Lion's Peak

The Adventure of a Lifetime

One night, about a week ago, I just couldn't sleep. Well, I could, but I just decided to stay up and study. Something in me told me, "Jon, you know you really don't have to go to sleep. I mean, you're in college on the other side of the world. Who cares?"So I let my conscious be my guide and stayed up studying Chinese until around 4:30. Finally, I decided I better at least consider going back to my room. As soon as I opened my door to my room, I noticed the sun was coming up. Wow, I thought, "It's only 4:45ish, and the sun is already coming up!" Full of this sudden burst of energy, I somehow convinced myself that I needed to go hiking. What was I thinking?! Oh, I have no idea, but this was the best decision of my life - other than accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior of course!

The photo above is what I see when I'm trying to find my way from campus to get to the top of this mountain. Yea, that's right, my goal was to get to the top of this mountain. I don't know what inspired me (other than my adventurous nature), but I was determined to make it to the top of that mountain. With great ambition, my Eddie Bauer hat, and my Merrel hiking shoes, I took off with bloodshot eyes from zero amount of sleep. Even better, this is a solo journey.

My strategy for finding my way up was simple: just start walking straight towards it! Not that simple in Hong Kong, however. With busy streets blockading my what seemed to be straight path, I had to weave my way via walking sidewalks and scale

overpasses to get to my destination.

Finally, I found my way to what seemed to be one of the many entrances to Lion's Peak Trail. The entrance was very secluded and an abrupt change from the rural to natural environment. I was amazed that among all of this, that so close was this beautiful vegetation. I took some videos, I can't get them on my blog sorry. But they are uploaded on my Picasa Web Albums if you want to check them out. Which, after you read what I am about to tell you...you will probably be really curious to see the videos!

Going in the morning was the best idea. Once I got on to the trail, I felt like I was in a whole different culture. All of the people I saw were elderly (obviously people my age were asleep). This was such a cultural experience for me because they were so friendly! Everyone said "Jousahn" to me, which means "Good morning". It was so cool because I was able to practice what I had learned so far with the friendly locals. Some of them told me that they climb the mountain everyday. Yea - the age range seemed to be 60-80 years old! So, these people are healthy. This is not an easy hike. Very vigorous, but well worth it when you get to the top!

Well, I didn't just talk with elderly people. I made other friends while on this amazing hike. As I approached the peak of the mountain and was in awe of the most amazing view of the entire city and harbor, I was startled. Not by the amazing

view, but by the peculiar shaking of the trees behind me and to my left. Happening to already have my camera on hand, I turn to the left, and see a monkey dangling from the tree - looking straight at me! Oh my goodness, is this reality? I

shook my head in disillusion, trying to make myself believe what I was seeing. It was true!

There were nearly 10 monkeys climbing around and "oo-oo-ah-ah-ing" or whatever the sound effect translation is! I could not believe my eyes! After a few seconds goes by, I un-drop my jaw, and begin to video-tape them. As I am video-taping, I am thinking to myself, "I need to get them on tape because they are going to leave before I can get them". To my amazement, they were not leaving. In fact, two of them jumped down athletically from 15 feet off the tree limb to the edge of the cliff that I happened to be standing on. I was trying to enjoy a nice view of Hong Kong, but these guys didn't seem to care.

Suddenly, I realized that I had a pack of Ritz crackers in my hand. Then it all made sense - they were hungry and I had a nice treat. Uh oh, I thought. But, no, I wasn't going to run away, especially seeing as I had no where to run but off the cliff! They had me trapped. So, instead, I quickly decided to try and be really friendly to them. I started waving; that didn't work because they were still curiously monkeying around me. I gave in, and motioned for them to come and take the Ritz crackers. These guys are smart, because the biggest one came at me in an instance and snatched it out of my hand. Good thing I'm an experienced hiker and brought extra food!

But, I was beginning to have fun now and they didn't seem as aggressive anymore. So, I started to play around with them. I actually climbed a tree and tried to get close to one. I dangled down, showing them that I was athletic too! It was the coolest, yet goofiest experience ever. I started talking to them thinking they actually understood me. Then, I started to realize that they just

wanted more crackers. Giving in to their now what seemed to friendliness, I sat down at a nearby rock. I began nibbling my three pack of crackers. Suddenly, one of the monkeys comes up to me and sits down next to me! Laughing hysterically, I got out my camera again, and offered him one of the crackers. He seemed more shy than the big monkey who snatched the other pack of crackers (by the way I saw him open it with his hands just like we would!). I call friendly, shy monkey Curious George. I kept my hand held out until he finally conjured up the courage to come take it out of my hand. It was an amazing feeling to touch his little hand. I will never forget that moment of him casually reaching towards me in trust. Although I didn't get it on camera, I did manage to shake his hand. But his friends were uneasy when he did this, and they all chanted what I translated to be "don't do that stupid".

Soon after, a few local women came and saw me interacting with the monkeys. They spoke English, and were amazed that I wasn't injured because, according to them, they were known to be aggressive and scratch the face of humans! I was perplexed, because I didn't get this feeling from them. They seemed to behave differently towards me.

Anyways, I still hadn't made it to the top! I still had a goal to obtain! Feeling like George of the Jungle, I confidently continued on up the mountain. After about 100 paces up, I look to my left and see a mother monkey holding a baby monkey! The baby seemed like it was just born, I was once again in awe! This time, unfortunately, I was unprepared. I tried to get my camera out, but once I did, a monkey pounces at me through the trees directly at me! It was the most startling experience! I don't know how I did it, but I dodged the lightning fast move made by the monkey. He snarled at me and it was obvious that he was protecting the baby. I have it on video! You can hear me scream like a girl and then the snarling monkey. What's unbelievable, is that I managed to get away from them. I scurried up the trail a little ways, and about 10 monkeys were following me!!! I was scared for my life because one of them was enormous. Unbelievably so, but I got all of this on camera! You can see the baby monkey being escorted across the trail for a split second if you pause the video. Wow. Breathing heavily, I continued to walk up frightened by what just happened.

Only 50 more paces and there is a man with a walking stick singing along to his radio! He was as jolly as old Saint Nick! I have a video of him singing this pleasant Chinese song. I thought to myself, "why didn't he get attacked by a monkey?" It must be because they are used to locals and were startled to see a white man. Just a guess.

Continuing on up about 50 yards or so, I find myself at what seems to be the highest point. A small shelter with two elderly men was to my right. Fatigued, I went to sit down in the circular bench circumfusing the shelter. As I gathered my breath back, I just sat there listening to these two Chinese men chat. They seemed to be long time friends. I couldn’t understand them, but it was so good to see smiling faces. Their demeanor was just not the same as the people in the city. They were joyful, and seemed to enjoy talking about me without me knowing what they were saying! I finally asked them their names in Cantonese, and then introduced myself to them. That’s about all I could say!

A few minutes later, many people arrive at the shelter. Most of them were women. But one in particular stuck out like a sore thumb! She had the loudest voice known to man, and she was not shy about confronting me. Her English wasn't very good, but she beckoned for her friend to come speak with me because she spoke English better. They were so curious to why a 19-year old white American from Kentucky was up hiking Lion's Peak at 5 in the morning. I wonder why? I answered all their questions and even impressed them with my Putonghua. It was so cool to speak with locals. I was so happy to experience the culture in this way. Everyone there (about 30) knew each other because most of them hiked to the top every morning. I was impressed, and wanted to make a commitment to do the same. But they laughed and told me I should focus on my studies because I am not retired like them.

This concludes my hike! I went back and reflected on my day. I wrote in my journal a bit, and then suddenly became extremely sleepy. All of the adrenaline had been sucked out of me, and I was hungry as well. But I felt so satisfied because of the amazing events that just occurred in just 3 hours. I hope to go back many times and meet George again. Lion's Peak is a special place to me now, and I will never forget this day.