Peaks, Typhoons, and Ten Thousand Buddhas

It's been almost a week since our last post, and we are settling in to something of a routine in Hong Kong.  Nicole has started working on her new show, Crash Canyon, and has a lot to animate in the opening weeks of production.  For me, class started this week, and was a great mix of the good, the bad, and the boring.  I spent the week working out a class schedule that would allow maximum time off, and minimum boredom.  I think my scheming was fairly successful, and I've managed to limit my classes from Monday to Wednesday, giving me long weekends to have some fun.

There is a lot to report in the fun department since the last post.  Since we arrived, Nicole and I have been waiting for a good night to head up to Victoria Peak for a nighttime view of Hong Kong.  Rising 1800 feet above Central, the Peak offers amazing 360 degree views of Hong Kong island, and is one of the "must-see" attractions on the island.

Nicole and I enjoying the view from the Peak

Luckily, the non-stop haze that has plagued the city since our arrival cleared up for a day, and we seized the opportunity to hop on the Peak Tram and head up.  The tram itself is a wild ride as it takes a direct line to the top, cutting through the crowded residential neighbourhoods before tearing through the jungle at an incredibly sheer angle.  It's just like the ascending hill of a roller-coaster, except instead of a gut-wrenching drop-off, there is only a massive mall complex at the top.  No lies!  Hong Kong's obsession with shopping has conquered the summit of an otherwise natural vista.  The juxtaposition is bizarre, but it does have some benefits.  First, beyond the souvenir shopping and wax museums, the Peak Tower also holds a number of good restaurants offering amazing views of Hong Kong.  Second, the roof of the six story tower is an observation deck that is perfect for photography.  Raised above the jungle trees, you get some incredible views over Hong Kong harbor.  We spent some time taking shots of the city, then had a big ol' Yankee dinner at Bubba Gump's Shrimp (guilty pleasure, and a nostalgic departure from our otherwise all-Asian meals) before calling it a night.

Hong Kong harbor, seen from the Peak

Now, while Nicole's job is fantastic, and is the reason she's been able to come on this adventure, it is nevertheless a job meaning that she's got to put in hours in order to get her paycheques.  This responsibility lies in stark contrast to the student life..especially the pass/fail exchange student life.  So, it was with a heavy heart that I struck out on the next adventure without my partner in crime, who was stuck at home making money.

Yesterday, I joined fellow UWO student Joel and Goodmans pal Lyndsay on a trip into the New Territories, which is still part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) although it is on the Chinese mainland.  Although Mikey made fun of me for going to explore the boonies, I have to say that there was some cool stuff to see off of the island.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple

For example, we went to Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, located in Sha Tin, which Joel had found in his trusty guidebook.  Without a word of a lie, there were AT LEAST 10,000 chubby deities in this place, starting from the moment you enter the 450+ step path to hike up to the temple.  The entire path is lined on both sides with gold-painted statues, no two of which are the same, and many of which are hilarious.  The temple itself hold some 12,000 or so little Buddha sculptures (see inset) wrapping around all four walls of the temple.  I have no idea why this temple exists, other than for the amusement of tourists, and for the profit of the troupe of monks who shook Joel down for HK$57.  We had no idea what these monks we're saying, either bought himself eternal salvation, or a new friend.  At the very least he got a stylish wood bracelet for his troubles.

You should know that this one of those blistering days we had heard about.  Base temperature was about 38 degrees, with humidity almost maxed out.  I saturated my shirt completely on the hike up, super-saturated it on the way back down.  I think it was more perspiration than cotton by the end of it.

Junk boat, and our fearless (and toothless) captain

After taking advantage of the air conditioning at the otherwise dull Hong Kong Heritage Museum (no offence), we hopped a bus to Sai Kung, a tiny little coastal village way out in the middle of nowhere.  Without much to do in the village, we took to the water, offering a local lady HK$100 for an hour-long cruise on her junk boat.  Apparently this sort of thing is a booming cottage industry in Sai Kung as many little old ladies offer boat rides to passing tourists.  Despite initial fears of piracy, the cruise was a pleasure as the bay is dotted with tiny islands, and some nice coastal vistas.  Plus, the sea breeze was a refreshing respite from the oppressive heat.

We also got a small peak into a very different way of life, as it was clear that our captain also lived on her tiny junk boat.  Her clothes were stowed in a cargo net, and next to the helm with a tiny head (bathroom), which she availed herself of at one point on the cruise.  Slightly awkward.  Apparently HK$100 was enough to cover the fuel costs, and her time for an hour out at sea.  We were certainly grateful for the ride, and for surviving it, when we disembarked back at the harbor to make our way back towards Hong Kong proper.

The junk, seen from port

One last treat before signing off.  For the past couple nights, Hong Kong has been tormented by a typhoon that blows in after the sun goes down and provides some unreal electrical shows.  Wednesday night, the show was amazing, and we had the camera rolling to record the lightning.  This storm was incredible, and the lightning raged on constantly for over four hours.  Enjoy the show, set to Metallica's 'Ride the Lightning'.