| gonetraveling.com "I am a part of all that I have met. Yet, all experience is an arch where through gleams that untraveled world where margin fades, forever and forever when I move." |
| hong kong |
| ........................................................................................................................................................... |
| Welcome to the city of efficiency! We knew we liked Hong Kong the minute we stepped off the airplane, and I am not just talking about the clean airport with rows of duty free shopping, moving escalators, international restaurants and tourist help around each corner. There is a certain feel that Hong Kong eminates that is palpable without even seeing the city. From inside the airport you can take the train directly to Hong Kong island or Kowloon, the two major areas of Hong Kong. And from the train station there are buses that take you directly to your selected hotel. It couldn't be any easier, especially for people like us who are toting backpacks. Our frequent flyer points landed us at the Holiday Inn, smack in the center of Kowloon, and Hong Kong's finest shopping district. Bustling with people almost shoulder-to-shoulder down every street it was hard to determine what to do first. So we headed up to Hong Kong's most visited site Victoria Peak. The vantage point from "The Peak" is probably the most comprehensive view of Hong Kong you can find. Almost 360 degrees of pure skyscrapers, we kept wondering where all those people were who inhabited those buildings. |
| 2002-2003 |
| ........................................... |
| > home |
 |
 |
 |
| Like the streets, the tram was crowded. Our guide book warned us that we would be playing a game of “push and shove” with the locals whenever we boarded public transportation, so we were ready to be pushed, but not so sure we wanted to shove. We spent more time giving our seats away to those older than us or women with children, but despite the fun, finally said the heck with the whole thing and opted to walk. Another site that is well-worth the trip is Lantau Island, home to the largest bronze Buddha in the world. While it took two hours to get to, the views from the train and bus rides are magnificent. A mixture of modernity and nature, mountains of greenery offer miles (or kilometers) of hiking and mountain biking, and quaint seaside villages dot the coastline drive. The world’s largest bronze Buddha is LARGE. Perched on a mountain-top, it’s presence when close enough is daunting. Hundreds of stairs take you to the top to linger in an enormous lotus blossom that serves as the Buddha’s foundation. Inside there is a museum and from the platform you can take in a 360 degree view of Lantau Island. We spent most of the time with our necks craned back looking up at the Buddha. Its massiveness reminded us of how small we are, and not just in comparison to the giant statue above us. We spent our nights strolling along the shore, staring at the skyline of Hong Kong. It is a massive neon billboard for many of the world’s largest companies. Beautiful in its own right, we still wondered how their electric usage stacked up against that of Las Vegas.. |
| In addition to climbing to Hong Kong’s highest point to get the skyscraper view of the island city, we spent one of our days riding the double-decker tram to get the ground-level view—mostly a people-watching excursion. |
| more than a city |
| ........................................... |