#Shek O Road

[greenbagjosh]

Day 1 - 9 November 2003 - Flight to Hong Kong from SFO terminal "A"

Sunday 9 November 2003

Konnichiwa, Ni Hao and Ola!

Today marks fifteen years since my visit to East Asia, particularly the Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions of China, plus a partial day at Tokyo Narita airport. Actually I would not stop at Narita until Thursday 13th November 2003. This would be the first time in my adult life, and so far it is the only time, that I would cross the international date line. You may have heard in the news about the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge that was opened recently. When I visited in November 2003, this was not even an idea (at least to most US citizens) that this could be built. Without crossing into the PRC, the only way to go between Hong Kong and Macau, was by boat.

I would like to break up my visit into four parts as there is so much to tell.

- 9th to 10th SFO to HKG nonstop, coach from Chek Lap Kok airport to hotel via Kowloon, 7 Eleven at Queen's Road West near Hill Road (Shek Tong Tsui district).

- 11th Breakfast at hotel, Hong Kong to Macau ferry, lunch on Coloane, St Paul cathedral, and ferry back to Hong Kong, with a journey on the MTR subway and tramway back to the hotel.

- 12th Breakfast at McDonald's, bus to Central, Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen, MTR to Sheung Kwan O, Tung Chung and Kowloon

- 13th Minibus to HKG airport, flight to Narita, afternoon and "beef bowl udon", flight to SFO, arrival the "same day"

Let's start with why I went to Hong Kong and Macau and back via Narita. Instead of my usual journey to Europe as I did in August of that year, I was suggested to give Hong Kong a try, and not worry that I speak very little Mandarin or Cantonese. United Airlines at the time, had a special package of roundtrip airfare to Hong Kong, three day's accommodations and offers of touristic interest for a good price. I had to renew my passport from 1994 as it would expire in any case.

Sunday 9th November was my flight, nonstop from San Francisco Terminal A to Hong Kong. It was in a Boeing 747 and in the economy class when economy class at least had decent legroom. Before the flight, I wanted to try some "congee" with shrimp. Congee is a savory rice porridge, about the same consistency as an average bowl of Quaker Oats. A little soy sauce can give it a nice flavor.

I think the flight departed around 1:10 PM Pacific. It would not arrive in Hong Kong until at least 8 PM the next day (Monday 10th November), so that makes the flight about 15 hours long, not quite as long as a flight from the US west coast to Auckland, New Zealand. On the plane, you cannot automatically perceive crossing the international date line. At the time, the 747 did not have individually controlled entertainment in economy class as a 777 would, it was all centralized, I have no idea about the situation in business or the still-existent first class. I remember watching four films in total, including "Whale Rider" from New Zealand, I remember distinctly that traditional Chinese subtitles were on-screen for that film. During the flight there was a snack and then supper. At some times, the flight attendants would serve Chinese tea, where you would not add sugar or anything else, just tea leaves and hot water.

It seemed like for the most part, the day went on "forever", until the plane approached Japanese airspace - and then the 9th turned into the 10th, kind of like it's 4:30 PM on the 9th, and then suddenly it's 4:31 PM on the 10th, that's what crossing the international date line westward sort of feels like. The sun was getting low, and the plane made a southwest turn, to just touch the eastern Chinese coastline for the next two hours. As the plane approached Hong Kong, the sun set and the sky was getting dimmer. The plane touched down about 7:30 PM. Everyone alighted the plane to be processed by Hong Kong SAR customs.

If you remember Autumn 2003, you might remember the SARS epidemic. SARS was defined as "severe acute respiratory syndrome". The epicenter was Hong Kong, and Macau also was taking precautions to minize the effects. At passport control, you had to make a declaration that you had to state your health condition, namely stating any health symptoms if any, in addition, there were body temperature sensors, to make sure that travellers did not have a fever. The Hong Kong entry passport stamp allowed US Citizens a visa-free stay of 90 days, I think Macau it was down to 30 days. After passport control, I had to go to the baggage claim and meet the tour bus that was booked in addition to my hotel stay. While the tour bus had not yet arrived, I went to the MTR sales booth to buy a subway pass. It was called the "Octopus Card", and allowed three days of unlimited subway travel, plus a HK $200 stored value for bus and trolley rides. It even could be recharged at the local 7 Eleven stores for cash. I withdrew about US $ 100.00 to start, and I think the rate was around US 1= 8.20 HK. The Macau Pataca, I would find out, would be at par with the Hong Kong dollar, and local banks would be reluctant to exchange Hong Kong dollars for Patacas. More on that in the following chapter.

The bus came around 8:30 PM and the bus dispatcher had to tally up who was staying in Kowloon and who was staying in Hong Kong Island. The bus drove along Route 8 which passed through Tsing Yi, Disneyland Hong Kong, Tsing Yi and ended up in Kowloon. The bus dropped a few people off somewhere along Nathan Road or some side street closeby. Then the bus went under Kowloon Bay in tunnel to Queen's Road West, though the bus made a stop after leaving the tunnel. I did not arrive at my hotel until at least 9:30 PM. I was staying at the Novotel in the Sai Wan district, which currently now is the Hotel Jen. There was a McDonald's and a 7 Eleven store close by. For maybe $ 6 US, I bought a couple of curry buns (pulled chicken or pork) and a can of Sprite and a bottle of Lucozade. And I topped up my Octopus Card for bus fare if needed later.

My room was on the 22nd floor, and I think the outdoor pool was on the 25th floor. My room did not have the best view but it was okay. I had a room looking at the ramp of Hill Road, leading to Connaught Road. The room had a remote control to control the radio, TV, alarm clock, and many things imaginable. The bathroom was pretty much similar to those I knew in the US, Canada and Europe. Electricity was the same as in the UK, namely the "G" type plug. I found the next day that Macau also uses the "G" plug. I did not watch TV but I had my Aiwa HS JS 479 and could listen to and record the local stations, most of them were in Cantonese, there was also the BBC World Service in English.

I think I went to bed about 11 PM after enjoying my curry bun and Sprite. The bed was firmer than most that I remembered, was not too bad. Somehow or other, I thought, if the hotel has a free shuttle to the Hong Kong-Macau ferry terminal, why not go? I did not plan to visit Macau but thought, as long as I am in that part of the world, there was no better time to go. Looking back 15 years on, I am glad I did.

So that was all for the 9th and the 10th November 2003. Next chapter, ferry ride to Macau, and views of its Portuguese past.

Thank you and good night!

謝謝，晚安！! (Xièxiè, wan'an!)

Obrigado e boa noite!

ありがとう、おやすみなさい! (Arigato, oyasuminasai!)

[strongitsalifestyle]

Hong Kong Adventures

4 days 2011

Day 1July 24 Hong Kong airport

I checked in to the Stanford Hotel situated beside Ladies' Market, located in Kowloon in one of the most colourful and vibrant areas of this lively, cosmopolitan city. Stanford Hotel Hong Kong is well served by public transport. It is just a few minutes' walk to the MTR Station as well as the Mong Kok East MTR Station, which connects to Mainland China. The Hotel offered complimentary scheduled shuttle bus service to Hung Hom MTR Station, Airport Express Kowloon Station, China Hong Kong City Ferry Terminal and Stanford Hillview Hotel.

I decided to take a stroll around the area to checkout my surroundings. I wondered into Kowloon park where I viewed many sculptors.

Right around the block from my hotel was the Ladies Market. This massive Mongkok street market is one of the best spots in the city to pick up a bargain. Find T-shirts, cheongsams, silk pyjamas, chopsticks, handbags, belts, hair accessories, toys, and more.

I found many malls around the area. Def amazing to see international brands in another country. Dinner at the mall!

DAY 2 Shek O Beach and Mainland Hong Kong

I found Breakfast 2 blocks from my hotel and made this my daily breakfast on the go spot!

Hong Kong is very tourist friendly, I was on a mission to find a rock formation that I found in a tourist book. It didn’t have an address or directions on how to get there but I was confident that I would locate this place. The only piece of information I had was the name, Shek O VillageRoad.

To my amazement everyone spoke English. A mother and daughter let me know that they were required to take English I’m school. They directed me to the correct train station.

When I arrived at the station the train workers helped me to figure out the train number to board.

When I got to my destination the bus driver pointed to a path. He said to walk up the path and I would find it. To my amazement I had found a beach! It was hotter than the mainland, I had wish I brought my bathing suit.

Shek O Beach is probably one of the most scenic and popular beaches on Hong Kong Island. It might be on the southeast end of the island, but it’s still relatively easy to access and is often the first beach that anyone new to Hong Kong visits (well at least I did). It’s literally a glimpse into the other side of Hong Kong, the side without skyscrapers.

I then viewed the house I saw in the Tourist Guide book, I had reached my destination!

I continued down the path to see if I could find the rock formation that was pictured in the guide book but to my surprised it was more than that rock image! Definitely was not prepared to see what I was about to see and I was so glad I ventured out to find it!

I took the bus and rail back to the mainland. Next stop The Peak Tram is a funicular railway in Hong Kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. The journey takes approximately 8–10 minutes and is a visual experience to remember, as skyscrapers glide past at what appear to be impossible angles while the tram makes its ascent. The Peak Tram passes six stations in order: Garden Road, Kennedy Road, MacDonnell Road, May Road, Barker Road, and the Peak. The lower terminus is at Garden Road in the Central, while the upper one is on the third floor of the Peak Tower on the hillside.

Before I head back down I had lunch at the bubba shrimp co Reaturant & Bar. With many days eating just Asian food I was happy to have a salad. When I got back down I walked over to visit St. Peter’s Cathedral the oldest Catholic Church in Hong Kong. The headed over to the Center.

Stopped at the Madrain Hotel turn off to dinner at Yung Kee (Chinese: 鏞記) is a Chinese restaurant located on Wellington Street in Central, Hong Kong. It is most famous for its roast goose.

Day 3 New Territories, Tap Mun & Big Buddah

Subway MTR to The ferry pier which was located at Science Park and University in between Shatin and Tai Po. Ma Liu Shui is an area in Sha Tin District, in the New Territories, Hong Kong.

www.traway.com.hk

Grass Island or Tap Mun is an island in Hong Kong, located in the northeastern part of the territory.

We found a 400-year-old temple with an altar, and legend has it that it is connected by a hidden tunnel to Tap Mun Cave on the opposite shore of the island but we didn’t see one.

We found a hiking trail with stairs, when we got to the top we were able to take in the views! On the way down we encountered a cow. As we were walking pass it, it ran ran after us. What a scary moment, but we were able to laugh about it later!

Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddah)

Ngong Ping Lantau Island, in Hong Kong

Set on Lantau Island, the most enjoyable way to reach the Big Buddha is via the Ngong Ping Cable Car from Tung Chung MTR station.

You are also about to take a 2.5 to 3.5 hours hike and the cable car back to the station or catch a bus for the return trip. We decided to take the Cable Car round trip, which was a 30 min ride.

It is totally free to visit the Big Buddha, however, we would recommend making a small contribution to their donation box as a kind gesture, as the Big Buddha Phuket was built entirely from donations.

The Big Buddha, also known as Tian Tan Buddha, is famed as the most iconic attraction of Lantau. Sitting next to the Po Lin Monastery, it is only a 10-minute walk away from Ngong Ping Village. The majestic outdoor bronze Buddha statue sits solemnly atop the peak of Mount Muk Yue.

We climb up 268 steps to reach the three-storey pedestal to visit the Buddha and enjoy the boundless views of Lantau and South China Sea.

Day 4 Victoria Harbour Mainland HK & Stanley Beach

Victoria Harbour is a natural channel separating Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula to the north. With a glorious location in the South China Sea, the harbor is one of Hong Kong’s top tourist attractions thanks to its historical significance (it was one of the British Empire’s biggest military and trading ports) and the fact it offers gorgeous views of the Hong Kong skyline.

A prime way of experiencing Victoria Harbor’s allure is by riding the award-winning Hong Kong Star Ferry, which carries passengers between Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side and Central and Wan Chai on Hong Kong island. The 20-min journey will provide you with the most spectacular views of Hong Kong,

You can also take in the beauty of Victoria Harbor from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. This alluring promenade starts at the Star Ferry Terminal, where the historic Star Ferry departs from, linking Tsim Sha Tsui with Central Hong Kong. The ride is considered one of the top things to do in Hong Kong, as it offers the most dramatic views of the city.

We passed by the Floating Restaurant, Tai Pak Sea food. In June 2022, the city's iconic tourist attraction, Jumbo Floating Restaurant, left Hong Kong waters and capsized at sea while on its way to Cambodia for storage – a shocking news.

Stanley Village & Beach

MTR Central Station Exit A / MTR Hong Kong Station Exit B1 to Stanley Village Bus Terminus Stanley has been a fishing village since before the British came to Hong Kong.

Stanley is a village in Hong Kong Island’s Southern District, where many of Hong Kong’s top beaches can be found. Visitors to Stanley will find a well developed beachfront before them, with a gorgeous promenade and a host of western-style bars and restaurants lining the waterfront. The village also has two beaches: Stanley Main Beach and St. Stephen’s beach.

Next stop: Ritz Carlton, Kowloon

Occupying floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, is the highest hotel in the world.With spectacular views of Hong Kong skyline; looking out to the Hong Kong city, harbour or Victoria Harbour view at 490 metres above sea level.

LAN Kwai Fong LFK

Lan Kwai Fong is one of Hong Kong's most popular nightlife hot spots and home to over 90 restaurants and bars. The atmosphere ranges from stylish wine pairings to raucous jelly shots and the food on offer is as diverse as the clientele.

Day 5 finally tried the sushi and took my hotek shuttle to the airport!

[chrancecriber]

Radio SunLounge Romania (April 12, 2023)

23:55 Lemongrass - What You Believe 23:50 Vargo - The Moment (Original Mix) 23:43 Alexsandro Da Silva - Possible Dreams 23:38 Naoki Kenji - E-qualize 23:34 Gary B - The Moon 23:29 Smooth Gravity - Best Day Of My Life 23:25 Paradise Airlines - Nassau Beach (Paradise Chillout Mix) 23:20 Chris Le Blanc - Beyond The Sunsets (Ibiza Late Night Mix) 23:15 Tanka - Sink 23:12 Ingo Herrmann - Nature View 23:08 Axel B - Dark Lights 23:03 Floor - Whispering (Original Mix) 22:58 Norman Doray - Chase The Sun (Musica Feliz Ibiza Beat Remix) 22:53 Krystian Shek, Surya - Pasadena (Marco Wellisch Remix) 22:48 Noel - Chalito (Ibiza Chillhouse Lounge Mix) 22:42 The Sura Quintet - Spring Equinox 22:37 Groovecatcher - Cafe De La Plage 22:37 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 22:33 Monodeluxe - Devotion 22:27 Midnight Stroll - Nux 22:23 Marc Hartman - Silhouettes (Original Mix) 22:20 Clara Hill Meets Georg Levin - Just Paradise 22:16 Israel Medina - Stepping Out 22:11 Blank & Jones - Beyond Time 22:06 El Segundo - Blue Marlin (Juan Padilla Serve Chilled Remix) 22:01 Puch - Playground 21:57 Liquid Motion - Silent Running 21:53 River - Find Me 21:49 Pensees - Intro 21:45 Karen Souza - Dreams 21:38 Nalin & Kane - Beachball (Andry Meets Schalli @ Monkey Island Remix) 21:35 Sweatson Klank - Brilliant Blue 21:30 Leonard Sign - Sea Of Shinas (Beauty Atmosphere Mix) 21:25 Michael E - Bliss You 21:18 Sunyata Project - Pi Lo Chun (Extended Mix) 21:15 Carl Kennedy - Room And Ripple (Boutique Mix) 21:11 Vibrasphere Feat. K. Linder - Tierra Azul 21:07 Deeper Sublime - Japanese Garden (Original Mix) 21:02 Solar Moon Feat. Jen - Inside Out 20:55 Tetris - Two Hours 20:50 Pier - O - Fermer Les Yeux 20:46 Nina Simone - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair (Jaffa Remix) 20:45 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 20:40 Shivana Faction - Talking In Whispers 20:36 Inertia & H-Tray - Get Higher (Chill Mix) 20:32 Dudley Perkins Feat. Jhelisa - Friendly Flowers (Simon S Special Blend) 20:27 Eddie Silverton - Cooling Aims 20:23 Marie Therese - White Air 20:17 Jens Buchert - Aurora Dub 20:12 Marc Hartman - No Escape 20:08 Sunset Boulevard Project, Marc Hartman - Sweet Freedom 20:07 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 20:01 José Padilla - Maybe The Sunset (Feat. Lydmor) 19:57 Lazy Grooves - Secrets (Original Mix) 19:53 Eddie Silverton - Untouched Beach 19:48 Climatic - L'horizzonte 19:44 Nor Elle - Deep Breeze 19:39 Florian Fai - Rooftop Martini (Original Mix) 19:34 Zenyatta - Swimming Into Vibrations (Ibiza Downbeat Vocal Mix) 19:30 Jizz Jazz - Lost In Your Eyes (Cool Cut Mix) 19:25 Johannes Huppertz Feat. Twila. Too - To Les Mots 19:22 The Dining Rooms - Dreamy Smiles (Radio Version) 19:17 Vargo - The Meaning Of Life 19:12 Jane Maximova - A Straw 19:12 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 19:07 351 Lake Shore Drive - Ocean Blue (Cafe Ibiza Edit) 19:02 Afterlife - Far Away (Feat. Juanita Grande) 18:57 Rainfairy - For A Moment (Sunset Kandi Lounge Mix) 18:52 Jazazamor - Tonight 18:47 Airstream - Chillin' Guitar (Trippin' Mix) 18:44 Beacon - It Won't Be Long 18:40 Anthony Island - Promets 18:35 Faro - Subtle Land 18:35 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:30 Ray Clarke - Other Nature (Phunky In Space Mix) 18:26 Sandra - The Art Of Love 18:20 Weathertunes - Road Trip 18:16 Five Seasons - Endlessly 18:16 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:10 Vladi Strecker - Contemplation (Meditation La Mer Mix) 18:07 Soulchef - California 18:03 Milosh - Another Day 17:57 Bulb - Impossible (Original Mix) 17:51 Dubdiver - Surya Mangalam 17:47 Federico Aubele - La Esquina 17:42 Perfect Sin - Mamadi 17:37 Lazy Hammock - One Of Those Days 17:32 Xerxes & Phoenix - Silence Arise 17:27 Alphawezen - Speed Of Light - Soehngen Remi 17:22 Triangle Sun - Holy Ground 17:19 Strehlow Feat. Aylior - Ocean Alley 17:15 Terrafunka Feat. Lazy Hammock - Good Inside 17:11 Anam - Precious 17:06 Ganga - Skyscraper (Original Mix) 17:02 Blank & Jones - Pure Shores 17:02 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 16:58 G-spliff - I Know 16:53 Paul Hardcastle - Chillstep Echoes (Feat. Maxine Hardcastle) 16:48 Freelander - Autumn Mood 16:43 Pat Appleton - Cloudless 16:39 Lounge Vargos - Follow My Dreams - Sunshine Mix 16:34 Suntheca Prod. - Beleza 16:29 Kuba - We Can Still Learn (Original Mix) 16:27 Enigma - Piano Moods 16:24 Sparkee - Home 16:19 Soulstice - Andromeda 16:13 Solarflow - Come Into My Space 16:08 Ambray - Carousel 16:03 Cupsurfer - Finishing The Boat 15:58 Marga Sol - Goodbye 15:51 Mandalay - Beautiful (7 Canny Mix) 15:50 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 15:46 351 Lake Shore Drive - Forever (Feat. Genius Jane) 15:41 Triangle Sun - Tonight 15:34 Bobby Deep - An Onion Can Make People Cry 15:27 White Flag - The Light In The Distance (Darjeeling Banghra Mix) (Feat. Mkay) 15:24 Leonardo Bortolotto - Redford (Original Mix) (Original Mix) 15:19 Caibedo Island - Catching The Thoughts (Original Mix) 15:13 The Man Behind C. Vs. Magica Fe - Words 15:09 Paul Hardcastle Feat. Maxine Hardcastle - Dreamin 15:04 Dub Mars - Could It Be Real 15:00 Soul 'n' Soda - What Kind Of Woman (Amazon Mix) 14:58 Night Lovers - Struga 14:52 Mirage Of Deep, Améthyste Spardel - I Hear Dreams (Five Seasons Remix) 14:52 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 14:46 Noise Boyz - Supernatural (The Man Behind C. Edit) 14:42 Lazygrooves - Secrets 14:37 Openzone Bar - Kamome (Feat. Airily) 14:32 Miraflores - Get The Sunshine 14:28 Late Night Alumni - Epilogue 14:23 Jasmon - Delight 14:20 Vincenzo - Today 14:16 Wet - Lately 14:16 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 14:13 Mozambo - Hurt & Soul 14:08 Marc Hartman - Love Can Save The Day (To Roberto Concina) 14:03 Marga Sol - Violet Colors 13:55 Dido - Worthless 13:55 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 13:50 Rue Du Soleil - Angel Eyes 13:45 Trio Eletrico - Wandance Paris 13:40 Cafe Americaine - Mango Muffins (Yachtclub Cut) 13:36 Waldeck - So Black & Blue 13:32 Raul Paz - Mulata 13:27 Steen Thottrup - Satellite (Feat. Denver Knoesen) 13:21 Manyus Joan Eta - The Road 13:16 Cities Of Foam - Without You 13:16 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 13:11 Atb Feat. Melissa Loretta - White Letters 13:07 Benirras - Ghost In A Bottle 13:04 Paulsen & Stryczek - Kim & June 13:00 Karen Gibson Roc - We Can Shine Together 12:59 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 12:56 Stj Feat. Liba - She Believe 12:52 M-seven - Unspoken 12:48 Thievery Corporation - Until The Morning 12:42 Frank Borell - Icarus (Electric Slide Mix) 12:37 351 Lake Shore Drive - All Around Me 12:32 Imada - Sonhos 12:27 Loop Fruit Split - Rain Reason 12:21 Space Tourist - Astro Chat (Milkyway Cut) 12:21 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 12:18 Mo' Horizons - Dance Naked Under Palmtrees 12:13 Marga Sol - Beautiful Morning (Seven24 & S.a.t Remix) 12:09 Roberto Sol - Won-'t Give Up - Cafe Del Mar Mix 12:04 Marga Sol - Come And Love Me (Original Mix) 11:59 Gary B - Serendipity 11:54 Crookram - I Saw You 11:49 Funkorama - Funkachild 11:43 Escapism Refuge - Fly Away (Feat. Charli Brix) (Synkro Remix) 11:39 Johannes Huppertz - Seven Sences (Original Mix) 11:34 Roberto Sol - Nube De Agua (Feat. Ines Prados) (Extended Mix) 11:30 Collective Sound Members - Do It Like That 11:25 Sean Hayman - Sleeping In The Sand (White Clouds Mix) 11:20 Gary Butcher - Stronger Love 11:16 Thunderball - Dub Science Feat. Zeebo 11:12 Living Room - Space Traveller 11:06 Kusuma Orchestra - Nightfall 11:06 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 11:00 Schwarz & Funk - Fallen (Bossa Mix) 10:54 Titiyo - Come Along (Naid Remix) 10:50 Velvet Lounge Project - Hidden Treassure 10:45 Florzinho - The Indian 10:41 Velvet Lounge Project - Dime Que Hacer 10:37 Newton Feat. Twila.too - New Beautiful Life 10:33 Maximus & Trilogy - Du Ar (Original Mix) 10:30 Davinci - Love Me 10:29 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:25 Luorchestra - Caribbean Green (Original Mix) 10:21 Cantoma - Talva Lumi 10:16 Late Night Alumni - Moonwalking 10:11 Naoki Kenji - Sunset Beach Club 10:10 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:06 Ritual - Josephine (Feat. Lisa Hannigan) 10:02 Weber & Weber - Melody Of Love 09:59 Lisa Rose Harrison - Paint It Black 09:56 C.cil - Sunset 09:55 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 09:52 Amour Fou - J-'aime Comme Tu Rit (Original Mix) 09:47 Schiller - Dancing With Loneliness (Feat. Kim Sanders) 09:42 Stereo Gringos - A Weekend In Barcelona (A Walk On The Beach Mix) 09:36 Green Lemon - Voz Interior (Meditation Mix) 09:33 Jahzoviy - Memory 09:28 Gushi - Check Me Out 09:23 Double Wave - Psychedelic 09:20 Emilie Simon - Desert 09:19 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 09:14 The Man Behind C. - Wherever I Go 09:10 Late Night Alumni - This Is Why 09:04 Eventual Groove - Simeiz 08:58 Sunyata Project - Pi Lo Chun (Extended Mix) 08:53 Marga Sol, Movox, Deeper Sublime - Noname Story 08:50 Beanfield - Chosen (Feat. Ernesto) 08:45 Don Gorda - A Taste Of You 08:41 Headstrong - Love Until It Hurts (Original) 08:40 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 08:34 Loft Tapes - Tears Shrieking 08:29 Mahoroba - Chimes In Motion (Passion Cut) 08:22 Lounge\andreas - The Outlands 08:20 Il Greco - Nippon Horn 08:19 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 08:13 Vincent Vegas - Via Del Sol (Canyamel Mix) 08:10 Urban Phunk Society - Siesta 08:07 Luigi Seviroli - Smoke & Mirrors 08:02 Schwarz & Funk - Cala Llonga (Original Mix) 07:57 Real Meets Unreal - Unending Fields 07:53 Sade - Lovers Rock (Album Version) 07:48 Levitation - More Than Ever People (Alex B. Smoove Remix) 07:43 Kama - Incanto D'amor 07:42 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 07:37 Left - Under The Water (Feat. Sethe) 07:34 Stina Nordenstam - Winter Killing 07:28 Philip Aniskin & Alexsey Krapotkin - Sexorica (Original Mix) 07:22 Charles Webster - The Gift Of Freedom (High Skies Mix) 07:17 Kyau & Albert - Meteorite 07:15 Duane Alpert - Cool Experience (Laurent Paradise Mix) 07:10 Blank & Jones - Pure Shores 07:05 Yaima - Gajumaru 07:00 Hacienda - Sabor 06:54 Jen Meets Kieser Velten - Together 06:49 Jens Buchert - Melange Electrique 06:44 Riccardo Eberspacher - Freedom Feat. Glove 06:38 Afterlife, Calladine - Clear Blue Sky (Blank & Jones Remix) 06:33 Morcheeba Ft. Stereophonics - Enjoy The Ride 06:28 Afterlife - Falling 06:23 Paul Hardcastle - Slippin Away (Feat. Maxine Hardcastle) 06:18 Waldeck - You Only Live Twice 06:15 Koresma - Bridges 06:08 Aandra - Baak Waa 06:04 Jon Hopkins - Second Sense 06:03 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 05:57 Artur Bayramgalin - To Be Free 05:50 Triangle Sun - Karelia (Original Mix) 05:45 Gary B - Step Into The Sunshine 05:39 Jp - Juice - Cette Planete (Sushi Club Remix) 05:33 Logophilia - Pod Of Dolphins 05:27 The Man Behind C. - Como Aire Cristalino (Latin Mix) 05:23 Capa - Freezing Moon (Capa Remix) 05:17 Silky Wave - Under My Skin 05:13 Wine & Dine - Sunset Thoughts (Original Mix) 05:09 Cataldo - Do It All Night 05:05 Dmitry Leeo & Nils Holgerson - Gluboko Feat. Nils Holgerson (Dub Mix) 04:59 Beach Hoppers - Bit By Bit 04:59 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 04:55 Night Cruzer - The Nightcruise 04:50 Pnfa - Water Path (Original Mix) 04:44 Mario Gamez - Blackfriars (Original Mix) 04:40 Emma Hewitt - These Days Are Ours (Zetandel Chill Out Mix) 04:34 Jp - Juice - Cette Planete (Sushi Club Remix) 04:30 Yota - Mirror 04:26 Basti M, Brockman Feat. Nic - Live Your Life (Free Your Mind) (Brockman & Basti M Sunset Mix) 04:24 Katano Beat - Miss 04:24 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 04:20 Soulavenue - One By One (Feat. Shaheen) 04:14 Planet Lounge - Shiva Dance 04:08 Sol 2 Soul - Miss You 04:01 Arnica Montana - Sea, Sand And Sun 03:56 Living Room - Maui Pie 03:49 Pnfa - Modules 03:45 Brook Sapphire - Wave By Wave 03:39 Frontera - A Baia (Original Mix) 03:34 Lemongrass - Mystery 03:28 Astrobase - Tuesday (Original Mix) 03:25 Marga Sol - Goodbye (Pianochocolate Remix) 03:19 Slo - Birds In The Cage 03:17 Ikarus - Ocean Of Joy 03:14 Alice Shelton - Jumping Lounge 03:09 Lounge Armada - Seaside 03:04 Roberto Sol Feat. Ines - Tu (Original Mix) 02:59 Afterlife - Breakfast At Benirras 02:55 Dt8 Project - Hold Me Till The End (Lounge Edit) 02:51 Soma Sonic - Could It Be Real (Remix) 02:46 Deeper Sublime & Eriq Johnson - Femme Fatale 02:46 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 02:42 Nasser Shibani - Time Chase (Original Mix) 02:35 Andreas - The Outlands 02:30 Mehdi - Steps To Paradise 02:24 Hello Meteor - Night Distance 02:19 Max Melvin - Event (Sunset Mix) 02:14 Vanessa Ekpenyong - You & I 02:10 Spiritual Soul - Green Coffee - Ethereal Mix 02:06 Florentine - Feels Like (Ibiza Beach Mix) 02:06 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 02:01 Area Code 51 - Chanchamayo 01:54 Tosca - Dave Dudley 01:49 Phazz Ibizarre - Exotic Journey (Sunset Cafe Mix) 01:43 Ian Pooley & Rosanna & Zelia - Me Leve 01:39 Ihf Feat. Jenni Potts - Senseless (Original Mix) 01:34 Collioure - Inshore (Original Mix) 01:27 Gold Lounge - Notes From The Depth 01:22 Chad - Understanding 01:17 Afterlife - Dub In Ya Mind 01:14 Anthony Island - Promets 01:08 Marc Hartman - I Can-'t Stop 01:03 Lounge Generation Feat. Namara - Inner Voice 00:58 Omnimotion Feat. Aleah - Days Of Silence 00:52 D. Batistatos - Homeless 00:48 Derail - Freedom - Deep Mix 00:44 Anthony Hicks, Melody. - Chase The Sunshine (Feat. Melody) 00:44 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 00:39 Sweet Velvet - From Within (Sensual Soulful Cafe Buddha Mix) 00:34 Chillbirds - Breaking Out (Beach Mix) 00:30 Sandra - First Lullaby 00:25 Bite My A - A Lonely Place 00:21 Roberto Sol & Chris Le Blanc Feat. Ines - Ahora 00:15 Euphonic Traveller - Cafe Champs Elysees 00:10 Trinah - Every Day 00:04 Weathertunes - Happy Birthday (Feat. Wawa) (Original Mix) 00:01 Ikarus - Secrets Of Tantra

[stewartgoeswalkies]

Section 8 of the Lantau Trail

Introduction SGW is pleased to have received this report and photos from our friend and contributor, David Muir on his latest hike on Lantau. The Route and Getting to the Start The 13.5-kilometre route starts at the Shek Pik Reservoir and follows the catchment road and footpath around the southern coast of Lantau before turning northwards towards Tai O. This is another route that I did in the…

[jupiter-bringer-of-jollity]

Toyota, GR86, Shek O Road, Hong Kong by Daryl Chapman Photography Via Flickr:

[spottingplants]

Macaranga tanarius spotted at Headland Road, Shek O, Hong Kong, on 14/10/2017. Also known as “elephant’s ear”, or “heart leaf”, this plant is easily recognised for its road and veiny leaves.

[rockyhlwong]

原來條路去到哥連臣角道係咁短，但 80% 係上斜，加上天氣熱，真係跑到沮喪。點解以前可以覺得咁 L 輕鬆嫁！？😭😭😭 #sounfit #getbackintoshape #quitdrinking #quitsocialsmoking #他一個人 #一個人戀愛 #大浪灣 #bigwavebay #bwb #行山 #hiking #trekking #跑步 #running #jogging #減肥 #點解咁撚肥你食野求撚其 #alonenotlonely #❤️ #感恩 #活著多好 #活在當下 (at Shek O Road) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_jqwRLDTbh/?igshid=wwcjxai3wmsw

[eternal-ego]

KKP, Hong Kong & A Short Summer Getaway In Between

Hong Kong,

Hong Kong,

Hong Kong.

I never thought that one day i’ll be visiting Hong Kong, and it was all because of KKP. Kuliah Kerja Perencana or Planning Field Trip is actually one of the elective subjects in Urban and Regional Planning program which every year have different themes and destinations. This year, we went to Hong Kong with the theme Urban Renewal. It takes so much efforts for us (the committees) to plan our trip and all the material, there were so many pros and cons in the process.

It was a 5 day trip including all the commuting activities, and a total of 3 day on Hong Kong. We have such a hectic and packed schedule for every day. Me and some of my friends extended our trip to a 7 day trip in total. It was such a very precious memories. We were clumsy here and there, but we were full of laughter and full of kaki copot. 

And this is a video dedicated to my first ever Hong Kong trip that mostly consist of pictures (bcs I never planned to make a video in the first place! lol).

for all the time we spent together, for all the peking duck we ate together, for my friends that make this trip happens, for all the blood, sweat and tears drops and for my own keepsake! xoxo

If someone asks me, "Will you go back to Hong Kong?". I will answer, "Yes!! Definitely!!"

HARI PERTAMA

23 Juli 2017 

 Hari pertama kita adalah pada tanggal 23 Juli 2017, hari itu seperti biasanya, adalah hari yang cukup panas di Jogja. Kita mengenakan korsa merah kita dan menunggu didepan rumah makan cepat saji yang kebetulan logonya juga berwarna merah, hehe. Kalau diingat-ingat rasanya aneh sekali, lebih dari 50 orang menggunakan korsa berwarna merah dan luntang-lantung di bandara sambil cekakak-cekikik. hihi. Tapi hari itu rasanya senang bukan main, karena hal yang telah disiapkan berbulan-bulan (bahkan lebih dari setahun), akhirnya terealisasikan juga. Rasanya seperti menahan pipis dan akhirnya ketemu toilet, hahaha.

Setelah cukup lama menunggu semua lengkap, akhirnya kita masuk ke dalam. Dan ya, seperti yang telah diperkirakan, ruang menunggu dipenuhi dengan korsa-korsa berwarna merah hahaha. Rasanya waktu berjalan sangat cepat, tak lama menunggu kita langsung berangkat menuju Changi International Airport, Singapura. Tapi, cepatnya waktu berjalan hanya hingga saat itu. Karena kita harus menghabiskan waktu semalam suntuk di bandara itu (karena flight kita selanjutnya pagi hari). Mulailah kami berpencar setelah menentukan titik kumpul nanti sebelum flight selanjutnya. Aku dan beberapa temanku memilih untuk mengitari terminal 2 bandara ini. Tak lama setelah bingung mau kemana lagi, kita memutuskan untuk menghabiskan voucher 20 SGD yang diberikan sore tadi dengan membeli makanan.

Ya, in conclusion, hari pertama kita habiskan dengan perjalanan yang (gak panjang2 bgt, tp lama bgt haha). 

HARI KEDUA

24 Juli 2017

Akhirnya kita sampai di Hong Kong International Airport dan langsung menuju tempat makan di bandara tersebut. Ya, benar sekali, itu adalah pertama kalinya kita makan bebek peking hahahaha. Pertama kali makan bebek peking rasanya gimana? seneng banget, enak rasanya, sampai berebutan :) HAHAHA. Kalau ingat-ingat semenjak waktu itu teman makan satu meja di Hong Kong hampir selalu sama orang-orang yang sama yaitu genk sumpit hahaha. Salah satu aksi genk sumpit:

Setelah makan kita melanjutkan perjalanan dengan menggunakan bus. Destinasi pertama kita adalah City Gallery - Hong Kong Infrastructure & Planning Gallery. Disana ada banyak hal mengenai perencanaan Hong Kong kedepannya, terlihat seperti exhibition dan galeri pada umumnya. Ada banyak hal yang didapatkan dari City Gallery ini. Pemandangan dari City Gallery ini pun sangat menakjubkan. Well, hampir seluruh pemandangan di Hong Kong seperti ini; lingkungan yang bersih, asri, banyak greenery, zebra cross dengan warna kuning (my fave!). In my opinion, pemandangan Hong Kong yang kayak gini bener-bener bikin kangen pengunjungnya. rapih. Ini salah satu foto yang aku ambil waktu itu, bener-bener bikin kangen mau lihat yang macem gini lagi hahaha.

Setelah dari City Gallery, kita langsung pergi ke tourist attraction seperti Victoria Peak (sampai mid level aja koq hahhaa), lalu ke Golden Bauhinia Square (ramai!!! tapi cantik!), 

Setelah sedikit ber-city tour ria, kita makan malam (Ya, benar, bebek peking lagi), lalu kita menyempatkan diri untuk menonton symphony of lights yang akhirnya hanya memberi penyesalan hahaha (gatau kenapa pertunjukannya tidak sesuai ekspektasi). Tapi malam itu pertama kalinya kita melihat nightscape Hong Kong, dan benar-benar indah. Seperti nightscape kota-kota metropolitan yang ada di pikiran kalian semua, penuh dengan lampu-lampu yang cantik. 

Dan akhirnya kita menyentuh kasur hotel setelah perjalanan yang panjang hari itu. finally. Malam itu, setelah selesai bersih-bersih dan beres-beres aku dan beberapa temanku mencoba mengeksplor kawasan sekitar hotel, tapi tak jauh dari hotel (literally gak jauh), kita langsung kembali lagi ke hotel karena sudah terlalu lelah hahaha.

HARI KETIGA

25 Juli 2017

Keesokan harinya, kami mengawali pagi dengan sarapan (iyalah) lalu langsung berangkat menuju Kowloon Park di Tsim Sha Tsui. Untuk apa sih? kita pagi itu memiliki agenda untuk survey lapangan, melihat gimana sih public spaces yang ada di Hong Kong. Kesan ku terhadap Kowloon Park; indah. Bagus! ruang terbuka yang benar-benar terbuka, semua kalangan masyarakat ada disana, dari anak kecil hingga lansia, turis hingga penduduk lokal, pekerja kantoran hingga buruh bangunan. Banyak banget kegiatan yang dilakukan di taman tersebut dan taman itu benar-benar menampung kegiatan sosial masyarakat Hong Kong, menurutku. Keren pokoknya, tapi sungguh hari itu benar-benar hari yang super duper HUMID dan PANAS. Alhasil, blood, sweat and tears hahaha.

Setelah puas menghabiskan waktu di Kowloon Park, kita lanjut ke Hong Kong Souvenirs Shop dan jewellery shops. Katanya, itu mandatory visit yang diwajibkan sama pemerintah Hong Kong ya semacam tempat beli oleh-oleh gitu deh pokoknya. Lalu kita melanjutkan perjalanan kita ke Central District, tepatnya di sekitar Queens Road. Kita menuju kantor pusat Urban Renewal Authority (URA) untuk melakukan audiensi disana. Karena kita datang lebih cepat dari jadwal, kita diberi waktu bebas untuk berjalan-jalan disekitar Queens Road. Tak lama, kita akhirnya memasuki headquarter URA dan menurutku, ini adalah salah satu tempat dimana kita mendapat banyak ilmu tentang urban renewal di Hong Kong. thx Mr. Mike! xixi

Setelah sesi audiensi di URA, kami pergi melakukan MTR Session. Ada dua kloter yang terbagi berdasarkan bus. Perjalanan MTR kami lakukan dari Yau Ma Tei Station ke Tsim Sha Tsui Station. For the first time in my life, aku menaiki MTR Hong Kong yang menurutku, sangat sangat sangat nyaman. Bahkan aku sebagai first timer, langsung mengerti bagaimana sistematika antar station, bagaimana cara menaiki MTR di Hong Kong. Sesampainya kita di Tsim Sha Tsui, kita solat di masjid Kowloon dan bersiap melanjutkan perjalanan ke Ladies Market. 

Benar, benar-benar tidak cukup waktu yang diberikan untuk belanja disana hahaha. bahkan sampai-sampai ada yang telat sampai ke bus. Untung saja kita masih menunggu waktu itu haha. Ladies Market itu kalau bisa dibilang seperti pasar tumpah, pasar tenda gitu. Banyak barang yang dijual disana, dari flashdisk lucu-lucu (awas eror haha) sampai ke kain pernak pernik khas Hong Kong ada disana. Harganya pun bisa ditawar, ya pokoknya persis seperti sebuah pasar pada umumnya haha. Tapi disana tidak hanya ada pasar tumpah, tapi ada outlets yang high end. Dari toko elektronik hingga toko kosmetik. Pokoknya Ladies Market itu surganya para pecinta belanja haha (terutama ciwi-ciwi). 

Setelah tepar (banget, ini kaki copot beneran disini), kita kembali ke hotel dengan hati yang fitrah (soalnya udah damai habis belanja HAHAHA). Malam itu setepar-teparnya manusia aku dan teman-temanku tidur.

HARI KEEMPAT

26 Juli 2017

Pagi hari tiba, kita semua sudah siap untuk check out dari hotel. Kita sarapan dan langsung berangkat ke destinasi akhir perjalanan KKP kita, yaitu Tai O. Cukup jauh perjalanannya, harus ganti bus untuk mencapai Tai O (karena ada bus khususnya). Kita ke Tung Chung Citygate Outlet untuk berpindah bus, disana seperti biasa kita sempatkan diri berbelanja (aku gak belanja kok, tapi temenku iya haha). Kita melakukan perjalanan lebih dari satu jam menuju Tai O. Jalan yang dilewati seperti jalan di pegunungan pada umumnya, pemandangannya sangat indah. Bahkan kita melewati Shek Pik Reservoir, benar-benar cuci mata perjalanan menuju Tai O hari itu.

Tai O sendiri adalah sebuah kawasan diujung Pulau Lantau, dimana terdapat sebuah desa nelayan atau fishing village.

Benar-benar, Benar-benar, Tai O adalah tempatnya musim panas.

Bau amis ikan benar-benar bisa tercium dengan jelas, matahari yang terik (super terik), angin semilir (literally) dan warna langit yang sangat biru benar-benar mencirikan musim panas yang kental. Ya, itu Tai O. Banyak mural-mural indah di dinding-dinding bangunan, banyak toko kelontong yang menjual ice cream, dan banyak sepeda berkeliaran disana. Menurut guide yang memimpin rombongan kita, Tai O memang sering dijadikan tempat berlibur di musim panas. Bahkan disana ada kapal yang dapat membawa mu untuk melihat lumba-lumba putih, sayangnya kami tidak menaikinya. Tepat di seberang Tai O adalah Macau, dan di Tai O ada sebuah heritage yang sedang dikembangkan yaitu Tai O Heritage Hotel. Hotel yang tadinya adalah markas kantor polisi pada abad 19. Indah sekali, bagus, cantik.

Dengan dominasi warna putih dibangunannya, dan ornamen-ornamen kolonialnya, hotel ini sangatlah indah. Yang tak terduga, kami dijamu dengan minuman segar dan makanan ringan! Tapi yang paling membuat kami ternganga adalah restaurant hotel ini. Pemandangan yang disuguhkan benar-benar indah, sampai-sampai aku tidak mau pulang rasanya hahaha.

Sebelum sampai ke Tai O Heritage Hotel, kita harus nyasar-nyasar dan jalan sangat (super duper) jauh dari tempat parkir bus. Ditambah lagi matahari yang sangat  (super duper) panas bikin kita semua benar-benar kelelahan. Karena itu, waktu pihak Tai O menjamu kita, kita senang bukan main hehe. Pokoknya, Tai O itu benar-benar destinasi terakhir KKP kita yang bikin kita makin gak nyesel pergi ke Hong Kong. One of a must visit place in Hong Kong. In my opinion.

Setelah dari kunjungan terakhir ke Tai O, kita kembali ke Citygate Outlet untuk tukar bus kembali. Disanalah perjalanan sesungguhnya dimulai untuk aku dan teman-temanku yang memilih untuk memperpanjang perjalanan kita di Hong Kong. Kita berpisah dari bus station dan melanjutkan perjalanan kita sendiri menuju penginapan yang telah kita booking (aku booking dengan modal nekat haha) di daerah Tsim Sha Tsui. Kita membeli octopus card dan menaiki MTR menuju penginapan kita.

Sesampainya kita di Tsim Sha Tsui, kita langsung menuju penginapan kita, di maridor mansion. Kita langsung tepar dan beres-beres. Karena kita berencana untuk membelikan titipan teman-teman (yang belum selesai belanja di ladies market kemarin) malam harinya. Sesuai rencana kita pun pergi ke ladies market, dengan modal pengalaman kemarin, terjadi proses tawar menawar yang cukup sengit malam itu. Tapi tak lama waktu kita habiskan disana, karena kita mengejar waktu (lift tempat menginap kalau lebih dari jam 12 mati, sedangkan kita di lantai 9 atau 13 aku lupa haha). Benar-benar malam itu kaki terasa copot se copot copotnya kaki bisa copot. Tapi malam itu kita benar-benar bahagia, karena senang lantaran berhasil memenangkan peperangan harga di ladies market haha.

HARI KELIMA

27 Juli 2017

Hari ke lima! hari yang sangat ditunggu-tunggu!! Tebak kenapa!!?

DISNEY LAND!! 

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Finally, ini sebenarnya adalah tujuan utama kita perpanjang perjalanan kita di Hong Kong. The real short summer gateway!!! Disney Land benar-benar pelengkap semuanya! Liburan musim panas yang sesungguhnya!

Pagi itu kita pergi membeli tiket Disney Land di tempat terdekat. Lalu kita bergegas sarapan di restaurant cepat saji yang ada ayamnya (if you know what i mean lol). Tak lama kita langsung berangkat menuju Disney Land menggunakan MTR, cukup banyak pindah line dan yang paling memorable adalah MTR terakhir menuju Disney Land! banyak ornamen-ornamen kepala Mickey Mouse di MTR itu! dari bentuk jendelanya sampai ke pegangan tangannya. Waktu kita pertama kali sampai, kita sangat-sangat bahagia haha (biasalah cewe) terus kita bingung gimana caranya foto berempat karena cowo-cowo belum pada dateng (mereka semua ngaret bzz). Akhirnya kita minta tolong stranger, mas mas untuk fotoin kita ahahaa yaaa lumayan ada muka kita berempat di satu foto (lol!).

Habis itu! kita langsung masuk ke dalam... pokoknya kita berambisi untuk masukin semua wahana yang ada di Disney hari itu. Kita gak akan pulang sampai Disney nya tutup hari itu hahaha. Akhirnya kita mulai masuk ke wahana-wahana, yang pertama waktu itu adalah wahana Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, semacam perang bintang gitu kalau di Dufan, but with buzz and more cool lightning! seru! Lalu kita ke Hyperspace Mountain, sumpah seru! semacam roller coaster tapi indoor dan gelap! haha, pokoknya pertama-tama kita muterin Tomorrow Land setelah itu kita ke Fantasy Land, terus lanjut ke Toy Story Land (terseru: RC Racer), setelah itu kita tepar dan laper akhirnya kita istirahat dulu makan siang di Explorer’s Club. Disana ketemu beberapa orang Indonesia dan Malaysia, soalnya disana ada mushola dan makanan Indonesia haha. Tapi serius porsi makanannya pas banget sama perut mahasiswa lapar :) hahaha.

Setelah makan dan lain-lain kita lanjut ke Mystic Point dan Grizzly Gulch (disini ada yang seru BANGET; Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars). Kita juga sempet foto sama Mickey dan Minnie! ahaha, setelah ditolak Stormtrooper di Tomorrow Land akhirnya kita foto sama Mickey dan Minnie, oiya kita juga sempet foto sama Jessie! Terakhir kita tinggal Adventure Land yang belum kita jajakin. Tapi kita dikabarin sama cowo-cowo mereka mau balik duluan (hihhh sebel wkwk), akhirnya kita janjian buat foto bareng dulu, baru mencar. DAN waktu kita habis nungguin cowo-cowo rempong itu untuk ngumpul hihh (masih sebel hahaha). Kita foto di depan Sleeping Beauty Castle dan akhirnya berpisah. Udah ada niatan untuk langsung ke Adventure Land, tapi karena dah lelah dan waktu nya udah gak cukup akhirnya kita milih window shopping di toko-toko souvenir haha.

Setelah itu lampu-lampu oranye mulai menyala satu persatu, petugas juga mulai memandu pengunjung untuk duduk di tepian jalan. Ya, parade akan segera dimulai! sungguh disney land at night is the best fairytale-like view i've ever seen! it is, indeed, a magical place!

if you’re wondering why there’s only niciul pic; its bcs we got separated from teteh and adel. Blame the greed of shopping lol!

Akhirnya kita bersatu kembali dan dapet spot nyempil ditengah mbak-mbak yang sepertinya sih dari Malaysia... atau mungkin Indonesia hehe makasih mbak! Waktu parade di mulai... demi apapun... cantik banget warna warni cahayanya... bahkan semua rasa capek itu sama sekali tidak terasa, only good feelings. Sampai pada puncak event hari itu; fireworks show! 

Ini sih yang sangat amat teramat membuat kita semua ternganga.. cantik banget dan perasaan kamu ketika kamu menonton pertunjukkan kembang api secara langsung disana benar-benar berbeda dan benar-benar terasa special. Kayak nonton kembang api yang ada di film-film (tapi secara langsung). Bahkan waktu aku merekam pertunjukan itu, secara tdk sadar aku wow-ing berkali-kali ahhaha.

Hari yang cukup melelahkan tapi kita benar-benar, like, truly happy, inside-out.

Malam itu kita kembali ke penginapan setelah bertempur untuk memasuki MTR dengan strategi left-right-left-right, HAHAHAHA. Sungguh maafkan aku, tapi itu agar kita semua cepat sampai ke penginapan. Karena kaki kita semua sudah copot semua!! 

(tapi kita masih sempet-sempetnya mampir ke sevel untuk jajan haha)

HARI KEENAM

28 Juli 2017 

 Hari terakhir di Hong Kong, terus kita dari kemarin mikir gimana caranya kita bisa tetep main bebas tanpa harus nenteng-nenteng bagasi (karna harus check out dari penginapan jam 11an). Akhirnya kita nyari-nyari info tentang airport express, dan kita nyasar HAHA. kita jalan ke arah yang berlawanan (akibat gps eror), dan akhirnya kita secara tidak sengaja menaiki semua public transportation yang ada di Hong Kong; Bus, Star Ferry dan MTR. Setelah geret-geret koper kesana dan kesini akhirnya kita berhasil sampai ke Airport Express, lumayan mahal harganya tapi worth it karena kita gausah repot-repot bawa-bawa koper. Kita bisa in-town check in, bener-bener convenience. Setelah kita check in akhirnya kita memutuskan untuk ke causeway bay untuk membunuh waktu, atau lebih tepatnya memenuhi keinginan untuk kesana haha.

Causeway Bay benar-benar terisi dengan outlet-outlet high end dan banyak variasinya, banyak turis yang kesana. Aku yang kakinya belum pulih dari kecopotan dari day-1 Hong Kong memilih duduk menunggu teman-teman berburu sale disana. Kita kembali ke airport express tepat waktu, karena kereta menuju airport belum berangkat. menit-menit terakhir, haha. Sebenarnya ada kereta selanjutnya, tapi kita tidak suka menunggu terlalu lama.

Dan ya, kita sampai di penghujung perjalanan kali ini. Bener-bener pengalaman yang sangat tidak bisa dilupakan (iyalah ya haha), dan banyak banget kejadian lucu yang terjadi. Banyak banget hal-hal baru yang ku lihat. Banyak banget ke-nekat-an yang kita lakukan bersama. Banyak banget ilmu yang didapet. 

Benar-benar KKP, Hong Kong & A Short Summer Gateway in Between. 

If someone asks me, 

"Will you go back to Hong Kong?". 

I will answer, 

"Yes!! Definitely!!"

Yogyakarta, —(20/10/2017) beberapa bulan setelah perjalanan ke Hong Kong

[travelonlinetips-blog]

New Post has been published on https://travelonlinetips.com/4-top-thrilling-adventures-activities-in-hong-kong/

4 Top Thrilling Adventures Activities In Hong Kong

Don’t you feel that Hong Kong is an ideal place for adventure lovers? Continue reading the post and know about some best places and spots in Hong Kong that prove that the city is a pure paradise for adventure seekers.

When it’s the first time that you are planning for some adventures, you must know that besides just offering sprawling shopping centres, skyscrapers building, sacred temples, the city Hong Kong is also popular for exciting adventures, tracks controlling courses, canyoning, mount biking, track-boarding, and some best opportunities waiting for you.  

The city Hong Kong awaits with innumerable fascinating things that let tourists enjoy and get the offerings with open heart and mind. From the unapologetic tours that mesmerize you completely across the rugged terrains, adventures, neon lights, build memories for a lifetime.

While deciding on which adventures and activities to try in Hong Kong, look below the detailed list of top adrenaline-rush activities that will surely make your dream come true. So, understand the city in depth without getting in a lot of physical struggle that takes you through all its difefrent aspects of the city.

1. Rock Climbing In Tung Lung Island

For an exciting rock climbing experience, visit the Tung Lung Island and feel the thrilling experience when you are climbing up the rock. You can start your journey at the Temple Craig where you will also find some professionals climbing easily. You can the professional’s company and let your climbing skills become stronger. The activity duration takes places for full 8 hours along with lots of fun.

Best time to visit: November month is the best time when most crowds visit. So, it’s safe to book your hotel rooms in advance using Luxury Escapes Promo Code to get at reasonable rates.

How to Reach: You can book your ferries available at Sai Wan Ho and Sam Ka Tsuen. The ride will take about 30 minutes approx, so do bring a pier on the Westside.

2. Macau Tower Skywalk

Another thrilling adventure is at the Macau Tower Skywalk on the top of the rail system. You’ll be provided with a harness and using it, you can feel insecure when you’re walking, jumping, running or admiring the beautiful skyline. Along with the adventures, you can also get yourself clicked at the height and get skywalk certificate.

Best time to visit: You can visit any time of the year and at any time both day and night views are enduring.

How to Reach: To reach the top of Macau Tower skyline, you can board the 9A, 18, 21, 23, 32 or 26 bus and reach down at the Macau Tower or take a shuttle from Studio City to Macau Tower.

3. Kiteboarding At Little Palm Beach

Get ready for a more adventurous and fun experience in the water and build your kite-boarding skills in the little palm beach. You will feel the adrenaline rush while learning to ride the waves. If you are just starting out, you can try out jumps and tricks to combat your skills.

Best time to visit: Try riding the kiteboarding all year-round. Thanks to its large part to the warm waters that stream the Florida current and Gulf Stream

How to Reach: You can easily reach Hong Kong and then get your entry to the adventure by using Klook promo code.

4. Dragon’s Back Trail Hiking Tour

From witnessing the breathtaking view from the top of the mountain peak to exploring some unspoiled destinations of Hong Kong, there are some really exciting things in the tour you can do. Your journey will take you to some thrilling paths and as a hiker, you must push your limits and have a good time. After you descend the trail, you can find comfort in Tai Long Bay or try in some adventure water sports activities.

Best time to visit: The best time to explore the Dragon’s Back trail is around October and April. You can book your flight ticket in advance during this time from online using Trip.com Discount Code as it is the peak season when it’s heavily booked.

How to Reach: Take a metro ride from Shau Kei Wan MTR station, and wait for about 15 minutes at the Shek O Road to begin your hiking tour.

Sightseeing attractions: Mountain peaks, rich natural forests, and sandy beaches.

So, get ready for thrilling adventure tours in Hong Kong and do plan to experience all the above adventures for a lifetime great experience.

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23 of the world's best hiking trails

(CNN) — From a multiday trek tracing the routes of a Japanese poet, to a classic clamber in the Argentinian Lake District, here are 23 of the best hiking trails in the world.

Walking boots and waterproof coats at the ready.

1. Pennine Way, United Kingdom

Pennine Way — the first official long distance trail to be established in England.

Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Stretching 268 miles from the Derbyshire Peak District to the Scottish Borders, the Pennine Way is the United Kingdom’s most famous long distance path.

The entire walk takes around three weeks, passing over wild moorland east of Manchester and through the picture postcard Yorkshire Dales, before crossing the ancient border of Hadrian’s Wall and on toward Scotland.

One for outdoor fanatics, camping enthusiasts and anyone who can handle the vagaries of great British weather.

2. Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The Camino de Santiago route was highly traveled during the Middle Ages.

Inn Travel

Rather than following a single path, the Camino, also known as the Way of St. James, is actually a series of different pilgrimage routes, all ending at the shrine of the apostle St. James in the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.

The most popular modern route follows a line across northern Spain from the French Pyrenees.

While some choose to stay at monasteries along the way, plenty of operators offer hotel stays and luggage transfers.

Pura Ventura has an 11-day trip that passes through Galicia, staying in boutique inns, with bags sent ahead each day.

3. Appalachian Trail, United States

The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is billed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

It runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through some of the most remote country in the United States.

That means it’s an undertaking, either for those with endless vacation allowance, or walkers looking to do a small chunk of a classic route.

Well-marked paths and campsites mean it can be tackled alone. But those keen on comfort can use companies like Go Shenandoah, which offers pre-booked lodge accommodation and packed lunches in the spectacular Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, home to some of the best scenery on the trail.

4. The Basho Wayfarer, Japan

This trail follows the route taken by haiku poet Matsuo Basho 1689.

Shutterstock

Japan boasts numerous ancient trails, connecting temples and cities. This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago.

The six-day trek starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern Tohoku region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path, with its beech and cherry forests, before heading into the mountains of Natagiri-toge and finishing at the temple of Yamadera.

Tour operator Walk Japan offers accommodation in traditional ryokan, with access to onsen baths to soothe aching bones after a long day’s hiking.

5. Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral, Argentina

The one-day Refugio Frey hike is one of the most scenic in Bariloche.

Joe Minihane

The area around Bariloche in Argentina’s Lake District is home to several stunning walks.

But for those with limited time, it’s hard to beat the one-day trek to Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral.

A bus to Villa Catedral drops at the start of a wide, well-marked path, which winds its way into the Andes, passing through woods before emerging above the tree line into a world of spectacular, soaring peaks. Intrepid visitors can stay at Refugio Frey, either in the hut or camping in its grounds.

6. Mount Toubkal, Morocco

A hike to North Africa’s highest peak is a challenging, but rewarding task.

Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), a hike to the top of Mount Toubkal isn’t for the faint-hearted.

The path upwards rises from the village of Imlil, passing over a dry river bed before rising sharply through the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch and on towards a large mountain hut.

After overnighting here, hikers strap on crampons and set off up the snowfield to the summit, where the Atlas Mountains open out and the views are relentless.

A local guide and muleteers for carrying luggage are a must, with tour operator Much Better Adventures able to arrange both, along with transfers to and from Marrakech.

7. Great Wall of China, Jinshanling section

Walking the Great Wall at the tourist hotspot of Badaling can be a stressful experience, with crowds and hawkers making it almost unbearable.

Jinshanling, situated 87 miles northeast of Beijing, offers the perfect chance to explore a steep, winding and relatively unscathed section of this true Chinese icon.

The route through to the wall at Simatai is closed, but the back and forth trip along this section makes for a strenuous workout, with truly amazing views. Hotels in Beijing can arrange tours and transfers.

8. Dragon’s Back, Hong Kong

The Dragon’s Back trail is among the best hikes in Hong Kong.

Discover Hong Kong

Hong Kong may be known for its towering skyscrapers and narrow streets, but the mainland and islands are dotted with myriad hiking trails, the most famous of which is the Dragon’s Back.

Easily reached by bus from downtown Hong Kong, the path begins in a shady tree tunnel on the Shek O Road, before scaling Shek O Peak, with vistas over white sandy beaches, lush hills and tropical islands. The route ends at the beach at Big Wave Bay, its warm waters perfect for a post-hike dip.

9. The Dingle Way, Ireland

Ireland’s Dingle Way trail can be completed in around eight days.

Ireland Ways

Stretching 111 miles, The Dingle Way is a circular path that offers the best way to get under the skin of wild County Kerry in Ireland’s south west.

Starting in the town of Tralee, the clockwise path follows narrow roads, known as boreens, taking in the wide sweep of sand at Inch Strand, passing along the clifftops outside Dingle town and heading around the edge of Mount Brandon, the highest peak on the Dingle Peninsula.

Ireland Ways arranges accommodation along the route, which can be tackled over as many as ten days.

10. Tergo La Trek, Bhutan

Bhutan’s remoteness only adds to the mystique of its walking trails.

Blue Poppy

The relative inaccessibility of Bhutan and need for tourist passes means its trails are unspoiled and ripe for exploration. Tergo-La Trek, in the Haa Valley, is one of the country’s lesser known routes.

This guided trek from Bhutanese tour operator Blue Poppy rises from 3,500 meters to 4,135 meters, passing through peaceful forest paths and up wild mountain tracks, with views of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.

Yak herders’ camps and distant villages add to the sense of being in another world.

11. Tahoe Rim Trail, United States

The Tahoe Rim Trail spans two US states, California and Nevada.

Tahoe South

A 165-mile loop around the Tahoe Rim Basin, this iconic trail was established in 1981 and is regarded as one of the finest hikes in the United States.

Passing through six counties and four national forests, in land that straddles California and Nevada, the Tahoe Rim Trail is the best way to explore the Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges.

Intrepid travelers can pack a tent and get back to nature on an 11-day jaunt, best undertaken between July and September.

12. Armenia and the Silk Road

Armenia’s beautiful natural landscapes are best explored on foot.

Walks Worldwide

Easily overlooked, Armenia has some of the best walking trails in Europe.

The 11-day Armenia and the Silk Road trip takes in some of its finest routes, connecting the UNESCO protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, passing over limestone peaks and through verdant forests, with the opportunity to hike in the wild Geghama Mountains and climb to the top of Aragats, the country’s tallest mountain.

13. Lechweg Trail, Austria and Germany

The Lechweg Trail follows the Lechweg river from Lechall in Fussen.

Walks Worldwide

Starting in the Bavarian town of Fussen, this nine-day route follows the Lechweg river to its source in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.

Passing the royal castles of a King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany as well as crystal clear lakes, the trail heads through the Tiroler Lech National Park, a protected area with lush meadows, turquoise water and ibex at every turn.

Although the trail is self-guided, Walks Worldwide can arrange accommodation and meals, meaning visitors only need worry about putting on their boots and backpacks each morning.

14. Indus Valley, Himalaya, India

Indus Valley — one of the most famous treks in Ladakh.

Shakti Himalaya

While a Himalayan trek is always going to be magical, this remote three-day jaunt in the Indus Valley takes some beating.

The hike, which is an extension of luxury operator Shakti Himalaya‘s seven-day itinerary to the region, leaves the village of Moncarmo and heads to Matho Phu and Shang Phu.

Phu translates as summer pastures, meaning this lush ground makes for pleasant walking while staring at the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

The trip includes stops at local tea houses, with dome tents pitched each evening for a comfortable night’s sleep.

15. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts many of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Forest Camp

Wildlife walks don’t come more fascinating than a trip into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can get up close and personal with the area’s mountain gorilla population.

As part of a wider itinerary, Yellow Zebra Safaris offers walks in which visitors are taken on hikes across the forest to meet habituated gorillas used to the presence of humans.

Groups are typically limited to eight people.

16. West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island

The West Coast Trail was originally named the Dominion Lifesaving Trail.

Christian Heeb/laif/Redux

Canada’s wilderness and sheer scale mean it’s blessed with some truly astounding hiking trails.

The classic West Coast Trail covers 47 miles around southern Vancouver Island, with stunning ocean scenery at Bonilla Point and accessible sea caves at Owen Point.

The hike involves scaling ladders, wading through rivers and battling along muddy tracks, but with the bonus of being able to camp out in spectacular open country.

Although self-guided, walkers need to reserve a place on the trail at the start of the year, with spaces severely limited.

17. Percorsi Occitani, Maira Valley, Italy

Percorsi Occitani is positioned in one of the most unspoiled areas of northern Italy.

Inn Travel

A network of ancient pathways through the Cottian Alps, a walk in the Percorsi Occitani is like stepping back in time.

Many locals still speak the Occitan language, while the remoteness of the Maira Valley makes it one of the most unspoiled corners of northern Italy.

Linking hamlets and villages, this nine-day self-guided route scales some of the area’s more challenging hills, dipping into green valleys, with stays at traditional mountain refuges.

Luggage transfers and traditional Occitan meals can be arranged by Inn Travel.

18. Lares and Royal Inca Trail, Peru

The Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu is unquestionably one of South America’s greatest treks.

It can also feel overrun at times, which is where this excellent alternative comes in.

Lares and Royal Inca Trail, a guided three-day trek in the Lares region, follows an ancient Inca path through Andean forests, up the Huchayccasa pass and through the village of Huacahuasi, with the chance to catch glimpse of soaring Mount Veronica.

Once over, hikers can then catch a train to the Inca Trail, completing the final stretch through the cloud forest and into the famous ruins.

19. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is best explored in the high cloud forests of Monteverde.

The reserve has a series of well-marked paths ideal for those keen on an easy stroll with the chance to see the area’s striking bird life and flora up close without having to pack for a multi-day hike. Orchids, ferns and mosses abound, with the chance of seeing a brightly colored quetzal flying high above the trees.

20. The Lycian Way, Turkey

The Lycian Way overlooks the Turquoise Coast.

Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Covering 300 miles around the coast of southern Turkey from Fethiye to Antalya, the Lycian Way gives walkers a chance to explore the former kingdom of Lycia.

Passing through the ancient town of Sidyma and the ghost town of Kaya, the route cleaves to the water, with the chance of a cooling dip after a long day’s walk.

Peter Sommer Travels offers an eight-day guided hike along the opening stretch, with the chance to stay on a traditional gulet sail boat each night.

The route is well-marked and can be followed without a guide.

21. The Balkans, Montenegro and Albania

The Balkans’ mountains make for a stand out hiking experience.

Ramblers Walking Holidays

While the Alps is renowned for classic European hikes, the Balkans’ beautiful mountains make for an excellent alternative for those who’d rather hike away from the crowds.

Kucki Kom, one of Montenegro’s most arresting peaks at 2,487 meters, is worth the trip alone, with the scramble to the top rewarded with huge views of the Komovi Mountains.

Those after a longer hike can book onto Ramblers Holidays‘ 14-day route along Montenegro and Albania’s best hiking trails, starting in Kotor and ending in Tirana.

22. Cloud Forest trek, Laos

A challenging trek through the rare cloud forests of northern Laos.

Facebook/Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area

The remote area of Houaphan in Laos is home to Indochina’s last wild tigers. Inside Asia’s Cloud Forest Trek gives hikers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures, with the chance to set and monitor camera traps.

This multi-day guided trip to the summit of Phou Louey, Laos’ third highest mountain, also includes overnight stays in bamboo huts and time spent watching wildlife at the Poung Nied Salt Lick.

23. Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia

The Cape to Cape Track stretches over 76 miles of Western Australia’s coast.

Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Starting at the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste and finishing 76 miles away at the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin, the most south westerly point in mainland Australia, this track is the ultimate way to see some of the finest scenery in Australia.

Hikers can camp along the route or arrange accommodation via the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track.

The Cape to Cape Track route is well signposted, but guides are available to those who want to learn more about the area and its beaches and forests.

[andythomas684-blog]

World's best hiking trails to hike

From a multiday trek tracing the routes of a Japanese poet, to a classic clamber in the Argentinian Lake District, here are 23 of the best hiking trails in the world.

Walking boots and waterproof coats at the ready.

1. Pennine Way, United Kingdom

Pennine Way -- the first official long distance trail to be established in England.

Stretching 268 miles from the Derbyshire Peak District to the Scottish Borders, the Pennine Way is the United Kingdom's most famous long distance path.

The entire walk takes around three weeks, passing over wild moorland east of Manchester and through the picture postcard Yorkshire Dales, before crossing the ancient border of Hadrian's Wall and on toward Scotland.

One for outdoor fanatics, camping enthusiasts and anyone who can handle the vagaries of great British weather.

2. Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The Camino de Santiago route was highly traveled during the Middle Ages.

Rather than following a single path, the Camino, also known as the Way of St. James, is actually a series of different pilgrimage routes, all ending at the shrine of the apostle St. James in the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.

The most popular modern route follows a line across northern Spain from the French Pyrenees.

While some choose to stay at monasteries along the way, plenty of operators offer hotel stays and luggage transfers.

Pura Aventura has an 11-day trip that passes through Galicia, staying in boutique inns, with bags sent ahead each day. what to wear on a hike and still look cute https://www.hikingbay.com/what-to-wear-on-a-hike-and-still-look-cute

5 best trips for solo travelers

3. Appalachian Trail, United States The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is billed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

It runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through some of the most remote country in the United States. That means it's an undertaking, either for those with endless vacation allowance, or walkers looking to do a small chunk of a classic route. Well-marked paths and campsites mean it can be tackled alone. But those keen on comfort can use companies like Go Shenandoah, which offers pre-booked lodge accommodation and packed lunches in the spectacular Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, home to some of the best scenery on the trail.

4. The Basho Wayfarer, Japan

This trail follows the route taken by haiku poet Matsuo Basho 1689. Japan boasts numerous ancient trails, connecting temples and cities. This self-guided trip follows a route taken by the poet Matsuo Basho over 300 years ago.

The six-day trek starts in Sendai and works its way through the northern Tohoku region, passing through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi and along the ancient Dewa Kaido path, with its beech and cherry forests, before heading into the mountains of Natagiri-toge and finishing at the temple of Yamadera. lattcure outfitters sleeping bag https://www.hikingbay.com/finding-the-best-lightweight-sleeping-bag-for-hiking

Tour operator Walk Japan offers accommodation in traditional ryokan, with access to onsen baths to soothe aching bones after a long day's hiking.

5. Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral, Argentina The one-day Refugio Frey hike is one of the most scenic in Bariloche.

The area around Bariloche in Argentina's Lake District is home to several stunning walks.

But for those with limited time, it's hard to beat the one-day trek to Refugio Frey and Cerro Catedral.

A bus to Villa Catedral drops at the start of a wide, well-marked path, which winds its way into the Andes, passing through woods before emerging above the tree line into a world of spectacular, soaring peaks. Intrepid visitors can stay at Refugio Frey, either in the hut or camping in its grounds.

6. Mount Toubkal, Morocco

A hike to North Africa's highest peak is a challenging, but rewarding task.

North Africa's highest peak at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet), a hike to the top of Mount Toubkal isn't for the faint-hearted.

The path upwards rises from the village of Imlil, passing over a dry river bed before rising sharply through the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch and on towards a large mountain hut.

After overnighting here, hikers strap on crampons and set off up the snowfield to the summit, where the Atlas Mountains open out and the views are relentless. best winter hikes in washington https://www.hikingbay.com/10-best-winter-hikes-in-washington

A local guide and muleteers for carrying luggage are a must, with tour operator Much Better Adventures able to arrange both, along with transfers to and from Marrakech.

7. Great Wall of China, Jinshanling section Walking the Great Wall at the tourist hotspot of Badaling can be a stressful experience, with crowds and hawkers making it almost unbearable.

Jinshanling, situated 87 miles northeast of Beijing, offers the perfect chance to explore a steep, winding and relatively unscathed section of this true Chinese icon.

The route through to the wall at Simatai is closed, but the back and forth trip along this section makes for a strenuous workout, with truly amazing views. Hotels in Beijing can arrange tours and transfers.

8. Dragon's Back, Hong Kong

The Dragon's Back trail is among the best hikes in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong may be known for its towering skyscrapers and narrow streets, but the mainland and islands are dotted with myriad hiking trails, the most famous of which is the Dragon's Back.

Easily reached by bus from downtown Hong Kong, the path begins in a shady tree tunnel on the Shek O Road, before scaling Shek O Peak, with vistas over white sandy beaches, lush hills and tropical islands. The route ends at the beach at Big Wave Bay, its warm waters perfect for a post-hike dip.

9. The Dingle Way, Ireland

Ireland's Dingle Way trail can be completed in around eight days.

Stretching 111 miles, The Dingle Way is a circular path that offers the best way to get under the skin of wild County Kerry in Ireland's south west.

Starting in the town of Tralee, the clockwise path follows narrow roads, known as boreens, taking in the wide sweep of sand at Inch Strand, passing along the clifftops outside Dingle town and heading around the edge of Mount Brandon, the highest peak on the Dingle Peninsula.

Ireland Ways arranges accommodation along the route, which can be tackled over as many as ten days.

10. Tergo La Trek, Bhutan

Bhutan's remoteness only adds to the mystique of its walking trails.

The relative inaccessibility of Bhutan and need for tourist passes means its trails are unspoiled and ripe for exploration. Tergo-La Trek, in the Haa Valley, is one of the country's lesser known routes.

This guided trek from Bhutanese tour operator Blue Poppy rises from 3,500 meters to 4,135 meters, passing through peaceful forest paths and up wild mountain tracks, with views of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.

Yak herders' camps and distant villages add to the sense of being in another world.

11. Tahoe Rim Trail, United States

The Tahoe Rim Trail spans two US states, California and Nevada. A 165-mile loop around the Tahoe Rim Basin, this iconic trail was established in 1981 and is regarded as one of the finest hikes in the United States.

Passing through six counties and four national forests, in land that straddles California and Nevada, the Tahoe Rim Trail is the best way to explore the Sierra Nevada and Carson ranges.

Intrepid travelers can pack a tent and get back to nature on an 11-day jaunt, best undertaken between July and September.

12. Armenia and the Silk Road

Armenia's beautiful natural landscapes are best explored on foot.

Easily overlooked, Armenia has some of the best walking trails in Europe.

The 11-day Armenia and the Silk Road trip takes in some of its finest routes, connecting the UNESCO protected monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, passing over limestone peaks and through verdant forests, with the opportunity to hike in the wild Geghama Mountains and climb to the top of Aragats, the country's tallest mountain. keto hiking food https://www.hikingbay.com/tips-to-choose-keto-hiking-food-for-a-multi-day-hike

13. Lechweg Trail, Austria and Germany

The Lechweg Trail follows the Lechweg river from Lechall in Fussen.

Starting in the Bavarian town of Fussen, this nine-day route follows the Lechweg river to its source in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.

Passing the royal castles of a King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany as well as crystal clear lakes, the trail heads through the Tiroler Lech National Park, a protected area with lush meadows, turquoise water and ibex at every turn.

Although the trail is self-guided, Walks Worldwide can arrange accommodation and meals, meaning visitors only need worry about putting on their boots and backpacks each morning.

14. Indus Valley, Himalaya, India

While a Himalayan trek is always going to be magical, this remote three-day jaunt in the Indus Valley takes some beating.

The hike, which is an extension of luxury operator Shakti Himalaya's seven-day itinerary to the region, leaves the village of Moncarmo and heads to Matho Phu and Shang Phu.

Phu translates as summer pastures, meaning this lush ground makes for pleasant walking while staring at the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

The trip includes stops at local tea houses, with dome tents pitched each evening for a comfortable night's sleep. 15. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts many of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Forest Camp

Wildlife walks don't come more fascinating than a trip into Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can get up close and personal with the area's mountain gorilla population.

As part of a wider itinerary, Yellow Zebra Safaris offers walks in which visitors are taken on hikes across the forest to meet habituated gorillas used to the presence of humans.

Groups are typically limited to eight people.

[chrancecriber]

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Ana Paula & Luis Viola) (Original Mix) 20:40 Krystian Shek - Spa Your Chill 20:40 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 20:35 Lazy Hammock - Lost In Dreams 20:30 Philippe Legrand - Silverrain 20:25 José Padilla - Que Bonito 20:18 The Man Behind C. - Como Aire Cristalino (Latin Mix) 20:14 Mathieu & Florzinho - Deixe O Sol Entrar 20:09 Marie Therese - Drive Your Way (Original Mix) 20:02 Vladi Strecker - Over The Sea (Island Sounds Deluxe Mix) 19:59 Nightcruzer - Alright 4 Now (Island Mix) 19:58 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 19:54 D. Batistatos - Final Liquid 19:49 Marc Puig Ft. Maria Collado - To Forget Me (Original Mix) 19:43 Mario Gamez - Blackfriars (Original Mix) 19:38 Five Seasons - Fleeting Moments Feat. Jane Maximova (Original Mix) 19:38 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 19:35 Hysteria! - Winding Roads 19:31 Catching Flies - Silver Linings 19:25 Climatic - Sideways 19:22 Marc Hartman - Silhouettes (Original Mix) 19:16 Hello Meteor - Night Distance 19:10 Enrico Donner - Wind Of The Spirit 19:05 Lemongrass - Femme Fatale (Original Mix) 19:02 Stargazer - Pourqoui Pas 19:02 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:58 Alien Cafe - Veil Of The Sunlight (Original Mix) 18:53 Pet Shop Boys - Invisible 18:47 Craig Armstrong - This Love 18:42 Marco Moli - Like A Roller Coaster (Original Mix) 18:36 Jens Buchert - The Falling Star (Nyc Mix) 18:34 Katano Beat - Miss 18:29 Velvet Dreamer - French Kisses 18:23 Groove Armada - Paris 18:23 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:20 Kenny Fontana - Your Name (Pacha Terrace Edit) 18:16 Stargazer - Don't Lose Heart 18:11 Brainstorm - Maybe (The Equalizers Nuclear Bomb Remix) 18:06 Paulo Sol - A Night On Beach (Instrumental) 18:06 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:02 Poldoore - The Northern Compass 17:56 Vargo - Infinity (Original Mix) 17:54 Jahzoviy - Memory 17:49 Vargo - Talking One Language (25th Anniversary Mix) 17:43 Cocogroove - Flamingo Bar (Blue Curacao Mix) 17:35 Blank & Jones - Happiness (Franco De Mulero Main Mix) (With Cathy Battistessa) 17:32 Philip Aniskin & Alexsandra Mell - Los Angeles Dream 17:27 Liam Van Dyke - Cafe Del Mar (First Class Lounge Cut) 17:27 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 17:22 Pablo Nouvelle - You Don-'t Understand (Feat. Alx) 17:18 Lounge Vargos - Follow My Dreams (Sunshine Mix) 17:14 Nicola Conte - Fica Mal Com Deus 17:08 Baghira - Put Your Arms 17:08 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 17:03 Florito - Konja Tokyo De (Feat Anna Y) 16:59 Jane Maximova, Dmitry Raschepkin - Late In The Night 16:54 Luminous - Make It Happen 16:50 Lemongrass - Temptations 16:44 Gold Lounge - Silence 16:40 Sven Van Hees - Winston Surfchill 16:36 Hiatus - Save Yourself 16:32 Riccardo Eberspacher - Principe Feliz Feat. Maria Teresa Pintus 16:23 Steve Osaka - Smooth Sexophone 16:18 Club Turquoise - Awakening (Original Chill) 16:14 Polished Chrome - Outside 16:09 Crproject Feat Leila Pantel - Energia 16:04 Marga Sol - Come And Love Me (Original Mix) 16:00 Gary B - The Moon 15:54 Afterlife - Breather 15:48 Mirage Of Deep - Ave Maria (Sights Of The Mediterranean) 15:44 Trinah - Let's Stay Together 15:39 Solarflow - Come Into My Space 15:34 Melorman - Behaviour (Melorman Remix) 15:29 Evolve - Where Were You (Sunday Afternoon) 15:24 Lamour (Loungematic Mix) - Cafe Americaine 15:18 Cinnamon Chasers - Set The Sky On Fire 15:13 Marc Hartman - Whistle 15:13 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 15:09 Gary B - All I Long For (Original Mix) 15:04 Purple Avenue - Color Of June 15:01 Sofa Surfers - Can I Get A Witness (Thievery Corporation Mix) 14:54 Planet Lounge - Shiva Dance 14:50 Green Rabbit - Primal Self 14:46 Tears - Cicada 14:41 Zelonka - Destination Moon (Elektrohandel Remix) 14:36 Sarah Mclachlan - Dirty Little Secret (Thievery Corporation Mix) 14:32 Bobby Escobar - Playa (White Sand Mix) 14:28 Velvet Lounge Project - The Secret Of Your Heart (Airplay Cut) 14:22 Marga Sol - Butterflies 14:17 Karen Gibson Roc - We Can Shine Together 14:11 Takt 3 - Cut The Lawn 14:07 Lana Torres - Elite People 14:01 Chris Nemmo - Wastin Time (Feat Aris Duke & Helena K) 13:57 Paul Hardcastle - Looking For You 13:57 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 13:52 Monodeluxe - Searching 13:46 Starshine Bros - Coffe Relax 13:42 Angel Tibetan - Brings 13:37 Tommy Divine - Easy 13:37 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 13:33 Ingo Herrmann - Walking Away 13:29 Pat Appleton - Ageless 13:24 Merge Of Equals - Gravity 13:19 Gary B - A Better Life 13:14 Headstrong - Love Until It Hurts (Original) 13:09 Mirage Of Deep - Manhattan 3 25 Am 13:04 Naoki Kenji - Let It Flow 13:00 Keep Shelly In Athens - Bright Morning 13:00 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 12:56 Latin League - La Princessa Del Marte (Original Mix) 12:52 Above The Sky - India (Original Mix) 12:47 Naoki Kenji - Let It Flow 12:43 S-tone Inc. - In The Mood For Love 12:42 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 12:38 Krall Bradley - Money Cant You Buy Love (Swing Orchestra Mix) 12:34 Blank & Jones - Heart Of Wax (Late Night Mix) 12:28 Real Meets Unreal - Unending Fields 12:22 Aqua Mundi - Beautiful Awaking (Original Mix) 12:17 John South - Working Late 12:13 Skunk Tribecca - Siguiendo La Luna 12:02 Soleil Fisher - Warm Winter (Sting Of Paradise Sunset Mix) 11:57 Lemongrass - Frozen Boy (Feat. Jane Maximov 11:52 Lemongrass - Divine Love 11:49 Castlebed - Cold Moves (Original Mix) 11:45 Rafau Etamski - Patience 11:44 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 11:41 Bent - As You Fall 11:35 Polished Chrome - Come Home 11:31 Clelia Felix - Hold On To My Love 11:22 Icehouse - Don't Believe Anymore (Ivan & Collins Cafe Latte Mix) 11:22 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 11:18 Baxx - For Time To Love You 11:15 Aiemo Feat.sandra Hakky - Dreaming Eyes (Vocal Mix) 11:12 Florent Campana, Marilyne Justin - I Am Showing Through (Original Mix) 11:07 Lenny Mac Dowell - Deepest Inner (Original Mix) 11:02 Dmitry Leeo & Nils Holgerson - Gluboko Feat. Nils Holgerson (Dub Mix) 10:56 Gaelle - Falling 10:50 Jose Delgado - Sal Rossa 10:47 Lenny Mac Dowell - Ain't No Sunshine (Original Mix) 10:47 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:41 Max Melvin - Seasons 10:37 D. Batistatos, Evita Saloustrou - After Dark (On The Road Again) 10:32 Noel - Chalito (Ibiza Chillhouse Lounge Mix) 10:28 Caitlyn Hessell - Always There (Toby Benson Remix) 10:27 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:22 Redlounge Orchestra - Liquid Cool 10:17 Nightcruzer - Lazy Day 10:11 Beach Hoppers - Keep Dreaming (Eskadet Moonlight Version) 10:08 Sandra - Perfect Touch 10:08 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:01 Sunyata Project, Chris Le Blanc - Journey To Mandurai (Extended Mix) 09:57 Magneti C4 - Bebossa 09:51 Sol 2 Soul - Miss You 09:48 Weekend Players - Angel 09:41 Green Lemon - Voz Interior (Meditation Mix) 09:35 Mo Horizon - Gonna Be 09:30 Don Gorda Project - Warm Tones 09:26 James Vincent Mcmorrow - We Don't Eat (Dinka Bootleg) 09:26 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 09:22 Weathertunes - Take Me Away 09:19 Wet - Lately 09:14 Merge Of Equals - Take You There 09:10 Kondencuotas Pienas - Elegantish Elephantish (Original Mix) 09:06 York - When Love Takes Over 09:02 Roberto Sol - Nube De Agua 08:56 Silky Wave - Under My Skin 08:50 Rebekka De Rosa - On A Different Page 08:47 Bimbotronic - Wherever You Go 08:43 Waldeck - No One Here... 08:41 Il Greco - De Longpre 08:35 Jens Buchert - Reflections 08:34 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 08:29 Velvet Dreamer - Last Kiss Of Summer (Tim Gelo Night Groove Remix) 08:24 Bruno From Ibiza - Golden Love 08:20 Steen Thottrup - Something To Say (Feat. Lunamila) 08:16 Waldeck - Addicted 08:16 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 08:12 Andrea Cardillo - Deep Night 08:08 Jens Buchert Feat. Hanane Laraki - Polaris (Angel Mix) 08:01 The Transfers - Buena Garota 07:56 Princess Of Lounge Feat Dione - We Found Love (Wish You Were Here Mix) 07:56 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 07:52 E - Motive - Street Waves 07:48 Dave Ross - Playboy 07:45 Cafe Americaine - Maritime (Caribic Flow Mix) 07:41 Naoki Kenji With Asheni - Tonight 07:41 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 07:39 Cosmonkey - Blueberry Crumble 07:36 Love Pacific Industries - Groove Jet (Original Mix) 07:32 Triangle Sun - Tonight 07:27 Groove Spinners - Southside 07:22 Lea Perry - Dubby Sunset Sky At Cafe Del Mar (Ibiza Beach Mix) 07:17 Arrojas - Travelling Back 07:12 Jens Buchert - Habitatmodul (Original Mix) 07:09 Waldeck - Memories 07:08 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 07:04 Kuba - We Can Still Learn (Original Mix) 06:59 Mazelonostra - Angels Are Coming 06:54 Yuri Petrovski - True 06:49 Florzinho - Like The First Moment (Original Mix) 06:49 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 06:43 Naoki Kenji - Bedtime 06:38 Atb - Some Things Just Are The Way They Are 06:34 Jens Buchert - Jens Buchert 06:29 Frost - Amygdala 06:23 Smood Vs. Natascha Grin - Principle Of Love 06:18 Emmanuele Landini, Denny V - Emotion 06:12 Van - Evening Bus (Original Mix) 06:08 Late Night Alumni - This Is Why 06:08 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 06:02 Faro - Dreaming In Orange (Original Mix) (Original Mix) 05:59 Liquid Motion - Silent Running 05:52 Jp - Juice - Cette Planete (Sushi Club Remix) 05:49 Blank & Jones Ft. Elles - Mind Of The Wonderful (Acoustic Version) 05:48 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 05:44 Bernon - Don't Worry (Wellness For Your Soul Mix) 05:42 Inside Soul - Keyless Gate (Elevate Mind) 05:36 The Maxwell Implosion - Tic Tac 05:32 Mani Beats - N&n 05:32 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 05:26 Aquanote - Nowhere (Speakeasy Remix) 05:21 Daytripper Feat. Patricia Chaviano - Until The Sunrise (Chillout Mix) 05:16 Stuce The Sketch - Yasikitisha (Feat. Kwambo) (Instrumental) 05:13 Sandra - Footprints 05:08 Vibraphile - Open Your Mind (Instrumental Mix) 05:03 Flashbaxx - Escape Hawaii Go Ibiza 04:58 Marga Sol - Come & Love Me 04:54 Linkin Park Feat. Kelli Ali - My December 04:48 Lazygrooves - Walk With Me 04:45 Josif Imen Puerta - Early Beach 04:41 Lounge Groove Avenue - Don't Be So Shy 04:36 Soho Lounge - Chiaro Di Luna 04:31 Orbitell - Sundown Highway 04:25 Lafoliedamour - You 04:21 Federico Aubele - Postales 04:16 Prana Tones - Asian Energy 04:11 Florzinho - Like The First Moment (Original Mix) 04:05 Bent - Star Of Loneliness 04:00 Perfectsax - Searico 03:54 Castlebed - Level Frequency 03:54 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 03:50 Living Room - Brasil Soul (Original Mix) 03:45 Newton - Morningstar 03:40 Kusuma Orchestra - A Glittering Mosaic 03:36 De-phazz Feat. Karl Frierson - Time Slips 03:32 My 7sky - With Love Sankt-petersburg 03:27 Lazygrooves - Walk With Me 03:24 Marga Sol - We Could Be 03:20 Marga Sol - Hidden Glow 03:15 Artenovum & Frank Doberitz - Colours Of My Mind (Deep East Cut) 03:11 Lemongrass - September 03:07 Living Room - Sundown 03:01 Afterlife, Calladine - Clear Blue Sky (Blank & Jones Remix) 03:01 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 02:57 Luke Million Feat. Jesse Davidson - Fear The Night (Shook Remix) 02:53 Phontaine - Wellingtons 02:50 Hoogway - Evening Roses 02:46 Jens Buchert - Space Cuisine 02:42 Nofilter Feat. Furns - Just A Fling (Original Mix) 02:38 Openzone Bar - Down Under Snowball 02:33 Michael E - It's Going To Be Alright 02:28 Pascal Dubois - Deep Into The Night (Long Island Mix) 02:28 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 02:24 Klangstein - Within You (Feat. Nosie Katzmann) 02:21 Cataldo - Do It All Night 02:16 Grande Delacroix - Your Name 02:12 Roberto Sol - My Nature (Midnight Lounge Mix) 02:07 Roberto Sol - Remember That Day (Original Mix) 02:04 Mashti & Jean Von Baden - Love & Happiness (The Remix) 02:00 Idenline - At Sunset (Original Mix) 01:56 Roberto Sol - Won-'t Give Up - Cafe Del Mar Mix 01:51 Rithma - Builder (Kaskade Let's Make Out Mix) 01:48 Urban Phunk Society - Self-made Paradise 01:42 Paul Hardcastle - Apache Warrior 01:37 Roberto Sol Feat. Ines - Tu (Original Mix) 01:37 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 01:33 Velvet Lounge Project - Dime Que Hacer 01:29 Mystic Diversions - Sensual Wanderer 01:26 Sphere - Is It Sun- (Original Mix) 01:20 Dj Maretimo - Ocean Cruiser (Wavepatcher Cut) 01:17 Night Cruzer - The Nightcruise (Original Mix) 01:13 Marie Therese - City Lights 01:08 Reunited - Sun Is Shining (Out Of Sight Remix) 01:03 Michael E - Breathe In Breathe Out (Original Mix) 00:59 Living Room - Cloud 7 00:53 Andy Sol & Ecolyte - Ponse Passing (Original Mix) 00:49 Christos Fourkis - Carousel 00:45 Fous De La Mer - Time To Wake Up (Volver A Despertar) 00:45 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 00:42 Jazzamor - Sunday 00:36 Cities Of Foam - Safe Inside 00:29 A Guy Called Gerald - Fever (Black Dog Mix) 00:25 Atb - Break My Heart 00:22 Namzzo, Alkylees - When Summer Comes 00:16 Sunyata Project - I Know Him (Extended Mix) 00:11 Roberto Sol - So Awesome (Cafe Del Mar Mix) 00:06 Love Del Mar Suite 101 - Viva La Vida (Nights In White Satin Cafe Mix) 00:06 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 00:03 Krono - First Kiss (Feat. Lijie)

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Basic Instinct: A Ducati Monster 797 from Hong Kong

The Ducati Monster is one of motorcycling’s greatest success stories. Miguel Galluzzi’s brainchild first rolled out of the factory in 1993, and has remained part of the Bologna line-up ever since.

Even 26 years on, the DNA of the original M900 is still very visible in the Monster range—and it’s especially clear in the entry level Monster 797, the most basic yet traditional Monster in the set.

Instead of using the liquid-cooled Testastretta motor employed by its bigger siblings, it has the simpler 803 cc air-cooled mill used in the Ducati Scrambler. And its stripped-back design makes it ripe for customization.

When an almost new Monster 797 rolled through Angry Lane’s Hong Kong workshop, French brothers Ben and Guillaume Barras immediately saw the connection to the Monster’s legacy. They’d worked on a 94-model M900 a few months prior, and fell in love with its simplicity.

“In 2017 Ducati went to basics with the Monster 797,” the guys tell us. “803 cc L-twin motor, 72 hp, 67 Nm, no traction control, no riding modes, air-cooled, just ABS, making it accessible to basically any rider. The spirit of the original Monster was back: easy to ride and not a sports bike.”

Angry Lane’s client wanted a more aggressive vibe, and to retain the Monster’s pillion accommodations … but left the Barras bros. to figure the rest out themselves. So they decided to build a “tribute to the original Ducati Monster, and the millions of smiles it puts on riders’ faces.”

Angry Lane wanted to slim the Monster 797 down even further, so they started by reworking the rear. They called in their friend Tom, a local go-to welder, to fabricate a single aluminum unit to cover the bottom of the subframe and cap off the tail.

It’s a trick design that incorporates the original tail light while simultaneously tightening up the lines.

Tom also made a new battery box, which now houses both the original components and a Lithium-ion battery. The seat was shortened, and reupholstered in two different Pittards leathers by Ben. The top has an especially unique finish—it’s the same anti-slip ‘digital’ leather that’s used on the palm of most MotoGP race gloves.

The 797’s a pretty decent performer out the box, so Angry Lane left the suspension alone. But they swapped the alloy wheels out for for a stunning set of spoked tubeless items from Alpina, to give the modern Monster an extra classic hit. And Brembo Italy sent over some new brakes and master cylinders.

Ben and Guillaume also fitted a slew of upgrades that would make any Ducatista jealous. They started with a transparent oil-in-bath clutch cover from Ducabike—visually similar to an open dry clutch, but without the rattle. That meant upgrading the clutch to a hydraulic system, which they did with a CNC Racing slave cylinder.

CNC Racing also supplied a set of see-through belt covers, adjustable rear sets and new wheel axle nuts. The air filter was upgraded to a high performance one from DNA Filters, and the air box removed.

Angry Lane chromed the original exhaust headers, then capped them off with a titanium muffler from Spark. There’s also a gas cap and swing-arm mounted license plate bracket from Rizoma.

Up in the cockpit, Ben and Guillaume had OTR Performance in Germany machine up a new top triple clamp, so they could fit a set of LSL clip-ons. They specifically picked a set that was raised, for a more aggressive stance without too much discomfort. Other updates include Motogadget bar-end turn signals and mirrors, and a KOSO LED headlight.

There are also a bunch of parts you can’t order from a catalog—namely the carbon fiber fenders, side panels, exhaust shield, and a couple of smaller trim bits. “You can find a lot of aftermarket carbon parts,” Guillaume explains, “but we wanted similar carbon as some supercars: twill full carbon glossy weave, like you can find on some Aston Martins and McLarens.”

They designed the parts in-house, then sent the designs to a firm abroad to produce. Given the complicated request, it took a full three months to get the parts back—but it was certainly worth it.

For the final finishes, Angry Lane’s client originally requested a lot of black. But he also trusted the brothers to throw their own ideas in—which they did, with spectacular results.

The frame was treated to a burnt bronze Cerakote coating, and the swing arm sand blasted, then vapor blasted for a smooth aluminum finish. The tank was done in Porsche colors from 1996—a combo of black and dark grey, with bronze highlights to match the frame.

The Monster looks a whole lot tighter and more aggressive now, and it’s reportedly more precise on the road now too. But Guillaume tells us that the cherry on the cake was the message they received after the client’s first ride:

“Il Monstro just had its first ride to Shek-O and back. Rides like a katana blade and makes a noise like a belly full of lions roars. I was laughing most of the ride.”

“Thank you guys. Love it.”

Angry Lane | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Maxime Champigneulle

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Ferrari, 360 Spider, Cape D'Aguilar, Hong Kong by Daryl Chapman Photography Via Flickr:

[biofunmy]

Following the Lead of the Diving Girl

The Diving Girl was born in Portland, Ore., in 1920. In my pursuit of her ghost, I find myself eyeballing three contentious Canada geese on a floating swim dock in the Willamette River.

On this overcast June afternoon, cottony clouds of varying thickness hang overhead, the sun and splashes of blue visible in the gaps between puffs. The promise of summer is palpable, though the season itself hasn’t yet arrived. The water is fine, nearly 70 degrees — warmer, in fact, than the air. Perched on the dock, goggles at the ready, my friend Fran and I wait for a big enough hole in the clouds to allow for the ritual of a sun-warmed leap into the water.

From this dock, just under the Hawthorne Bridge, you can observe the downtown skyline, prettily framed across the river. You can see the Marquam Bridge to the south, cars and bikes and people racing across. And, of course, you have this calm, silvery span of water, disturbed only by the occasional tourist boat or stand-up paddleboarder — or Canada goose, squinting suspiciously at you before it settles back down to snooze. This is the beauty of a swimmable urban waterway.

The Willamette River, which winds north nearly 190 miles from Eugene to Portland and into the Columbia River, has long been a hub of human activity. In recent decades, frequent sewage overflows made the water unswimmable, but the completion of a $1.4 billion public works project in 2010 changed all that. Every July since then, the nonprofit Human Access Project hosts “The Big Float” — a giant people-powered flotilla and beach party to encourage Portlanders to reclaim the river for swimming and other aquatic recreation.

I’ve spent the last couple of years writing a book about swimming. This river, it turns out, is also a landmark in swimming history — it’s the place where the modern American swimsuit had its big breakthrough, in the early 20th century. The Diving Girl surfaces again and again in the history of swimming, as an international cultural symbol and muse; she even makes a cameo in my own family’s history.

But, really, I’m getting ahead of myself. Rule No. 1 of summertime immersion? Get in the water. With that in mind, I take a running leap off the dock.

The rowers come calling

Let’s go back a little over a century ago, to a little operation called the Portland Knitting Company. Owned by a pair of brothers from Missouri named John and Roy Zehntbauer and their partner, a Danish immigrant named Carl Jantzen, the small retail shop had a few hand-knitting machines and did most of its trade in woolen items like sweaters and socks. The first day’s receipt, in 1910, was 35 cents for a pair of gloves.

The men were members of the city’s rowing club; one day in 1913, a fellow club member placed a special order for a woolen suit that he could wear while sculling during cool mornings on the Willamette River. Jantzen used a sweater-cuff machine to make the one-piece garment, so it would stretch. A lighter weight version eventually became the prototype for the first bathing suits offered in the company catalog.

At the time, men’s bathing suits were required to cover the entire chest; the groin area also had to be covered with a piece of fabric — O.K., it was a skirt — for modesty. Topless men were banned from places now synonymous with sunbathing, like Atlantic City. The reason? Well, the city proclaimed, it didn’t want “gorillas on our beaches.”

Jantzen figured out how to make a superior wool unitard with a rib-stitch that retained its shape and allowed a snugger fit than all the other swimsuits out there. (Imagine swimming while dragging eight pounds of wet wool — that was the existing competition.) The founders wore the new suits in the river; knit in green and yellow stripes, the suits were called “froggers” and soon everybody wanted one. In 1918, the company rebranded itself as Jantzen Knitting Mills. A black-and-white photo from the era shows men, women and children picnicking along the Willamette, all wearing Jantzen swimsuits.

Along came the Diving Girl logo. In her early years, she appeared on the cover of the catalog, wearing long socks and a red and white wool cap. (Remember the company’s origins as a woolens mill.) In 1922, Jantzen printed up 10,000 Red Diving Girl stickers and sent them to retailers to put in their shop windows as advertisements.

It worked pretty well, but not in the way they intended: People started putting them on their cars. The Jantzen girl windshield decals became a massive sensation. Within five years, 5 million Diving Girls could be seen on cars all over the United States. (They were eventually banned in Massachusetts in the interest of public safety.)

She was even made into a hood ornament, so that by the late 1920s and 30s, the Diving Girl was crisscrossing the country, spreading the gospel of swimming to every corner of America. There were free swimming seminars, as part of a national “Learn to Swim Week” campaign.

In 1923, Jantzen’s slogan came to epitomize a cultural revolution: “The suit that changed bathing to swimming.”

A suit for the jet age

In her worldwide travels, the Diving Girl even made it to Hong Kong. My parents met in 1968, in a swimming pool there. For one hot moment, they were the cliché incarnate. He was the lifeguard; she, the big-eyed beauty with long dark hair and a mean sidestroke. In photos of them on the beach early in their courtship, she is wearing Jantzen.

My mother says that almost all the imported swimwear in Hong Kong back then was made by Jantzen. She remembers wistfully that one of her three sisters, my aunt Rosena, had “the cutest floral one-piece by Jantzen.” In my own childhood, I remember the little Diving Girl as a fixture on the bathing suits worn by the ladies at the pool, and the glamour that came with it.

Everyone from Duke Kahanamoku to Elvis and Princess Diana wore Jantzen. In its heyday, Jantzen had more than a dozen design studios around the world. In the late 1950s, it produced the International Set, a collection of 17 suits from those studios. They were jet age suits for the new jet age and the planes that were taking people to exotic places. The Hong Kong studio produced the Shek-O, with a black-and-white woodcut print and a bell-shaped skirt inspired by a Chinese lantern. There were even designs by Hubert de Givenchy, created in his Paris salon especially for the company.

There were monuments. A series of 20-foot-tall, fiberglass-and-steel Diving Girl statues were mounted in strategic locations around the country; some even traveled internationally. In 1965, one was put up above a swimwear shop in Daytona Beach, Fla., called Stamie’s Smart Beach Wear. It became an icon.

One could say the same for the swimsuit, in cities and pools and beaches everywhere. Though ostensibly a functional garment, the bathing suit has long been so much more, particularly as it pertains to female bodies. Jantzen proved it could be both functional and fashionable, and helped turn swimming into an appealing — and acceptable — sport for women.

Eventually, other companies took up the mantle. Speedo is now the world’s best-selling swim brand. China makes 70 percent of all swimsuits. Jantzen itself was bought by a multinational manufacturing giant, Perry Ellis International, and then sold to a private company in 2019. Last year, Stamie’s in Daytona Beach finally closed, after more than five decades on the boardwalk, and the Diving Girl statue was taken down and shipped to Washington State for storage.

The Diving Girl comes home

Culturally and geographically speaking, you can’t get farther away in America from Portland, than Daytona Beach, home to NASCAR’s Daytona 500, endless water parks, and spring-breakers racing dune buggies on its 23 miles of hard-packed beach. They’re even in opposite corners of the country. But Jantzen is a bridge. When the Red Diving Girl was taken down, Daytona Beach residents protested. “Please let her be where she belongs,” they said. “A Florida visit isn’t complete without her.” “Save a piece of my history and my youth.” City leaders rallied together, a rarity; the city’s newspaper received a deluge of nostalgic letters and pictures, with a “Bring Back the Jantzen Girl” campaign; social media exploded: #JantzenGirlDaytonaBeach. Originally from somewhere else, the Diving Girl had come to represent something intensely local.

And so, last winter, the not-so-little Diving Girl took one last cross-country road trip. It took six days on a truck to get the 20-foot behemoth back home to Daytona. She was restored and feted with fireworks at a New Year’s Eve bash, and reinstalled above a plaza at the One Daytona entertainment complex.

Over the years, hems rose and fell with the fashions, both on the Diving Girl and on us. But over that same period, swimming moved from an activity that prioritized public bathing and hygiene to one that represented the pinnacle of sport and leisure, and took off as one of the most popular recreational pastimes anywhere. It’s a story of American pluck, entrepreneurship and cultural migration — all collapsed into one little red logo, and worthy of being blown up into a giant fiberglass store-top mannequin.

So, to honor the travels of the Diving Girl, I returned to her birthplace, in the crisp waters of the Willamette River. It was a baptism of sorts. On that afternoon, I swam between the bridges, and dodged the geese. Running right through the city of Portland, the recently renewed Willamette water was an escape in plain sight. I couldn’t help but laugh when a little boy and his mother stopped at the top of the walking path to stare at me swimming with the birds. I waved, and Fran snapped a photo before jumping in herself. Neither of us wore Jantzen. But it’s not a stretch to say that this freewheeling spirit of swimming is part of the legacy — here, there, and everywhere — that the Diving Girl left in her wake.

If you go

The Hawthorne Boat Dock is one of the easiest public access points for swimming along the Willamette River. Stand-up paddleboarders, dragon boaters and rowers also tie up here, but the crowd is generally friendly. Swimming and wading are permitted in the river, but there are no lifeguards on duty. The Human Access Project recommends several other good Portland beaches on its website, and also offers a useful safety primer on swimming in this urban waterway.

Bonnie Tsui is a frequent contributor to Travel. Her next book, “Why We Swim,” will be published next spring by Algonquin Books.

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As Typhoon Mangkhut marched toward the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong was buffeted by fierce winds that tore off roofs, while torrential rain flooded roads and buildings. Hong Kong's weather observatory issued its highest storm warning alert -- a signal T10 -- and the normally bustling city was all but shut down as transport was suspended. In the coastal region of Shek O, wind uprooted trees, destroyed houses and strewed debris across roads. Photos: @joshcnn https://ift.tt/2xfYPUI