I took a bus this morning from Wan Zi Sha, where I live, around to the Jida and Gongbei side of Jida Mtn. Macao is south of Zhuhai. There is a tunnel linking the two areas. There are some cutback trails leading up to the top of the mountain, where 'microwave emitting towers hold their presence over the city. Finally there was a clear but cold day. Apparently, we even hit a record low of 10 degrees, something that had never happened in Zhuhai in November. Maybe that movie 2012 did have something right in it...





The area here, mostly in these small mountains, contains lots of this quartz looking rock. I had a bag full by the time I went back to my apartment.



Gnarled trees frame a shot of mostly Macao, and a trail that led off somewhere that seemed a lot steeper than in the photo.



This is the panoramic of the Jida-Gongbei districts, and Macao. To the right are the Lisboa Casino, and Macao Tower.



When I arrived at the top, I walked along the crest of the mountain and saw four or five radio towers. It was much more windy and chilly. Men were working on something up there, and had closed off access to the other side of the mountain. I met a man in military uniform, though the Chinese like to dress up like that here, regardless of status. He mentioned something about police as he walked toward me, so I assumed he was escorting me back down. His name was Wong, and through broken english (I'm starting to think there's no other kind here) he told me he wants to learn better English, and that the mountain was closed to visitors.
Halfway down we parted, and I found out he was not police, or any sort of worker. There was another way up the other side of the mountain, and I took it. I came along a local worker, renovating some of the buildings.



Toward the top is an old well. I'm not sure how, or how long it took them, but there were a handful of old ladies filling up 20L jugs with the water. On my way down I helped one lady, but not ten minutes in she demanded I put down what I was carrying so that she could carry it the rest of the way.

I got a nicely posed shot of an eagle flying, but it was really far away.



I walked a few blocks near to the TPR where I sometimes teach in Gongbei. Along the way I encountered a rat that had fallen onto the sidewalk. He was an excitable little fella, and acted like more of a kangaroo. Two girls happening by sounded like they were giving birth at the mere sight of it, but honestly I was more scared of their screams.



I bought two ro sham mos (pork and lettuce in pita) for lunch on walking street and bused home.


A few days ago there was no haze in the crystal clear blue sky, and I found out that Hong Kong is visible from Zhuhai. You can make out a mountain famous there that has an airport and three chemical stacks. Tonight there are too many clouds to view the meteor shower, so I'm doubtful 4am will fly.



Usually these are the only islands that are visible.