One of the perks of living in Hong Kong is the easy access to pristine, rustic nature. Recently, we hiked up to Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler and were greeted by breathtaking views of the territory.
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Coastal walk on Lantau island: Tai O to Tung Chung
Following the Tung O ancient trail, we walked from Tai O village to Tung Chung estate on Hong Kong’s Lantau island. Spanning around 16km, this was a relaxing walk with impressive water views as we passed rustic villages and mangrove forests.
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Vignettes of Japan #3: Mountain Dreams
“Are we there yet?” Panting with arms akimbo, I squinted at the rock path snaking through the alpine green ahead. Another ridge to cross. More loose rocks to scramble over. We continued trudging to the peak of Mount Furano, stopping occasionally to take photos of our beautiful lush surrounds. “Hey, I think we’re finally there!”…
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Into Thin Air
“Everest has always been a magnet for kooks, publicity seekers, hopeless romantics and others with a shaky hold on reality.” – Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air (1997) More than 10 years ago, I read Jon Krakauer’s memoir “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster“. The book documents his 1996 expedition to Mount…
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Mt. Furano, Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido // 富良野岳, 大雪山国立公園, 北海道
One of the things I love about Hokkaido is its abundant natural landscape and within this, the varied hiking trails and treks. During the summer trip with my family to Hokkaido, we spent the first few days in the Furano-Kamifurano-Biei area which is near to the immense Daisetsuzan National Park 大雪山国立公園. Aside from visiting flower farms and eating…
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Going Places
“I got this photograph in an email and it is one of those pictures that you wonder where in god’s name is that…” This is the opening line in a video made by Robin Esrock. He was hiking in Mount Hua 华山 in a quest to reach a lofty teahouse located on one of the southern peaks. Previously, the…
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Llanes, Asturias: Playa de Torimbia
Some years back, I came across a photo of a tiny village in the mountains that was taken on a misty day and I was immediately captivated. The caption read “Asturias, Picos de Europa”. I cut the page from the magazine and put it into my folder for travel ideas. I was recently reminded of Asturias…
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Rausu Lake, Hokkaido // 羅臼湖, 北海道
Day 7 of our summer holiday in Hokkaido: After making it across Shiretoko Pass 知床峠 and an unusual episode of car-sickness which rendered me with no appetite, I woke the following day with renewed vigour to the loud squawking of seagulls in Rausu 羅臼 fishing village.Located along the Okhotsk Sea, Rausu is on the eastern edge of Shiretoko Peninsula 知床半島,…
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Hokkaido: Shiretoko Pass / Shiretoko-tōge / 知床峠
Day 6 of our 12-day summer holiday in Hokkaido: We drove from Abashiri to Oshinkoshin Falls / Oshinkoshin-no-taki /オシンコシンの滝 which was about 75km away, 2 hours by car. From there we went on to Rausu Info Centre / Rausu Michi no Eki / 羅臼ビジターセンター (30km, 50mins). Finally we arrived in Shiretoko National Park / Shiretoko-kokuritsukōen / 知床国立公園! Shiretoko…
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