In anticipation of a hectic Day 3, we woke up earlier than the previous day.

 

We set off after stocking up on protein and carbohydrates at the breakfast buffet, hopping between MTR lines to get to Tung Chung Station at Lantau island.

 

 

 

Topping up our Octopus Card using the automated machine.

 

For our visit to Lantau island, we booked the Klook 360 Lantau Sky-Land-Sea package. And despite the pre-booking, we still had to wait more than 20 mins to get on the cable car.

 

 

For a person with a fear of heights, ascending to the mountains on a box dangled on cables isn't exactly reassuring. But the movement of the cable car was very steady which helped to dispel the fears a bit.

 

 

Thankfully the little one didn't inherit my fear of heights as he climbed on the seat and peered excitedly down on the views way down below.

 

 

After a 30 min journey suspended in mid air which left my feet clammy with sweat, we finally reached Ngong Ping village.

 

 

As we were running late on schedule, we zoomed past the village square, bodhi path and country market and headed straight to the Tian Tan Buddha.

 

 

Wishing tree where believers toss oranges with their wishes written on a red slip attached via a string.

 

At the plaza area, 4-5 buffalos roam freely leaving chunks of dung along the streets.

 

 

And so we began our 268-steps climb in search of the path to the enlightened one. Here we go~

 

 

Are we there yet? Almost... we can make it!

 

 

Yeah! We have reached the top!

 

 

We circled the summit looking from different angles at the magnificent bronze statue of Buddha perched on the lotus altar.

 

 

At the peripherals, there are more bronze statues of devas with their hands outstretched with their respective offerings of flowers, incense, lamp, oinment, fruits and music. The offerings act as symbols for the qualities required to attain nirvana according to Buddhist beliefs: charity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation and wisdom.

 

 

During our descent, the little one became lazy, holding on to our hands and simply slid down the steps.

 

 

For lunch, we had a quick bite at Subway (Yes there’s Subway at Ngong Ping) and the little one was lulled for a nap shortly after that.

 

 

While the little one took his afternoon nap, I decided to walk to the Wisdom Path while mama waited at the the plaza.

 

Thinking that it was just ‘round the corner’, I told the mama that I'd be back in 15 mins and set off with the fully-loaded camping bag. But turns out, it took a 10 min and a 2 km hike just to reach the Wisdom Path. Felt like doing a route march with my full pack all over again. Also, mama was worried sick when I didn't return in time which earned me a tongue lashing.

 

 

Previously when I read about the wisdom path, I had the impression that the path was planted with little sticks bearing verses from the Heart Sutra. But they turned out to be around 10 metres tall!

 

 

Already behind schedule, we made our way to the bus terminal for bus 21 to Tai O Fishing Village only to realise that the service operates hourly and we had just missed the 2.20 pm service.

 

Tip: Bus service 21 from Ngong Ping to Tai O only operates at hourly intervals. So do find out the bus schedule online and plan accordingly to streamline your itinerary.

 

But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we found a nearly eatery and rested over delicious soy bean curd and sesame paste. Wanting to savour the local cuisine, we got an assortment of other dishes which turned out to be pretty average.

 

 

We finally got on the 3.20 pm bus to Tai O but with a tight schedule as the last return bus was at 4.45 pm.

 

 

Once we reached the fishing village, we followed the signs on a winding maze to locate the vendor for our boat ride.

 

 

Tip: The voucher exchange point is not near the bus terminal. After alighting, look for the signage shown in the picture above for directions.

 

There was a young man at the bus terminal hawking his boat ride package. Thinking that he is associated to the package we bought, we approached him to enquire but was given the invisible treatment. No reply, not even facial expression, simply ignored.

 

I was expecting the boat ride to be like the Singapore River Cruise but it turned out to be more of the army assault boat experience. We started off with a slow cruise through the channels of the quaint fishing village bordered by houses on silts.

 

 

Once we emerged from the channels, the motor roared eagerly to life and the boatman brought us on an exciting and hard-thumping drive to the open seas where dolphins lurk. But we had no luck that day.

 

 

Seeing Coven stoned-faced from the ride, mama asked if he is okay. And Coven let out a cheeky and satisfied smile and muttered: yes! Mr dare-devil in the making.

 

 

With little time left before the last bus leaves for Ngong Ping, we took a stroll back to the bus terminal, through the narrow lanes between shop houses selling preserved seafood and dried goods.

 

 

We caught the last bus back to Ngong Ping and then the cable car back to Tung Chung. At the cable car terminus, we were told to go to Holidays 360 to get reserved tickets with which we zipped through the reserved line straight to the cable car.

 

 

The trip down was surprisingly less scary and we even caught the sun set amongst the mountain ranges.

 

 

Dinner was Japanese cuisine at Citygate Outlets @ Tung Chung Station (Harbourfront equivalent).

 

 

After emerging from Exit C1 at Shamrock station, look for the ‘Shamrock Hotel’ signage for directions to the hotel.