Although the statue of Jesus, Arms Outstretched (I think this is the name in Vietnamese) is the more visible and better-known Christian statue in Vung Tau, there is another statue and mountain climb on Big Mountain. This is known amongst the teachers as 'Mary' Mountain, and I took the opportunity of being a Vung Tau local to take Thanh there for a visit. (Although it turned out he had been before!).
'Mary' Mountain is a much larger complex than Jesus. There are extensive grounds, at least one large church, chapels, the stations of the cross, a large new building under construction, and Mary herself to see. And then there is the climb to a cross high up on the mountain.
This is the mountain climb to beat all others in Vung Tau, I think. Seen from the road the steps appear to go straight up like a ladder. Once on them, you find that they do wind, but the mountain and steps are very steep. The cross is at about the highest point I've been in Vung Tau, on a par with the
old radar station peak, and offers a similar view on a clear day across the mouth of Ganh Rai Bay to the Mekong delta.
Although the statue of Jesus, Arms Outstretched (I think this is the name in Vietnamese) is the more visible and better-known Christian statue in Vung Tau, there is another statue and mountain climb on Big Mountain. This is known amongst the teachers as 'Mary' Mountain, and I took the opportunity of being a Vung Tau local to take Thanh there for a visit. (Although it turned out he had been before!).
'Mary' Mountain is a much larger complex than Jesus. There are extensive grounds, at least one large church, chapels, the stations of the cross, a large new building under construction, and Mary herself to see. And then there is the climb to a cross high up on the mountain.
This is the mountain climb to beat all others in Vung Tau, I think. Seen from the road the steps appear to go straight up like a ladder. Once on them, you find that they do wind, but the mountain and steps are very steep. The cross is at about the highest point I've been in Vung Tau, on a par with the old radar station peak, and offers a similar view on a clear day across the mouth of Ganh Rai Bay to the Mekong delta.
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