香港: 2006 Archives

Maybe it's because it's the only tourist destination I've specifically gone to on this trip to Hong Kong, but I keep thinking about the Big Buddha at Lantau Island... It turns out it's actually relatively recent, finished in 1993, which means it wasn't finished the first time I visited Hong Kong (in 1992, if I reckon correctly). I'm not sure exactly what it is... giant Buddhas are (1) impressive (2) peaceful, and (3) kind of useless. I mean, in a good way. That's why they're so great... The wikipedia page on it (look up Tian Tan Buddha) lists other large Buddhas in the world, and I think I've now put them on my mental list of things to see.

I've been writing in my journal almost daily about boring stuff like research progress, but I suppose I should throw a bone, so to speak, to my regular (*cough*) blog readers.

Today's the first day all to myself in Hong Kong. I got in on Monday night, went to the phonetics lab on Tuesday, and have been basically working all day every day, running subjects and trying to do some data analysis. When I'm not in the lab or at Manki's place, it's basically too hot to do anything else.

I still think taking the airport bus and sitting in front on the top level is the best way to get in/out. The view is excellent.

The university itself it pretty small. It has, like, one building. The phonetics lab is the best (the only?) in the region, and they actually keep running all through the summer--no such thing as summer break if you're in grad school here. Thank goodness I'm at Berkeley. They also have super-long weekly lab meetings.

Today I went to Ngong Ping (昂坪), where the largest sitting Buddha in the world is. I must admit, it really is super-cool, and the trails on the Lantau Island (大嶼山) have excellent views. You can see the airport and Tung Chung (東涌) and the Buddha and stuff. I took the MTR in, which is an experience in itself and only 20 dollars (HK)! Then I took the bus up, which actually goes up and over to the south side of the island before climbing up to the Ngong Ping. Then I had a great vegetarian meal, and then I climbed up the 234 (or so) steps up to the base. After that I hiked around Nei Lak (彌勒) Peak. I'll post pictures when I get the chance. Then I thought I might take the new sky-tram thingy down, which I think officially opens on the 24th, according to the MTR web page. But apparently it had been starting and stopping all day and there was a huge line of people there and they were thinking of busing the people away because it was having problems. So I took the bus to Mui Wo 梅窩 and took the ferry back (which was only $11!). All in all an excellent day.

I will now hunt for food...