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I had a bit of a lie in and then walked towards the MTR station. I bought an iced mango green tea from a street stall on the way which was really nice but took me ages to drink because it was so cold.When I was on a train they made an announcement that no food or drink is allowed on the trains or the paid areas of stations.I suddenly felt very naughty and hid my drink behind my bag, having a sip every now and then.One of the things I like about the MTR was that there were shops selling all sorts of things within the paid areas of the stations.This included food and drink shops.Why are they selling food and drink once you get past the barriers if you aren't supposed to consume it?!
I got off at Tung Chung station on Lantau Island.My feet had rubbed blisters on the back of my heels but I had to keep walking for a bit to find a bus.The ride was one of those scary mountain drives where you feel like the bus is only clinging onto the road by two wheels as it goes around the corners so fast.I remembered I had a pair of trainer socks in my bag so I broke the ultimate shoe rule of no socks and sandals, but there was actually a hole in the skin on the back of my foot so I didn't have much choice.
Once the bus had arrived at Po Lin I could see the big Buddha at the top of the hill, it was massive!There were lots of little stalls on the way to the monastery and I found one with a lady selling plasters from a box.I bought some plasters for my feet, and although I was very much overcharged, I didn't mind, as she even let me sit down on the chair in her shop to sort my feet out.
With my shoes sorted and no more socks and sandals, I walked onwards to the Po Lin monastery, which translates to "Precious Lotus Zen Temple". It had a great atmosphere, and as it was up a mountain it was much cooler and there was a nice breeze blowing through the trees. I bought a ticket for lunch at the restaurant.It was completely vegetarian and the same set menu for everyone.I was sat down by myself in the corner.On the table was a small bowl, a slightly bigger bowl, chopsticks, a ladle, soup spoon and flat spoon.They brought me a teapot and a large bowl of soup.I remembered I had to put the tea in the small bowl and then ladle the soup into the slightly bigger bowl.The tea was nice but the soup was absolutely disgusting!Next came several plates of food and a pot of rice.The pot had a lid to keep the rice warm.I went to get some soy sauce as the vegetables were quite plain.It was the strongest soy sauce I have ever tasted and it nearly made my eyes water!The food was nice though and the spring rolls were so good, the texture was more like batter than like the type we get at home.
After lunch I walked around the monastery for a bit and then went up to see the Tian Tan Buddha which is reached by climbing more than 260 steps.Once at the top, you can go inside the Buddha and the views when you get outside are amazing.It is the largest outdoor Buddha in the world but I was a little disappointed to discover it was completed in 1992.I thought it was some ancient relicwhen in fact it's only about as old as my little brother but I still think it was worth seeing even if it wasn't very historical.
I made my way back to the Bus stops to get off the mountain, and then got a MTR to Mong Kok.I walked all the way down Nathan Road.I noticed a women's clothes shop and went emergency flip flop shopping.At last I could take of the shoes which had been rubbing blisters all day!The largest size they had was a size 5 but I managed to squeeze them on and I think they only cost about £3.I made it to the ferry pier in time to watch the Laser lights show.This time it was much more impressive, looking from Kowloon Island onto Hong Kong Island, rather than trying to watch them from Hong Kong Island itself.The lights were quite impressive and one of the buildings made me think of the Daleks from Dr Who.I queued up for a Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island and it was really nice sailing across the harbour in the dark, looking at all the buildings lit up.There was a breeze too which was a relief from the humidity.
I couldn't find the tram stop as it wasn't immediately obvious when you got off the ferry.But I really wanted to try out the old tram and it was my last chance before leaving tomorrow.I kept walking, hoping to see the lines in the road but I was about to give up as the emergency flip flops had started to rub too! Then I saw a tram and I got on it.
I wasn't entirely sure it was going to Causeway Bay, and it wasn't long before I realised the trams don't announce the stops either.I stayed on it for a while, just a little worried about where in Hong Kong I might end up, but then I saw some shops I recognised and fought my way to the front of the narrow tram so I could pay and get off.I had made it back to Causeway Bay!As I hadn't had any dinner I decided to treat myself with a nice ice cream before heading back to the hostel to bed.
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