Buddhist Nunneries and the BIG Buddha !

A friend, Gillian, and I have been doing weekly excursions to various places around Hong Kong.  A couple of weeks ago, we went to a stunning oasis in the city.  The Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Gardens are nestled amid a busy area in Kowloon.  A simple metro trip across the bay, and we were blown away with the beauty and tranquility of this place.  They were both built in the ancient style of the Tang Dynasty architecture (618 AD - 907 AD).  Although they aren't that old, you could certainly feel the history and wisdom roaming around the gardens and walking through the Buddhist Nunnery.

Last week, we decided to 'up our game' and venture out to the Big Buddha, on Lantau Island.  This Buddha's claim to fame is as the 'largest outdoor bronze seated buddha' in the world.  The Buddha was built outside of the Po Lin Monastery, up in the mountains of Lantau.  To facilitate tourism, a lovely cable car (gondola) was built to bring the masses.  As an optional upgrade, you can get a glass bottom cable car.  Gillian and I decided that since neither of us were afraid of heights and since that line was shorter, it was worth getting the upgrade.  What I meant to say was, we didn't THINK we were afraid of heights.  Geez. My stomach was in knots if I looked through the glass floor. It's like my mind was suddenly convinced that since I could see through the floor, it was clearly not safe and I was likely about to fall right through it.

Gillian & I - a bit giddy with fear.

Buddha in the distance.

glass bottom... gulp.

After about 15 minutes in the (pulse racing) gondola, we could finally see the Big Buddha from a distance.  He was pretty amazing, even from afar.

The Big Buddha (officially named the Tian Tan Buddha), is 34 metres tall and sits upon a lotus flower, at the top of a 240 stair climb.  The Big Buddha is surrounded by 6 smaller statues holding offerings of flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music.  The offerings the 6 'devas' hold symbolize charity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation and wisdom (but I'm not sure which is which).  All six of these are required in order to enter (sandman) nirvana.*  The Buddha's raised right hand is delivering a blessing to all... and delivering a 'high five' for a tacky tourist (ahem... moi).

Sooo many steps up to the Big Buddha.

Thanks to my 200mm zoom lens, we can see Buddha's beautiful features up close.

Offering a flower.

The Big Buddha (also called the Giant Buddha), was built near the Po Lin Monastery.  This little monastery used to be a quiet, secluded place of peace, according to people who have been here for many years.  Although it still felt peaceful to me, the dynamic has changed dramatically since the cable car and the Giant Buddha statue were built in the 90's, bringing with them throngs of tourists each day.  The ornate interior and dragon carvings on the exterior of the temple were extraordinary.  No wonder this beautiful place is one of the 'must sees' when visiting Hong Kong (or living here!).

* research from the highly reputable wikipedia, as well as a couple of tourism sites... exception of 'sandman', that I couldn't resist.

Amazing Outlying Islands

One amazing thing about HK are the hundreds of outlying islands that surround this mega city (technically a part of the city, actually).  Many islands are not inhabited, or difficult to access, but many other islands have regular ferry service running to and from downtown.  There are people who actually commute from these islands everyday.  Not exactly your typical Mississauga/401 commute.

In the past two weeks I went with my 'Foon Ying' group (Foon Ying means Welcome in Cantonese) to two of these outlying islands.  The outlying islands are all different, but none have buildings higher than 3 stories (a bylaw) and so the natural views are maximized and the congestion is minimized.  First, we went to explore Lamma Island.

Commuter bikes at ferry dock.

Lamma Island was pretty great.  It is pedestrian and bike traffic only, no motor vehicles (aside from little golf-cart like delivery vehicles), and has a bit of a reputation as a 'hippie island'.  There were some pretty cute organic cafes and 'all natural' food marts supporting that image.  It is known for incredible seafood restaurants along the shore line (naturally, all I can attest to are very yummy steamed veggies and tofu).  The island is peaceful and tranquil with only 6000 inhabitants.  We strolled around the narrow streets and then crossed to the opposite side of the island (~35 min. walk), where there was a beautiful beach.  At first you don't see it, but as you walk out of the trees and onto the warm sand, there it is... a huge coal power plant.  My quest for a good swimming beach continues.  I really did love this place, and it's only a 25 minute and $2 ferry ride from downtown Hong Kong.

"Welcome to Lamma"

Beautiful Beach...

Until you see this.

Narrow streets of Lamma

My Foon Ying group.

The second island we went to visit was called Tai O.  Tai O took my breath away.  It is a traditional Chinese fishing village.  The local population, called Tanka people, live in houses on stilts over tidal flats because they "do not feel safe on land".*  It was truly an amateur photographer's DREAM.  I have included many, many pictures of Tai O, because I found it so unique and beautiful.  The only 'downside' to Tai O for me was the making of shrimp paste.  Shrimp paste is very popular in cooking here and around Asia, and Tai O is a major manufacturing source of this stuff.  They were literally making huge barrels of this stuff in the streets.  The smell is almost indescribable, but I'll try...  Horrific.  Repugnant. Vile.  This is not just me and my aversion to seafood, everyone would hold their breath and cringe as we passed the ad hoc manufacturing sites.  It's only about 30 degrees right now too, I'd hate to smell that stuff in the 40 degree heat of the summer.  Yikes.  All told, I think this was my favourite day  trip that I've done so far.  It's only 30 minute ferry ride, followed by a 50 minute bus ride from central HK, but it feels like you are truly in the heart of China and a whole world away from the crazy concrete jungle of Hong Kong Island.

Stilted homes

Traditional chinese medicine shop

Strolling streets of Tai O.

Making shrimp paste in the street

A big laugh... probably at me.

Love straw hat + hard hat combo

The village draw bridge

My Foon Ying friends

* true story, according to: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/outlying-taio-fishing-village.html

Music & Culture with the Ladies.

Street Art at Times Square, CB

I recently joined something called the AWA - the American Women's Association.  I hesitated to join for two reasons: 1) I wasn't sure I was 'invited', being Canadian, and as a proud Canadian I don't really like being called American and 2)  A woman's group sounded like an 'old lady' version of the college sorority concept, but with stuffy old ladies sitting around knitting and playing majohng.  I really didn't think it would appeal to me.

Street Art

After several recommendations from people I met and reassurances that it was truly an 'international' organization with women from all over the world, I finally decided to join.  It has been one of the best things I've done in Hong Kong.

The AWA organizes great mini trips, volunteer opportunities and activities which make it easier to explore and get involved in this city than if I were always on my own.  Last week I spent an afternoon volunteering for their spring drive (organizing collections for local charities) and then spent a day going to the Cultural Centre to watch a dress rehearsal of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.  That was perfect because it's the kind of thing that Foley would not be interested in, but I really am... so I went with my old lady sorority.  (The new friends I have met are of all ages, by the way).

I snapped this right before we were asked not to take photos... does that make it wrong to post?? Just before dress rehearsal began.

Then today we did one of my favourite cultural activities so far, we learned how to do a 'lion dance'.  We took turns learning the percussion piece and the dance steps, everyone got to try it all.  After first 'mastering' (please read: no where near mastering, more like butchering) the drumming, I proudly brought up the arse end of our lion in the dance.  It's harder than it looks to keep together as a cohesive unit when you can't see, since the rear person is bent over with their face in the other person's butt.  Lovely mental image?  You certainly don't want to step forward when they are stepping back.  At the end of our lesson we put all the pieces together and were feeling pretty proud of ourselves when we performed the percussion and steps of a lion dance.  That was until our teachers performed for us with one of their lion dances, welcoming us to HK, and we were all blown away (see some of their dance here).

Our percussion group, with our teacher who did NOT speak English. 

Drumming solo.  :)

Their wonderful performance... done properly.

Me in the lion's head.

Their grand finale... so sweet.

There's such a rich history and culture here in Hong Kong.  I really love learning about it, and having the opportunity to participate in activities like these.  However, the best part of joining my 'old lady sorority' has been the interesting and fun new friends that I have made (who do much more than knit and play mahjong)!

Canadian Chamber Gala Ball 2012

The entrance way into the ball.

Last Saturday Foley and I went to the Canadian Chamber Annual Ball... yes, a ball.  I didn't know people still called them 'balls', sounds a bit like a Disney story, but okay.

It was a night that surpassed both of our expectations.  We got 'dolled' up (I'm sure Foley would love that I referred to him as dolled up), and went downtown to the gorgeous Convention Centre.  It was beautifully decorated, had incredible auction items and was overall classy affair.  We were classy too... at least at the beginning of the night.  :)

A beautiful room, seated for the delicious dinner.

Foley's boss had sponsored a CIBC table to support the event, similar to many other Canadian and international companies.  It was nice to get to know some of the people that Foley works with all day and their spouses.  We also ran into some other Canadian friends, which was unexpected.

Before the meal everyone had to stand for the singing of the national anthem.  Being a teacher, I am used to hearing it every morning with the morning announcements (yes, just like when we were young) and I hadn't realized that I missed it.  The dinner was a delicious 4 course meal with tons of wait staff who continually filled our wine glasses. (Note: classiness slipping away rapidly). The entertainment included a great band and more dancing than I expected, although I'm new to 'balls'.

Overall it was a great night, and it made me proud to be a Canadian living in Hong Kong.

Rich *Pardy* and Foley - buddies from Oakville partying in HK with glowing glasses.

Droopy eyes, getting late in the night.

Dance floor gets rowdy.

Aline and Pardy

Head of CIBC in HK, Andre, and his wife Catherine... v serious boss man.

And he's all mine.