We didn’t get off to an auspicious start. I made a pig’s ear of the ramp that forms part of the crossing under the railway (Across the Tracks) and received a severe whack on the shin from a pedal as reward for my incompetence. Paula gave up without really trying, possibly because she’d heard my cry of pain. Once we’d crossed the Shum Chun River, we turned right at the point where Journey to the West turns left, and we soon found ourselves in an extensive area of farmland:
After a few kilometres, we passed a sign by the roadside. Having been out of Hong Kong for almost five months, my brain wasn’t programmed to read Chinese immediately, and Paula said nothing, but some 20–30 metres further down the road, it suddenly dawned on me what it said: “ice-cold soft drinks”.
Naturally, I developed a sudden thirst, so we turned back.
Stores like this are common in the New Territories, but this one had a couple of unusual features. The first was the pig, which, incredibly, turned out to be a family pet, although it didn’t have a name, unless Chu Tsai (‘Little Pig’) counts.
Behind the store, a small lagoon was being used to cultivate lotus, the roots of which are widely used in Cantonese cooking. Incidentally, in the end I didn’t fancy a soft drink and chose a can of cold beer instead.
Moving on, we could see what appeared to be an important building across the fields to our left. Possibly some kind of ancestral hall, I thought, although it didn’t seem to be in a particularly good state of repair. A closer approach confirmed my initial impression.
I would like to think that the Hong Kong government can find the money and skilled craftsmen to restore this building. It should not be allowed to decay further. We didn’t venture any further on this initial foray, because we had reached a busy road that I deemed unsuitable for cycling, but you can be sure that we’ll be back. Soon.
"the government had relaxed the access restrictions on what had formerly been the ‘closed area’"
ReplyDeleteIs it only open in Summer?
I can’t be sure about the reliability of any information I provide Tom. All I can say is that where we’ve been today wasn’t accessible at the beginning of the year, but I now expect it to remain open.
DeleteThat made a fascinating read, Dennis, not the least for inclusion of Chu Tsai!
ReplyDeleteChu Tsai was completely unexpected Uma.
DeleteDennis, thanks for sharing this special short trip to "buffer zone". I love the roots of lotus. Your photos immediately remind me the scenery in China, where I used to live, where the views were much open than here in east coast of America, where we see all tall tree walls standing in short distance (But I do appreciate what I got here, clean and fresh air, the color change of trees.)
ReplyDeleteThis is the scenery of China Yunyi. The ‘frontier’ is entirely arbitrary. I like lotus root too.
DeleteGreat photos, Dennis. Always exciting to explore new territory. A pig for a pet-is that something very unusual?
ReplyDeleteUnusual enough, Marty, that when we were introduced to Chu Tsai, I thought he was being fattened up to eat.
DeleteThat's an interesting old building. Any idea as to how old it is?
ReplyDeleteAt the moment no, Big D. It won’t be later than the nineteenth century and may be several centuries older. I’m on the case.
DeleteSorry to hear about the whack to your shin! That little pig is adorable. Is the building that's in disrepair some sort of temple?
ReplyDeleteMy own fault Kris, although the ramp is hard (I’ve managed it only three times to date). The building is an ancestral hall and is small by the standards of such things.
DeleteThe pig reminded me of Brian Mackay
ReplyDelete...except that the pig looks more intelligent!
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