Cattle in Sai Kung

Dear Diary,

Hong Kongers often call Sai Kung the ‘Back Garden of Hong Kong’. I think I know one reason why — the cattle.

Yes, roaming herds of cattle often wander freely in the streets of Sai Kung. If you didn’t know better, you might think the scene was something from some rural Southeast Asian country. But no, this is Hong Kong, self-proclaimed ‘Asia’s World City’ — a city of over 7 million people.

It’s always a treat for me to see these cattle wandering about. Of course, they usually disturb traffic even more than it usually is (perhaps why I like them so much), and they leave their droppings all over the streets, but there’s just something refreshing about seeing a packed double-decker bus grind to a halt because of some stubborn cattle.

Like most of the unique things in this city, the government is cracking down on the cattle. Reports claim that authorities are trying to round up the cattle and destroy them, though the government denies it. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s true. Progress and all that I suppose.

But as for me, I’ll continue to cheer on those free-spirited cattle, even if they make me late for work, because that’s something this city needs more of — free spirits.

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen