AT SEA (day 64)

LANTAU ISLAND, HONG KONG, continued

THE COUNTRY PARKS like the NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA

A 100 FT. HIGH STATUE OF BUDDHA, SHROUDED BY MIST, SITTING ON LOTUS FLOWER

THE LOTUS FLOWER STANDS FOR PURITY

THE STATUE WAS BUILT WITH MONIES ALL DONATED TO THE NUNS & MONKS WHO LIVE & WORSHIP IN A MONASTERY  IN THE PARK

BUDDHA SITS IN A MEDITATIVE POSITION 

ONE OF FIVE STATUES OF WOMEN BARRING GIFTS FOR BUDDHA 

THESE STATUES ALL FACE THE FRONT OF THE STATUE 

MONASTERY

ONE OF THE BUILDINGS THE MONASTERY CONTAINS THE HALL OF TEN THOUSAND BUDDAHS  

ONE OF THE "UNEMPLOYED" COWS THAT ROAM FREELY ALL AROUND THE MONASTERY

(unemployed since the farmers in the area sold their farmland to developers, almost all of the fruits and vegetables are imported) 

THE NUNS ARE VEGANS AND THEY SERVED US A DELICIOUS VEGAN LUNCH

Couple of more remarks before we go on to VIETNAM...

HONG KONG is very progressive. The city seems to be under construction everywhere they are constantly improving their infrastructure by building tunnels,  & bridges,  & roads. Most of the structures all around the Harbor are built & being built on reclaimed land. Also, they are improving the availability of housing as well. There were no scooters.

Interestingly, since the city is so over populated the working people they do not seem to be bothered by very small living quarters. The apartments, even the 18 story high rises, do not have enough space for a clothes dryer. Therefore, all of the apartments have windows with lines on the outside to accommodate laundry. It seemed very strange to me to see these beautiful structures with laundry waving in the breeze.?

The people are all very helpful and very friendly. While we were standing around on the dock one evening an adorable little 5 year old girl worked very hard to get my attention and when I responded to her she was very proud to tell me that she was learning to speak English in school and could she talk to me. She spoke very well and told me that she wants to go to school in the USA one day.

HONG KONG does belong to COMMUNIST CHINA and you would never know it! CHINA'S only footprint is a Peoples Liberation Army Military Base tucked in the side of a mountain. The guides did not want to say very much about the POA except that they keep to themselves and when they are off duty and off the base they cannot wear their uniforms.