While looking through my blog history I found that my most visited popular post was regarding my visit to the Tian Tan Buddah in Hong Kong. That being said I am posting a few more pictures that I took during my last visit there.
The first is a shot from the top of the Ngong Ping tram. From the tram it is about a 10 minute walk to the base of the steps, then another 5-10 minutes climb depending on your fitness level. The second shows one of the surrounding statues. Each is about 12 feet high and is offering Buddah something, in this case a lotus I believe. If you are ever in Hong Kong this trip is worth 4 hours of your day, I promise!
Getting around China has become so much easier in the last 5 years. There has been a huge Government backed push to expand high-speed rail to every major city. The train pictured above is the "fastest" train in the world. Even though Europe has some trains that have set speed records, this train actually runs a schedule at the incredible speed of 349 KPH (or 217 MPH). this train runs from Guangzhou to Wuhan, with 6 schedule stops in between (including Changsha South, which is where we got off)
The price for a ticket is about 335 RMB ($50 US), so you don't see a lot of locals on the train, but compared to a 3-4 hour car ride, or a $250 plane ticket this is truly the way to travel.
There is a local Chinese saying that says "If you have the time you take the plane, if you have the money you take the train". This refers to the airline delays that China is famous for, and the expense/convenience of the extensive train network.
In 2 years they plan to have a Shanghai-Kunming train running, which will make it possible to traverse the majority of the Country in about 5 hours. Can't wait to take it next time we are there.
To me, there is no more international city than Hong Kong.
First, HKG is a destination for just about every major country in the world. While in the airport you will hear 20 different languages being spoken. The MTR (their Subway system) has everything in Cantonese as well as English, and I know they have a huge French, Spanish, African and Indian populations.
Getting around is simple. The MTR covers about 70% of the City, while cheap taxis and an extensive bus system cover the rest. Get an Octopus Card at any MTR station, load it with about $200 HK (@ $27 US) and you can travel all over without having to use cash. Note: Taxis do not accept the Octopus). Have a little money left over on it when you leave? McDonalds, Starbucks, 7-11, etc... also accept the card for payment.
Things to see? The Victoria Peak is a must, followed by the Ngong Ping 360 up to the Big Buddah. Walking Nathan Street aka The Golden Mile is also very high on the list. Below is my perfect day in Hong Kong:
(staying on the Kowloon side) 7 AM: Leave your hotel for walk along the Avenue of Stars, HKG equivalent of the Hollywood area with all the stars handprints 8 AM: Catch the Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong island 8:30: Walk the 7 uphill blocks (or take a taxi for $10 HK) to the base of the Peak Tram 9:00 take the Peak Tram, one of the longest steel cable trolleys Spend the rest of the morning enjoying the views of HKG from The Peak. 12:00 Eat lunch at one of the excellent restaurants at The Peak 1:00: Take Taxi from Peak down to Central MTR station. You could ride the Tram back down but it takes longer and is more expensive. Plus, taking a taxi down the winding mountain road really gives these drivers a chance to shine (not for the weak of stomach) 1:30 Take MTR to Tung Chung Station Exit B and walk 5 minutes to the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal. 2:00 Buy tickets on Ngong Ping tram, ride to top, spend rest of afternoon walking around the Giant Buddah 5:00 Take MTR to Tsim Tsa Tsui Station (pronounced Chim Cha Choy). 6:00 Have Fish and Chips and a Guinness at Murphy's Irish Pub on Nathan Road 7:00 Walk Nathan Road looking for great deals on souvenirs. Note: you will be offered hundreds of Copy Watch and Hand Bags. I suggest you decline. 10:00 Head to Knutsford Terrace for drinks and dessert. It's just a short walk up Nathan Road (look for the Red street signs, these indicate visitor areas). Have a Vodka in the Ice Bar, listen to the Chinese Mariachi band in the Mexican Restaurant, or enjoy some Tapas and wine in the Spanish Restaurant. Keep an eye out for elevators with signs on them, there are bars and clubs all the way up to the 6th floor here.
2 AM get some sleep.
Did I miss a ton of HK stuff? You bet, Lan Kwai Fang, Stanley/Aberdeen, Lei Yu Moon. But these will have to wait until another day.
OK, I just had to post to say that I finally (after 6 previous trips) got the chance to sit in Business Class on an international flight.
For most Global travelers this might seem mundane, but for a lifelong Economy flyer this was living the dream.
Pre-Departure: 1: "Would you like some Champagne, juice or water?" 2: In your seat you find an "amenity" kit filled with eye covers, ear plugs, fresh socks, and hygiene items 3: A menu is handed out, offering your choice of entrees (3 options) desert choices, salad options, and wine pairings.
Take Off: After launching in to the air I find that the seat reclined almost flat, with a "recliner" like leg rest as well. Individual screens allow you to watch the movie you choose, and extra large blankets help those of us that are a little wider/longer than others to cover our fat butts
In-Flight: Water service in continuous, sip a little, get some more refilled ASAP. Bathrooms have soap, lotion, and some other bottle, all there to make you feel clean and pretty. Lunch is served. All on china, with metal silverware (including knives), i receive my first choice, which was a Pork Short Rib designed by Charlie Trotter. Best airline food I have ever had. Movie snacks are put out in case you get hungry, jump up and grab a sandwich, chips, a crunch bar, whatever.
Landing: Nothing special, just more comfortable (and you do get to leave the plane earlier than most)
It is going to be hard to go back to Cattle Class, but I can't count on the free bump everytime and I am NOT paying the extra $3000 for that seat, even though it might be worth every penny...
As mentioned in my last post, I was able to take the Ngong Ping cable car to the top of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Although there is a small village for buying souvenirs, the real attraction for this ride is the impressive Tian Tan Buddha. Noted as the "world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha" it stands 24 feet tall.
I am not a religious person per-se, but standing at the foot of the 268 steps leading up to this beautiful statue leaves even the most jaded a little more humble. I watched a young lady from Singapore do a ritual she described as Three Steps, One Bow where devotees walk three steps, fall prostrate to the ground, rise, and repeat the sequence. This makes for a rather arduous route to the top.
In the following pictures I tried to capture both the size and the spirit of the place. If you have an afternoon in Hong Kong this is a must see.
I feel like I have been on the road more than I have been home (Which is actually pretty true) and I leave again next week for my 3rd trip to Asia this year.
I was able to get a day off in Beautiful Hong Kong earlier this month and was able to experience something new.
The Lantau Island Cable Car (Ngong Ping 360) is one of the best things I have done in Asia. The views (on a clear day) are unbelievable, and the dizzying heights reached by the gondola is amazing. The end destination of the cable system is the Lantau Village, host to the Worlds-Largest-Sitting-Bronze Buddha (Future Post)
As you can see from the picture below we picked a great day to be there, and you probably wouldn't want to ride it during a typhoon, but if you are going to Hong Kong then I recommend you put this stop on your agenda.
For many Filipiano women, Hong Kong is the Land of Opportunity. Almost every household of moderate or greater means hires a woman from the Phillipines as a housekeeper.
These women come to Hong Kong by the thousands and work for money that most of us would consider insulting, putting in 12 hour days, Monday thru Saturday.
When Sunday comes it is time for them to let loose and kick back. The scene from this picture is common on any flat surface in downtown Hong Kong. Blankets are layed out, picnic lunches are distributed, and for 10 hours these ladies sit and enjoy the company and the language of their fellow country(wo)men.
I was amazed at the sheer volume of these ladies or all ages spread throughout the city. On the few Sundays I have been able to walk around I have encountered tens of thousands of these small gatherings, always talking, playing cards, or just napping on their small island of cloth.
I am always impressed by their good humour, their lively discussions, and their desire to be around each other.
I have been to Paris, London, Tokyo, Seoul, LA, San Francisco, etc... and in my opinion there is no more "International" city than Hong Kong.
This picture was taken on the Kowloon side, which is a peninsula attached to Mainland China. From here I am looking over the harbor to Hong Kong Island. The ferries in the foreground are from the Star Ferry line. For the rate of $5.30 HK (.70 US) you can take a ferry between the 2 sides, worth every cent I promise.
Hong Kong boasts 4 of the 16 tallest buildings in the world, even though it is roughly the land mass of LA and half the population. Thanks to it's designation as an SAR (Special Administrative Region) Hong Kong has become a hub for international businesses. Almost every major bank has offices there.
From a Tourist perspective there are a few solid days worth of stuff to see. Check back here as I detail out some of the sights I have visited (and new ones I will add on future trips).
After my last post I wanted to make sure that I had the chance to show the other side of traveling to China. Never in my wildest did I ever think I would have the chance to see the Great Wall of China. Then a random business trip got me to Beijing. Just couldn't resist taking a day and hitting the big attractions (Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tianenmen Square)
This photo was taken on the Badaling section, North of Beijing. You can see the large Olympic sign in the background. I took this picture with the anticipation that I would see this same shot (or some like it anyway) every day during the 2008 Olympics.
I will do a future post on my visit, just wanted everybody to know it isn't all Squid Head in China
