Honk Kong - Po lin monastery.

On Saturday we headed in to town to catch a ferry over to Lantao Island to take a trip to see The Big Buddha. I suffer very badly with sea sickness so was not looking forward to the journey but was looking forward to seeing the big fulla.

I wish we had caught the fast boat and not the old slow one. Well my stomach does anyway.

There at last and were greeted by a sight(above) my father, the avid cyclist, would be delighted with.

It was now lunch time so we followed a recommendation we had heard for an Italian restaurant that also serves good Indian curries. The curry was good and hot.

We had decided to spend the extra it would cost to get to the monastery to travel by taxi rather than bus. We proceeded to the taxi rank only to see 8 people waiting and no taxis. I quickly pointed out to Nik a sign I had seen when getting off the boat 'Big Buddha taxi call ********'. I asked him to call and arrange for us to be picked up somewhere other than the rank because we would get the cab and not anybody else waiting. Nik being Nik ignored me with a scowl. Is it men or just my husband that hates asking for something? Anyway waiting in the heat and humidity with two tired children for five minutes was enough for Nik to go and find the sign I had seen and to run back towards me triumphantly whispering that a cab would be picking us up in 2 mins outside the McDonalds. I gave him a smug smile and said 'what a great idea'.

The girls both slept on the 30 min taxi ride while Nik and I enjoyed the beautiful and lush scenery.

The Buddha is certainly big and all those steps up to it look quite daunting when you see them at first. It was 33 degrees and sunny but Rhiannon managed to walk 3/4 of the way up and Nia walked the whole way. The climb was nowhere near as bad as it looked. If I can do it with only being a little out of breath then it can't be too bad.

We had a good look around and then headed home. Via the fast ferry this time. Much better!

Almost forgot, How could I?! Before going home we headed over to show Nik a golf shop the girls and I has spotted one day on one of our days of exploring. Boy would I regret that one. Nik was very pleased with our find. So much so that within 10 minutes of entering he had bought a new putter and booked a day of golf in China for a coming Saturday. This much activity and decisiveness would normally take at least 2, hour long visits back home.

All in all a good day was had by everyone.