Yesterday Emily and I took the ferry over to Lantua Island, this is the same Island where the airport is. The ferry ride took about 20 or so minute and when we arrived it felt like we were in a different country. It was like a small town far away from busy busy Hong Kong Island. We were not entirely sure where we were going once we got to Mui Wo. We knew we wanted to see the Buddha and figured it would not be hard to find... we were right, we followed a group of tourist and sure enough they lead us to the bus we wanted.
We boarded the bus using our Octopus card (this looks like a credit card that you can put money on, and use on pretty much on any form of public transportation, very easy!) This bus ride was an experience, there were several moments where Emily and I thought we might go flying off a cliff! For those of you that have seen the movie Tourista, it was like the bus ride at the beginning of the movie!
Once we arrived in Ngong Ping Village one quick glance to the right and holy moly there was a HUGE BUDDHA
We walked up the a few hundred steps (I wont lie, my legs were burning a little from all the hiking and walking I have been doing!) The buddha was quite impressive, he's a big dude, with some curly hair. The view from the back side of the buddha (yes his butt side ;) was a quite awesome view of the South China Sea.
After taking it all in we walked back down to the village and ate a very cheap( less then $2) plate of not-so great vegetarian noodles and an egg roll. I guess you get what you pay for! We then walked through the monastery, which was beautiful.
Then we decided to take one of the shorter trials and just explore. About 10 mins down the trail was a sign to Tung Chung( 2 1/2 hrs), the town were to meet up with some friends later that evening. Emily and I looked at each other and said what the heck, lets walk, instead of paying to ride on that crazy bus! This was the best decision! A few steps later we ran into a couple, and me wanting find out where we were headed, struck up a conversion. Turns out they were from North Carolina and were visiting there daughter here on Lantua Island. Small World! They assured us the hike to Tung Chung was great, and boy were they right. This might have been my favorite thing thus far. We, for the first time since I have been here, were the only people on this trail! We walked over the hills and through the woods ( or should I say jungle) and saw some of the coolest sites! There were some old abandoned monasteries, little villages, streams and water falls. I joked with Emily that it would be cool to see some wild animal, she didn't think it was too cool, when all of a sudden Emily jerked to a stop. Yikes what is it?? Was this going to be the wild native animal I wanted!?! HA well it was an animal of sorts. It was a bright red bug, that Emily almost squashed! It was our wild animal for the day!
The start of the path to Tung Chung
Emily and I had a blast, just chatting away taking it all in, as this was also the first time we were both seeing something completely new. A ways into the hike two girls caught up to us. Again I stopped to talk and realized they were German (from Frankfort), so of course I had to test out some of my German skills and we chatted for a bit and then went on walking. A little while later we met up with them again, at a split in the trail, we then ended up hiking together into the town of Tung Chung. Vanessa and Sandra, were on holiday in Hong Kong before heading to Taiwan for a wedding. They were the most jolly girls I have met!
A garden area we stumbled upon
Another Monastery along the way...
Once we arrived in the city of Tung Chung, it was like walking through the Truman Show set, only Asian! All the buildings looked alike. All massively tall with lots and lots of clothes hanging out the window to dry! We also for the first time since I had been here, were the ONLY white people, in a sea of people. We all just looked at each other and smiled.
Once we made it to the town center we went our separate ways, the German girls back to Kowloon and Emily and I headed to the airport to meet up with Bruce for dinner. It was just a week before that I landed with my huge bag and big eyes. Now I was an old pro at getting back into the city . Emily and Bruce, headed to see Lincoln Park and I headed back into the city. I walked from the train station to Emily's ( about 20 mins). I only had one moment of panic that I was going the wrong way, but soon realized I was doing good. I arrived home around 9, and was BEAT! Needless to say I slept like a baby!
Today I am going to head to Hong Kong Park and then maybe up to the top of the IFC ( the tallest building here in HK) before meeting up with Emily and heading up the peak for drinks!
Thanks for all the comments and emails. It's so great to hear from you all! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving... I am trying to not think about the AMAZING meal I am missing. ( Mom my mouth is watering thinking of the amazing spread you are cooking up! We might have to do Thanksgiving in March!)
2 comments:
So is this buddha guy a real person? Or is it like a statue? Do you have to touch him for good luck or anything? Teach me the ways of the world, o wise world traveler.
Hi sannala we are at the hoppers on Harry's computer everybody says hi. Great report keep them comming
Post a Comment