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Published: December 30th 2007
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Sunday December 30, 2007
Today we woke up bright and early (6:30am) and headed down to the buffet breakfast. We hurried that meal (I had very fresh watermelon and about 4 hardboiled eggs and a few cups of coffee). We quickly made our way to the shuttle bus outside of our lobby. From there we took a 20-minute bus ride and then caught another 20-minute ride on a second bus. We then arrived at Avenue of the Stars in Hong Kong. There we saw the handprints of many famous Chinese actors. These included Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat! Very cool place. From there we could see much of the Hong Kong skyline. After we caught that site we then headed back to the bus and rode for another few minutes and made our way to the Tse Sui Luen Jewellery factory. We got to see them working on the jewelry that they make and then sell. We then made our way to the “store” (more of a tourist trap to sell the jewels that they arrange into pieces... they were quite nice though). After that we then took a 40-minute bus ride to another part of the island. We
Buddha
I think this light was placed there as a message bringing peace. Buddha sits facing Beijing with his right hand raised which is representing the removal of affliction. His left hand rests on his lap representing that of giving (also known as dhana). then got on a smaller transport boat and went out looking for pink dolphins. Unfortunately the rough current in the water today didn’t prove to be a positive natural force to bring those sweeeeet pink dolphins out. But that’s ok, I got to relax and get a short 10 minute nap! After we had been riding in the boat for a while we found ourselves upon an island that had a fishing village in it.
The island is known as the “Headless Island”; it is named after the types of mountain chains that are on it. We wandered throughout this small fishing village were there were all types of freshly caught fish and such that were being cleaned and served up on the sidewalks and streets. (Great smells!). Anyways, after passing (forgive me mom and dad for mentioning this) a few animals that were infected with rabies (haha, it’s true our guide told us not to get near them!) we made our way throughout this tiny village (see pictures). It was a pretty neat stop. Then we headed back to the bus. From there we began our ascent up the mountain chain on the island. After about a 40
Bruce Lee
You know he's the man! minute bus ride we found ourselves on top of the mountain chain... and I mean at the very top. On this trip I have come to truly recognize my fear of heights... lets just say it’s been a bit of a struggle. Either way, we got of the bus at the statue of Buddha that sat at the top of the mountain. Inside of the statue was a monastery. This was one of the most incredible places that I have ever been. Our guide whose name was “Tony” explained the story of Siddhartha and reiterated that his followings are a way of life and that many people have already spoken of it as a religion but it is meant as a way of life.
We explored the monastery more. You’ll notice that I didn’t take any pictures of inside of it. That was because we were not allowed to because their ancestors names are all written inside and it is a sacred location. At the foot of the mountain that Buddha sits on there are many incense being sold so that you may pray and place them around at the base of other small monuments of prayer. Shortly thereafter
Reaching for the Sky
Statue on the Avenue we had a vegetarian lunch in the monastery. This was incredible! We had a sweet corn soup with all sorts of pastries and other traditional Chinese foods.
After exploring around the monastery we took a “Journey with Buddha” this was a small theatrical show that explained Siddhartha’s journey from being a prince and a father to leaving all of that to take a spiritual journey to find himself and eventually reach enlightenment (or nirvana). It was quite a great show!
Shortly thereafter we caught our bus once again for a 40 minute ride down into another small town on the coast of this island, it was called Silver Mine (anyone back home will remember this name b/c of a wonderful sub shop in Newport News, VA that recently went out of business!). In Silver Mine we caught a ferry ride that lasted about half an hour back to the main island that Hong Kong sits on. While passing across the harbor we spotted The Scholar Ship! This was the first time we had all seen it.... it was a pretty cool feeling seeing our home that we will all have for the next few months. We then wandered
Avenue of the Stars
Yep...peace..it's what they do here! around a bit in the city figuring out the busses that we needed to take in order to get back to the hotel. I sat next to Paula on the way back and we talked to each other in Spanish... well as much as I could. Paula, Jorge and Camila are helping me with my Spanish! (The six years I took in grade school and high school actually have helped..especially with rolling me “r’s”).
We then headed back to L’Hotel Nina and quickly bought our dinner in the restaurant here. We are now relaxing for a few hours then heading back out into the nightlife. We are establishing a plan this time..and trying to find a club or something along those lines. I’ll be talking to you all soon! Hope all is well state-side.
**Side note** I think some of the Chinese here pick American names to make it easier? I’m not sure, but the concierges at the hotel are named Gilbert, Rebecca, Elaine..and other very American names; this wouldn’t be unusual to me normally, but then I’m reminded by the minimal English that they are able to speak with us.
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Regina
non-member comment
Neat!
It sounds like you are conteneng to have a fun and a grate time. I espcaly like the pictur titled Avenue of the stars. It looks really cool! Contenue haveing a good time and a safe time!