The early bird .................. sits around at the bus stop!

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Today we intrepid travellers made an early start to beat the hoards and see the giant buddha (Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island) in the clear early morning sunshine. We sacrificed our breakfast dim sum for a yoghurt drink (boo!) and set off quickly, by shuttle and MTR to Lantau Island.

Great - we arrived by about 8.15 a.m....................... only to find that the cable car, our preferred mode of travel, didn't start until 10.00 a.m. (Now that's not what the Lonely Planet says!)

No worries, we headed to the bus station to catch a bus up there instead - the bus wasn't due for another 40 mins, then it laboured up the hills with the full load it carried! First gear all the way.

However, it was so worth it. Alighting from the bus gave us our first glimpse of the giant seated bronze buddha (36 m tall). We walked to the foot of the 260 steps that lead up to it, only to find we were 10 mins early - it opened at 10.00 a.m. also. Time to get in a few shots before the crowds, so all good!

We started energetically up the steps when the gates opened, eventually reaching the top (all that exercise has finally paid off)! Breathless at the top of the steps we gazed in awe at the magnificent statue and surrounding area - the pictures speak for themselves.

A distinct advantage of being so early was that we got a whole cable car to ourselves for the downward trip - and they can hold 17 people. The journey was spectacular, over the island with views of other outlying islands and the airport. Then it was the MTR back to Kowloon for another trip down Nathan Road and around Mong Kok ("Ladies market"area, which also includes clothing for men now - not as good as Temple Street market). Oh, and we had our first Asian subway, just as tasty as NZ but with different bread.

Later we tried to visit a recommended gallery, only to find it closed! But we did come across shops selling paper funeral offerings, really amazing - 3D models of everyday objects that people burn in the hope that they will acquire these things in real life. The items we saw included cars, houses, motorbikes, computers, appliances, ipad and iphone (!!), slippers, suits with cufflinks, food, alcohol...................... all made out of paper. It's not good luck to buy them and not burn them, what a shame, a lot of work has gone into some of them.

Mac would like to say at this point that the beer has been fantastic, and he wasn't aware that Tsing Tao had a stout, which he's just about to taste now.

I think tomorrow we'll head for Stanley market, last day before Borneo, but adventures in Hong Kong to be continued in a few weeks. Bye for now.

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Photos

Hong Kong Ding Ding
The ding ding is the tram!

Comments

[Andy Beck]

Travel reading
Hi there, Glad to hear everything's going well. If you have got a Kimble, or not, can I recommend a book to read on your travels. " Country driving - A Chinese road trip" by Peter Hessler. Just read it, unputdownable. Take care, A xx

[macandcaz]

Hi!
Cheers, will look out for that. Seen some wicked Frankie-sized clothing.....................!!