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229th tree planting day 14-Apr-2002
It was Saturday, and the next day would be the day traditionally reserved for rest and recuperation after a hard week's work in the fields. But it was different today; I had prepared two cans of V, a sack of water, a first aid kit and sun cream. Where was I going? The answer could not come faster and clearer than it did on that Saturday night - we were going to some faraway place to plant trees.
I recall waking up to the sound of birds - from my CD player. It was seven thirty in the morning and I had two hours to finish off breakfast and travel to Tung Chung MTR station. By eight forty, I arrived at Central Station to take the Tung Chung line to the appointed destination.
I arrived
fifteen minutes earlier and already, a couple of scouts were lounging adjacent
the bakery catching up lost sleep and eating breakfast. Little did I know that
those were already the majority of the participants in this year's tree planting
ritual. We gathered near the toilets - and the
number 11 bus stop. As the clock ticked by nine forty, we were ready to board
the bus; ten minutes off schedule.
The bus ride included seats, air conditioning, one hour's travelling time and a nineteen dollars fare. The driver witnessed us dropping off at last year's meeting grounds and sped on his way. The number of participating troop members was no match compared to the numbers last year. On that day, I counted 13 scout heads (including me). Last year when I wasn't doing the counting, I actually felt the numbers. The ambient chatter and laughter was far more voluminous than the fourteenth of April 2002.
We set off towards the pinnacle of the mountain where an officer from the agricultural and fisheries department awaited our arrival. The sun beat down on us like hot oil, so I consumed one can of V during the flat walk towards the slope.
The first part was not tiring at all. It was probably just the mood of the whole affair. It was hot and there was little reason to cheer. The troop's tree planting activities have always been popular and since I started my scouting career, tree planting seemed like the thing to do every spring. It almost felt desolate that day. It felt empty... like a desert, void of life. Maybe it was the weather... who knows?
Anyway, we continued along the storm canal and stopped to collect water for the saplings we would plant later that morning.
We followed the route that we recognise from the previous year, wondering how we ever tackled the slope. It wasn't too hot yet but already, legs were becoming wet and faces were puffing red. Taking small steps and restraining myself, I was still very much alive. Reaching a junction, we took a small rest before continuing on our journey.
By eleven thirty, we had gained quite some ground and already we could hear the fast walkers chatting amongst themselves. Arriving at the tree planting zone, we took out our lunch and began a feeding frenzy. I took out my little doughball and after having eaten it, took a clip [5Mb] to show you the situation of our picnic.
The official from the agriculture and fisheries department was familiar. He was of average build and his short stubby hair sported the weirdest dye pattern ever. Some tales about it caroused through the small group as he led us through the history of our saplings - and his hair. The saplings have grown quite well - considering they were watered consistently and well cared for because they were near the main road. Some even grew to over two feet tall!
We began our manual toil by counting the number of surviving plants on the hill their planting in the previous year. Having analysed our findings, we began hacking holes into the moist earth and removing weeds near the site to make way for this year's new saplings. We only had one sledgehammer so newbies took turns to learn how to use it.
The
sun spat upon us like a overheated electric blanket as we worked to produce
holes of suitable calibre. We did all we could in the span of an hour and
amazingly, none of us felt tired at all. We looked back proudly upon our work
and returned to the guy with the cool hairdo for the next thing.
°
The
next thing was - of course, the planting of the saplings. We received a review
of 'how to plant 'em' from the cool guy and we
set about carrying out his instruction. I took another short clip of his 'instructions'
which is available... if you contact me.
Planting trees is tricky business, especially if you are intent on its survival. The hole must be dug deep and care must be taken to avoid damaging the sapling's roots when removing the plastic bag containing its soil. After burying the plant, the topsoil must be covered with a layer of weed to keep in moisture. We were all intent on keeping our tree(s) alive, so we all listened with full attention amidst the sweltering heat. Having listned to all that, we set about planting a few saplings before any cubs arrived.
Khan! Cubs had already arrived without warning and had already finished their lunches! Good thing the area was already prepared for them. They rushed onto the planting ground like there was no tomorrow and we set about communicating what the guy had told us already to the rowdy bunch. We even planted some for them as an example.
Here
we are hauling saplings to the cubs for them
to plant, an amazing feat of strength was displayed. It was about two PM then
and Mr. Lee decided it was time to go home - the hard way. I took a last look
at the cubs and saw a scene television shows used to depict prison life. Furthermore,
I saw some child labour. However involuntary it was, I felt gratified by his
participation in that day's events.
