Was Hong Kong ready for us? We traveled to Lantau, China.

Lantau, China

Stated in the Hong Kong Touism website, "No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to the world's tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha which sits serenely atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island.

The eyes, lips, incline of the head and even the right hand (raised to deliver a blessing to all), combine to lend great depth of character and dignity to this extraordinary statue.

The majestic figure of the seated Buddha is 34 metres high, was cast in China and took over 10 years to complete. Weighing 250 tonnes, it was unveiled in 1993 amid deeply religious ceremonies. Visitors can climb the 268 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated.

Besides attracting Buddhists from all over Asia, the magnificent figure with its compelling presence almost instantly transformed the remote Po Lin Monastery with its devout monks into a must-visit on tourist schedules."

Friday, April 12, 1996

• MTR to Ferry terminal, Ferry to Lantau Island
• Bus #2 to Big Buddha (40 min. ride)
• Met Cambodian couple from Virginia
• Vegetarian lunch in Monastery
• Bus to Ferry, Ferry to HK
• Star Ferry to Kowloon
• McDonalds lunch
• Rode #1a bus on its entire route (Star Ferry to New Territories and back - 2.5 hour ride)
• Temple Street night market (Marilyn's bag buyout)
• MTR to Fortress Hill
• Bought noodles in drug store
• Packed bags
• Called Patty