Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

When most people think of Hong Kong, they think of that impressive skyline that is a marvel of modern urbanization. But what most people –including us, until recently- don’t realize is that Hong Kong is actually 90% green space. So much of Hong Kong can’t be developed because it's too mountainous. Therefore, Hong Kong has acres and acres of parks and preserves.

As exciting as the hustle and bustle of city living is, when you get tired of the urban grind –and you will get tired of the urban grind- you are only a train or a bus ride away from some greenery.

Sunday afternoon, the four of us traveled to Kadoori Farm about an hour away. Kadoori Farm was a functioning farm from 1951 to 1972. It was a cooperative started by two British brothers to help the Chinese refugees pouring into Hong Kong after World War II.

Today, it is one part demonstration farm, one part zoo, and one part public park. The most noteworthy thing about Kadoori Farm is that it is built on the side of a mountain so that the land had to all be terraced.

After four weeks of trying to negotiate life in go-go Hong Kong, it was refreshing to hike in the shade of trees and follow the man-made paths as they zig-zagged back and forth across the mountain stream. The hike was replete with multiple waterfalls and numerous inglenooks for intrepid travelers to rest their weary feet.

We were not being ambition in our hike up the mountainside. We were simply wandering and exploring as the spirit lead, so we only saw a portion of the park/farm. But it was good to be back among nature and away from the trains and buses and crowds for a few hours. It was a good way to recharge before the busy work week ahead.

We left enough of the park unexplored that we will have to plan another trip back to the farm –perhaps when you’re here visiting.

The trip was also noteworthy for another reason. Up to this point, we have been content to accept invitations from more seasoned Hong Kong dwellers and follow them to the beach or into the city. Sunday afternoon at Kadoori Farms was the first time our family made a day-trip in Hong Kong completely on our own.

And we lived to blog about it.

-Jack