All I really wanted was a grande skim latte. However, Starbucks in this part of the world don’t open as early as they should, so I found myself at loose ends at 6:30 in the morning.

Heading out from the hotel, you have two choices: down toward the water, or up the surprisingly steep hills to parts unknown… I went up. 

Parts unknown turned out to be Hong Kong University, a beautiful campus that works its way up the hillside. It serves as a nice transition between city and jungle. Apart from a few dog walkers and some old ladies doing their Chinese arm-flapping exercises, I had things pretty much to myself.

I soon came across this Fire Dragon, part of somebody’s senior thesis in cultural anthropology or some such. Further up, this garage / taqueria showed off an eclectic sense of humor. Soon I was alone on on a paved path through thick jungle, although I noticed the telltale flour blobs and chalk circles of a recent hash trail.

I goggled at the foliage for a while, and climbed myself into a good sweat, but never got high enough for the panoramic view I was hoping for. 

Turning my eyes back downhill, I found more cool utility meters (is this a new thing for me? certainly easier to find than knockers…) and the end of the hash trail. I suppose a true hasher would have started pounding on doors demanding a beer, but for me, I was just really ready for that latte… make it a venti, please.