Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Aware that the cable cars closed at 6:00, and that we were already staring at 5:15, the three of us hotfooted it through the twisting turning paths from the base of the Buddha to Po Lin Monastery, tucked back in the trees, away from the world. 
Before we could see the buildings, we could already smell the heady sandlewood incense burning in huge bowls all around. Between the smoke, the fragrance, and the dense trees, you truly felt a sense of mystery about the place.
Upon finding the buildings, however, you’re met with a burst of intense color—both in the buildings and the flowers. Vibrant reds, oranges, golds, and blues seem to burst from everywhere while still remaining dignified and solemn. It’s the kind of technicolor balancing act that only an ancient civilization (pre-Disney) could pull off.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Here he is—the big guy himself. The climb to get there is a killer; even the most fit were stopping to wheeze and gasp. It’s worth it, though; pictures don’t do justice to the sheer magnitude of this shrine.
Tian Tan winks at my next destination via a duplication of the Alter of Heaven from Beijing’s Temple of Heaven (the original Tian Tan) at the foot of the (killer) stairs. A couple of other things set this Buddha apart from the rest; firstly, he faces north, not south, which is odd for a Buddhist shrine. Secondly, he’s the largest outdoor seated Buddha in the world.
It wasn’t lost on me that the guy with the biggest love handles on earth sits at the top of a giant Stairmaster. Who knew?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Worth a second glance, and a smile. I’ll say it again: “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tian Tan / Lantau Island
Tian Tan, for those of you who haven’t heard of it (like me, a month ago), is a village on Lantau Island, just off the Hong Kong coast. Its original claim to fame is the remote Po Lin Buddhist Monestary, then since 1990, the world’s largest outdoor seated Buddha. Once you survive the zillion step climb to the top of the shrine, the views are truly breathtaking (assuming you’ve still got some breath left). Sarah, Isaac and I got there just as a cloud bank was rolling in…beneath us. Pretty awesome sight.
Since the Ngong Ping 360 came along, however, the once serene village at the base of the Buddha peak has become home to not only our rotund friend, but an outdoor mall of Disney-like restaurants, gift shops, and Starbucks. One Italian eatery went so far as to paint a floor to ceiling mural of Saint Peter’s and the Vatican on the front of the restaurant.
A Catholic cathedral at the foot of Tian Tan’s Buddha? Sometimes, moving forward truly equates to two steps back.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Lantau Island
To reach the Big Buddha, you start with a cable car ride. Not just any cable car ride; this is the Ngong Ping 360, a sky-high (and I mean that literally) journey from Tung Chung, crossing Tung Chung Bay, then up and over the peaks to North Lantau, suspended on a two-way loop from sea level to mountaintop.
The ride takes about a half hour, floating over a dense canopy of trees and foliage that could only exist in such a tropical place. It runs 3.5 miles, with panoramic views of the South China Sea, Hong Kong International Airport (where you look DOWN on the airplanes taking off), and at the very top, your first glimpse of the Big Buddha.
I’m not sure how high off the ground this is, but trust me—it ain’t like any cable car or ski gondola I’ve ever seen. This baby has you up in the clouds. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
Wednesday
April 30 2008
Hong Kong
A few years ago, Mom told me that someone had told her it’s good fortune (or good taste, can’t recall which) to have an item of Chinese design in each room. If that’s true, my bedroom just inherited good fortune.
Simmer down, you dirty little minds out there…no hidden meaning behind the statement.
You’re looking at a photo of legitimate hand made Cloisonne, made by a company Trip knows well, based just outside of Beijing. It’s stunning in person, and incredibly well priced, given the discount I was offered in their booth at the Hong Kong Gift show. The piece won’t arrive in Minneapolis for a couple of months due to shipping, but oh, it’s worth the wait.
According to Conny (the vendor), the little squiggle lines are hand laid copper wire. Enamel is then painted in, layer by layer, until the color and finish is complete. Last step is hand polishing to give it the soft glow of real Cloisonne.
Photos don’t do this justice; it’s just about the prettiest piece I’ve ever seen (in addition to the tall floor vase with red blossoms, which was beyond my price range). Big thanks to Sarah for coming along as I returned to the booth for these photos.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hong Kong
Here she is, everyone—the most wonderful contact you could ask for when visiting a foreign city. Kanice Ho first sent me an email introducing herself as my “go to” person a few weeks ago. Since then, she’s been an invaluable resource, both in preparing for the trip and in making things run like clockwork once we hit the ground.
She’s a bundle of energy and enthusiasm…with a quick sense of humor on the side. What a Godsend.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hong Kong
The began with the Overseas Journalists’ Breakfast, hosted by the Trade Development Council to thank the foreign press and a handful of select vendors for attending the show. I was seated with Wojciech Pawlowski (the first Polish exhibitor to appear in Hong Kong, owner of Badge4U) and the Honorable Jeffrey Kin-fung Lam, Legislative Council. The latter is a delightful gentleman, and the honored guest at nearly every function we’ve attended.
Got to mix and mingle with some pretty interesting folks, including the guys who came up with USB People—think: Lego figure meets USB flash drive. There are more cool toys at this show than in Santa’s workshop all year long.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Before we could see the buildings, we could already smell the heady sandlewood incense burning in huge bowls all around. Between the smoke, the fragrance, and the dense trees, you truly felt a sense of mystery about the place.
