A Day at Lamma Island

I took the ferry from Hong Kong island to Lamma island. The ride was about 30 minutes but cost only about $2. On the water you see lots of big boats but also some small junk boats.

The ferry arrives at the small fishing village of Yung Shue Wan. It was a nice change from the big city hussle and bussle. The only vehicles around were small special truck like contraptions.

The beaches and scenary were very pretty but the signs advised again getting into the water.

I hiked the approximate three miles to another village. Along the way were a couple of these Kamakaze Grottos. During the war the Japanese prepared these holes that could potentially be used as a base to attack the Allied forces.

This is the village I hiked to, named Sok kwu Wan.

There were lots of aquariums with live seafood. This squid may have made it to a lunch plate sometime that afternoon.

I had a four course dinner for about $13. The first course was these delicious shrimp. After lunch I walked back to the first village, a total of about six miles of hiking for the day. It was refreshing to get away from the city. I also met an interesting man from the UK and we hiked together and had lunch together. After a week with virtually no English one get hungry for conversation. Tomorrow morning I leave for Osaka, Japan.

Kitchen Day 4

Here is the granite top. It is hard to get a good picture of it but it really is very beautiful in real life. That hole is where the dishwasher will go. Perhaps the next picture will be of the sink? Time will tell.

Riding through the Sky

Above is the view looking out from the room in the hotel where Curtis has breakfast.

Curtis took the MTR to Tung Chung and rode a spectacular cable ride to the top of the mountain where the Ngong Ping Village was located.

It was a bit scary in the cable cars, no place for anyone afraid of heights.

Here are the three little pigs. This is the Chinese year of the pig.

The Buddha on the hill (not the guy in the blue shirt) is the largest bronze sitting Buddha in the world.

Here is inside the temple.

Kitchen Day 3

The other side of the cabinets are up and the lights are in the ceiling, not an easy thing to do when there is so little space in the ceiling. We have no attic.

Kitchen Day 2

Here is today's progress. The old door has been taken out and the new and bigger door is in place. It will be much easier to move stuff in and out with the wider door. The wall has been extended and the window made. The oven and stove will be put in to the right of the window. One wall has the cabinets up already. You can see the spot where the refrigerator is going. I am amazed at how much they can get done in a day. These guys are definitely professionals. Good job Shawn and Rob!

Monday end of work

Here is our house. No kitchen or flooring. The fireplace bricks are gone. The cabinets are all in the computer room. The dogs are wondering what is going on.

Brick Removal

They are also taking the bricks from the fireplace down. We will save some of the bricks for the yard.

Tear out

Here is the kitchen after about two hours of work. I went for a walk and this is what I came home to see.

Before

Here is our kitchen before work begins.

Sunday in Hong Kong

I could not sleep any more after 5:30am so I decided to get up. After some time in the word, I did a full workout—an hour on the treadmill and then weights.

I took the MTR (like Bart but much better) to Central Kowloon and went to the Evangelical Community Church of Hong Kong. The style is very similar to our Bridges Church but the ethnic diversity of the congregation was amazing. The message about God's love "really hit the spot" in this busy city of millions with not a single person who cares whether I live or die. After church I had a delicious but small chicken pot pie and green tea and felt a little refreshed. I was feeling worn out. The lack of sleep was not helping any. In the afternoon I walked around in the flower market and in the bird market. It looks like a hobby for lots of older men is birds.

I finally got back to the hotel mid-afternoon feeling very tired.

I have internet access in the executive suite on the 30th floor. It is nice up here, with a good view of the Tuen Wan area of eastern Hong Kong (more accurately Kowloon).

Travel to Hong Kong

I flew United ("cattle car airlines") to Hong Kong. The approximate 15 hour flight went fairly well. At least there were no screaming babies on board. I listened to an audio book on the Nano about the Pilgrims. It was not the most exciting so I would occasionally sleep, which was a very good thing to do. The food was a real joke, the portions were so small. This is the fourth time I’ve been to Hong Kong so transportation here for me is routine.

I got to the Panda Hotel (click the picture) about 9pm and finally got to bed at 1am (actually Sunday morning the 11th).

Nurse in Preparation

Wouldn't you trust your life to this nurse (in preparation)?

Family in San Diego

The family gathered in San Diego in Old Town. Later we celebrated Trisha's 25th birthday.

We were fascinated by the skillful hands of the potter, every mindful of the even more skillful hands of our Heavenly Father.

Fishing at Del Valle

Rob caught the first fish of the day.

Darcy meets the fish.

Jason caught the next.

Carolyn was very happy with her fish.

...so was Lucy.

Curtis was the last to catch a fish.

Carolyn did not like touching the fish.

We struck it rich and the fish just kept on biting.

We left with ten fish in the bucket and at least five little ones returned to the lake.

Carolyn's 20th Birthday Party

Carolyn was surprised by her 20th birthday celebration. Even Kathryn kept the secret.