The Seychelles
Irresistible and affordable
Famed for serene beaches, turquoise waters and natural beauty, Seychelles lives up to its promise of paradise found. Fly to this sublime Indian Ocean setting 3 times a week with Air Seychelles. Witness rare birds and giant tortoises. Marvel at pristine coral. Venture inland along jungle trails. Or simply relax and enjoy the laid-back tempo of life. Departs
Dept. Time
Arrives
Arr. Time
Frequency
Hong Kong
19:10
Abu Dhabi
23:40
Mon, Wed, Fri
Abu Dhabi
02:00
Seychelles
06:35
Tues, Thurs, Sat
Seychelles
15:55
Abu Dhabi
20:25
Tues, Thurs, Sun
Abu Dhabi
21:55
Hong Kong
09:55+1
Tues, Thurs, Sun
Air Seychelles Hong Kong contact centre on +852 3979 3488 or email us on airseychelleshkg@walshegroup.com www.airseychelles.com The information above is correct at the time of printing. However, changes after publication might occur and will affect the accuracy of the content.
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APR - MAY 2014 ISSUE 36
08
Volcanic Splendour
15
HIKING MT RINJANI
12
Peak Power UTTARAKHAND'S MOUNTAINS
Lofty Aspirations ANDEAN VENEZUALA, COLOMBIA AND BOLIVIA
20
From Lakes to Mountains NEW YORK’S ADIRONDACK PARK
08
© Chris Ng
20 12
© VisitAdirondacks.com
24
Action Island
26
Spiritual Heights
TASMANIA’S WILD OUTDOORS
24
© Tourism Tasmania & Will Brown, Vertigo MTB
APR - MAY 2014 ISSUE 36
REGULARS Publisher's Note
05
10
Travel News
19
Travel Tips
30
Gear Guide
26
32
28 © Chai Meng Woei
© Paul Morrison
34 22
© RHKYC/Guy Nowell
28
Mountain Backed Cities
36
Epic Hikes
32
Land of the Rising Peaks
40
The Downwind Chase
34
Gorilla Mountain
SUMMITING JAPAN’S 3 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS
RWANDA’S VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
36
40
24
KNIFE EDGE FINISH TO THE TOMES CUP PRESENTED BY ZERORH+
Publisher's Note With the coming of summer, there is no more appropriate a time to hit the mountains than now, which is the theme of this issue. We kick of this issue with Mt. Rinjani an area famous for its mountain climbs and trekking. Trekkers can visit the rim of the lake or some with care take on the challenge of the climb. We are then off to Uttarakhand state, which is known for its majestic mountains at the foot hills of the Himalayas. Here you can tackle some legendary trekking routes or ride downriver on a rafting trip.
05
Venezuela, Colombia and Bolivia are three countries that straddle the Andes. From the mist covered tepuis of Mt. Roraima and Angel Falls to the soaring peaks of the Sierra Nevada National Park, the beauty of Venezuela ’s landscape definitely surpasses its Miss World Pagents. Neighbouring Colombia may be famous for its coffee, but head of the beaten tracks to discover its volcanic origins and glacier-capped peaks. Further South is Bolivia, the cradle of the Incan civilisation that's centred around the Incan trail. Here you can tackle one of the world’s most dangerous roads, or explore the wilds of the upper Amazon River Basin. Home to the Northeast’s largest track of protected natural landscape, in the US of A we hit New York State’s Adirondack region – a mountainous region dotted with lakes and rivers, making it ideal for outdoor adventure.
© Tourism Tasmania & Nick Hancock
Australia’s island of Tasmania is our next stop for some of the best places to bush-walk, mountain bike and climb, from the famous Cradle Mountain (home of the Overland Track) to Mt. Wellington and Tasman National Park. Closer to home, we hit Japan’s 3highest mountains – including the iconic Mt. Fuji which was recently crowned a World Heritage Site – for a spot of hiking and trekking. Last but not least, we visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park which known as the easiest place in the world to get up close the the gorillas in the wild. Happy Trails.
OUR TEAM PUBLISHER
Sports and Travel Limited Mario Rosario mrosario@sportsandtravel.com.hk
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Aaron K. Stewart astewart@sportsandtravel.com.hk
CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER FINANCE & ADMIN
Lynn Ooi Marilyn Wong mwong@sportsandtravel.com.hk Hylda Low hlow@sportsandtravel.com.hk
ADVERTISING SALES ADVERTISING SALES AUSTRALIA HONG KONG JAPAN INDONESIA MALAYSIA PHILIPPINES THAILAND
advertise@sportsandtravel.com.hk Sabine Senne ssenne@sportsandtravel.com.hk Chris Ng cng@sportsandtravel.com.hk Jing Wen jwen@sportsandtravel.com.hk Akram Razak arazak@sportsandtravel.com.hk Sukdev Gill sgill@sportsandtravel.com.hk Jil North jnorth@sportsandtravel.com.hk Jesse Ting jting@sportsandtravel.com.hk
CONTRIBUTORS
SPECIAL THANKS
Ken Berg Chai Meng Woei Lakshmi Ganesan Annabelle Jeffrey Samantha Pereira RHKYC
Visit Adirondacks Tourism Australia Vipin Sharma Tourism Tasmania India Tourism Guy Nowell
Visit us at sportsandtravel.com.hk Like us at fb.com/SportsandTravelHongKong Sports + Travel is distributed at outlets across Hong Kong, including:
Sports + Travel Hong Kong is published by Sports and Travel Limited Hong Kong. All articles published are in good faith and based on bona fide information available to The Publisher at the time of press. The Publisher accepts no responsibility other than that stipulated by law. The Publisher also accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies, or other material. The Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability in any way for the contents or any of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. Al rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced in part or full without the previous written permission of The Publisher. Neither can any part be stored or recorded by any means. The opinions expressed in the publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher. Sports + Travel Hong Kong is published bi-monthly and distributed throughout Hong Kong. Trademarks and copyrights for all other products, logos, and depictions contained herein are the properties of the respective trademark and copyright owners. All color separation and printing by FANTASY PRINTING LTD., Unit B, 1/F, Tin Fung Industrial Mansion, 63 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong Tel: 2554 5000 Sports + Travel Limited, 1104 Crawford House, 70 Queens Road Central, Central Hong Kong. W: www.sportsandtravel.com.hk | E: enquiry@sportsandtravel.com.hk
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Events Calendar
HONG KONG
If you have an event that you feel should be included on this page, please email us on events@sportsandtravel.com.hk
6 April
Panasonic Pacers Charity Easter Run 2014
6 April
2014-Bonaqua Action Sprint Repulse Bay
10 April
2014 Inter-school Indoor Rowing Championships www.rowing.org.hk
12 April
Water Ski & Wakeboard National Squad Training
12 April
The Drop
16-20 April
Gobi Challenge
26-27 April
57th Festival of Sports - Asian Games Time Trial www.hkasa.org.hk Swimming
4 May
Festival of Sport H. K. Mountain Bike Race www.cycling.org.hk
4 May
Hong Kong Inter Schools Aquathlon Championship 2014 Repulse Bay
www.openwaterasia.com
www.pacers.org.hk
12km Adventure Run
www.actionasiaevents.com
Rowing
www.waterski.org.hk
Water Ski
Swimming
www.xtechallenge.com/gobi.html
www.aquawiz2000.com
3km/10km Race
100km Trail Race
Cycling
Aquathlon
11 May
Bank of China (HK) 57th Festival of Sport - Age Group Triathlon www.triathlon.com.hk Triathlon
17 May
Festival of Sport Hong Kong BMX Race
17-18 May
Dark 50 -Mountain Marathon www.xterace.com
Night Trail Running
18 May
The 5th Interschool Dragon Boat Championships
www.hkdba.com.hk
18 May
2014-OtterBox Action Asia Challenge Hong Kong www.actionasiaevents.com Single Day Race
24 May
Water Ski & Wakeboard National Squad Training www.waterski.org.hk Water Ski
24 May
Eco Charity Sprint Triathlon
www.cycling.org.hk
www.aquawiz2000.com
Age Race & Open Race
Triathlon
Dragon Boat Race