minutes or more. Opening the window is even worse, as they slide over each other and actually rattle against each other, quadrupling the sound. UGH.

2. The minibus driver himself.

Now, I know I’m being a bit prejudiced here, but I have YET to see a minibus driver with manners around here. What’s more, the majority of these also seem to have road rage, which is good if you’re short on time and want to get to your location as fast as possible, but just plain rough for poor old Gramps down there in the back corner trying not to barf. Excessive swearing and rude hand signs add some zing to your ride as you travel at breakneck speed down Austin Road.

3. The kicking child is always in the seat behind you, and the screaming one on the seat next.

Why, oh why is it that I never get to sit next to anyone sane? Children are fine, I suppose if they keep their mouths shut and their feet to themselves, but if they don’t, I swear, one day I’ll just EAT SOMEONE.

4. The douchebag parent who doesn’t care when you complain.

I guess it runs in the family. -Sigh-. That is all.

5. Taxi drivers always taking the long route.

Okay, I admit I WAS talking on the phone when you turned around and asked me if we should take the long route to avoid a long traffic jam, but hell, dude, you never told me the ‘longer’ route would add an extra TEN EFFING DOLLARS onto the meter. @#$@#$.

6. Getting interrupted by FalunGong protestors.

FalunGong are getting more and more annoying these days. Especially if one holds your minibus driver up and then motions for the rest of the two hundred in the parade to follow as he slowly walks past with his “FALUN DAFA IS GOOD” Banner, spewing anti-communist slogans along the way.

“Heaven will strike Chairman Hu Jinn-Tao” “Falun DAFA Gooood!” “Join us and help free our sisters!”

7. In-car TV brainwashing.

I don’t get the purpose of “in-bus” entertainment, if all they show are old-granny talk shows (which were recorded over four years ago, by the way) and slimming ads.

8. Bus Uncle. ’nuff said.

BUS UNCLE! I actually like this one. This old guy was on a double decker bus, and was talking loudly on the phone, and alledgedly, the youngster patted on his shoulder and asked him to speak more softly.

During the fight ensured, someone whipped out his camera phone (bless him) and within mere weeks, the video went instantly viral! More wikipedia info here.

Highlights:

I have pressure you have pressure!

Boss…

It’s not settled!

9. (This just in.) Airport Lady.

Something similiar to Bus uncle. Actual Translation here. Best parody HERE.

10. Teenagers who are too observant for their own good and then post this up online.

To get to the jump-off point, we took bus 299 at the Sha Tin Town Centre. Then we alighted at the Shui Long Wo stop. The trailhead marker (which is stage 4 of the MacLehose Trail) stands a few meters north of the bus stop. There’s a public toilet facility on the other side of the street from the marker.

The trail starts out pretty easy. We passed by a helipad and a camping area along the way. We were walking on concrete for some part of the way at first. Soon, the trail becomes a footpath through the denser part of the mountain. The trail remains gentle and gives good views of the islands off Sai Kung.

The trail then begins to incline more steeply. Expect to take breather breaks every so often. The tough climb through the forest yielded to a trail through and above the hills. The view becomes even more spectacular as the vista of green hills unfolds.

The “safe” midpoint of the trail is at a lower part of Ma On Shan. If you have the energy, a small path will lead up to the summit. This detour crosses a narrow ridge marked with rocks of uneven levels. A clear day on the summit affords views of China and Hong Kong.

The way out of the mountains is rather long but gentler than the way in. Our group kept to the MacLehose Trail, passing by Pyramid Hill and arriving at the junction at Ngong Ping Plateau. From there, there are a few options to get out of the hills. We continued following the MacLehose Trail, which led us to a small residential area. From there, we caught a green minibus to Sai Kung.

Our total hiking time covered roughly five hours but we were exhausted by the hike. As with the more strenuous hikes, the best way to cap it off was a filling dinner of beer and pizza.

Ma On Shan is recommended for people with some hiking experience. I recommended also bringing a lot of high-energy trail food, liquids, a walking stick and a compass as some of the trails are not clearly marked off.

For those who still would like to enjoy nature in the middle of busy Hong Kong, there are other easier hiking trails. My two favorites are Dragons’ Back and Jardine’s Lookout, both of which are in the Hong Kong Island area.

Another very easy and quick walk is the mini-great wall at Cheung Chau island near Hong Kong. 

If you’re visiting Hong Kong out of the tour bus, here are your other options of going anywhere:

The MTR or subway system connects Lantau Island (where the airport is), Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Stations sport their own color and have maps where the tourist spots are located. Most stations, such as Mong Kok, Diamond Hill, or Causeway Bay are located such that tourist attractions are accessible by a short walk from the station.

The tram is one of the slowest ways to go through Hong Kong Island. What I like about it is that it is one of the cheapest ways to see the city. Two dollars will take you from the east to west ends of the island. Hop on (preferably after or before rush hour), grab a seat on the top level and snap away.

Buses are there to take you to places where the trams or trains don’t reach. This includes Aberdeen (where Ocean Park is), Repulse Bay, Stanley Beach and the various hiking trails.

There are two kinds of buses: the green mini-bus and the big City bus. They ply almost the same routes but with different stops. Not sure which bus to take, these services have websites that show the routes and times.

Ferry boats connect the islands. In particular, taking the ferry the most relaxing ways of getting to and from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Ferries from the Central Ferry pier take you to the outlying islands such as Cheung Chau, Lamma and Discovery Bay – which are attractions in themselves.

Taxis are my last resort, especially if I’m carrying a lot of stuff. Like most other cab drivers in any city around the world, the Hong Kong taxi driver seems to have graduated from the F1 training course. They also charge extra for stuff loaded into the trunk.

Be prepared to pay in exact change. The buses and trams particularly don’t give change for big bills. Better yet, get an Octopus debit card to save yourself from scrambling for coins.

Photos taken with my Diana F+ 35mm analog camera and Action Sampler 35mm film camera.