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Published: December 8th 2008
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Tsing Ma Bridge
Over looking area on the way to Lantau Island. China Trip Journal - 14
Friday, October 24, 2008
11:00 PM
Tour 2. Tsing Ma - Lantau & Monastery Tour.
Adult: 580HK$/~83 U.S. $
Children: 420HK$/ ~60 U.S. $
Duration: 6-7 hours
Lunch included.
Check out my photos!
http://picasaweb.google.com/mtml072/PublicHongKongGroupTour2#
So Friday 8am in the morning, my next tour begins. Same thing as yesterday, the pick up took about 1.5 hours. I sort of wrote the amount of time we spend driving (unfortunately, I can't find my notes), and the time we have for each stop to look around.
Stops.
1. Tsing Ma Bridge. This was worth going! And everybody have to see the most expensive bathroom facility in Hong Kong with music. So we got to our first destination and everyone had their picture taken by a photographer. He normally would give you three copies and one on a Hong Kong Plate with your picture in it as a souvenir from the trip. All photos cost me 260HK$. There are two bridges, one is the suspended bridge that is ~2.4km longer than San Francisco golden gate bridge, and the other bridge heading to Lantau Island. The sight is just breathtaking. It's a good area to have
Tai O Market
Interesting way to fish... a picture taken for sure!
2. Lantau Island. Then we had to change our tour bus for the second time. Lantau Island doesn't allow any other vehicles other than the Lantau island buses, Taxi's, and other vehicle that have a special permit to be in the island. The narrow roads makes it harder for larger buses and trucks to pass on certain areas; definitely takes some skills to maneuver in those windy, hilly roads. It was such a nice sort of thrilling ride. The view from the bus is certainly spectacular. According our tour guide "LanTau" means "Bald headed" the reason behind the name is that during WWII the island was completely stripped of its trees to be used as building materials for fighting the war. Then after the war ended, the reconstruction of the island begin. Ninety five percent of the island owned by the government, and it is considered a national park. There are a lot of hiking trails for hikers, but very little location to lodge.
Most hikers camp out or share a room at an available hotels in the island. The idea to develop the island is far from happening. Fifty percent of the water
Tai O Market
Above the water... consumed in Hong Kong are stored in reservoir here, and the less developed the island is, the better. There are juvenile delinquent camp, and maximum jail facility in the island as well. The city cannot contain anymore of this type of facility and it has to remain on a separate island.
The population on this island is approximately 20,000 people. Most are elderly, and most of their children resides in Hong Kong where the jobs are. Many if not all only visits their family on holidays with no intention of settling in the island. If they have property ownership, and if their parents past away the property will simply left out unclaimed.
3. Tai O Village. This small fishing village definitely shows a different side of Hong Kong. There are small shops and lots of little souvenir you can buy. I never thought I can sort of haggle in Chinese, but I was able to manage to get a nice set of Guardians for a fair price. We manage to buy the things we wanted and haggle through a piece of paper. Since there are few people who speak English, they would write the price on a paper.
Tai O Market
Anyone wants a blowfish for a souvenir... We wrote the amount we would like to pay, and waving your hand helps to get your message across that the price is still too high. Well, I didn't really think that a lot of them are made in the village. Maybe some, but not all. I was told by our tour guide that I may have paid a fair amount, but buying the stuff from the villagers certainly would helped a lot; since this is their main source of income. I did appreciate the experience and knowing that there some little thing I can do to help.
4. Beach stop. I am actually not sure with the location of the beach we stopped by, but I thought I should feel the Lantau Island sand on my feet just to feel the difference from the other sands my feet have walked in before. Some of the people in the same tour are wearing sandals, but I did not hesitate to remove my shoes and socks. I was told by my tour mate, that I was funny and odd person. I thought that was funny! I did enjoy her company, and I'm glad we hang out.
5. Po Lin
Lantau Island
An amazing sight of the Giant Buddah... Monastery. So it's time to see the Giant Buddha! Wow! It was the most beautiful thing I've seen so far here in Hong Kong! The view around the Buddha gives you some weird feeling of peacefulness. You can use the stairs to get up to the top where the Buddha is located, but you'll have to be prepare for it. The tour took us to the top, where we don't have to use the stairs. The reason why they did this, is because we will ran out of time. One thing though, it's a good idea to get to know some of the people in the tour or just remember who's in the same tour. It's easy to get lost and if you get lost you'll lose the chance to enjoy the rest of the trip, because you'll be stressing out. Plus, it's nice to hang out with people you don't know, but for just that one day all of you were able to enjoy each other's company.
Lunch time! Oh man! It was the most delicious vegetarian dishes I've ever tasted! I wish I could make vegetable dishes that tasty. Well I'll give it a shot when I
Lantau Island Skyrail
Cool 360 view of the island and the Buddha. get home…So we all gathered up for lunch. There's I think 7-8 of us after the first shaky photo taking, and it was just awesome! All of us was not familiar with the food, and there's definitely a lot of food. Some of us have had some trouble with chopsticks but that did not stop them from enjoying the food and company. There are spoon and forks, but all of us in the table decided to use chopsticks as a part of our experience. It made it a lot more fun, because some of us found a way to pick up stuff. One thing we all agreed on, we needed a serving spoon for each dish, because none of us a willing to do the "double dipping" stuff. All laughs and puzzled faces before, during, and after lunch. It was definitely a memorable crowd. Some of us have exchanged e-mails and hoping to keep in touch. Lunch was now officially over!
6. Ngong Ping Skyrail. A "…5.7km sky rail with ever-changing picturesque panoramas across the lush terrain of Lantau Island and South China Sea. " (Description from Splendid Brochure) Yep! It was true! So, this is where we were heading after lunch. While walking around heading to the sky rail, I notice the contrast in the background. Starbucks, ATM machine, souvenir shops, etc…It was a weird transition from the Buddha to going for lunch then heading to the sky rail. The peaceful surroundings and a few steps away from it, are the same coffee shops and the convenience of a modern life you see now a days almost anywhere you go. Unfortunately, since the general population on this island are older people; chances are they will simply vanished little by little. Well, Ii guess we'll find out later.
So, the end of the tour was just plain memorable. I probably would do it again, and I wouldn't mind having the tour with the same people. I am thankful for the great folks who helped me book the tours, and to the people in the tour itself. I had such a wonderful time in Hong Kong alone!
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