Temple hopping: Big, big Buddha.

This past weekend, in commemoration of having nothing to do, we decided to visit something a little less urban, as most weekends tend to involve us simply riding the train downtown, pretending to shop, haggling with no intention of buying things, and eating way too much food that doesn't have a chance of being healthy.

So went took the train (yes, it goes everywhere -- even DisneyLand) from the New Territories, all the way in the northeastern area of town, and got off on Lantau Island, which is the island most south and west of downtown. This was the location of the famed "Big Buddha" temple - where, way on top of some amazing Asian mountain, above the thick foliage and multiple mountains away from town, lied a massive, world-eclipsing Buddha statue. The area has since gained a lot of tourism, but still retains an authentic charm.

The first, and easily best, part of the charm was the ride from the stop to the temple area. Two routes existed: either hike all day over a couple of mountains on a rock path, or take think like a bird and take a gondola over the mountains, capturing the unbelievable views of still-undeveloped Hong Kong territory.

Well, the choice was easy. Gondola it was.

The view was beyond outstanding. Someone said that you would eventually get tired of all of the unbelievable scenery. Hasn't felt that way for me yet.

You can begin to see the gargantuan Buddha jutting out in the distance. Thank you Matt and your ridiculous dSLR camera.

Finally, we reached the tram station, where yet another small hike, and bountiful views of the scenery emerged.

Getting there required walking through a whole bunch of Asian structures, a touristy shopping outlet (again, on top of a mountain, blah), and eventually through a large stone-paved road leading to steps up to see the statue. The simultaneous feelings of awe and beauty have never appeared so often as they have shown themselves here. I swear by it.

As someone said to me, everything here "looks straight out of a postcard".

More words later on some thoughts and other activities later (maybe), but for now, the pictures can best represent what I have to say. We hadn't even gone to the temple yet. A bold colorer's feast.

Again, more later.