November Hike to Sai Wan

Early November is usually close to perfect weather in Hong Kong.  The humidity has gone and the temps are still high that you can be outside hiking or swimming.  This is probably the time of year I love the most, and the time of year I will miss.  We have been wanting to hike to Sai Wan Beach for over a year, and I was grateful when our friends, the Powell Family, said they wanted to go, too!  We had also heard that there were waterfalls nearby, so we were going to do our best to check those out, as well.

We started out by driving to Sai Kung and parking.  Then the wild card is finding a taxi to take us to Sai Wan Pagoda.  You never know how long it will be to find a taxi, and we were very blessed that one went out of his way to come and get us (apparently we were in an area they weren't supposed to come) and then he "overlooked" that we crammed six of us in a five passenger taxi (Grace couldn't join us today) We had a great driver who knew exactly what we were talking about, and by the time we got there we had to wait about 5 minutes for the Powells.  As the men looked at the map, we got our sunscreen and bug spray on...then we were off!

The hike itself wasn't too strenuous and pretty well marked...two good things when you are hiking with young kids. It probably took about 45minutes until we got to the beach...not bad for four adults, seven kids and a dog:) When I first saw the beach, I honestly was disappointed that we hadn't done this earlier!!  It was beautiful and the closest thing I had seen to a beach I was accustomed to in Hong Kong  And the kids had a blast...jumping waves, swimming, putting poor Buddy in the water, and playing in the sand.  We just enjoyed ourselves, ate our lunches, and took advantage of a wide open, crowd-less beach.  We really didn't want to leave.  But as the time flew by, we realized that if we were going to find the waterfalls, we better leave.

Poor Buddy

 My favorite part of the hike came as we were headed to the waterfalls.  There was some boards that we were directed on, but all around us looked like a grassy area where the kids wanted to run. Bre told them to have a fun time and enjoy, not realizing that it was a wet, muddy marsh!  As soon as the girls jumped in, they were muddy up to their ankles...and Abby came out of the marsh with only one shoe...it was hilarious!

Abby rescued her shoe

After getting some direction, we headed to find the waterfalls.  There was also cliff jumping, but we were pretty sure that wasn't on the list of must-do's.  As we got closer, Bre and I were getting a little nervous as things got rockier and more challenging.  Did I mention, she is pregnant and carrying their dog in a bag?? While the men were helping the kids??  Yes, started to think it was a little crazy, but the men were determined and we followed along in support.

Yes, it's as steep as it looks

View from the waterfalls of Sai Wan Beach

When we got there it was absolutely gorgeous. There were a number of people already there, but we made our way by the water and the kids started jumping in...followed by Josh and Andy.  And yes, the water was VERY cold.  But it was so fun to watch them swim out to the waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful creation that the Lord had made.  We swam for some time, watched some others jump off cliffs, then needed to get back to the beach because we had booked a boat to take us back to Sai Kung, and we didn't want to miss it!!

Emma was the first one in

Josh's reaction to the water temperature

Emmy is getting a ride

Crazy guys jumping

We were back in plenty of time, jumped in the boat, and thoroughly enjoyed a nice leisurely 30 minute boat ride back to Sai Kung, reflecting on how fun the day was and how blessed we were to have enjoyed this beautiful nature!!