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After a tasty lunch of western soup and tuna melt sandwhiches, Julie and I pulled out the map and guidebook. We looked at the sky, calculated everything we wanted to do, and decided to brave the possible rain. We left Kowloon and headed out to see the world's largest outdoor bronze Buddha statue.
We took the metro out to the island and emerged to a light rain. Determined, we pressed on. We opted to take the cable car up the mountain, deciding we'd take the (much cheaper) bus back down. The views from the cable car were amazing. I can only dream what they would have been like had it not been raining and overcast. From the cable car one has views of the whole island and the South China Sea. The view just goes on and on. It was amazing.
As we rode up we looked down at the people walking back down the mountain, calling them crazy. On a nice day I'm sure it would be a fantastic hike through thick, dense canopied trees and over rocks, up and down stairs. But on a rainy day like today it couldn't have been pleasant. As we got to
the top the Buddha came in to view, first like a small being, then it got larger and larger. It was like Buddha was watching over the whole island and the sea.
At the top it was raining harder and the wind was stronger. I pulled out my new blue umbrella but it did little good. The rain was coming at an angle and I was freezing. We stopped in the over-price gift shop and I bought a poncho. It was hardly stylish, and the hood string would come out within an hour, but it kept me dry and blocked the wind.
We slowly climbed to the top, Buddha looming over us, wind ripping around us, rain soaking Julie. Less than half-way up the climb my umbrella broke from the winds. It would do this too many more times to count. By the end, the strings attaching the fabric the mechanics had snapped.
At the top the Buddha was impressive. I was expecting big, but he was huge! I think his ears are taller than me! There were some other smaller statues as well, and these crazy and obnoxious French travelers kept taking ridiculous photos with them
while yelling back and forth. It was kind of insulting. I realize they were on vacation and having fun, but for some people this Buddha is sacred and their actions seemed in poor taste.
We managed to lose each other atop the Buddha mount, resulting in both of us wandering in the rain trying to find one another. Both of us kept wishing we could just call and find out where the other was, but alas, China phone numbers don't work in Hong Kong. We finally regrouped and headed down, just as the sun started to peek out and the rain subside. I snapped a few more photos before we headed down all those stairs and to a warm, heated bus.
Back in Kowloon, we wandered the dull night market (because of the rain, perhaps?), wondering why it was mentioned in numerous guide books. All they sell is cheap knock-offs and plastic crap. Then we ate at a Thai restaurant and bought SIM cards for our phones before heading back to our hostel for the night. We just happened to do some extra shopping along the way.
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Kate
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I love the pic entitled "the crazies"!!