So today was a momentous day — the very first time that I left Tiny Winy home with a baby sitter (other than my husband). She is someone who works as a nanny for a friend who has kids, so I know she is trust worthy and knows what to do with babies. And plus, I had a really, REALLY good reason to hire a baby sitter and take the risk of her accidentally killing my child, either by drowning in the bath tub, or choking on a piece of food, or getting abducted by a pervy stranger in the park (and yes, these paranoid thoughts DO run through the minds of mothers when they leave their most precious possession, their baby, in the hands of someone else). The reason I had to leave baby at home and hit the road is because today was HASH DAY.

I have hashed a few times in Trinidad, and then many, many more times in Koh Samui, Thailand, but never in Hong Kong. So I was super thrilled when just a few weeks ago someone took it upon themselves to start up a hash on Lantau, the island on which I live.

Today’s Hash was a truly excellent one. It was set in Tai O, the most rural village on Lantau, and one of the oldest and most old fashioned villages in all of Hong Kong. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and beautiful seas, Tai O is the end of the road for Lantau, and is famous for its stilt houses built into the rivers. Some genius at the Hong Kong Tourism Board came up with the idea to brand Tai O as ‘The Venice of Hong Kong’ because of these stilt houses, but I’d say there is very little they have in common.

Nonetheless, the Hash took us through the towns, up the hills, behind cemeteries and temples, past fish markets and art galleries, across bridges and around schools. It was a great mix of concrete and dirt paths and it certainly delivered a number of surprises along the way, and challenged my pathetic lungs and legs.

Here are some shots from today, with some explanations.

 

 

If you’ve never Hashed before, I highly recommend it as a great way to get out and see somewhere new, meet people, have a few beers, and get a little exercise. The fun part about the Hash is that someone else has gone out and done all the work of marking the trail and deciding where to go, so all you have to do is follow the signs, and then be a good spot when you get called in to the circle afterwards for short cutting, and forced to drink a beer or two. Not a bad deal, right?

(Oh, by the way, Tiny Winy was just fine with the baby sitter. She didn’t even look up when I walked in the door! Sheesh…)