Running up Tsz Wan Shan (慈雲山)

To be more accurate, I ran from Hung Hom to Tsz Wan Shan, up Shan Tin Pass Road (沙田坳道).  

Along the way, I passed Hau Temple (侯王廟).  This is not a temple honouring the Monkey King, even though some people had made that erroneous association because 侯 (marquis) looks and sounds like 猴 (monkey).  Rather, it is a temple honouring Mr. Yeung (楊亮節).  Yeung was a relative of the emperor of the Southern Sung Dynasty (宋端宗趙昰) when he was pursued by the Mongolian army (元軍) through Hong Kong.  As a reward for his loyalty, Yeung was given the rank of 侯 (marquess). After his death, the local people honoured him as a 王 (king).  Hence the a temple honouring him becomes 侯王廟.

There is a real temple honouring the Monday King, on the north eastern corner of Tsz Wan Shan.  I had been there on one of my other runs. 

Passing through one of the housing estates, I came upon a common sight in Hong Kong - an old lady in a wheel chair, attended by her helper, in a park.  What would we have done without these helpers?  Who would take care of these elderlies?  And the children?  Cook and do the house chores for so many families?   On the other hand, these helpers send a lot of money home to Philippines, and Indonesia.   But it also deprive many families of the mothers.  It is complicated.  

Running up Shatin Pass Road is hard.  The incline can be as steep as 8 to 12 degrees.  I was amazed to see a number of people cycling up and down Shatin Pass Road.  Amazing stamina.  Admirable determination. 

There are many tiny streams of water by the road side along the upper stretches of Shatin Pass Road.  

Many people come here with big and small bottles to collect the water.  Can this be considered mineral water?  Is it safe?  

It is strenuous work running (actually it was mostly walking towards the end) up Shatin Pass Road.  But if you persevere, you will be rewarded by impressive sights.  Imagine the whole Kowloon and even part of the Hong Kong Island opening up under your feet.  

It is worth it.  You can also drive here.  But it would not be so much fun.  It would also much less satisfying.  

I contemplated continuing up to the Lion’s Head.  But I was just too tired.  And I had promised to go home to have lunch with my wife.  So that must wait for another day.