Dear Tony
Interestingly, "Tai Po" (大埔 - Da Bu) is Hakka for "Great Plain" - as in "Broad Flatland". I stayed near here in 1999 - as it is famous for a Southern Praying Mantis Gongfu School. Tai Po seems to be in the Central New Territories. The Chan Ancestral Village in Sai Kung was around 10 miles South-East from Tai Po (due to the meandering road the journey is abit longer than this). I got out the map I use when in Hong Kong and have photographed the area you need. There is a "Piper's Hill" (D-7 - E-9) in Tai Po - perhaps an allusion to the Scottish Regiments that used to patrol the region (there is also "Tai Po Raod" [E-6 - G-6]). As Master Chan Tin Sang did not come to the UK until 1956 - he (and his family) was still in Hong Kong when your father was serving in Hong Kong. I attach the relevant map. Although the place is geographically small, it is very hilly with lots of valleys and steep inclines - giving the impression the place is much bigger than it actually is! Perhaps the heat adds to this impress - even though everywhere has ice-cold air-conditioning when you come in off the street. Of course, everyone works 12-hour shifts day and night - so we used to go shopping at 2 am when it was cooler and quieter (jet-lag assisted this process).
Interestingly, "Tai Po" (大埔 - Da Bu) is Hakka for "Great Plain" - as in "Broad Flatland". I stayed near here in 1999 - as it is famous for a Southern Praying Mantis Gongfu School. Tai Po seems to be in the Central New Territories. The Chan Ancestral Village in Sai Kung was around 10 miles South-East from Tai Po (due to the meandering road the journey is abit longer than this). I got out the map I use when in Hong Kong and have photographed the area you need. There is a "Piper's Hill" (D-7 - E-9) in Tai Po - perhaps an allusion to the Scottish Regiments that used to patrol the region (there is also "Tai Po Raod" [E-6 - G-6]). As Master Chan Tin Sang did not come to the UK until 1956 - he (and his family) was still in Hong Kong when your father was serving in Hong Kong. I attach the relevant map. Although the place is geographically small, it is very hilly with lots of valleys and steep inclines - giving the impression the place is much bigger than it actually is! Perhaps the heat adds to this impress - even though everywhere has ice-cold air-conditioning when you come in off the street. Of course, everyone works 12-hour shifts day and night - so we used to go shopping at 2 am when it was cooler and quieter (jet-lag assisted this process).
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