OOOh, tomorrow is going to be fun. I am going on a night hike. I have organised it, and earlier this week, Terri's brother David and I walked it through and even very sensibly took pictures along the way.

I used my Camelback for the second time. I really really really do not like having anything on my back (especially children) when i hike and it is even worse when I jog. Last Saturday I went for a run. I left the flat, intending to run to the Boat Club. I took a backpack which contained a change of clothes. I ran up to the Peak. Smack smack smack, the backpack against my back. It had no waist clip, it should be mentioned.

I was very irritated, it should be noted.

By 5km in, I was thinking, "I should just go home and change." But that would be wimpy and I didn't want to be that! So I kept going. Run run run. But that darn smack smack smack.

At 10 km I was walking and texting my lovely husband that I was 2hrs away. I knew I would not be running again, not with this albatross on my back. He was amazed. I was not impressed. And it was hot and I was unhappy. I had even brough water, and twisting to get it was annoying. It just wasn't good. All of it. Eventually I called Charles once I hit the road and totally abandoned the idea of walking the last four km. He came to collect me. I was so disappointed.

So yesterday, knowing it was going to be a walk, and that the Camelback had a Waistclip, i gave it a go. Filled up the bladder, carefully closed it, and was off with my map. Found the starting point and we were off.

THe entire hike took us 3hrs15minutes. This included about 15 minutes of watching cool things, and 0 minutes as I tried to find the entrance to Lady Clementi's Ride, which we eventually found without asking for help or consulting the map which means that we weren't lost or didn't make a mistake. It will be interesting to see how we do in the dark. The headlamps are v. cool.

The bladder worked well, but I found I was swallowing a lot of air, which means I am doing something incorrectly. I was quite uncomfortable by the end of the hike with all the air I could feel in my esophagus.

Tomorrow is a half day (end of term) or as Jasper put it "no lunch at school". The kids are getting excited about half term in Bali, moreso now that I have shown them the movies that Singapore Air is showing and the entertainment units available. You have to love kids. I'm trying to manage things and to show Charles where we can save a copper or two...but the problem is that I keep finding really cool and sadly, expensive things to do on Bali. Like I want Sebastian and I to get up one morning and climb the live volcano. Sadly, this experience will cost us around $100USper person. BUt I mean, how cool is that going to be, climbing a live volcano and seeing the sun rise at the top? Getting up at 2am, arriving at the base at 3am, climbing in the dark for a few hours? I think it sounds great!!!!

And that's only ONE of the things I have found to do...this is going to be a really great trip.

 

Comments

[Nina]

Tess, please go on the volcano hike and post pics for us - it's on my bucket list but I can live vicariously through you for a bit :)

[Boulder]

DO THE VOLCANO CLIMB!!!

I climbed Mt. Fuji in the same fashion and looking out at sunrise after climbing in the dark is a memory that imprints for life.

(Please note - you may want to take an older pair of still comfortable shoes - our downhill was one that filled all shoes in all possible spots with ash - quite uncomfortable to use once you've destroyed them. They weighed a LOT more after completing the entire route, and you'll not want to have the ash all over your room, suitcase, etc. Fine while going down, as long as you don't take them off and try to put them back on - the ash gets everywhere!)

[Maureen Lyons aka Mo aka grandmother aka Mum]

As a mother who happens to be your mother I for some reason can't get totally excited about you hiking in the dark in Hong Kong BUT am totally excited about you and Seb hiking the volcano in the dark in Bali. Hmmmmm. What I do know for sure is that your trip to Bali with your family is going to be a much-deserved break and full of fun! xox

[Jill Swann]

I did the sunset at the Grand Canyon and it was beautiful. I had travelled there on my own and it really was amazing. You have to do the volcano hike....cut expenses somewhere else if need be, but this sounds like such a beautiful opportunity!