October 12, 2005

October 12, 2005

This morning we get up early and take the subway system over to Lantau, the biggest island of Hong Kong. Along the way we pass the stop for the new Asian Disney World. The train headed there has Mickey Mouse shaped windows. Compared to Hong Kong Island, Lantau is virtually deserted. At the end of the subway line we take a long bus ride to the Po Lin Monastery. This monastery has the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world. It is gigantic, 100 ft tall, sitting on a 3-tiered lotus-flower base atop a small hill and encircled by eight smaller Buddhist statues. After climbing up for a close look, we walk around the monastery, learn about Buddhism, and have a vegetarian lunch in the monastery cafeteria. Buddhism originated in India but was brought almost 2000 years ago into China. Buddhism seems to be both a religion and a philosophy that promotes a moral, non-selfish lifestyle.

After lunch we head back to the center of Hong Kong and give ourselves a walking tour of Kowloon. We start at the famous Peninsula Hotel on the southern tip, then proceed north to the Flower Market and the Bird Market. The Bird Market is very large, selling all types of colorful birds. Unfortunately the birds kick up a lot of dust, and both of us can’t stop coughing for the next few days. Bird flu is just starting to make the news and afterwards we think touring the bird market might not have been a smart choice.