The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

We sadly could not wait in the long queues due to time limitations on our last day in Hong Kong, so we took the city bus and not the rope way, which was an experience in itself on the winding bus race-track where cars also joined in the fun! Hair raising, to say the least. Poor Rohan, my gentleman, offered me the last open seat and thus he had to hang on with both arms for the 1 hour journey - commenting on the other side that his arms felt the work out! We reached Ngong Ping safely. Took a stroll through the cultural Ngong Ping Village and found lunch: Delicious Falafel for Tam and Burger for my man. We enjoyed the landscape and surroundings of Po Lin Monastery taking a few steps along wisdom path. Mangroves are the dominant vegetation.

Once merely a remote monastery hidden by lush vegetation of mostly mangroves, mountain scenery, the Po Lin Monastery made it to the world map when the extraordinary Tian Tan Buddha statue (informally known as the Big Buddha) was erected in 1993. Something you can't miss. Sitting 34 metres high and facing north to look over the Chinese people, this majestic bronze Buddha draws pilgrims from all over Asia.

The eyes, lips, incline of the head and right hand, which is raised to deliver a blessing to all, combine to bring a humbling depth of character and dignity to the massive Buddha, which took 12 years to complete. Climb the 268 steps for a closer look at this remarkable statue, and to enjoy the sweeping mountain and sea views that can be seen from its base.