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Hong Kong cont. After taking the Star Ferry across the water to Hong Kong Island we headed home. The following day was spent shopping in the street markets and looking around the electronics quarter. We had to wait another day for our visa as our new plan of attack on China involved a border crossing at Shenzhen. Our original idea of crossing into Tibet from Nepal had been scrapped due to constraints on time; although the troubles hadn't started yet. It may have been the best time to visit as the opportunity may be harder to come by in the future; food for thought.
Speaking of food it would be a glaring omission not to mention the amazing range of cuisine we'd already been treated to in just 2 days. From rich in flavour Cantonese to fresh, wholesome and healthy noodle soups the choice was endless at all budgets and was almost all good. Except for the questionable shapes and looks of Hong Kong street food. Just don't ask for the Pork balls….
Looking for a good night out we headed for Lang Kwai Fong. We quickly found out that this might not be the place to party if you're on a budget! Luckily Scousers and the Irish in the form of a pub showing Liverpool in the champion's league were on hand to save the day. Jo was ecstatic.We were up the next day and out of the city heading for Lantau Island, home of the largest sitting Buddha in the world. The journey promised some great views and the chance to see another side of Hong Kong other than bright lights; big city. Along the way we passed Disneyland and traveled across the world's largest rail and road suspension bridge (unbeknownst to Trevor until after the event who was desperate for a bridge visit) arriving at our destination in very windy conditions. The way to the top that we wanted was via cable car. The news that one had come down in the winds a week previously (no-one inside luckily) and that they were closed was not made public until of course you got there. Determined not to waste the day we split a cab to the top of the mountain. The views were not as great as promised but were good just the same. As a mountainous island it had a much more laid back feel than the city.
We arrived a little at the monastery a little later than expected meaning that we were pretty much the last ones in! The dominant presence of the statue and its location surrounded by mountains was quite humbling and interesting experience especially the sight of what looked like a swastika emblem all over the monastery and site of the statue (we later found out what this meant) It would have been the perfect scene for a sunset and although try as the were Hong Kong residents and suggested the best way back would by ferry as it would be coming into the harbour at night. The bus down took us through Lantau itself and gave us a glimpse of island life Hong Kong style, from here the ferry was waiting to take us on the 45 min journey into the harbour. Our advisors were not wrong about the views. By the time we arrived in the harbour, night time had descended and the skyscrapers were lit up again. The glow at night from the water was pretty impressive; more than the touristy light show from a couple of nights before and we had more time to appreciate it too. The efforts for Christmas brought thoughts of home and a reminder that it actually was Christmas. It really didn't feel like it and try as they might the Christmas cheer was not as loud as it might be at home.Our visas had arrived and we were ready to take on the mainland, so we spent the last day doing what only could be done in Hong Kong. Shopping!! Although we were slightly disappointed by the men's street market; we beat the pavement til late looking for Ihe he tbargains. We didn't quite get as much as we hoped (we are on a budget) after a hard day's shop it was time finish the day off. Whatever we didn't manage get now we could always get when we returned to Hong Kong to leave for Australia, just enough time then for cocktails on the causeway; and a fleeting encounter with some tennis players. It was late and tomorrow was bringing China up close and personal.
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