This is my first time posting a blog with pics directly from my phone, so not sure how to get captions next to the pics. Guessing on the html. Anyway, let’s give it a go! On my Hong Kong layover I decided I was going to explore and get a little exercise at the same time. I’d always heard of the Midlevels escalator system, the longest in the world, but had never been. You can follow the signs after exiting Central MTR station exit D2. I got lost for about 5 minutes then backtracked and found the entrance (hidden in a mallish building) but you probably won’t. I have no sense of direction and am too easily distracted — “squirrel!!” — especially when in a new and fascinating neighborhood. I definitely want to return to Midlevels, so many places to eat and drink! Any recommends?
The escalator isn’t one long continuous one like I assumed, consisting of several sections, so not as cool as I expected, especially the parts that were under construction, forcing me to stair climb, lol, but was a blast rising hundreds of feet up through great neighborhoods, expensive high rises, and markets where the servants were socializing and gathering fixings for that nights meal, hopping back on the escalator with baskets of produce. A whole other world unto itself, think: urban Ewoks. 😉
Shots of the escalators, the few that weren’t blurry, the things are pretty swift:
After reaching the top of the escalator I started walking even higher, and found a sign that gave two choices to reach the Peak ( clearly meant for others like me who thought this would somehow shorten the hike –HA HA–) Left turn to climb via Old Peak Rd. “1.0 hr and steep” or via Hatten Rd to Old Peak Rd “.5 hrs longer, slightly less steep, and more scenic”. Okay, is there any question about which way sounded better?? Hatten Rd it was. Turned right and looked for the sign. About 20 mins later (yeah, gotta add this to that 1.5 hrs) turned left and started the climb. It was steep but not terribly so and the last quarter is almost level, woo hoo! It was beautiful even though the weather wasn’t cooperating, misty and windy, but I’ve been up the Peak before and on a clearer day it’s spectacular.
At the summit is some of the most expensive real estate in the world:
I poked around the Peak for a bit thinking I’d relax with a cold beer, but the weather had turned too darn cold up there. So I decided to grab Thai food and a cold beer down at sea level after taking the tram down. Even though it was oh so hard to leave without a big hearty bowl of purple glutinous soup! 🙂
Next time if the weather is nicer I’ll hike down via the Pokfulam Reservoir Rd, there are signs and it looks really pretty.
