Day 10 It takes some major persuasion to get Kai out of bed to join us today. Luckily he can be ready in 5 and it's only 5mins via bus to Shatin New Town Plaza where we are meeting dad. Tomorrow is Dragon Boat Racing Day and so we're going to Tai O; a fishing village steeped in tradition. Today they will be carrying statues of deities on boats to temples but we will never be there for that. First it's the E42 bus to Tung Chung and start of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride (German technology and tower 3 tallest in the world at the time), takes you high over the mountain to the Tian Tan Big Buddha (world's largest seated buddha, weighs 250 tonnes and is 34m high). The 25 minute ride gives great views of the airport and hilltops . There is a hike doable on the path below, constructed with the aid of Canadian donkies!
Dad remains in the restaurant at the Ngong Ping tourist village while we climb the 268 steps up to the buddha, barely visible from the bottom as cloud has fallen, again. But there are several cattle roaming freely chewing the grass. I don't think they are water buffalo as they are far too pretty and horns are small.
Su-Yin first visited in 1994 and was carried to the top. Kai's is keen to burn some calories and sprints off.
Heading back down the mountain to Tai O, it's the #11 mini bus which appears to be on a death mission to get us there asap, hurtling round tight corners, dodging ferral cattle, who have the sense to stick to the pavement.
At Tai O we are greeted by a sea of neon flags flapping in the breeze. Boats, railings and anything you can tie a flag to is decorated. Bamboo stages are set up for Chinese Opera for the fishing folk. We are soon accosted to take a boat trip for $20 (£1.70) each to see the pink dolphins .We've never ever seen the dolphins yet but know it's a good little trip out through the stilted houses. The tide is out so you really can see all the stilts covered in barnacles, and peer into the little houses and balconies. Once out to open sea, the boatman puts his barefoot down and we're covered in seaspray.
Back on dry land dad feels the need to get a comb to straighten his hair. There's no chance for me or Su-Yin today with the drizzle and humidity. We pass the fascinating little stalls and shops selling all manner of dried sea creatures, big and small. There are several temples including Kwan Ti built arouns 1500!
Tourist signs point us in the direction of the Yeung Hau Temple which houses the dragon boat and a whale's head found by fishermen. There is always something new to explore in Hong Kong!
Everyone else is ready to head back but I could explore these narrow lanes for a bit longer. There's a pavillion, old police station they've renovated as a hotel, more temples and the wet market we haven't seen yet. Oh well, save that for another time....Hope Tai O doesn't change too much. The government has tried to resettle the villagers but they have refused; building even stronger tin huts when some burnt down in a major fire. Must be like ovens/bbqs when the sun comes out.
It's another mini bus, 5 train changes and another big bus to get us back to our hotel in about 90 minutes.