Asia 2014 Day 8: Hong Kong - Big Buddha, Tai O, Tsuean

Kaya at Toast Box!

A very busy day today!  My cousin showed me around the whole day.  We started w breakfast at the nearby mall, since there are malls everywhere. It was a Singaporean place that served kaya on bread!  It's been a while since I last had it.  Love the combo of kaya w butter.

After breakfast, we took the MTR east, to take the cable car.  Had to wait maybe 30 minutes, and we chose the cable car with the clear glass bottom for 165 HKD one way.  Four of his coworkers and friends came too, so that was nice to be in a group. 

 

On the tram

The views on the ride up were incredible.  Looking back on Lantau, the mountains, water and airport was so beautiful.  It was a little hazy but it was still quite a sight.  There was also a trail up the mountain for those who wanted to trek up.  Even though I'm active, I don't think I would ever hike up.  There wasn't much shade from the intense heat.

Amazing view of Lantau from the tram

Big Buddha

There was a small, fake village before Big Buddha.  Expensive, touristy, unauthentic items here.  And a Subway.  Walking through the village, you can see the Big Buddha in the backdrop.  It's giant.

 

Walked up the stars to the Buddha.  It seems to be a theme to have a temple/Buddha on the top of many steps.  Experienced hikes up stairs like this here, Doi Suthep, Batu Cave.

 

We had lunch at a vegetarian place afterwards.  I was so surprised at the offerings. They had quite a lot of options.  Vermicelli noodles, dimsum, desserts, curry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next was the wisdom trail for a walk.  It was beautiful, a nice escape from the crowds near the village and Buddha.  Saw a wild cow just munching on leaves on the side.  My feet were really starting to hurt now...but still had lots to see.

 

A couple of his friends left at this point to take the cable car down, but we continued via cab to Tai O.  It is an old fishermen village with stilt houses and pink dolphins.  A lot of salty dried foods, like salty fish. We had some snacks like fish stomach and a jerky of some sort.

 

Poor pufferfish :(

The remaining friends left, and my cousin and I took a boat tour around the area to try spotting some pink dolphins.  Was not lucky this time.  Saw so much trash in the ocean...really horrible.  On the upside it was really interesting seeing the old homes on stilts.  There were also some newer ones being built that were previously destroyed in a fire. Apparently the homeowners of the wooden stilt homes do not need to pay taxes.

 

 

There were quite a few hawks that circle the skies here.  Makes sense, given all the fish that is brought in and all the smells.

Was exhausted by now...but had to eat.  We took the local bus to Tsuean.  First, stopped by a cramped - low ceiling mall where the 1st floor was all cheap electronics.  Incredible how much was here.  You could get USB sticks, cell phones, covers, batteries, cords, etc.  All negotiable. I bought a selfie stick.  Really wish I bought this earlier.  Would've had great shots of myself and the skyline and attractions.

Cheap electronics!

We went to a nearby sushi restaurant.  Had to wait maybe 20 minutes, and it was a late dinner.  Wow I have never had such gigantic pieces of fish.  It was twice the size of anything I've had before.  Was real good.

Huge.

Both my cousin's and my feet were dying, so we found a massage place.  It was busy, there were at least 10 masseuses there, all from China.  50 min for 125 HKD.

 

Took the taxi back around 10:30pm.  An eventful tiring long day!