Tuesday morning, I woke up with a goal; I was going to climb to the top of Lion Rock.
Lion Rock is a peak that overlooks Wong Tai Sin and is shaped like a lounging lion.
Can you see the lion?
This is a picture of it from the metro - it's a far hike
There isn't a metro that drops you off at the bottom of the trail (unfortunately), so once I got to Wong Tai Sin, I started walking UP. As in, pretty much straight up the steepest hill I've ever climbed. Up, up, up, for about an hour and a half. By the time I reached the bottom of the mountain, I was basically on my hands and knees crawling through pools of my own sweat. Little old Chinese women with canes were passing me by, not so discreetly giggling at my agony. Later, I realized that they probably thought it was hilarious that I wasn't even a quarter of the way through my journey and I was already hyperventilating.
As I finally reached the bottom of the mountain, there were a lot of pipes bringing run-off water into small pools where people where washing their clothes, stretching and cooling off from the scorching summer heat and humidity.
About an hour later (still uphill), I reached the bottom of the trail to Lion Rock. It's a miracle I made it there at all, given the psychotic, reckless drivers doing their best to run me off the narrow mountain rode at every turn.
FINALLY reached the beginning after over 2 hours of climbing uphill
Before stepping up onto the hiking trail, I was halted by a sign warning of wild monkeys and what to do if approached. Naturally, I thought, "Aw! Monkeys! I want one!"
Monkeys travel in packs of about 200
The journey to the top was steep, treacherous, and riddled with disgusting creatures. Wood planks, one on top of the other help to guide you and ensure you don't slide right back down with every step. After an exhausting hour, I was nearly ready to turn back. The spiders were the size of my fist, moths larger than my hand and swarms of bees were lurking around every turn. But I needed to make it to the top - I had come this far. Another 30 minutes of climbing, I couldn't breathe and then the storm clouds came rolling in. I thought I might be able to make it to the top and back down before the thunderstorms started, so I kept going, even more determined to make it to the top.
Still about an hour from the top, I stopped to take this video. The wind was picking up and once the thunder started, I'd basically have to head back down as soon as possible, so I wanted something to document the trip.
Shortly after filming this (and catching my breath) I began hiking again (up up up!). It started drizzling for a bit and then the path flattened out (thank you!). Trees grew over the trail to protect me from the rain. Then I heard the rustling and the screaming - monkeys. As exhausted as I was, I suddenly had a bolt of energy and RAN like I have never run before. The whole thing was like the scene in Snow White when she runs through the evil forest. I was sure I was going to be attacked by a monkey, as snake, one of the beetles the size of NYC metro rats, or some other creepy crawler. I admit it was an overreaction, but I was so tired and delirious, I was quite certain that this mountain was going to eat me alive.
Then the path cleared, the rain stopped, and I finally reached the sign that would take me to the peak.
The end is near...
Almost there....
About 25 minutes later....
FINALLY!!
As I sat at the edge of the peak and looked out at the view - the water, the islands, the surrounding mountains - I was breathless. I just can't understand how people can look upon such magnificence and still deny that there's a God. That's something I'll never understand. I do know, though, that I never would have made it to the top without Him.
The view was well worth it
After spending some time on the top celebrating and getting my nerves together, I headed back down. The way down was way easier (and faster!) and I was so happy to be getting off that scary mountain that I was practically running the whole way. I pretty much blacked out the entire thing and before I knew it, I was back at the bottom of the trail.
I stopped in here to ask for some water. I was given a water and a ginger beer :)
Even though I couldn't wait to get home (which would still be another hour-long downhill walk and three different trains) and into a hot shower, I was still feeling quite proud of myself and very accomplished.
No comments:
Post a Comment