You can take the MTR (Metro) all the way to the Island. It was about a 45 minute ride. When you get off the Metro, you are in a mall. (That is the way it is most of the time) After getting our bearings we found the signs that led to the Cable Car. 
Now I know many of you that know me are saying, no way did you take the Cable Car. Well, I did. It wasn't too bad but I just had to keep thinking of something else. You paid about 10 US dollars for the ride up to the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastary. You can walk but it is up over this mountain and the book says it takes about 3 hours. I would estimate more like 5. As we were climbing up over the mountain, 
we could see the airport and there was the UPS plane just getting ready to take off. We haven't seen much UPS over here but it was cool to see it coming down the tarmac and then turn around and take off.
we could see the airport and there was the UPS plane just getting ready to take off. We haven't seen much UPS over here but it was cool to see it coming down the tarmac and then turn around and take off. The ride on the Cable car goes through a couple of stations as it is so long. 
Finally, you come over this hill and start heading toward the ocean and there you can see the Big Buddha. You walk through this villiage up to the base of the Buddha and then you climb the stairs up to the top. There were all these people that were climbing the stairs and some of them would stop at each landing and pray. I think they were just tired.
On some of the landings, they would lay entirely down and on some just kneel down. I can't remember how many stairs it is but it was a long way to the top. The view was incredible. From the top of the Big Buddha you could see the Ocean and I am sure that many of the ships coming by could see it.
Finally, you come over this hill and start heading toward the ocean and there you can see the Big Buddha. You walk through this villiage up to the base of the Buddha and then you climb the stairs up to the top. There were all these people that were climbing the stairs and some of them would stop at each landing and pray. I think they were just tired.
On some of the landings, they would lay entirely down and on some just kneel down. I can't remember how many stairs it is but it was a long way to the top. The view was incredible. From the top of the Big Buddha you could see the Ocean and I am sure that many of the ships coming by could see it. 
At the base of the stairs, is the Po Lin monastary. Stacey had read that one of the best places to eat was at the monastary. The Monks have a Vegetarian lunch. The book gave it 2 out of 3 stars and said it was very delicious. So, we bought our meal ticket and walked over to the monastary. They took you into this big room and then brought out your entire lunch. The sign said no pictures but I just had to take some.
The first thing they bring you is what I termed
Drtee Sok Suup (Dirty Sock Soup). It had lots of vegetables in it but it was nasty. I took some but Stacey couldnt do it. The broth tasted like something they washed their clothes in. The sticky rice was OK and the vegetables were pretty good. 
But the best part of all, was that they had some Soy Sauce. (first time we have seen any) This made Stacey happy.
Drtee Sok Suup (Dirty Sock Soup). It had lots of vegetables in it but it was nasty. I took some but Stacey couldnt do it. The broth tasted like something they washed their clothes in. The sticky rice was OK and the vegetables were pretty good. 
But the best part of all, was that they had some Soy Sauce. (first time we have seen any) This made Stacey happy. Overall, I would give the meal a 2.5 out of 10. The soup was definitely something to remember. The Buddha is a must and was worth the trip. Also, looking around the monastary was pretty cool. I would take some snacks though and eat in the garden. Skip the Vegetarian Monk Lunch...
We rode the Cable car (Sky tram) back to the Metro and decided we would go north up to this Old walled city community. It was called Sam Tung UK. It had been there for about 300 years and the city had just grown up around it. The people that lived in it were relocated so they could restore it to its original. Now they treat it as a museum. 
It reminded me of a fort in the Old west with little living quarters all through it and the Temple in the middle. Pretty interesting. This was something that we didn't really see many other tourists at. The Metro ride definitely was all locals and us and the walk to this made us realize we were off the beaten path. Overall, it was pretty cool.
It reminded me of a fort in the Old west with little living quarters all through it and the Temple in the middle. Pretty interesting. This was something that we didn't really see many other tourists at. The Metro ride definitely was all locals and us and the walk to this made us realize we were off the beaten path. Overall, it was pretty cool.For dinner we ate at a little place in the Mall near our Hotel. It had salads just like they make in New York and it even tasted like it. After the lunch we had, we were looking for something a little more normal. It was a nice change.
3 comments:
Come on Rich, when you travel abroad you need to be a little more open minded about the food. What is this going to all these American restaurants? Just kidding. We wouldn't want sock soup either.
The cable car ride sounded cool. Were the planes landing below you? We are very excited about the UPS one!
Sounds like Buddha is a MUST see when you take us back as our tour guides. Looks like fun!
Lee,
thanks for the comments. We weren't really sure if anyone is reading but our kids.
It is really fun and we are having a great time. Will try to find out if there is Chinese on the church on Sunday
You did the cable car! I'm glad you had a good visit to the Buddha. Looks like the weather has been good to you so far. Nice laundry soup!
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