Dragon's Back

Today we finished work early, so that the office could depart en masse for a hike over Dragon's Back, and then dinner in Shek O. The CEO had just flown in from the west coast of America the night before, so (possibly as an evil prank) we'd invited him along for this yomp over a hill in thirty-degree heat and 75% humidity.

Which for us acclimatised locals is nothing special, but when you're jetlagged and wearing a cardigan, could be a bit more painful.

By "locals" I have to point out that was largely expatriates living in Hong Kong, as most of the Hong Kongers from the office seemed to live in abject fear of the Great Outdoors, as it's:

• Uncarpeted
• Completely lacking even rudimentary air conditioning
• Chock-full of dengue fever

So most of them didn't come on the hike (some of the braver souls did, so it wasn't solely a bunch of expats wandering about cluelessly). I assume they were all busily working and not taking the opportunity for an early skive. After all, some of us were merrily checking out blackberries and iphones as we slithered down rocks, rather than admire the view.

Not that there's much to see for the first (tree covered) section of the trail, but once we were up on the Dragon's Back proper, with the sun setting on the horizon, there were some lovely views of the SAR.

I did worry that most of the APAC leadership team could have been wiped out by one landslide / one rampaging wild boar / one influx of rabid Chinese Nazi reenactionists, but my fears were groundless; we made it over the Back and down to the road with minimal loss of life.

I did get some souvenirs though, and I don't mean I brained anyone with a rock and stole their iPad. I brought down three plastic water bottles, two chocolate bar wrappers and a spoon. It would be nice if people would take their trash out when they were walking the trail, but it appears not everyone has realised the outside is not the same as a convenient waste receptacle.

Then again, if everyone picked up some of the rubbish they saw by the side of the trail ... somebody would probably cut themselves on an old tin can. You can't win every time.