The air’s so think you can see it. It doesn’t have that brown color that you get in Beijing. It’s rather gray looking. It’s a cross between heat, humidity and pollution. I know the official word in the states is smog, but somehow that doesn’t seem to do it for me. Let’s face it we’re talking pollution at its finest or should I say worst. I know it’s bad when I look across the harbour and can’t see a thing past the first row or two of buildings.
When I returned to Hong Kong the first few days were marvelous. Clear blue skies with little white cotton puffs of clouds. On the south side of the island the South China Sea was an inviting turquoise blue dotted with small triangles of yellow and orange wind surfers. The scene was so tranquil I almost forgot about the sharks that inhabit those waters and I actually had the urge to take wind surfing lessons. A taxi ride past the Tai Tam Reservoir with the magnificent Victorian era stonework bridge looming over the teal green water gave me the urge to dive in. Now this is the sub-tropical climate I was longing for.
But short lived it was. Last Thursday the grey settled in. I’m not talking grey skies as in rain. I mean grey air as in I can see what I’m breathing! I was in Kowloon last week and mistakenly thought I could make it across the street before the light changed. My judgement was way off and I got caught in the middle of six lanes of traffic. As I was standing there praying some vehicle wouldn’t swerve ever so slightly I realized I was feeling light headed. I could actually feel the air I was breathing in my nostrils. The particulate matter from the buses was literally going up my nose. That combined with the heat from the urban jungle was making me woozy.
So that evening it started. The itchy eyes that actually hurt. The sinus pain that made my face ache. The dull headache that wouldn’t go away. Thank goodness I brought two bottles of Zrytec back from the states. I swear they should film allergy medication commercials here. The pollution along with the mold and tree pollens makes for a magnificent witches brew of allergy issues.
Yet we refuse to give in to the climate. Sunday Rusty and I started out early (8:45 am) for a hike. We headed up Wan Chai Gap Road to the beginning of Stage 3 of the Hong Kong trail. Wan Chai Gap Road is not a road, but actually a paved trail that is exceptionally steep. You honestly have to lean back as you’re walking down which can also be more difficult than going up particularly if you have bad knees. The first time I went up I had to stop several times. This time I only needed one stop, but then it started. The cough. That dry hack that comes from allergies which can only mean one thing...allergic asthma. I thought those days were over. I didn’t even bring an inhaler to Hong Kong.
But up and over the mountain we went along Aberdeen Reservoir Road to Black’s Link then back to Stubb’s Road. I only had one other coughing spell and my legs were definitely feeling strong. The only problem was the air. When we reached some spectacular spots with views of the south side I could hardly even make out Lantua or Lamma Islands. Everything looked milky and fuzzy. We were hiking in a haze that hung over the entire island.
I’m praying a strong wind will come blow this away although the newspaper says it should last several more days. The pollution level has been registering at Very High and the young, elderly and those with health problems are told to stay indoors. Thank goodness I don’t fall into any of those categories, yet today I will use the treadmill downstairs in the gym instead of running on our lovely Bowen Road. I’ll give my lungs a break.
When I returned to Hong Kong the first few days were marvelous. Clear blue skies with little white cotton puffs of clouds. On the south side of the island the South China Sea was an inviting turquoise blue dotted with small triangles of yellow and orange wind surfers. The scene was so tranquil I almost forgot about the sharks that inhabit those waters and I actually had the urge to take wind surfing lessons. A taxi ride past the Tai Tam Reservoir with the magnificent Victorian era stonework bridge looming over the teal green water gave me the urge to dive in. Now this is the sub-tropical climate I was longing for.
But short lived it was. Last Thursday the grey settled in. I’m not talking grey skies as in rain. I mean grey air as in I can see what I’m breathing! I was in Kowloon last week and mistakenly thought I could make it across the street before the light changed. My judgement was way off and I got caught in the middle of six lanes of traffic. As I was standing there praying some vehicle wouldn’t swerve ever so slightly I realized I was feeling light headed. I could actually feel the air I was breathing in my nostrils. The particulate matter from the buses was literally going up my nose. That combined with the heat from the urban jungle was making me woozy.
So that evening it started. The itchy eyes that actually hurt. The sinus pain that made my face ache. The dull headache that wouldn’t go away. Thank goodness I brought two bottles of Zrytec back from the states. I swear they should film allergy medication commercials here. The pollution along with the mold and tree pollens makes for a magnificent witches brew of allergy issues.
Yet we refuse to give in to the climate. Sunday Rusty and I started out early (8:45 am) for a hike. We headed up Wan Chai Gap Road to the beginning of Stage 3 of the Hong Kong trail. Wan Chai Gap Road is not a road, but actually a paved trail that is exceptionally steep. You honestly have to lean back as you’re walking down which can also be more difficult than going up particularly if you have bad knees. The first time I went up I had to stop several times. This time I only needed one stop, but then it started. The cough. That dry hack that comes from allergies which can only mean one thing...allergic asthma. I thought those days were over. I didn’t even bring an inhaler to Hong Kong.
But up and over the mountain we went along Aberdeen Reservoir Road to Black’s Link then back to Stubb’s Road. I only had one other coughing spell and my legs were definitely feeling strong. The only problem was the air. When we reached some spectacular spots with views of the south side I could hardly even make out Lantua or Lamma Islands. Everything looked milky and fuzzy. We were hiking in a haze that hung over the entire island.
I’m praying a strong wind will come blow this away although the newspaper says it should last several more days. The pollution level has been registering at Very High and the young, elderly and those with health problems are told to stay indoors. Thank goodness I don’t fall into any of those categories, yet today I will use the treadmill downstairs in the gym instead of running on our lovely Bowen Road. I’ll give my lungs a break.
