“Along with the President” Series #7: Lion Rock Night Hike

18 March 2017

The “Along with the President” first-time night hike was held on 17 March 2017. President Simon S M Ho and Mrs Ho, 16 students, a few staff and three PE Unit colleagues departed from HSMC at 6:30 pm for their nocturnal trip to the Lion Rock. The team set off from Shui Chuen O Estate, Shatin, where they started to make their way to Sha Tin Pass Road. The team then walked uphill to the entrance of Lion Rock Country Park and stopped a while for a break, where they shared their unforgettable travelling experience of the past.

Despite the mist and the few rain patches and that many trails required headlamps for lighting, the spirit of the team was still high as most students were first-time night hikers. After a few snapshots at Lion Pavilion, the team treaded along the rugged MacLehose Trail section 5, which trails across the mid-slope of Lion Rock, while overlooking the night view of Kowloon Peninsula. The team rested briefly again at the Reunification Pavilion, chit-chatted for a while, and finally reached the Lion Rock Park at Chuk Yuen Road. The 7-km hike took around 3.5 hours to complete and was concluded with the President having late night snacks with students and staff together at around 11:30 pm in a traditional “mushroom pavilion” (“dai pai tong”) in Wong Tai Sin.

Throughout the journey, all participants enjoyed the night view of the city and serenity of nature. Students were also eager to share with President Ho bits and pieces of their university life at HSMC, and discussed with him on issues like career planning and the Chief Executive election. Some students expressed that they enjoyed the hiking experience with the President and hoped that further activities to enhance communications with the President would be organised in the future.

President’s Office

Arriving at the entrance of Lion Rock Country Park

Arriving at the entrance of Lion Rock Country Park

Excited about the first night hike

Excited about the first night hike

Venturing into the dark

Venturing into the dark

Chit-chatting while also taking a rest at Lion Rock Country Park

Chit-chatting while also taking a rest at Lion Rock Country Park

The mist and light rain did not dampen participants’ spirit

The mist and light rain did not dampen participants’ spirit

Overlooking the night view of Kowloon Peninsular from Lion Rock

Overlooking the night view of Kowloon Peninsular from Lion Rock

Enjoying late night snacks together in a “mushroom pavilion” (“dai pai tong”) in Wong Tai Sin

Enjoying late night snacks together in a “mushroom pavilion” (“dai pai tong”) in Wong Tai Sin