Day 4, Room With A View

This morning we all head out to Windsor House for Dim Sum. When we get to this mall, we are confronted with options as there are Dim Sum restaurants on multiple floors of the building. We opt for the 5th floor since it's the closest. Somewhere during round 2 of ordering tasty little delights, Y's mother joins us. Once we are as stuffed as possible while still being able to walk, we head to the closest MTR stop and follow it to it's end in Tung Chung. From here, we catch a glass bottom cable car across to and over Lantau Island.

 

Yes, I did say glass bottom.

  

And over a large section of the island. It's the fastest way to get to the Giant Buddha visible over Bill's shoulder.

Here's a slightly better picture from the base of the steps you have to climb to get to the Tian Tan Buddha, the largest Seated Bronze Buddha in the World:

We get meal tickets at the base of the stairs before heading up. The tickets are advertised as good for a vegetarian lunch at the monastery near by. They also grant admission to the upper floors of the museum inside the base of the Buddha which is where you can see one of the white Relics. The lower levels have a history of the Buddha's construction and Buddhism. As we go higher, there are less English signs and more artifacts, including several scrolls and books. The Relic itself is visible in an alcove out from a spiral staircase. After climbing back down the steps, we tour the public areas of the monastery and sit down for the best vegetarian meal of my life. Spicy tofu, fried taro, a squash and bean soup, and bliss.

The cable car station is part of a super touristy area with several souvenir shops. It is also the first place we find that sells post cards. We get a couple to send back home before catching our glass bottomed ride off the island.

The other big highlight of the day is dessert in Hong Kong where there are restaurants that serve only that. There are puddings, ices, and even dessert soups. On a previous evening, we had stopped in one that was pretty good, but tonight we stop in one near Time Square that is fantastic. The most prominent item on the menu is a selection of shaved ice in flavors ranging from fruits to green tea to sesame. Bill is delighted by his sesame mountain. My mango was also pretty awesome.