So, on the first full day I was in Hong Kong, I ascended The Peak, as it's called - the mountain behind the skyline on Hong Kong Island that is as much a part of the world image of Hong Kong as is the skyline and the harbor. I started climbing at about 3 in the afternoon, hoping to be at the top early enough to have a great diurnal view of the city, but yet not have to hang around at the top for terribly long to see the skyline from above at night. However, due to weather, it didn't work out exactly as I had hoped.
I was aware that there was a train that went to the top of The Peak. However, as I like to just walk around and get a feel as I go when I go to a new city instead of using maps, I didn't find the tram until I was 3/4 of the way up. It was quite a steep climb on a drizzly afternoon, so it wasn't easy, but it was beautiful, and I'm quite pleased I did it this way. The trail up the side of the mountain offers many great views, and it's quite pleasant to walk through the jungle after the hyper-capitalist environment of the city.
I met this guy on the trail up.
The railway, which I finally found 3/4 of the way up The Peak. This is how well prepared and smart travelers get up the mountain, but not me! Ha ha! But, as I said, I don't regret making the climb.
One of several small cascades on the side of The Peak.
After a serene walk through the jungle, this is what greeted me at the top - shopping malls! Ugh! Guess I shouldn't have been surprised - this is Hong Kong, the capitalist paradise, after all.
The Peak Tower - six floors of shopping, with a great view. Kind of looks like something out of Star Wars.
A view of some buildings and the harbor. Also, you can see a bit of the jungle on the mountain.
A large cargo ship coming into Victoria Harbour, and some trees.
The other side of Hong Kong Island. A lot of people don't realize just how much green space there is in Hong Kong.
The top of IFC #2, Hong Kong's tallest building, sticking above the clouds as if it were Everest.
Another view of the Harbor.
The skyline, with a Chinese Lion in the foreground, at a Chinese Pavilion on top of the mountain.
This was the best and clearest view of the city I had the whole time I was at the top. I was hoping it would stay like this until after nightfall.
However, the clouds started to roll in...
And by sunset, that same view looked like this. Bummer. No night view of the skyline.
An excellent law that I wish existed in Bangkok.
Another lion, more buildings, and more clouds.
This was the fog on the trail when I started to walk down the mountain.
And then the mist was pretty thick. So, I decided to give up and take the train down, since it was dark, wet, and slippery. Bummer. So it goes.
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