Hong Kong Tour (Day 2) - Mongkok Tour (Part 1)

For Filipinos, Hong Kong is just like another Binondo or Chinatown. We, Filipinos, were influenced highly by foreign countries and one of them was the Chinese. We embodied some of their culture and such Chinese people embody ours as well. Some of the Chinese merchant actually lived in the Philippines after a long trading time. It was Barter then that keeps our relationship with Chinese as tight as it is in a partnership type of business. Knowing that Chinese are into trading and we know they have cool and unique stuffs as well. Off to market is what we planned after our Lantau Tour. We set off from Tung Chung to Lai King via the Orange lane then to Mongkok via the Red lane and Exit on E2. You need to look for "Ladies Market" from MTR so you will find your way exactly in the market area.   

Pinoys out there be amazed as you will find a pimped Divisoria once you laid foot to Mongkok. Below are the things you can actually find in Mongkok. I tell you, have lots of money with you because you really find good stuff – SHOES, and yes SHOES! and more!

Ate some street food for HKD30.00 - a fair priced snack and a rude vendor.

Saw some street performers too.

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Hong Kong Tour (Day 2) – Lantau Island Tour (Part 3)

Here are additional things you might expect in Lantua Island, the Po Lin Monastery. I should not be writing any about Po Lin Monastery as unfortunate events. To enumerate them:

1. We can’t right the Ngong Pin Cable Car due to its annual maintenance.
2.  It was too hot and we don’t have any umbrella with us, something I can endure.
3.  Po Lin Monastery is under renovation.

It does suck but what else to do but enjoy whatever you can find during the tour. I’m hoping to see what Po Lin Monastery is going to be after renovation though. Something to look forward… J

Even there are some unwanted events going on, I still find some of these things amazing and hope you too:

The Monks

When I was in Thailand I saw some Monks wearing orange cloth around their body and a bald head. Here’s something different. I saw 3 monks during our tour and they wore gray Chinese man clothes but without the intricate golden designs. Just as play as gray.

I saw one wearing a conical hat or dǒulì in Chinese or salakot in Filipino. What made my day was the monk I saw was thumbing his mobile phone. Isn’t it cool?

The Buddhist/s

If we can find Buddha, we surely find some Buddhist and I adore how they show their faith. I even saw a couple who went up the Giant Buddha and they were saying prayers then stop, kneel, and then bend. After which I saw the couple roaming around the Big Buddha while praying. I’m of a different religion but I feel how serious and sacred it is to be that place.

There were also believers who light their incense as offering. For those who have some allergic reactions to the following essence such as cassia, sandalwood, styrax, cinnamon, etc. You might want to bring some antihistamines with you and take them before going to the site.

The Incense Holder

The humongous incense holder and jars were all over the place. This is something you expect mostly on temples and shrines.

The Gods

If you are in any monastery, temple, or shrine; expect to see statues of their Gods. These representations were of reminders to the believers of Buddha and their Gods.

                  

                  

                     

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Hong Kong (Day 2) – Religious Tour at Lantau, Hong Kong (Part 2)

To not keep you waiting, after walking the pathway of the Twelve Generals you will find a piazza in front of the Giant Buddha staircase. The piazza has ponds on around the first platform and they were planted with Lotus. We all know that Lotus is one symbol of Buddhism’s fortune which means rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment. There are 2 lotus flower colors that grow in the piazza, Pink which represents the history of Buddha and historical legends of Buddha and Violet which talks spirituality and mysticism.

In front of the piazza is the staircase to a remarkable Giant Buddha statue which is about 268 steps up the mountain top. If you wanted to enter the Giant Buddha's stomach you are allowed as long as you paid for HK$ 30 with free vegan dumpling and bottled water to go.

After going up, we went down another 268 steps while the sun is up and were all sweating and find our way to the Po Lin Monastery. It was an unlucky visit as the monastery is under renovation. Even though, I still took pictures inside the monastery and went in to feel the solemnity of the place. Incense fills the air as those who pray offer it to Buddha.

After the climbing and the capturing every moment we had at the Ngong Ping, we found ourselves enjoying some treats from the Vegetarian Deli restaurant near the monastery.

We went to the shop area but did not get any for souvenirs then head back to the bus terminus and lead to the Citygate Outlets for shopping. I personally did buy any. I can’t find any climacool from the Adidas outlet. I just took my time sitting on one of Pacific Coffee’s chair enjoying my ice cold café latte.

We did went to Mongkok to buy some giveaways <pasalubong time!> for our relatives and friends.

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Hong Kong (Day 2) – Religious Tour at Lantau, Hong Kong (Part 1)

One thing I have on my list is the places of worships that the country I’m visiting is popular of such as the St. Peter and Paul’s ruins in Macau. This time I would expect more of temples as we talk about Hong Kong. I’m visiting not their typical temples but their monastery instead. A must visit place; I may put on my “Places to Visit in Hong Kong”, the Giant Buddha which stand tall atop the mountains.

We started our day early for our Day 2 in Hong Kong as we planned on visiting the Giant Buddha. We found out during our research that the Ngong Ping 360 cable car is not available so we decided to take the bus from Central Station to Ngong Ping. Actually all the cable cars in Hong Kong were on their annual maintenance when we arrived. Things that we don’t expect to happen on our trip but can’t help it we can try it on our next visit, I think.

Before we hit the road, you might want to take note of the following:

Things to bring with you

• An umbrella
• Cash
• Water
• Comfortable Clothes
• Hiking Shoes
• Towels or Handkerchief
• Extra Clothes
• Shades or Sunglasses
• Map/Travel Guide book <Google it! Print the map or screenshot it.>

For those who do not want to get some tan, bring some sunscreen with you. Why did I list the items above, simply because you will be doing some hiking.

To get to Giant Buddha from Tsim Sha Tsui, you need to ride the following:

East Tsim Sha Tsui Station – Nam Cheong – Tung Chung

Tsim Sha Tsui Station – Lai King – Tung Chung

From the MTR Station you need to walk to the rear side of the Citygate Outlets. <Drop by here to find some great discounts on products such as Nike, Adidas, Versace, A|X, Coach, etc.>

As aforementioned, the cable car is closed for annual maintenance, ferry or gondola ride is not in our list of rides <because the travel time is longer> so we took the bus instead; it was a short 20 - 30 curvy minutes ride to the Ngong Ping terminal. Bus fare is at HK$17 during weekdays and HK$27 during weekends.

After the long ride is a long walk towards the foot of the long staircase leading to Giant Buddha. You will consider yourself entertained with the 12 statues, 6 of them standing each side of the pathway called The Twelve Generals. I took some pictures of each statue and hopefully they will stay the same if you plan on visiting:

General CATURA

General CATURA represents 1AM – 3AM of the day and Ox of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Armed with a sword on his left arm pointing to the ground.

General KIMNARA

General KIMNARA represents 3AM – 5AM of the day and Tiger of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Armed with a rope dart or rope javelin.

General MAKURA

General MAKURA represents 5AM – 7AM of the day and Rabbit of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Holds an Axe on his right hand as a weapon.

General PARJA

General PARJA represents 7AM – 9AM of the day and Dragon of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Armed with a bow and arrow.

General INDRA

General INDRA represents 9AM – 11AM of the day and Snake of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Holding a staff in his right hand stood General INDRA with fierce.

General SANDIRA

General SANDIRA represents 11AM – 1PM of the day and Horse of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. Handling a conch shell, General SANDIRA raising it holding up from his right hand.

General ANILA

General ANILA represents 1PM – 3PM of the day and the Sheep of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. General ANILA is holding an arrow pointing downward as a weapon.

General ANDIRA

General ANDIRA represents 3PM – 5PM of the day and Monkey of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. General ANDIRA holds a mallet as weapon.

General MIHIRA

General MIHIRA represents 5PM – 7PM of the day and Rooster of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. General MIHIRA holds on his left hand the Vajra as his weapon.

General VAJRA

General VAJRA represents 7PM – 9PM of the day and Dog of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. General VAJRA is armed with a sword held in his right hand from waist pointing a little downward.

General KUMBHIRA

General KUMBHIRA represents 9PM – 11PM of the day and Boar of the Chinese 12 Zodiac. General KUMBHIRA is holding a broadsword in his right hand levelled from his chest.

General VIKARALA

General VIKARALA represents 11PM – 1 AM of the day and Rat of Chinese 12 Zodiac. Just like General MIHIRA, General VIKARALA holds a Vajra as weapon but on his right hand.

To be continued...

Part 2 of our Lantau tour or Hong Kong (Day 2) will be posted soon. Please like my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/travelingwithyu and check my blogs for update: http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com or http://travelingwithyu.wordpress.com and follow me on twitter @travelingwithyu. I'm working on my Instagram and will add the link soon.

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I'd like to take this opportunity to great my dear friends Happy Birthday:

Sisylson Beroy - 9/20

Alvin Velasquez - 10/01

Rashan Raza - 10/09

For any question don't hesitate to leave me a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.