Success only runs one direction....
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
While walking the steps up to the old fortress next to St. Paul’s, we happened upon a frequent site in China—groups of men gathered for chess, poker, or a simple afternoon chat. Here, you can see their bird cages hung from the lower branches of the tree, something common on these types of afternoon outings.
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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Macau
Built in the late 1500s, then burned to the ground in 1835, this is the most sought after site in Macau. The stone wall is only the beginning; you can see the original footings, some of the crypts, and other remains of the old cathedral while walking what was the original interior. You can’t help but feel the chills when seeing this monolithic facade standing in defiance of what destroyed the rest of the church.
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Wednesday night
April 30, 2008
Kowloon
This was it—the much talked about Temple Street that gets swinging after 4:00 p.m. each day, running until either 11:00 p.m. or the customers dry up. Granted, the crowded stalls were filled mostly with low quality schlock, but a little digging could turn up a treasure or two (Sarah found a stack of knock off Polo shirts for her husband that really were attractive).
The people watching, though…. Now there’s the real show. Verrrry colorful stuff.
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Wednesday night, April 30, 2008
Kowloon
From the modern wonders of the Ngong Ping 360 on our return to the base of the mountain, we jumped on the MTR and headed for old Kowloon, in search of the Temple Street Night Market. The moment we surfaced from the subway tunnels, I knew we were seeing the real deal—not an American in sight. Between the cacophony of street life, busses spewing fumes, and the chatter of languages foreign to my ears, this felt like a jump back in time. Pretty cool.
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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.
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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.
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