More from Hong Kong

I know I said it before - I don't know what I really expected from Hong Kong, but it was so much more than I expected. Wow. Our trip included Disneyland - which, as an "experienced Disney Family", it wasn't as Wow as we remembered Disney from Florida but it was fun and magical. Mickey and friends at a breakfast, rides, singing, clean streets and shopping... it was Disney. We really got a kick out of eating the Chinese food, complete with chop sticks, in the park.

One of my favorite sights was on the Island of Lantau... the Big Buda. We took the Ngong Ping cable car to the little village at the top of a mountian to climb the # steps up to the Big Budda.Lunch of real Chinese food and a visit to the monestary with the obligitory climb to the Big Budda - it was a GREAT addition to the trip.
The little village is a remake of a village. Kind of a Chinese version of Gatlinburg, TN... but the resturants were real Chinese :) with little men who were more than thrilled to help us with our ordering and explain everything! And the "shows" were about the story of Budda and Buddism. Gave us a nice little introduction to the whole thing. We splurged on the cable ride - paid for the upgrade to the "Crystal Cable Car" - it had a glass bottom - just a bit nerve racking! But the best part was on the way down - the line for the cable car return was all the way through the village... that was for the "regular car" - our crystal line was SHORT!!!! Well worth the price :)

As a side note - for those thinking about visiting Hong Kong, the MTR (metro train) is a great and easy way to get around town. A friend suggested the octopus card which acts as a debit card that you purchase up front - shops, resturants, train fares - often discounted. We didn't use this but did use the Tourist Train pass - you need your passport to show the date of your arrival - a 24 hour jobber with unlimited rides for a flat rate. pretty cool. And the MTR has a special spur directly to Hong Kong Disneyland, complete with Mickey windows!!

What a great trip!!