---

It's no contest, Hong Kong has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. But I am saving it for the last part of my trip. I am looking for something that would surprise me. So far, Hong Kong has wowed me with its diversity — from Tai O's rugged houses on stilts to Disneyland's colorful castles.





Right after our short trip to Tai O, we headed to Ngong Ping Village to see the big Buddha. Plus, I would really love to try out their cable car ride. It was almost dusk and light is essential to my photographs. I was a tad worried that I wouldn't be able to get one good shot since we are hurrying and to be a honest, I was a little exhausted from that day's activities. My body was slowly succumbing to fatigue and my body was just too damn tired to function.

As we were riding the cable car, I thought I would be too damn scared to look down or even open my eyes, but I wasn't. I was really comfortable riding the crystal cabin. Too comfortable that I hovered a lot inside taking photographs. I didn't even thought about the fact that we were suspended in midair.



We made a quick detour to a Honeymoon Dessert where we ate black sesame soup and grabbed a subway sandwich before we walk to the steep stairs of Big Buddha. The black sesame soup was sticky and sweet. After a few mouthfuls of the soup, I already felt full and energized. It had some kind of a magic potion or some Super Mario one up mushroom that gave me some vitality.




After that, we paid respects to their wishing tree. My friend and I both wrote our own prayers and wishes on a hexagonal piece of wood. My prayer's more of an appreciation of this very liberating experience. And as for my wish, that I have to keep to myself. ;)








As soon as I get a peek of the stairs, I knew it would be a difficult climb. You guys need to know that I am not really good with stairs as I always lose my balance. Luckily, it was a pleasant experience. And much to my surprise, the view on top was majestic (more than I expected it to look like). It was almost surreal — like an old painting found in galleries. The colors were the faintest of pastels I have ever seen — from the color gradation of the sunset skies to the shadows slowly devouring the vast lands of Ngong Ping. I took a long breath and closed my eyes — I made it. The view I was looking at was worth every step.







We went down as fast as we could and queued for the line going back to the station miles below. Seeing the city lights lit up the dark night skies was the cherry on top of this experience. And moreover, seeing the world below my feet was one of the coolest experiences I've had. Maybe because of this, I would make a pledge of trying out a cable car ride in each country that I will visit.