Urban Hiking: Stanley to Repulse Bay

Something new I discovered is that you can walk through from Stanley to Repulse Bay via some beautiful little trails.  If we had more time, we could have also walked over to Deep Water Bay.  I don't know the exact route we took, but it was a great urban adventure.  

Some great finds:

1.  Here's a shot of a beautiful creek that was right down the hill from some apartment complexes.  It looks like we're in a proper wilderness.

2.  We walked down one trail and found a bunch of creatures of the forest wandering around.  It was like walking through one of those OTHER lands in a fairytale:  Like the land of wandering creatures...

3.  Besides walking along the roadside, we found some great paved trails.

4.  I envy the spectacular view that these people wake up to!

5.  And, lastly, we found some interesting plants out on our urban hike.  I felt like I was exploring a rainforest or some place exotic because I don't normally see these things in Yuen Long.

Prior to my friend suggesting this hike, I had never thought about spending the day hiking and ending it at the beach.  Along the urban hike, I actually made a list of reasons why this was such a good idea:

1.  you sweat it all out and then jump into the ocean to cool down,
2.  you can walk under a canopy of plants, which feels a lot cooler than walking along the roadside,
3.  you can treat yourself to pizza or something at the end if the journey
4.  and it's a great activity to experience the Hong Kong outdoors.

I want to plan another hike, which ends at the beach...and have a proper lazy beach day afterwards!

Getting to Stanley

My mother visited Hong Kong in the 1970s and fell in love with Stanley Market!  So we went there to see how much it changed for her.

Stanley is a really great little area on the south of Hong Kong Island.  The area has quite a few areas to explore:  beaches, the market, historical buildings/temples, and a boardwalk of restaurants.  It is quite the tourist attraction.  It is also quite a far ways from Kowloon, where my parents are staying.  Being far is an ideal excuse for riding some of the awesome forms of transport that Hong Kong has to offer! 

Transportation "Itinerary"

1.  MTR Train Ride

---> To Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Station

From TST Exit L6, you can follow the Star Ferry signs to get to to the TST Star Ferry Pier.  

2.  Star Ferry Ride

---> To Central Ferry Pier

There are only a few places where the TST ferries go, so it is easy to locate where the Central ferries are.  For over a decade, we've been living in Seattle, so my parents are pretty used to riding the Seattle ferries out to Bainbridge, the San Juan Islands, Victoria...  They quite enjoyed the Hong Kong ferry.  Heck, I still enjoy riding it when I can.

3.  Double-Decker Bus Ride

---> To Stanley

From the Central Ferry pier, it is about a 10 minute walk along the sky bridge to get to IFC Mall and Exchange Square II.  From Exchange Square II, catch any bus to Stanley (6, 6A, 6X, 66, 260).  It's a good opportunity to ride on the upper deck of the bus, for those of you who are only graced with one deck city buses.  BE WARNED:  The roads are windy and you will feel it more on the upper deck. 

We spent the morning wandering the Market, which opened up pretty early.  Though I was just here a few weeks ago, there always seems to be something interesting to find.  For one, I had never thought to actually check out the Murray House.  I knew there were restaurants there, but I found myself really amazed at the view from the upper decks, mesmerized by the architecture, and dazzled by the history.

Murray House

Prosciutto, cheese, olives

Moth

Beautiful pizza

We spent a few hours roaming the markets and walking around to see the beach area.  After lunch, we headed back into town.

4.  Mini Bus Ride

---> To Causeway Bay

From Stanley Beach, ask around and you can find the Mini Bus which takes you into Causeway Bay (Mini Bus 40).  The mini bus makes me feel like I am a doll riding in a toy bus, which is being "driven" by a toddler.  WARNING:  The ride may make some nauseous, but it is fun to experience...makes you stronger!

5.  Tram Ride

---> To Central

The terminal of Mini Bus 40 is on Tang Lung Street (in Causeway Bay).  From here, walk out onto Hennessey Road and you'll see the tram rails.  You can take a right or left to the nearest tram stations, then catch the tram heading Westbound (towards the Western Market, Shek Tong Tsui, or Kennedy Town). 

NEXT STOP ---> To Wherever Life Takes You Next

Other Hong Kong modes of transport to try:

1.  The Peak Tram

2.  The Cable Cars of Tung Chung 

3.  Jumbo's Floating Restaurant out in Aberdeen

4.  The Sampan around Victoria Harbour