Day Five
Lantau Island
I met Dad and Ryan at the office at lunch time on Friday so that we could say our thank you's and goodbyes before heading out on our last little adventure. The people who work in the HK office of LL Bean are so sweet and welcoming and I very much hope to see them again.
We took the metro out to Lantau Island so that we could pick up the Ngong Ping 360 cable car that runs across the island to the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha statue. We chose to take a glass bottomed cable car over, which gave us amazing views the entire ride. The ride is 3.5 miles long (5.7 km) and has two terminals.
I met Dad and Ryan at the office at lunch time on Friday so that we could say our thank you's and goodbyes before heading out on our last little adventure. The people who work in the HK office of LL Bean are so sweet and welcoming and I very much hope to see them again.
We took the metro out to Lantau Island so that we could pick up the Ngong Ping 360 cable car that runs across the island to the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha statue. We chose to take a glass bottomed cable car over, which gave us amazing views the entire ride. The ride is 3.5 miles long (5.7 km) and has two terminals.
In the distance, the HK international airport.
Lunch, beef and noodles.
The village, Monastery and Buddha.
The Monastery was founded in 1906 but was renamed to its current title in 1924. The Tian Tan giant Buddha was completed in 1993 after three years of construction by 202 pieces of bronze. The Buddha sits at 34 meters (112 feet) and weighs 250 metric tons. There are 204 steps up to the statue, and it is a rough climb... I can tell you from experience.
"The Tian Tan Buddha appears serene and dignified. His right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction.The Buddha's left hand rests on his lap in a gesture of giving dhana. The Buddha faces north, which is unique among the great Buddha statues, as all others face south."
It was a tough climb.
This was our last bit of sight seeing for the trip. Once we got back downtown we finished up some last minute souvenir shopping, went home and packed our things. We were in a cab back to Lantau Island early Saturday morning to catch our flights. Unfortunately Dad and I didn't head back together because our connections didn't match up. Taking a 15 hour flight is hard on your body and your habits, but now that I've been home for a few weeks I feel solidly back on track. Although my first few days home I was sleeping at crazy hours and eating at strange times. I cannot believe how quickly this trip went by and can't say enough great things about HK. Thanks Dad for making this happen, and you're finally off the hook for taking Nate and not me back in 2008!
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