MCM College places high importance on students maintaining good health, exploring wellness practices, and practicing healthy habits as part of their approach to a keeping a healthy lifestyle. On Sunday morning, Associate Master, Dr. Manuel Noronha and three freshmen members set off on a one-day hiking trip in Hong Kong.  The group was met by their hosts in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong at 9:30am, and quickly made their way up Mount Parker Road (stopping at several historical checkpoints) before heading down toward Tai Tam Reservoir.

                             

                               

As the group followed the trail from the foot of Mount Parker Road, they stopped to see the remnants of the Mount Parker Cable Car site, also known as the Taikoo Aerial Ropeway. Group guide, Mr. But Ho Ming, a retired planner in telecommunications and information services, explained to students that it was Hong Kong’s first aerial tramway system which was in operation from 1891 to 1932, transporting staff and families of the Taikoo Sugar Refinery from Quarry Bay to a hilltop sanitarium at Quarry Gap between Mount Parker and Mount Butler.

                                           

                                           

As the group reached the next check point, students saw the first set of wartime kilns, which have been well-preserved. Mr. But pointed out that Communal kitchen stations were set up to feed the influx of refugees that entered Hong Kong during the initial stages of the war in1938. At the far end of these kilns, students were intrigued by another wartime kiln: an old Japanese war tunnel. 

The group continued on its trek and soon descended to Tai Tam Reservoir. Students marvelled in awe at the natural lush greenery, and took pictures of the Tai Tam Reservoir from a distance. The historic Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Masonry Aqueduct was built in 1907, and today, those same bridges are still functional as a way to cross the upper reservoir.

The hike took a little over three hours, to complete, and covered a distance of nine kilometers. It was as much an educational experience in both learning about the history of Hong Kong as well as its cultural heritage sites.

Click to follow the route: https://youtu.be/Nn6IBL-oNbQ

“Yesterday, I participated in a hiking activity in Hong Kong organized by the college. It had been over a decade since my last visit to Hong Kong, so I was very excited and curious about the dramatic changes that have taken place there. After meeting up with the group, we started our journey. Along the way, the seniors in the group introduced us to the history of Hong Kong. I was really impressed by their extensive knowledge reserve.

Different from ordinary mountain climbing, we didn’t choose the relatively easy steps but advanced by stepping on gravel and branches. It was more challenging but also more interesting, just like we were doing mountain cross – country. After walking a bit further, there was a winding flat path. Although the sun was scorching, there were large areas of shade and cool breezes along the way, so I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I saw many people walking and running on this path, and couldn’t help but sigh at the strong sports atmosphere in Hong Kong. Although the altitude was only 300 meters, when I finally reached the top, I just felt really great and relaxed. Next came my favorite part of the journey, the downhill path. Since the road was quite steep, we rushed down the mountain uncontrollably. There was no distinction of profession, age, or gender here.

Everyone was just an independent individual on the move, so you could feel completely relaxed and free. I was deeply impressed by the scenery in front of me. Having been under the pressure of study and work for so long, this rendezvous with nature allowed me to empty my mind of all thoughts and feel the purification of my soul by nature. Looking at the scenery as beautiful as a painting, I even felt quite touched: I’m grateful to be born in this world, to be able to see such scenery and experience such a life.

The group members were all very warm – hearted. Although it was our first meeting, I didn’t feel awkward at all. The seniors were very caring and considerate towards us. It took me 12 hours from the time I left school until I got back to the college, but I think it was a very precious and happy experience”.

Zhu Xuchen

  “This morning, I arrived in Hong Kong with professors and students from the college. We went hiking in Quarry Bay with local professors and students. During the hike, the professors told us many historical anecdotes about the Taikoo Company in the Quarry Bay area. For example, the public kitchens in the mountains were a solution devised by Taikoo Company and the Hong Kong government during World War II to address food shortages. Later, on the way down, the professors took us to see Hong Kong’s breathtaking reservoirs. “Hong Kong is a water-scarce place, but it is precisely because of the construction of these reservoirs that generations of Hong Kong people have been able to survive,” they said, their words reflecting their emphasis on and care for the reservoirs. This made me understand the true meaning behind these things. After descending the mountain, we sampled local Cantonese cuisine. The unique flavors were incredibly delicious and left a deep impression on me, a northerner new to the area. Although I was tired today, I finally learned about Hong Kong’s history and saw the warm hospitality of the Hong Kong professors and students. Tired but happy”.

LI XINZE (Oscar)

“Today I participated in a hike in Hong Kong, which took over three hours and covered nearly 10km. This hike was incredibly meaningful to me. From the very beginning, the robust professors took an unconventional route. The uneven path was more exciting than the usual mountain trails. When I embarked on that unique route, I realized that breaking with convention was exactly what I aspire to. Along the way, a history-loving professor explained the history of the route to us: an abandoned cable car line, stone stoves built by families to share meals during times of food shortage, and dams constructed to solve Hong Kong’s water shortage problem. Through the professor’s explanations, the images of people helping each other and striving for survival seemed to come alive before our eyes. The 10km hike wasn’t just a mountain trail, but a historical one; we followed in the footsteps of our predecessors, seeking the meaning of history. Now I’m back in my dorm resting, but this trip, and the warm and sincere professors, have left an indelible mark on my heart”.

Francisco Hou