Lantau and Big Buddha

 Our kids got a peek at Disney on our way out Thursday since the Metro from Disney is all Mickey-fied.

 The nicest metro train I've ever been on with lush couches and Mickey ear handles.

But we had to forget Disney for the time being, we were on our way over to see the Big Buddha, which is not the technical name but an accurate one. We met up with our friends and headed out on the long Gondola ride up the mountains to see Tian Tan Buddha.

You have to take a long, beautiful, ride on a gondola up and over to the mountain top with the Buddha.  Did I mention they have glass bottom gondolas?! It was freaking me out!!! We were so high up and all I could think was just, what if?

 But that didn't stop the kids from getting a closer look. And after the shock of it wore off it was hard to deny how beautiful and how cool it was. Much better than lame-o glass bottom boat rides Nathan and I have been on in say, Mexico.

At some point along the long ride I worked up the courage to take a picture myself...

You can see Big Buddha off in the distance...

All of my kids (but especially Aly) were excited to see their friend Jaydn again. She moved to HK almost 2 months ago and took her mom with her, much to my chagrin. That's right, I said it. Chagrin.

I'm aware this is Photography No No #1- shooting straight into the sun- but it's the only picture that shows even a few of the 268 stairs that must be climbed in order to see this massive statue.

This is most of the kids up with us Thanksgiving day, minus one little boy probably trying to avoid Aly, and Aly probably trying to find said boy. Aaand Kohen.

Kohen disappeared on us (for like the millionth time) and we couldn't find him anywhere up at the top. After searching and starting to get a little worried we discovered him nearly finished climbing back up the 268 steps. Where were you?! we asked. His answer? "I went down to get the bottled water out of the stroller to share with everyone." He had the right idea I guess, but really? Back down and back up all those stairs when you can buy water at the top?! Oh well, we were all sleep deprived that day and maybe not thinking clearly.

 Jaydn and her Daddy, and Aly with hers.

 And a family pic under the massive Tian Tan Buddha. We all hurried back to our hotels to change and get ready for Thanksgiving Dinner in downtown HK.