Lantau Island, Hong Kong

A day trip to Lantau Island is a great way to spend a long layover in Hong Kong.  The airport is actually on Lantau Island.  Our bus tour started at the Tung Chung Metro Station on Lantau.  Once you leave the airport area, the island is largely uninhabited and verdant.  The greenery is mostly low shrubs.  The island apparently bears the brunt of area typhoons, which may the reason the trees are small.

Our first stop was a beautiful beach.  It was too cold even for a walk, but it looked like a great summer spot.  Then, we visited the fishing village of Tai O.  We wandered down the main street and took a small boat to see the homes on stilts.  It is more interesting than beautiful.  There is every kind of fresh and dried seafood for sale on the street.  We also visited an interesting temple.

Our tour continued with a ride up the mountain to the giant Buddha...