Chapter 52 "Hong Kong Odyssey"

"Hong Kong Odyssey" "Hong Kong Roaming", written by Highwood, published by Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post" in 1938 (GSP Heywood: "Rambles in Hong Kong"). This small book published more than 30 years ago was originally intended as a reference for those who like mountain climbing and outings. However, due to the great changes in the natural appearance of the New Territories in Hong Kong over the past few decades, some of the situations described in this book situation, not only is it unrealistic, but some environments have long since changed beyond recognition, or even do not exist at all.

Here it is.But also because of this, reading this book now, making a comparison between the present and the past, is rather inspiring. Have fun.Because this "Hong Kong Odyssey" is not really a book like a tourist guide, but It is the author's experience of outings and mountain climbing on weekdays due to his personal hobbies, with what he saw along the way. The natural scenery along the way, as well as the description of flowers, trees, birds and animals, are written into several short travel notes, which constitute the book. What he described in the article was of course the actual situation at the time, but when we read it decades later,

On the contrary, there is another sense of past and present, which produces a kind of historical interest.This book is composed of twelve short essays. 1. Praise for walking, 2. Overview of the natural features of Hong Kong and Kowloon, 3. Tai Mo Shan, 4. Kowloon mountains and sand Tian, ​​5, Ma On Shan, 6, east to Mas Wan, 7, Tolo Harbor and Noisy Forest Niao Xiaogang, 8, Indus Hill With the border, 9, Lam Tsuen, Ping Shan, etc., 10, the western foot of Tai Mo Shan, 11, Hong Kong, 12, Lantau Island. The book also includes a map and several illustrations. As mentioned earlier, due to the different situations in the past and present, this book is not an actual reference for sightseeing, although

It has lost its function, but at the same time it adds a kind of historical interest.As introduced in Chapter 8, the From Shatoujiao to Shenzhen, the experience of climbing Mount Wutong.Wutong Mountain is outside the border of Hong Kong, but More than 30 years ago, tourists crossed the boundary line of Sha Tau Kok and entered China to visit Wutong Mountain. What difficulties encountered.But today, the border is tough and strict, and Hong Kong residents can't even go to Sha Tau Kok. Go, let alone cross the border to visit Wutong Mountain. In addition, in the second chapter of this book, there is an altimeter of the peaks in Hong Kong and Kowloon, such as the highest Tai Mo Shan, the third grade of high school.

One hundred and thirty feet, the second is Phoenix Ridge on Lantau Island, 3065 feet high, and the third is Ma Anshan, 2,261 feet high, is a useful reference.The most famous on Hong Kong Island Victoria Peak, only 1,770 feet high, ranks eleventh.