 |
| RUBI'S BROTHER HOGS THE LIMELIGHT |
 |
| VIEW FROM HONG KONG ISLAND |
 |
| DOWNPOUR ON HONG KONG ISLAND |
 |
| TWO OF THE SIX DEVAS PRAISING 'THE BIG BUDDHA' (NOT RUBI) |
 |
| STEPS UP TO BIG BUDDHA |
 |
| BIG BUDDHA STATUTE |
 |
| HOUSES ON STILTS AT TAI O |
 |
| WOOD AND STEEL SHEET HOUSES AT TAI O |
Although it was forecast to rain sometime around midday on Sunday, Rubi's eldest brother, Chuck, invited us to join him for a walk, starting early. We met him at 8.00am by Heng Fa Chuen Metro station on Hong Kong Island, and he led us on a hike of roughly 5 miles that started near Cape Collinson and took us past Big Wave Bay to the Shek O Headland. There was a fair bit of climbing involved, but the views were worth the effort. We also came across some wild pigs dozing alongside the path. Sure enough, the predicted deluge came in the late morning, but we were close enough to a cafe to avoid getting completely drenched.
Chuck departed in the early afternoon, and since it looked like the rain had set in for the day, we decided to continue our stroll indoors - in the shopping mall at Po Lam. We later returned to Kowloon so that I could order some bifocal sunglasses. They would take a couple of days to make and would cost only half the UK price.
The rainy outlook continued into Tuesday so we had a bit of a lie-in before emerging from our tiny Guest House room. We took a stroll down the Ladies Market (similar to Temple Street Market, only bigger) and later caught the bus to Ma On Shan to eat with Rubi's Mum. We took the opportunity to do our laundry while we were there.
Wednesday's goal was to take the Metro to Tung Chung on Lantau Island, and from there make the 400 metre plus climb to the Ngong Ping plateau to see the giant bronze Tian Tan Buddha Statue. Reaching the statue involves climbing 268 steps. Sitting in the lotus position atop a three-tier plinth, the statue is 34 metres high and, even though hollow, weighs a massive 250 tons. Not surprisingly, it has gained the alternative name 'Big Buddha'.
The weather was drizzly and foggy again, so patience was required to get some reasonable photographs.
Also on the Ngong Ping plateau is the Po Lin Monastery, which houses three statues of the Buddha representing past, present and future. The interior is beautifully decorated, but we weren't permitted to take photographs. Some kind of ceremony was taking place so we were at least able to listen to the chanting.
Next, we caught a bus down to the little fishing village of Tai O, where many of the tiny houses stand on stilts on the mud-flats. Built of wood and clad in sheet steel, the construction method is unusual, but presumably keeps the weight down. We walked the narrow streets and visited a Buddhist Temple (closed) and a place where they teach the martial arts.
By the time we got back to Kowloon it was dark, but many shops remain open late so I was able to collect my newly made sunglasses. However, unless the weather perks up, it looks like they won't be needed until we get back to the UK.