31 October, 2018

Just waking up, having a coffee. The past few days have been perfect in terms of weather. This really is the only time of year to visit Hong Kong and not die of heat stroke or whole body fungal infection.

A couple of days ago, we took the nice, slow ferry over to our old home, Mui Wo, on Lantau Island. It's quite a bit more built up compared with 23 years ago, but still very pastoral and calm. IfI ever ended up living here again, it would have to be Mui Wo. We hiked around and were eventually able to locate our old apartment. The building is intact, but no longer has an unobstructed view of the field in front of it, due to a whole bunch of newly-constructed apartments. Still, nothing's really high-rise in Mui Wo, and it should still be a relaxed place for some time to come - except for people who have to try to pay down the multi-million dollar mortgages on even the tiniest apartments.

Next we dragged Vincent way up in the mountains to Po Lin monastery, home of the Big Buddha. We went by bus, but now they have a cable car ride up from Tung Chung (near the airport). The monastery is opulent and the setting is spectacular, with mountain peaks all around. Loads of tourists and their cash keep the place up in high style.


Yesterday, we hiked up and over Sunset Peak on Lantau Island, passing through Mui Wo, and finally ending up in discovery bay, where we were forced to take the overpriced and antiseptic high speed ferry back to Central. It was a healthy hike, about 17 km, with excellent panoramic views of the new airport, Lantau peak (with Po Lin monastery nestled at its base) and to the west, Hong Kong Kong island.
 View from atop Sunset Peak
 The new(er) airport, Tung Chung. This opened in 1997 after 10+ years of construction.
 View from the Lantau ferry.
 The Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery
 Various statues on the pedestal of the Big Buddha
V

 View of Big Buddha from the top of the stairs leading up to it.
 Our old apartment, 48 3/F Wang Tong Village, Mui Wo, Launtau Island, Hong Kong. It was a great place, but owing to the 4 hour daily commute, we had to trade it in for a 450 sq. ft. hell hole, 21 stories up a generic apartment block in Sha Tin (as in "a dog ShaTin my garden")
Heading to Lantau. 
This sculpture pretty much sums up the emotional side of things for us. Thanks to C. Fury for sending it to me. 

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