Over the weekend, we woke up early and went for a short hike before starting work. As the weather was hot with a super strong sun, we decided to take it easy and choose a relaxing trail. Started from Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park, we hiked down to Tai Tam Reservoir. Scenery was beautiful and the sun’s reflection from the water in the Reservoir is almost like the color of our restaurant name – Verde MAR (Green Sea, the color of the Sea of Cortez in Mexico where our cuisine is rooted) – Highly recommend this trail to any family, even suitable for all elderly.
While finishing the trail quickly (as it was all downhill), we made an impulsive decision and hiked back up the Violet Hill. So all of a sudden, the difficulty level changed from beginner to advanced. The trail definitely offers a beautiful view of Repulse Bay, Tai Tam Reservoir Group and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. But, it was a non-stop 45 minutes stair-master workout in the middle of a strong sunny day, 35 degree C with no shade! While With the imagination of a nice cool icy Jamaica (a Mexican Hibiscus Tea) at the end of our hike, we managed to finish the hike fairly quickly (as it was also time to go back to work!).
As we had absorbed way too much heat energy, all we wanted was a nice cool refreshing lunch before work. So we had a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail and a Snapper Ceviche Tostada, accompany with a nice cool icy Jamaica (exactly liked what we imagined up in the middle of the Violet Hill) and a fresh Lime Soda. Unlike the American Shrimp Cocktail which is usually come with a thick ketchup-based sauce, the Mexican version is a refreshing tomato-based seafood cold soup, served with Avocado, Onion, Cilantro, Tomato, Cucumber. The Ceviche Tostada is prepared by chopping the fresh snapper into mince, marinated lightly with salt, pepper, lime juice and mixed well with tomato, onion and cilantro. Serving on a piece of crispy Tostada and is the best appetizer to enjoy in the summer.
So next time if you feel like a refreshing appetizer to work up your appetite during a hot summer day, come to Verde MAR! We have a lot of dishes for you to choose from – just as how you will find around the Mexican Coastal area.
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail available all day and Snapper Ceviche Tostadas available on our Weekday Lunch Menu 12-3pm at Verde MAR. Another version of this dish is Snapper Ceviche de Avocado which is available all day.
Transportation: Take the bus No. 6 from Central/Wanchai and get off at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park Station (about 15 minutes).
One thing I really like about Hong Kong is the close distance between the city center and the country parks/beaches. It makes any hiking/swimming/outdoor activities very convenient.
