hong kong v1.1

we get a late start because we actually sleep. the bed isn't quite big enough for me, and there are walls at the head and the foot of the bed, but i'm a little taller than the average male in kowloon.

lyds and i head out to lantau island on the mtr. it is more expensive than a city bus, but it is quicker and we are eager to see the sights. everything is so clean and organized here. the city planners must have been on a.d.d. medication. precision planning. the mtr is easy to understand and there is great signage everywhere. in-trip lights monitor the stops, and station exits are given a number and letter, followed by the local attraction (example: a2, nathan road and hong kong cultural center). even i cannot get lost on the mtr or in the numerous underground walkways which they call subways. the crowds of people here are liquids, constantly moving, rolling off objects to brake into others. the pedestrians are focused and intense. everyone is in a hurry. lyds and i are learning to walk with our heads down to avoid stepping on a shorter person who has ducked into our path. we seldom even walk side by side, instead opting for a leader to break through while the other follows. most of the time i am the ambulance to lydia's lawyer chaser.

lantau island is massive at 144 square km (2x hong kong island). it has a history for being a base for smugglers and pirates, but jack sparrow is in singapore this time of year. once off the mtr we opt for the 5.7kn cable car ride from tung chug to the ngong ping plateau. the car we ride in has glass siding, and the ride is scenic as it passes over the island's interior which is designated country park. the village of ngong ping seemed fake with its over the top chinese decor and stereotypical music that is played from communal speakers. we felt like we were back at wonderland. i'm sure you know the picture i am trying to describe: faux walls, overpriced food and numerous giftshops. but we didn't come for the village, so we quickly make our way through "china alley" and visit the tian tan buddha. it is a marvel of solid bronze that weighs over 200 tonnes. 260 steps up, countless pictures, and 260 steps down. we were not feeling enlightened yet so we went looking for enlightenment at the po lin buddhist temple and monestary built in 1924. but the real highlight of the island is the hiking trails that cover over half the area. we hiked all the way to the base of lantau peak (934m high) and went off the trail to get some sense of exploring. the outlying islands seemed to rise out of clouds as fog lightly coated the sea. we sat on rocks on a hill overlooking the sea, the peak, and a nearby fishing village. our legs dangled and we looked pensive. i wanted to climb to the top of the peak but there wasn't enough time. in the cable car back some americans ask us about our travels. they too are heading to bangkok and are full of questions. now we are the experts, and we pass on our knowledge with a smile that we are now "vets" of southeast asia.

back to kowloon for our first look at the hong kong island skyline. we sit out on the avenue of stars and look out across victoria harbour at night. the hong kong skyline is incredible with its multitude of lights and skyscrapers. it looks fake, like a back drop for a play on futuristic urban life. i have never seen more beautiful urban art. later there is a lightshow with buildings on both sides of the harbour participating. we walked down the promenade past the jackie chan and bruce lee stars of fame. there are almost more mountains than buildings, and the wind is just the right temperature of cool for my t-shirt.