Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Hong Kong
My hotel was located in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau, China; however, I took a one-hour ferry ride over to Hong Kong to explore the city. Pictured above is the Tian Tan Buddha of Lantau, one of the world's largest statues of Buddha.
Lantau is an island that makes up part of the larger Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). It is not connected to Hong Kong Central, which is the heart of the city. In order to get to the Tian Tan Buddha, another ferry and a bus had to be boarded. And many steps climbed into the clouds.
Hong Kong and Macau are not part of mainland China. The "SAR" moniker connotes an integral difference both in terms of culture and status between the mainland and its outer territories. Mainland China stands apart from its Special Administrative Regions and yet lords over them with certain dictums. Beijing, the capital of China and where the Great wall is situated, is part of mainland China.
The Peak Tram takes you up the steep climb to the brow of a hillside overlooking the city.
Utterly modern, Hong Kong, and sterile in many ways. The folks here do not seem to have a spirited appreciation for history. In fact, from what I gleaned from pamphlets, brochures, Lonely Planets, etc., the locals here would just as soon plow through the last vestige of historical significance so as to have a state-of-the-art car park. 
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I saw a special on the Travel channel a few years back on these monuments. When I opened your page I regonized the statue. Looks like you had a good time..wish I could have enjoyed it with you.
Hong Kong was cool, but I wouldn't want to live there for the pollution. Overcast during my trip. A mixture of fog and smog.