Well its about time! Finally one can now catch a cable car to see the world’s biggest outdoor Buddha at the top of a mountain on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
I remember my visit to the big buddha like it was yesterday, my Mum and I caught the ferry from Hong Kong island over to Lantau, we then caught a bus all the way to the top of the mountain and finally walked the 200 plus stairs up to the Buddha. It was our memorable journey down a practically vertical windy mountain pass in a bus filled with non-tourists where the fun really started. Silly us for thinking there must be a better way down.
My mother lost a tooth earlier in the day after eating a slab of peanut brittle at Stanley market and on the way down in the bus nearly lost a few more after her coke can slammed into her mouth a few times on the bumpiest ride we have ever been on, some guy behind us coughed on us the entire way down, this remember, in a region with one of the world’s highest TB rates, I swear on top of this we almost had at least 5 major collison with other cars and buses coming the other way up a single lane road! The combination of all these things was so ludicrous it was comical to the point where the chinese on the bus went from thinking we were a bit strange for getting on the bus to thinking we were total looneys for laughing the whole way especially every time the man coughed all over us.
Ahhhh, Hong Kong, easily one of the best cities I have ever visited, and remember if you do go to take the cable car.
7 comments
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12 September, 2006 at 6:20 pm
Guy
OR hike it. Sar and I got the ferry to Mui Wo and then hiked up (felt like STRAIGHT up) to Sunset peak - stunning views north on the way of Discovery Bay and at the top south to outer lying islands and Pui O, and north of Chek Lap airport. Unfortunately we got caught by low cloud so only managed it halfway across to Lantau Peak before turning down to the coast so we missed Ngong Ping, but it is an absolutely stunning island and if you have the energy, trust me and hike it - it will be rewarding. This was one of favourite memories of Hong Kong - the combination of hussle bustle of Hong Kong island and Kowloon, yet within 40 minutes by ferry - blissful isolation.
13 September, 2006 at 10:09 am
David
Yup, remember either chatting to you about this at some stage or reading about it on your blog. Thought you’d be the first to comment.
I think we both love Hong Kong for exactly the same reasons.
13 September, 2006 at 10:16 am
other-duke
that sounds treacherous. the cougher would have freaked me out, but i suppose if you don’t laugh in those situations, you’d have a panic attack and maybe die.
i’m a south african, planning to work in the uk next year on an ancestral visa. i’d be lying if i said i wasn’t having my doubts, but the prospect of travel and earning pounds seems to outweigh the bad weather.
i’m enjoying your blog content.
13 September, 2006 at 10:22 am
David
Duke, thanks for visiting, we’re in the same industry, if you have any questions or want some advice wrt agencies, contacts (I have lots of big cheese contacts in the industry) etc then drop me an email at durbandave at Gmail dot com.
13 September, 2006 at 1:04 pm
atw
Meant to mention that I looked up your delightful friend Khan in Mumbai & had a memorable excursion around the city in his aircon Ambassador. He thinks he remembers you but to be truthful I’m not sure if he really did. Seemed to think you might be a merchant banker. Anyway both of us were grateful that you’d put us in touch. Thanks
13 September, 2006 at 1:18 pm
David
Fantastic, I’m really glad that it worked out well! Jeez thats one for the books - I connected a blogger I have never met with a personal tour guide in India who doesn’t even remember me. Glad it all worked out well and you had an interesting tour of Mumbai!!
13 September, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Champagne Heathen
All this talk is not helping my overwhelming desire to travel vs. my current empty bank account in any way!