Day Three HK: Big Buddha, Hiking, Times Square, IFC Mall

We were every excited for day three in Hong Kong, we were headed to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha! First we had a long trip on the MTR then it was a gondola up to the Big Buddha. However, when we got there, we found out the gondola was closed because of the holiday. So we debated going to do something else because we had heard so much about how great the gondola ride is. However, since the next day was supposed to rain, we decided to stick it out and take the bus. Waiting in a long, hot line for an hour sucked but once we got up there, who could complain?

Cable cars closed :(

Trying to have fun on the bus

First views of the Buddha

Stretching after the very long and very uncomfortable bus ride

The walk up to the Big Buddha was definitely tiring but worth it. I should've counted the stairs now that I am thinking about it. We took a few pictures along the way and being up there was amazing. We paid for a tour and some free ice cream and water. And it is a good thing we got the free ice cream and water because the tour was nothing special. But it only cost $2 CAD so it was worth it for the water and ice cream. Before we went to the Big Buddha, we were under the impression that it was built a very, very long time ago. But when we were there, we learned this wasn't the case. Construction on it began in 1990 which kind of changed our opinion on it. Even though it is supposed to be this spiritual place, it felt very touristy. Regardless, it was beautiful and I would recommend going there to anyone who is visiting Hong Kong.

Getting ready for all the steps

Stopping to take a break and some pictures

Selfie

Sacreligious

The descent

After descending from the Big Buddha, we decided to go for a hike. It was called the Wisdom Trail and we wanted to try to get to the Peak. When I told Rick I wanted to do this, he was a little shocked and I couldn't understand why. Until I saw how far away the Peak was. But I tried!!! Until I saw what I thought was a snake and a warning for dengue fever, and I was out of there. But while we were hiking, we saw some really great views and had a good time.

OH NO! No drying of linen!

Wisdom Trail

I was very confident at first that we would get there!

... Snake?

Hiker extraordinaire

Super excited

Dengue fever warning.. bye bye hike!

We took the bus back to the MTR station and decided to go to the Happy Valley Racecourse. We were both super excited to see the horse races but when we got there, we found out they didn't have races on Saturdays, we were sad but decided to make the best of it. We went to Times Square which was in the same area. It was a really cool district of Hong Kong, a lot was going on. There were a lot of street performers.

It was closed so I pretended to be a jockey!

Times Square

Times Square

Times Square

Then we decided to go back to Lan Kwai Fong for a couple drinks. We made it for Happy Hour and saved some money on our drinks. Then we had seen an article online about going to the top of the IFC Mall for drinks there. There is a super expensive bar at the top but we read online about bringing our own drinks there. It had an amazing view without the expensive cost of drinks. 

Top of IFC Mall

Top of IFC Mall

Walking back to the hostel

Our third day in HK was a lot of fun and we prepared ourselves for the typhoon that was supposed to come during our last full day.