By Vir B. Lumicao
 |
| Picture-perfect Pineapple Dam can be reached even by children |
From the heights, it is a virtual emerald lake in the cusp
of mountains above Tsuen Wan as the sky reflects on its glassy surface. But save
for its refreshing beauty, Shing Mun Reservoir is not the place to be for hardened
hikers.
The 9-kilometer Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, which is partly
on Wilson Trail Section 7 that snakes through canopies of green around the
reservoir, is one of
About 23km to the east in Po Lam, another family trail with mild ascents leads to what could be perhaps Tseung Kwan O’s best kept secrets, the Little Hawaii Waterfalls and Lin Yuen Terrace Waterfalls on the slopes of the Razor Hill.
 |
| Pindutin para sa detalye! |
The cataracts cascade between volcanic boulders down the steep slopes of the hill and in some sections form basins that provide pools of cool, pristine waters for hikers who want to wade and cool themselves.
We visited these two trails consecutively on the last two Saturdays in September, when summer’s heat was gradually doused off by daily showers and thunderstorms.
On the hike at Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, this writer went with two regular hiking buddies from the DWC Saturday Group. With more clouds than sunshine this time of the year, the hike was not as energy-sapping as it was in the hot months.
 |
| Call now! |
Taking the green minibus 82M from
One woman was targeted by an aggressive male that tried to grab her backpack from behind. The simian backed off when the target’s male partner shooed it away with a stick.
We realized that was the wrong place to begin a hike. It’s
safer to go right up
 |
| Hiking down to the reservoir is easy, but one should be wary of wild monkeys along the way |
The dam offered gorgeous views of the reservoir, its surrounding hills including Needle Hill, and Lion Rock in the distance. The trail was flat and easy, obviously the reason why parents and their young children were among the several groups we met on the way.
 |
| CALL US! |
It took us more than two hours to find a meadow beside a stand of towering paperbark trees near the northern tip of the reservoir. We were bringing out our lunch when an old monkey appeared and got near. It went away after we stuffed the food back in our bags.
When we had finally eaten our lunch away from the view of monkeys, lightning began to crack, followed by thunder and pouring rain. We all were wet when we completed the reservoir loop and got back to the bus stop.
 |
| The beautiful Lin Yuen Waterfalls in Saikung is another easy trek |
The next Saturday, Sept 26, my son joined me in a late
afternoon quick hike to Lin Yuen Waterfalls not far from our village. We reached
the falls in half an hour of leisurely walk via
 | |
|
The waterfalls have been in that previously seldom visited
part of Saikung District long before the reclaimed cove of
Hikers and picnickers, including Filipino workers, noticed
the hidden scenic spot only after the old Yau Yue Wan trail was developed and officially
added to the
 |
| Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love |
To get to the waterfalls, take the MTR to Polam, get off at the end of the line, then walk to Tseung Kwan O Village. Follow the Little Hawaii Trail next to village houses beside a rotunda. Villagers will readily direct you to the trail if you ask for help.
For those coming from Tsuen Wan, take KMB bus 290, 29A or
290X and get off either at Ma Yau Tong Village and take
From Kwun Tong, take KMB 93A, 93K and 98A and alight at Ma
Yau Tong bus stop and then take
Alternatively, hikers can get off at
 |
| Call us! |
 |
| CALL ME! |
 |
| Call us now! |
 |
