…But How Long Will It Last?

I think it was early 2016 when I first visited this place. Despite the fact the government had said it was turning it into a major tourist attraction, it was almost impossible to find. It didn’t show on Google Maps, and there were no signs. In the end, a kind local lady in a pickup truck suggested I follow her.

Now, it looks like it’s a major tourist attraction without the tourists. Yes, Covid again.

The first time I couldn’t park anywhere near because the road was still under construction, and actually reaching Hin Pad, or Fan Rock in English, involved scrabbling along a hilly dirt path. Now, there’s roads, walkways, and viewing platforms.

In normal non-Covid times you’re not allowed to dive up the hill. You’re supposed to park at the bottom and pay to be driven up in a 4×4 truck. But, the whole place was deserted except for one poor lady who was trying to run a restaurant without customers.

So, I and a friend ignored the barriers and drove carefully up the steep and slippery road. Despite being a hard concrete surface, it’s covered with cement and other dust making it quite hazardous … especially on the decent. That reminded me how much I hate anti-lock brakes, but I keep forgetting to pull the fuse to disable them!

But, having reached there, I couldn’t help wondering how long it will be before the rock breaks apart and tumbles down the mountain. Compare 2016 with 2021 photos…

Yes, a giant chunk has fallen off one side and disappeared. One could argue it’s no longer fan-shaped.

In the aerial shot (highlighted on the right, above) you can see a huge crack running diagonally through the rock. And in this one you can see a vertical crack in the upper half…