The very last flight of steps I had to ascend to reach the pavilion at Hong Lo Temple (红螺寺). You can see how steep it was! And that was just the very last stretch which made up probably about 1/5 of the way up. Or maybe less. I just remember it was a helluva long way up!
But I’m glad I didn’t give up. As mentioned in a previous entry, I was tempted to turn back while quarter way up. But then I saw people much much older than me slowly making their way up (some even having to have someone support them by holding their elbows) and I told myself I would be a real quitter if I gave up so easily. Plus it’s not every day that I get to come to China.
So yes, I made it all the way to the top and stayed at the pavilion for a few minutes to admire the view from there. A very entrepreneurial man was selling chilled bottled water and canned drinks at black market prices–about 4 to 5 times the normal market rate. If I remember correctly, he was selling each bottle/can for 5 yuan (S$1.00) and normally it would probably have been only 1 yuan (S$0.20).
Thirsty climbers who didn’t bring their own water along baulked at the exorbitant prices but in the end parted with their money albeit grudgingly. But hey, one has to pay for labour cost–this man carried this styrofoam box filled with water, ice cubes, bottled water and canned drinks all the way to the top! No mean feat I say. But I didn’t buy lah, ‘cos I came prepared with my own bottled water. I’m always the prepared traveller!
But if anyone goes there, I say please climb up. It’s all part of the experience and journey. Take a slow climb and admire the scenery as you ascend the steps. Treat it like a leisurely stroll (albeit a vertical one!). In Chinese, we would say 走马观花!