Hong Kong Lantau Island

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January 9th 2009

Published: January 23rd 2009

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Lindsaytheexplorer

Hong Kong

Tsing Ma, the second longest double decker suspension bridge in the world, carrying cars and the airport express train to and from the city.

A nice last day in Hong Kong. I had looked in the Lonely Planet for travel companies who did day trips around the islands, one of the moderately priced ones was based in the very posh Sheraton Hotel almost next door to my hostel. I had booked the dolphin trip through them and today was a day trip round Lantau Island with my roommate Anna. The tour company was called Splendid Tours and Travel, and it was indeed splendid! (We all had badges saying Splendid on them, I felt splendid all day)

First was a brief stop to view 2 bridges connecting the Hong Kong islands. We then carried on over some very hilly roads to a beautiful sandy beach. I never imagined the great metropolis of Hong Kong would have and beaches let alone beautiful secluded ones with not a high rise in sight! The little fishing village of Tai O was famous for dried fish which is pretty popular in these parts. The smell was an acquired taste, and I didn't acquire it.

The Big Buddha seemed like a popular attraction in Hong Kong. It’s built on a hill top on Lantau at the Po Lin Monastery.

Hong Kong

Kap Shui Mun Bridge

I’m not sure if it was because we were all ‘Splendid’ for the day but the bus took us straight to the top! We had a tour inside the Buddha’s tummy (where a miniscule bone fragment from Lord Buddha himself resides) then had an opportunity to take pictures outside (and watch everyone else huffing and puffing up the stairs). We had a beautiful vegetarian lunch at the monastery, in fact it was splendid. We were in the VIP room and had a table full of dishes to share between us. It was absolutely delicious. Just beside the monastery is a cable car that takes passengers back down to the main road/bus station. It wasn’t the most splendid of views but we did have a outlook over the new airport.

That night I decided I wanted to go to one of Hong Kong’s famous floating restaurants, Anna came with me. We caught a ferry then hailed a taxi to the restaurant ferry pier. It did look pretty spectacular, a floating restaurant lit up like a fun fair in the middle of one of Hong Kong’s salubrious harbours. It’s a big dining hall and although it wasn’t full there were quite

Hong Kong - Lantau

Anna and I on Hong Kong's longest beach

a few people in, even some Westerners. That didn’t stop the staff just standing staring at us. I think they thought they were being helpful and primed for waiting staff action! In truth we felt awkward but ended up laughing to ourselves at the situation. The food wasn’t great or cheap but we had a good time. I think it’s a must for any visit to Hong Kong,

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