One afternoon, we went to Lantau Island. From Hang Hau this time, we took the MTR to Northpoint, where we changed trains, took a connecting train to Tung Chung station. Here we exited the MTR and took an exciting cable car ride to Ngong Ping. Away it whisked us across the lush hills where the sacred Big Buddha resided. It was an amazing sight-the sea below with its colorful hues and the rolling hills above and we thoroughly enjoyed our ride. On the way back, we climbed the steps to the top to pay our respects to the Big Buddha and later visited the beautiful monastery. Browsing through the numerous shops with their bright collection of souvenirs, Tibetan and Chinese knicknacs and the restaurants and tea shops serving lovely cakes and beverages was very satisfying. On the way back we got on to the bus to Mui Wo where we ate a sumptuous dinner at one of the numerous seaside restaurants and took the ferry back to Central. The kids loved the ferry ride with its air conditioned comfort, gazing out at the fascinating glitter of the lights at Central beckoning us to enjoy its bustling night life.

A trip to Hong Kong would be incomplete without a visit to the Disneyland Resort and Ocean Park if you have kids. Disneyland also is in Lantau Island. We took more or less the same route as the one to Ngong Ping one, except that we did not get off at Tung Chung station. We passed it and went on to Sunny Bay station where we changed into the Mickey Mouse train to Disneyland Resort. Being on that train triggers the excitement levels as everyone gears up for interacting and taking photographs with their favorite Disney characters. Inside there are four sections, each transporting one into a fairytale world comprising Tinker Bell, Princess Aurora, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and not to forget, their bosom buddies Pluto and Goofy, roller coaster rides with children and adults screaming lustily, the awesome shows like the Lion King and Moana, as well as 3D shows featuring the ever so comic adventures of Mickey and his cronies, numerous other rides for kids, space world and so on. We even went on the river cruise to Tarzan's Treehouse. The magical world of Disneyland ensures that kids and adults alike enjoy their day which ends with the Parade featuring nearly all the characters or a single theme such as the one we witnessed this summer-Toy Story.

Ocean Park was also a great experience for the kids-performing dolphins and sea lions, seals and the aquariums with killer whales and hundreds of species including octopus' were the highlights of our visit. For other sights for tourists in this fascinating place, you can look up my earlier piece-"An intimate view of Hong Kong".

This, however, was a thoroughly different trip-a glimpse of rustic Hong Kong and the daily life of the local Chinese. I observed how diligent and resourceful and active this race can be and could not help being struck by their sheer determination and strength of mind. Even the elderly led an active life keeping themselves busy with some sort of work and earning their living even if they did not need to and leading a very fruitful and satisfactory life.

Living in the Ma Yau Tong Village for almost a month gave me a rather deep insight into village life-being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The kids observed and learnt many things from this trip-playing with local kids, enjoying many a meal with a Chinese family my brother knew well and going on adventurous trips with their kids or simply exchanging anecdotes with each other. The days were filled with leisure-at one with nature-lazy days on the beach riding the waves and floating on rubber boats and canoe-gazing up at the stars or at the harbor watching the ferries and eating sumptuous meals afterwards at the various places in Hang Hau.

There was a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Continental food at our disposal. Coupled with shopping in the various small outlets and simply enjoying the stalls put up by sellers from China, it was great fun. We also discovered the awesome sushi and sashimi available at a great price at the MTR station. At the end of each day, we would quickly hop into the 98A and head home, tired and happy. Be sure not to take the 98A North on the way back as it takes a different route and takes you all the way back to the hospital.

A day's trip to Discovery Bay visiting relatives was also a great deal of fun. From Sunny Bay, there are buses taking you to this haven where the seaside places are lovely and one can just sink into the golden sand of the beaches and take refuge from the relentless rays of the June sun under the umbrellas spread out everywhere. There are shark nets in all beaches creating a safe enclosure for the kids to swim and play amongst the waves.

We finally bid adieu to Hong Kong in typical style with a last bit of shopping and a good meal-enjoying the night life. All in all a beautiful trip and we returned back home to Delhi, luckily to the first welcome shower of the monsoon. Our dread of the earlier, incredibly hot weather with its dusty hues were unfounded.

Thus ended our eventful trip to pulsating Hong Kong this summer until the next time.

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One afternoon, we went to Lantau Island. From Hang Hau this time, we took the MTR to Northpoint, where we changed trains, took a connecting train to Tung Chung station. Here we exited the MTR and took an exciting cable car ride to Ngong Ping. Away it whisked us across the lush hills where the sacred Big Buddha resided. It was an amazing sight-th