Red Cardigan in front of the Tian Tan Buddha

Some of my journeys are pretty spontanous. I just book a flight and  find a hostel or hotel online. I like this way of travelling, because I don´t have any expectations and have this excitement about the moments and places I will join. Other journeys are well planned like my last trip to Hong Kong with fixed places I planned to see.

Usually I don´t like to travel with a fixed plan, because these may raise wrong expectations. I have a certain picture in my head that might be implemented and leads to disappointments.

Before I have started my trip to Hong Kong it was a picture of the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island that was fixed in my head. I couldn´t wait to step up the stairs to this amazing monument.

Arrived in Hong Kong I went to get the cable car up to the Tian Tan Buddha towards Lantau Island. Short before arriving on the train station it started to rain, so that I decided to postpone my visit to another day.

Two days later I was disappointed again, because due to strong wind the cable car was out of order. That was when I began to be afraid that I wont be able to realize the picture I had dreamed of back in Germany. That’s exactly the feeling I don´t like and try to avoid by not planning too much in advance.

Shortly before the end of my journey I tried my luck again. I saw the open sign after leaving the metro station and started to run up the stairs to get my ticket. It took me half an hour until I was able to step into the glassy gondola. The view up to the airport was amazing when I was over mountains, until passing the clouds. The way up seemed endless, as the landing platform comes finally in sight.

After leaving the gondola I hurry to get up to the Big Buddha as long as the the sun is shining through the cloud band. I climb up the stairs while the buddha is getting bigger and bigger in front of me. Suddenly I feel a wonderful satisfaction, while the sun beams are creating a magical scenery.

All the pressure I felt before was faiding away while I experienced this moment. It exceeded my expectations.

pictures by: Tobias Holm