Normally, a Hong Kong headline starting with the phrase ‘CY Dives…’ will be about opinion polls and the Chief Executive’s latest plunging therein. So it is a surprise to see 
these words today on the front page linking Leung with aquatic sports – specifically a suggestion he has made about creating a swimming area in the harbour near Central.
I’ve long thought an artificial beach in this location would be great. Paris, after all, has done it. Even if the practicalities are daunting, it’s a good idea in principle. Better than some stupid Ferris wheel. But it seems CY and I are alone – nearly everyone instinctively detests the proposal. And the aforementioned opinion polls make it clear why. He is so loathed that anything he says, however reasonable or sensible or fun, is met with derision.
In order to get away from this constant negativity, what better than a hike in the countryside? So off I go up Devil’s Peak in Lei Yu Mun. This is part of the Wilson Trail, and visitors can start off by consulting an informative map…
As you go up the hill, you will see Hong Kong’s nature in all its glory, from Jurassic-era rock formations to our many varieties of plucky, vividly green shrubs…
Under the eaves of a small shelter by the path, we find wasps’ (or hornets’ or something icky) nests…
And more geology in the raw – in this case, I think, a fine specimen of granite…
So nice to get away from our city’s problems for a few hours.
I saw similar graffiti on the trail between Pokfulam Reservoir and Aberdeen on the weekend. Don’t worry, it will all be covered up when the country parks are finally given to developers.
Perhaps harbour paddling could become Hong Kong’s new tourist attraction. It would even benefit residents, who could enjoy watching locusts bobbing about, dodging ferries and ingesting a smorgasbord of microbes.
Headache, Your cynicism, although of course realistic and therefore welcome, doesn’t go far enough.
A new 700 ft “village” house is currently being built within Plover Cove Country Park (not in an “enclave”); and three or four more are apparently being planned beside it.
Where is that PD? On the path down the valley from Wu Kau Tang? I know the area well and shall investigate further.
Those “down with CY/689” graffito (is that the plural?) are all over the place.
Your Chinese calligraphy is coming along.
Headache, if you want to “enjoy watching locusts bobbing about”, go to any public swimming pool during the summer. Last year there were so many that the lifeguards threatened to go on strike.
My Cantonese is very limited. Can someone enlighten me?
I get the CY Ha Toi. (Also seen on the Olympic Trail, Lantau).
I understand 689, of course. I also can guess that ‘7’ is homophone for something rude… I know one or two expressions involving ‘chut’.
But D7? Wotsit mean? Please give it to me straight… if you’ll pardon my phrasing.
A hiker, In Kai Kuk Shue Ha. From the cafe you can see the foundations, a yard or two from the sea, which add a good hundred square feet for good measure. Work has stopped for a while because it’s reportedly partly on government land.
@kinch
http://www.ejinsight.com/20150126-what-is-all-the-big-fuss-about-d7689-anyway/
@MS thanks! Something new learned, and I can sign off on Wednesday.
All this wish for jumping off, and yet it’s not Lufsig or his gang of vampire cut throats doing the jump.
http://www.ejinsight.com/20160309-another-boy-jumps-to-death-in-tin-shui-wai-ng-calls-for-meeting
Eddie is still busy shuttering schools, and cramming more students into each public class room so he can lease out ever more locations to private “international” for-profit schools. The notice to vacate just went up on the gate of another public elementary school in Taipo, the site doomed the school and it’s student body – it has an excellent view of the harbour, and a green campus. Just the thing to attracts those sort of international brat-breeding parasites that like to think of themselves as elite expats.
A Hiker
Grafitti is the plural, graffito is the singular……
I love to go a-wandering
Upon the Devil’s Peak
And as I go, I love to read
Political critique.
CY fuck! CY screw!
Carved on every wall and stone,
And then I feel my hope renew
Knowing I am not alone.
And as I chant those subtle words
And hike the mountain track
My heart is soaring like a bird’s,
My rucksack on my back.
I love to go a-wandering
With walking-stick and hat
And as I go I love to sing,
I’m a democrat!
@WTF
Which school in Taipo is vacating? Thought they’ve stopped killing off schools these days.
By “international” he means mainland bratlings. By “elite” he means corruption gains and possible CCP ties. By “expat” he means not HK permanent residents. Yet.
I’ve just noticed from the photo at the top of the column that Xi who must be obeyed has fat little fingers even smaller than those of The Donald.
What does that tell us about other parts of his anatomy?
Alas, we shall probably never know.
Sad, really.
Hospital wards are full. Sure because your average Hong Konger views every minor ailment as a reason to clog up the hospitals and get bags of antibiotics to sell on the black market or to pee out and flush into our waterways.
Ko Wing Man should send some folk around to EU to announce that the local Café de Coral or MacD’s is giving away free chicken wings or something.
Then jump out of the way as the ‘patients’ rush for the doors to form a queue down the road for the goodies. Only the genuinely sick would be left behind and they could then hop into the available beds.
How about giving out free Doctor and Nurses figurines?
Another crisis resolved, fees by cash cheque to the Bright Ideas Fund please!
Thanks PD. Thanks Henry!
At the deep end: CY’s swimming plan put to test
Linking here for greater posterity. RTHK English actually tried a bit of investigative journalism.