Po Lin Monastery

Given the world's largest Buddha, there's no surprise in finding a Buddhist monastery nearby. The Po Lin Monastery was a huge complex containing a very large temple as well as residences for monks. Many people came to worship at both the statue and the temple.

Lighting incense in the courtyard in front of the temple:



The temple (construction of new buildings going on in the background):



Inside the temple with people worshipping:

The Big Buddha

After the cable car ride, we shopped our way through the Ngong Ping village and then went on to see the Big Buddha. This 34 meter bronze statue is the tallest Buddha statue in the world.

On the way to the statue:



Jacen with the statue in the background:



The stairs and the statue:

Book Review: Raising a Modern-Day Knight

I consider some books on parenting to be indispensable; every parent should read “To Train up a Child” and “Shepherding a Child’s Heart.” Other books are supplementary, good stuff that might be helpful. Robert Lewis’ “Raising a Modern Day Knight” fits into that latter category. The purpose of this book is help fathers turn their boys into men. Lewis defines a real man as one who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects the greater reward, God’s reward. Perhaps the strongest aspect of the book is on using ceremonies at key times in a boy’s life to remind him of the steps he is making towards manhood. The book is a short (163 pages) and easy read, more anecdotal than biblical, yet it’s still a good reminder of need for fathers to teach and lead their sons into manhood. I recommend this book.

Cable Car Ride

For our last day in Hong Kong, we wanted to visit Ngong Ping project on Lantau Island. We took the Tung Chung line from Hong Kong to the Lantau coast. We could have taken a bus to Ngong Ping (40 min ride around the mountains), but opted instead for the cable car (24 min ride over the mountains). Beautiful views of the mountains, a bay, the airport, and Ngong Ping.

Looking back, the airport on the left and the take-off point on the right:



Looking towards the highest peak (and yes, that's a path you could use to walk this trip; yikes!):



Looking towards our destination; the Big Buddha on the left:



You can read more about the cable car on Wikipedia.

Hong Kong Harbor at Night

After a day at the park, we stopped at the Hong Kong harbor once again, but this time it was dark. We walked along the Avenue of Stars and then watched the Symphony of Lights. A pleasant way to end our day.

Jackie!



Lasers from the symphony (a light show):

Ocean Park

We spent one (rainy) day at Ocean Park, a theme park on the south side of Hong Kong Island. It was part coaster park and part animal park. The rain kept us from doing some of the things we wanted, but it was still a good day.

The kids rode the water ride 4 times (couldn't get any wetter after all):



Ann didn't care for The Crazy Galleon, but we kids did:



And this was still part of China, so there was a panda:

Kung Fu

As part of Kung Fu Corner, the martial artists demonstrated a variety of weapons. They didn't actually spar--at least not while we watched--but worked through various forms.

Spear:



Sword:



Knives:

Chinese Dragon Dancing

Sunday afternoons in Kowloon Park, a martial arts school in Hong Kong puts on Kung Fu Corner, where they demonstrate, as you would expect, Kung Fu, and what you might not expect: Chinese dragon dancing. These are two-man costumes that are used to perform a coordinated dance routine or story.

Here's a dragon strutting his stuff during the opening:



Those who weren't dancing at the time made up the band:



Here's a story of a dragon who was so hungry he contemplated eating lettuce (apparently dragons are more carnivore than vegetarian):



Click here to see what happens to dragons who eat lettuce.

Kowloon Park

The next morning we started at Harbor City mall, probably the biggest mall we've ever been to. Unfortunately, it was for the most part way out our league. We enjoyed the Toys R Us, first one we've been to since KL, and the food court. The rest was window shopping.

After lunch we crossed the road and went to Kowloon Park. It was similar to the other parks we went to on Hong Kong Island. There were flowers, a few animals, a hedge maze, and even a play ground for the kids.