Monday

This morning we went on a 25 min cable car ride on Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha (pics to follow but I think they are coming out really big??). The cable car was very smooth and gave us a great view of the airport and the green hills on Lantau. The buddha sits on a lotus leaf, is made of bronze and is about 60' high.

We then had to catch a bus to meet my nephew Matt at a particular beach on Lantau. We got the right bus but got off at the wrong stop. It didn't matter in the end as we were early and had a lovely 20 minute walk back along the beach paddling in the warm sea. There was a sign prohibiting dogs but there are free roaming cattle who congregate every evening on the beach! After a couple of beers we went to Discovery Bay, where Matt lives, for a curry. The area was pleasant and quiet - very different to central Hong Kong and Kowloon. There are a lot of ex pats living here, no cars (only golf buggies) and, according to Matt, is a bit 'Stepford Wives'.

Tomorrow Matt has chartered a yacht for the day (at a very good price through Cathay) and we are going to go out to an island for lunch. Martin is determined to get the sails up and get the boat to heel over but we have heard that the skipper usually just motors. I'm just hoping for calm seas!