Nature and stability

inSight

22 May 2003

Nature and stability

From the favourable press comments on the choice of photographs in the 2002 HKMA Annual Report, I take it that the underlying theme of "nature and stability" has met with the community's approval. It is a theme that was chosen carefully, having regard to the role of the HKMA in the maintenance of monetary and financial stability, in what have been rather turbulent times. The designer and the home team have obviously done a good job. And the local photographers have produced excellent illustrations. If you wish to admire more of their work, I recommend the following web-site: http://www.hknature.net.

Four of the photographs show scenes of Sai Kung East Country Park, which to me is still the most scenic part of Hong Kong. And, since hiking is becoming so popular under the influence of SARS, let me, instead of talking about mundane monetary and financial issues, take those who feel fit this week on a day trip to where I think the four photographs were taken. It takes a while to get out there, first of all to Pak Tam Chung, where you can park your car if you are there early enough in the weekend, and then take a taxi (around $60) to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir. You can observe on your journey, and from some distance, the subject of the photograph on page 24 of the Annual Report. When you arrive at the Dam, page 64 comes into view, with the famous Po Pin Chau on your right. But, before you start your hiking, initially along the MacLehose Trail to Long Ke, I recommend that you pay some attention to the rock formation around there. You will probably not miss the neat vertical columns of volcanic basalt surrounding you, including the broken off pieces that have been used to line one side of the upper driveway. Notice that they are all five-sided (more or less). And notice, from a distance as you start your hike, how geological movements as the basaltic magma congealed have produced a wall of bent basalt columns.

Finding the scenes of the other two photographs of Sai Kung East Country Park is a little more difficult. You probably need the Sai Kung Peninsula map produced by the Lands Department to guide you. As you hike along the second section of the MacLehose Trail, past magnificent Long Ke Wan, and climb towards the peak of Sai Wan Shan, you need to take a side trip to Tsang Pang Kok, the eastern (left) arm embracing Long Ke Wan. But here I must sound a word of caution: do not venture too far out. You probably won't be able to get to the tip where the photograph on page 74 of the Annual Report was taken, unless you are a very experienced hiker. Go back to Sai Wan Shan and read the Annual Report instead. As you descend from Sai Wan Shan further along the Trail you will come to one of my favourite spots, from which you can see in the distance the four beaches of Tai Long Wan, with Sharp Peak standing rather condescendingly in the background.

The hike continues along the second section of the MacLehose Trail to Sai Wan and Ham Tin Wan. The fourth photograph, used on page 40 of the Annual Report, is I think (but I am not absolutely sure) taken somewhere between the two Wans, probably half way. Again, I do not recommend that you take the risk to get to the scene. Make do with the Annual Report and enjoy a safe hike to Ham Tin, where you should get off the Trail, go on to the beach, cross the shaky bridge at the end, have a good lunch and refill at the restaurant run by my old friend Mr Lai. You then can rejoin the Trail behind the restaurant and head towards Tai Long Au, Chek Keng and Pak Tam Au, where you can take a taxi or a bus back to Pak Tam Chung. The very experienced and fit hikers can instead go over to the far end of Tai Wan where they can take on the challenging Sharp Peak before returning via Nam She Au and Tai Long Au, etc.

Remember to bring along a copy of the 2002 HKMA Annual Report.

 

Joseph Yam

22 May 2003

 

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