The Mother Nature Rocks aims to encourage students to explore the city’s countryside and to experience the ecosphere afresh. With the keynote as hiking, this programme incorporates features like eco-tourism, caving, wading, photography, backwoods cooking and star gazing into the tours to bring participants new perspectives on the astonishing beauty of nature. The response to the Mother Nature Rocks has been terribly enthusiastic since its launch in 2019-20. The participating students, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or language barriers, enjoyed together and were amazed by the stunning natural scenery of Hong Kong.
In the first term of this academic year, two activities under the Mother Nature Rocks, namely “Hiking x War Relics” and “Hiking x Autumn Vibes”, were conducted albeit arduous in the planning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did the participants complete hiking according to the themes of the respective tours, but they also acquired basic knowledge of mountain arts including identifying current position using a map with a compass or mobile applications, as well as availing themselves of mobile phones, whistles and emergency blankets to send distress signals. Despite the gathering restrictions, everyone exercised a great deal of self-discipline and had fond memories.
The first activity titled “Hiking x War Relics” was held on the 23rd of October last year. Participants visited the relics trail located at Shing Mun Country Park. They passed by the Gin Drinkers Line, which was the military fortress at the Second World War, and witnessed the cannonball holes and destroyed pillboxes as if they were involved in the war. At the end of the journey, they walked along the Smugglers’ Ridge to Kowloon Reservoir.
As for the second activity titled “Hiking x Autumn Vibes”, it took place on the 27th of November last year. Participants started the trip at Tai Tong of Yuen Long and headed to Reservoir Islands Viewpoint via Yeung Ka Tsuen and Tai Lam Country Park, where they enjoyed the beautiful panoramic view of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. They then visited Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods in the autumn breeze and watched the leaf having colour changed. To conclude the excursion, participants strolled along Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail to return to Tai Tong.
Due to the worsening epidemic situation and the extremely stringent social distancing measures under “Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance”, the Mother Nature Rocks is to be suspended in the second term. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Tsui of this Centre via 3943 4702 (Tel) or icare@cuhk.edu.hk (Email).