Here and There

When people think about Hong Kong, they often picture a megalopolis with endless skyscrapers. When I think of Hong Kong, I picture something totally different—nature!  On a recent trip to the island, I learned that the Hong Kong is a true hiker’s paradise, with four major hiking trails and many other ones, too. The four major trails are The Hong Kong Trail (31 mi/50 km, 8 sections), the Maclehose Trail (62 mi/100 km, 10 sections), the Lantau Trail (43 mi/70 km, 12 sections), and the Wilson Trail (48 mi/78 km, 10 sections). After hiking over 70 miles/110 km on these trails, my favorite hike of all was section 3 of the Lantau Trail. On this hike, you climb Hong Kong’s second highest peak, Lantau Peak (3,065 feet/934 meters). You then descend into the village of Ngong Ping, where you can see the Tian Tian giant Buddha (34 meters or 111 feet tall) and visit the Po Lin Monastery. For people wanting to hike a little closer to the city center, Victoria Peak is another great optio...

Most tourists visiting Paris make a beeline for the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, but if you want to feel like a local, there are countless other places to go. Here are a three of my favorite spots. Canal Saint-Martin You may have strolled along the Seine River, but have you explored the Canal Saint Martin? Here, you’ll find people sitting along the banks of the canal strumming guitars, drinking wine, and picnicking. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to check out right off of the canal. La Coulée Verte (La Promenade Plantée) This is a former railroad line that has been transformed into a peaceful greenway. This 2.8 mile/4.5 km pedestrian route starts at the Opéra Bastille (Bastille opera house) and ends at the Bois de Vincennes, Paris’s largest park. You’ll walk on footbridges, traverse tunnels, and pass under arcades covered in greenery. Bois de Boulogne The Bois de Boulogne is a large public park in western Paris that once served as a hunting ground for ...