I have an instinctive attitude to martial arts experts - especially monks. I have a very similar feeling about people in the armed services: it's a kind of default position of awe. I couldn't do what they do and I put on a pedestal anyone who does it. It's a strong enough feeling to make me endure the twenty minute cable car ride to get to the Buddha - a ride that cleverly combines my top two phobias of heights and confined spaces.
(That ride was made easier, incidentally, by two things. Firstly, Scarlet's stirling support and secondly by the fact that some mainland Chinese wanted to have their photograph taken with me. I know this is because they just want to have a picture taken with an oddity - to them - but I like to think it's because they've mistaken me for George Clooney. It's nice on my planet.)
Anyway, the monks didn't disappoint - putting on a fabulously choreographed display of acrobatics and fighting moves that had the crowd gasping, oohing and aahing like they were watching a fireworks display. I was slightly saddened by the fact that, after the display, you could pose for pictures in fighting poses with the monks. That cheapened it a little, for me - I felt that it was disrespectful to the monks themselves and the efforts they make. That aside, it was well worth the trip and I recommend it, should you be in the area.
After the display, Scarlet and I sat and had an ice cream (mango, naturally) and talked about the display. Fishing for a compliment I asked her if she'd love me more if I could do the kind of acrobatics that we'd just seen. I'm still trying to work out what her answer means. She looked me in the eye and, with the sweetest of smiles, replied, "I wouldn't love you less if you couldn't!" And that, I guess, is why I love her.
Quick tip: if you do go, book your cable car tickets in advance, online, especially if you go at the weekend. It costs you nothing extra but it'll save you standing in a queue for about two hours or so. If nothing else, it's worth it for the envious looks you get as you jump the queue!
Big Buddha? This is Davina, please do not swear...
