Three Fathoms Cove (Kei Ling Ha Hoi) from MacLehose Trail Hong Kong 1990
A few weeks ago I found this excerpt from my walks journal (Tuesday 10th April 1990) describing our stroll along the footpath beside Three Fathoms Cove. * (see Travel Journals) Its Cantonese name is Kei Ling Ha Hoi. I remember well that I had a busy week ahead at work. I was Deputy Principal of Bradbury Junior School on Hong Kong Island. It was good to get out in the fresh air to relax before a hectic week in school.
The road from Shatin to Kei Ling Ha Hoi and Sai Kung beyond was opened in 1988. Before that date the only way by road to Three Fathoms Cove was a long detour via Sai Kung. However it was possible to walk around the headland on a footpath under the slopes of Ma On Shan. Ma On Shan known as the saddle-back mountain is one of my favourite peaks in Hong Kong. At 702 metres (2,303 feet) it dominates the inlet of Tolo Harbour. Over our time in Hong Kong I did several watercolour paintings of this dramatic peak.
I particularly remember a walk with a class of children from Beacon Hill School (early 1980's) during an outdoor residential visit. It was before the new road to Kei Ling Ha Hoi was opened. Our walk with the children turned out to be an exciting and eventful day! We were walking on a footpath through a thickly wooded area below the slopes of Ma On Shan. Suddenly we were aware of rustling and movement in the bushes next to us. Without warning several gurkha soldiers popped up in full camouflage, helmets covered in leaves and jungle face-paint! I don't know who was more surprised. They smiled said hello and moved off into the undergrowth.
A few minutes later we were shocked to see a chinese kung-fu fighter, dressed in ancient chinese costume, literally fly overhead! The children couldn't believe their eyes! We had stumbled across the filmset for a kung-fu movie. The actors were leaping in the air performing dramatic kung-fu acrobatics having bounced off trampolines to gain height. These actors were doing their own stunts. Incredible! It turned out to be a more dramatic educational visit than originally planned.
I have uploaded my travel journal writing about our walk at Kei Ling Ha Hoi in 'Travel Journals' in 'Beyond the Sacred Mountains'.
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Have a great week-end!
Regards
David
* Photo of 'Shaolin Blur' by Brad Ross
* Photo of 'Camouflaged Gurkha' by army.mod.co.uk-gurkhas