We cap off our hike with a pre-dinner snack next to the bay, admiring the azure canopy of marshmallow-like clouds, a sunset like a watercolour painting, and homes wedged on the hills reminding me of Nice.

Shek O from Dragon's Back trail Photo: chesleyhouse.com

Breathtaking Shek O

I didn't regret getting sand in my new shoes for my last hiking adventure. That morning, I just couldn't resist the 70 per cent off sale of pretty jewel-encrusted shoes at Admiralty's upscale Pacific Place mall. I later joined Lillian and a Hong Kong friend for cheap but tasty dim sum at a hole in the wall near Central.

Lillian suggested a quick trip to Shek O just before my night shift, though our stylish, pretty and petite Hong Kong friend declined our invitation. "I don't like hiking," she cringed. She went off to get her hair permed while we set off for a spontaneous hike, with Lillian in her flower-printed skirt and me wearing my new pearls and pink pumps. "I would love to live here," Lillian told me, gasping in awe as the bus weaved higher and higher up the mountainous path overlooking the sea.

Less than an hour later, the bus dropped us off at the lovely white-sand beach. We kicked off our shoes and waded in the clean shores as surfers rode the waves behind us and children played catch with their dog, flew kites, and built sandcastles.

Out of the beaches I've seen in Hong Kong, Shek O is the most breathtaking. Stanley beach near the famous seaside market, however, has gorgeous aqua blue waters of various shades, and Repulse Bay is the larger and more famous beach spot. In the near distance, paragliders jumped off the mountain above us as the sun started to make its exit. A quick stroll through the bright sherbet-hued residences of the village, where we met an elderly man and his friendly dog and cat lounging side by side on the porch, eventually led us back to the sea.

At the end of the trail, we came across another pretty scene: From a sky-blue bridge, we stood silently transfixed at the strong waves crashing against the boulders.

On my second last day in Hong Kong, Lillian asked me if Hong Kong changed me. I told her it did. It made me see how even in the robotic routines of city life, we can find hidden scenic surprises that can inspire us. And in Hong Kong I may have transformed into a "shopaholic convert," but back in Beijing, I have since been cured of that inescapable Hong Kong urge to shop till you drop.

Hong Kong Disneyland HOT!

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