Thank you, Asia series, "Hiking" (90 days left)

 Thank you, Asia series.  90 days left.  March 2, 2021

Hiking.  I guess when I was a kid we would hike out to our family's cabin.  Hike the trail from the road to Isbushka (about a 25 minute hike, if I am correct) - or later from the valley cabin Serendipidy up the hill to Isbushka. And from time to time as an adult I would hike a trail through a state park or two.  And as a dog owner I would walk Bucky and Roscoe through the woods or down a wooded lane, but it wasn't until moving to Korea that I really encountered "hiking" culture.  

Grandpa with the grandkids at Isbushka II.

Hiking in Korea always fascinated me.  The trails were somewhat steep because the mountains were higher than the hills in Wisconsin.  

The trails we hiked on were close by our apartment initiating with a steep staircase and then proceeding to wind up and down rocky, dry leafy, dirt trails.  You could easily walk thirty minutes on a trail to suddenly come across a "work out station".  

a workout station about 25 min from the trailhead

More workout equipment in the middle of nowhere

Inevitably there would be people working out in the middle of the woods and they were alway old!  For some reason the hiking culture in Korea appealed most to the grandmas and grandpas or the expats.  While one would find families with small children, it was rare to see teens hiking the trails there.

On the hike behind Ramien near Goodmorning Hill 

Another thing that fascinated me about Korea was the lack of wildlife when hiking - no squirrels or rabbits. Some butterflies but few insects accompanied us.  Oh, but Asian bees - you know, the murder bees that have now found their way to the US?  We had those. It seemed there were only a few species of birds, as well - magpies being rather populous.  

Hiking became a ritual for Brent and others of our staff at KIS; I joined in occasionally.  It could be gruelling but fun to hike for 1.5 - 4 hours with friends in Korea, always looking for the next good view and munching on energy balls during a break.

KIS hiking group.  Photo credit: Steve Katz

from the summit of Dragon's Back in HK

I was pleasantly surprised to find a hiking culture in Hong Kong, as well.  As a matter of fact, our hiking trails are even closer to home than they were in Korea.  

The catchment to Stanley from Tai Tam

There are no workout stations in the middle of the mountains here, but there are lots of people who hike, and once again, they seem to be the grandparents, families with small children and the expats.  Most weekends we hike somewhere for at least and hour as a family.  

Again, we enjoy finding the views.  

Brent (left) at The Peak overlooking Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong

And, we enjoy far more birdsong and always butterflies - lots of butterflies.  During the humid times of the year we must also endure the gigantic spiders along the trails, nearly as big as a female hand.  Strangely, this has actually helped me to conquer my arachnophobia.  

Giant Golden Orb spider.  Photo credit: Meaghan Odell

Hiking alone is meditative and glorious and something I do with regularity. 

Sunrise over Turtle Cove

Overlooking Turtle Cove, near our home

Rigby on the catchment to Stanley

Hiking alone at Tai Tam Country Park

 Hiking with friends is fun and communal - especially when a meal and a beer await at the other end!

Hiking with colleagues at Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Brent and I hiking at Po Toi Island, Hong Kong

If it is a holiday, you can be assured everyone will be out hiking.  This means the trails can be full of people.  During Covid-19 shutdowns the only activity left to do has been hiking, actually (no beaches or BBQs or playgrounds).  

I had considered myself a "walker" for decades.  After spending seven years out on the trails, I now almost consider myself a hiker, too.

Thank you, Asia, for the beautiful hikes and views.  What fun it has been. 

Brenda and Brent at the Peak overlooking Victoria Harbor, HK

Photo credits: © Brenda Brayko. All rights reserved.