20/01/2011: THE NEW TERRITORIES

The land between Kowloon and the Chinese border is known as the New Territories. It is this land, not Hong Kong, which was leased to the British for 99 years in 1898. When the lease expired in 1997 Britain had no choice but to hand back Hong Kong too because so much of Hong Kong's drinking water and food comes from the New Territories.

We decided to do the 'New Territories in one day' set out in the Rough Guide.
A whistle-stop day!!
We took the West Rail Line to Kam Sheung Road station.

Bicycle Park, not car park

Then we walked to the small hamlet of Kam Tin.



Street scene very different to Hong Kong. But we found an interesting cafe, where they promptly produced a menu in English, and settled down to sausage andwiches with China tea.

Right in the middle of Kam Tin is the large fortified Hakka village of Kat Hing Wai, founded in the 15th century. We were avidly looking for it, looked up and realised we were right beside the walls.



All that remains of the original are the high stone walls, built to deter bandits and pirates.

 

The 'fetid moat' mentioned in the guide book was being given a refurb.



Inside, the grid of narrow alleyways is authentic.



We decided not to brave the posse of ladies at the entrance.



Then we jumped on the 64K bus:



Imagine bus stops in Birmingham with these chairs - not unusual here



Many tree lined streets



Many market gardens with lots of small orange trees for the chinese new year decorations



Then it was lunch at Tai Po.

Tai Po is one of the miniature cities that crop up all over the New Territories. They are surreal, with housing estates, shopping plazas, employment etc., all seemingly self-contained.



Sitting out area - men playing cards





While the women work.  We saw a number of women doing the manual jobs including building work




Ugly canals throughout the Territories to help prevent flooding.



Then 2 more buses to the coastal village of Sai Kung.



These fish were so still for so long, we swore they were posing for the picture.



Enough to put you off fish for life!!!

It was a nice fishing village and the best of the New Territories that we saw.  We also went into some of the authentic chinese classic furniture shops -- pity about luggage restrictions.....

Then back on the bus to Diamond Hill station, and the MTR home.