WELCOME TO TUNG CHUNG AREA!

big buddha

I love the actual weather in Hong Kong : it is so nice, not too hot as in Singapore or not too cold as in Paris (even if I like the December’weather in Paris…).

Jerome and I have decided today to visit the « Big Buddha » attraction in Lautau Island. Lantau is the largest island, it is twice bigger than Hong Kong Island. We left from home at 9 am and we took the MTR at » Central Station » (10 minutes by walk) until the terminus « Tung Chung » station. It took us 30 minutes. Then, we waited about 45 minutes long from « Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal » , you can guess it is crowded. After we took a ride to Ngong Ping Village around 25 minutes. The round ticket trip costs 155 HKD in week end. It was magnificent : the brethtaking view of « Tung Chung Bay », the green landscape and the blue sky. So peaceful!

When we arrived in « Ngong Ping village », there was nothing special, it is like « Disneyland », a village just created for tourists : beverage and food, souvenirs shops… The reason is the only attraction is the « Tian Tan Buddha Statue » located 15 minutes further. We walked 100 meters and we climbed to the summit after having taken a stair of 289 steps (a little bit tiring with my big belly…). At the top, we could admire a wonderful panorama of Lautau North Country Park. The Statue of Buddha was very new : it was built in 1993. It reaches a height of 24 meters and weighs 202 tons. Impressive, isn’ t it?

We have lunch in the vegeterian restaurant of the « Po Lin Monastery » for 100 HKD (10 €) per person : simple and very delicious except the kind of gelatinous bean soup. We ate vegetable rolls, mushrooms and green vegetables and drank tea.

At our arrival, we visited one of Jerome’s friend, Andrew. A Singaporean guy who lives between HK and his native country. He lives at « Tung Chung » area and introduce us the advantages to live there. And frankly, He convinced us to come even it is far away from downtown. The quality of life is better : less polluted, rental market cheaper for bigger appartments, incredible facilities (indoor and out door swimming pool, gym room, a great shopping mall with outlet shop and restaurants) What more can you ask?

Maybe the place for a new home…