Fifty Shades of Hong Kong

Friday, September 2nd

We woke up to gray storm clouds looming as they inched over the mountains toward us in Central Hong Kong.  Definitely not the clear skies we were hoping for, but we didn't let it ruin our plans for the day.

After enjoying a delicious and hearty breakfast spread in the concierge lounge, we used Hong Kong's mass transit to head over to Lantau Island.  We are both really impressed by their subway system... it's so clean and user friendly!  Upon arrival in Tung Chung, we hopped on a bus to the Big Buddha. We couldn't have timed it more perfectly as the clouds let loose just as the bus pulled out of the station.  We enjoyed the scenic views as we wound up and down the narrow roads of Lantau finding it hard to believe that this almost uninhabited island covered in lush vegetation was only separated from the stark contrast of Hong Kong's hustling skyscraper haven by the narrow Victoria Harbour.

Forty minutes later, we arrived at N'gong Ping Village as the rain subsided. But HOLY humidity!!! It was borderline unbearable.  I'm sure you can figure this out for yourself by looking at our hair in these photos! Remember that episode of Friends when Monica's hair was out of control in the Bahamas?  Well, we were both living that nightmare today.

But big hair don't care, so we climbed those 268 steps to the top and were rewarded with an up close and personal view of the 112 foot, 250 ton Tian Tan Buddha sitting proudly overlooking the island. We marveled at his presence while the clouds steamrolled in and before we knew it, he had completely disappeared under a blanket of white... so mystical!

We hopped on a bus down to the tiny old fisherman village of Tai O and appreciated a glimpse of Hong Kong life so different from what we've come accustomed to expect of this populated Asian metropolis.  We meandered through the market viewing fresh and dried seafood incorporating almost every living organism under the sea, which was a real delight for the nose. We wandered through the stilt villages and took a boat tour for a different view from the water and in the process, spotted some of China's pink dolphins, an endangered species.

Back on Hong Kong Island, we finally got our first views of the full Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines... Insane!  It really is mesmerizing.  We decided to check out Hong Kong's hotspot, Lan
Kwai Fong, also known as LKF or "The Fong." This pedestrian only cobblestone lane is lined with bars, restaurants and nightclubs with the party spilling out into the streets.  We saddled up at one of the restaurants to grab a Hong Kong brewed pale ale and people watch, which proved quite entertaining.  Hong Kong knows how to party... Cheers!