Since digital became the norm, it's quite convenient to flip through photos on your computer or mobile device. You may be one of the many users of social media and familiar with a feature on Facebook that shows you a post you made or were tagged in from the past. "Ah, I remember when we..." went here, did that - that was fun, we should go again...
Since my friend Joey has been back in town after moving to the UK, we have had get togethers with other friends and end up reminiscing about past outings together with the children when they were young. She had one such memory pop up on FB, then tagged me to ask when we could go again. This past post was about camping.
Actually, I wanted to go during Fall break, but was recovering from a cold, so didn't go, although did enjoy a day hike to Long Ke Wan.
I saw the post and figured why not - let's just go, all the gear was in the apartment. Except for a stove, that is. I have an ancient one left in the garage in California, but never needed one here since others had or we camped at Chong Hing Watersports Centre - a Leisure Cultural Services Dept (government) facility that runs watersports training at the on-site (unfortunately no swimming allowed) reservoir. There is a function room, drink vending machines, BBQ area with lighting, picnic tables, grassy field, basketball court, covered benches and other seating, running water for showers and washing dishes, water boiler tap for drinking, microwave, refrigerator, and a resident manager and security guard. Tents, sleeping bags and mats are all included if you reserve campsites as well as a ride on the shuttle bus to/from Sai Kung. It's convenient and safe and great for young kids.
Needless to say, we have camped there many times. We would bring BBQ stuff for dinner and food including instant noodles, oatmeal, coffee, and tea bags for breakfast.
For this FB prompted, spontaneously agreed to camping, and since we couldn't leave until 4pm, we went by taxi to the closest, most convenient Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Dept, (also HK gov) campsite, Tai Mong Tsai, 4.5km into Sai Kung Country Park. Not far beyond is the gate at Pak Tam Chung blocking private vehicle entry. Paul drove down the single lane access road later to join us for BBQ, then left with Alex to sleep at home in comfy beds after playing with Paul's new gadget, a gimbal. (review by Alex)
Although there were no such amenities such as at Chong Hong, there was a gazebo/pavilion and nice BBQ areas and picnic tables, and a 170m walk up a slope to a public bathroom with flushing toilets (as opposed to porta-potty/chemical toilets).
We walked down the road after the taxi dropped us off, found a spot in the mostly grassy area to pitch the tent, claimed a table and BBQ area, then went for a walk to a little beach nearby to catch the sunset. The camp area was surrounded by shrubs and trees, but you could glimpse the water beyond.
We watched the few clouds change color and observed the sunlight glinting off jets flying overhead on the way to Chek Lap Kok. We walked back since dusk was fast approaching and saw Venus rising above our tent.
The friendly neighbor had a neat camp oven fueled with a butane canister and roasted a chicken, a tray of marshmallows and baked a cake for a camper celebrating her birthday. He also had a regular burner for other cooking. The group he was with only lit a fire in the BBQ/campfire area to keep the bugs away, not cook BBQ like us.
After the guys went home, Joey and I sat and talked in the dark except for the light pollution glow in the distance from town. We walked back up to the bathroom and decided to climb into the tent to bed around 11pm. We were drifting off listening to the rumble of motor boats and yachts coming back to moor in the breakwater below the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course when we heard other groups arriving - so late, but found out the next day they were securing spots for a group the next night as well.
Since I didn't have a stove we had canned coffee, banana bread, granola bars, nuts and fruit for breakfast and walked down to the water to watch the sun rise through the clouds. We sat on a retaining wall outside the fence surrounding the HK Sea Cadet Corps Nautical Centre and watched other early risers on the still water rowing sculls, SUP, and kayaks.
We saw rain on a mountain farther in the park, but went for a short hike - a climb up made easier with the path paved by stone steps until they ran out and turned to dirt at the top of Cheung Shan (165m) to look out over Port Shelter and Rocky Harbour. As we were climbing we could hear the buzz of motor boats pulling wake boarders and their instructors yelling through bullhorns. It was hazy, but still pretty - a wide angle view of the high above sea level waters of High Island Reservoir, over Kau Sai Chau and Sharp Islands across to the HK University of Science and Technology perched on a hill. It was warm so we sat for a bit enjoying the view and observing various pleasure watercraft going out for the day.
We walked back down all the steps and made it back just in time to pack up the tent as raindrops fell. We and others sheltered under the gazebo, and this "rain patch" as HK Observatory likes to call them, was over quickly.
Paul and Alex drove back to pick us up (click for footage) and we went to Sai King for dim sum followed by a walk along the waterfront to the village for coffee since we thought it might rain again. After sipping our Little Cove brews - espresso, macchiato, and Americano, we went to get Alex a Burger Deli burger and pineapple buns and iced milk tea from Sai Kung Cafe and Bakery for Paul. Since the bread was still baking, we went around the corner to Casa Tapas for Alex to sit and eat his burger at their alfresco dining area designated public use until the OSA license is approved.* Paul decided to give the business some business so ordered a local brew of a different sort - from Lion Rock Brewery. Final stop was some takeout for me - a barbacoa beef burrito bowl from the recently opened SK branch of Cali-Mex (forgot to take a photo). It was a pleasant few hours spent before the weekend crowds arrived to this little seaside enclave.
Joey was so happy her "crazy friend" could take her camping on such short notice. Here's a collage she made.
*Even though Casa has set up an alfresco dining area, it can't legally serve customers seated there until their Outdoor Seating Accomodation license is approved by one of numerous gov't departments including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Dept, so they leave the tables for public use and your food is to be served in takeaway containers if you order since washing dishes and cutlery is considered to be providing a service.
"Restaurants or bars that want to use open areas for alfresco dining must apply for an Outdoor Seating Accommodation (OSA) licence.
Applicants must meet several requirements in order to secure a licence, including hygiene, right of land use, planning, building safety, fire safety, traffic and environment.
Approvals must be obtained from seven different government departments – the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Lands Department, Buildings Department, Fire Services Department, Planning Department, Transport Department and Home Affairs Department – as well as the local community.
While a number of restaurants in Sai Kung have an OSA license and provide alfresco dining, many have been left waiting years for approval."
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