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onesundaymorning
onesundaymorning
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4 out of 5
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Tian Tan Buddha

  • November 17, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by onesundaymorning from Los Angeles, California
Tian Tan Buddha

Arriving at Lantau is like stepping back in time; comparing the old China to the new Hong Kong. The villages at the pier where the Star Ferry docks are run down, but somehow they enhance the rugged beauty of the land. Nearby the docks is a bus station that takes passangers to the Po Lin Monastery. It’s not uncommon for the bus to be almost empty and include at least one monk. The bumpy ride takes about an hour (on bus 2 and 23), but is worth every minute. The views of the interior of the island are breathtaking, and just like a great novel it leaves anyone wanting to see more.
The great attaction to the monestary is the seated outside Buddha, which is the largest of its type. The steps of the Buddha are only a few yards from the monetary where tickets to go up into the statute can be purchased for HK$23. The tickets allow access into the museum or for lunch. It’s free of charge to walk around.
The Tian Tan Buddha itself sits on top of a podium with a number of stairs to get to it. It’s backdrop it the Lantau mountain range making a striking impression upon me. The Buddha seamlessly fit into the scenery leaving me to wonder if this was Nirvana that I found. Around the base of the Buddha, on the platform are several smaller, kneeling statutes that only add to the tranquil nature of the place.
The museum inside the Buddha tell the story of Siddhartha Gautama, the first Buddha. It follows his path to enlightenment as he sheds his worldly passions as a prince and seeks the path to nirvana.
Below the Buddha (there are signs guiding tourists to the star of the trail) is the Wisdom Path. It takes about 5 minutes to walk and reflect. Along the way are Chinese symbols. Don’t worry, they aren’t caution signs rather they are signs that make up the Heart Sutra. This is a prayer, which expresses the doctrine of emptiness.
A whole day should be left to explore the grounds. All though a half a day can suffice, it will undoubtedly be rushed and in the end defeat the purpose of trying to understand the path to enlightenment.

From journal Lost in Hong Kong

Yau Ma Tei

  • November 17, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by onesundaymorning from Los Angeles, California
Yau Ma Tei

Straying away from the posh shops that line the waterfront and Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei presents another side of Hong Kong. Although the waterfront might have the best shopping and all of the great tourist attractions Yau Ma Tei is where all of the action happens. From crowed streets and markets to cheap motels and the cities red-light district this isn’t the place most tourists would venture to unless to shop at the famous Temple Street Night Market. Sidewalks packed for almost a mile with vendors and shoppers pushing there way from stall to stall line Temple Street. The bazaar like market sets up around 5pm and runs until midnight the activity really doesn’t pick up until 8pm and dies arouind10pm. The market stretched from Man Ming Lane to Ning Po Street and attracts locals and tourists alike. Everything from knock off designer bags to CD’s as well as souvenirs can be found here.
Although the shopping is fun and cheap the real attraction is in the people who are drawn to the night market. Amateur Chinese Opera performers sing on every corner and fortunetellers lure passerby with the temptation to read their future. Small restaurants set up on the side streets to allow overwhelmed shoppers the opportunity to leave the hustle of the market and take a seat to eat and drink, while watching the everyone else go about their business. The restaurants are mainly open-air. All of the food, which usually consists of oysters, prawns, claims, lobster, and fish are placed on top of ice in full view of the shoppers nearby.
Unlike Mainland China’s markets bargaining can be done here but not in the same manner. It isn’t as intense, loud, or as dramatic, and usually only last no more then a few minutes. When bargaining remain respectful. The shopkeeper will offer a price usually on a calculator and you can give a counter offer. This can go on a few more times until a price is agreed on.
If you are looking for more specialty items veer off of Temple Street to Kansu and Battery Streets for the jade market. Buyer beware not everything that is sold here is what the shopkeeper claims. A pamphlet on jade can be found at the Hong Kong Tourist Board center that will give you the basic info on jade and what to look for when shopping.
Carry cash when shopping here. I didn’t encounter a single place that took credit cards, traveler’s checks, USD or Euro like many of the markets that I’ve encountered before. Stop at one of the ATM’s that are found everywhere in Hong Kong and get Hong Kong Dollars before heading off to the night market.

From journal Lost in Hong Kong

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