How To Do Hong Kong in 6 Hours

February 29 (Monday)

Leap Year! We can truly jump for joy today as we met up with Carol and Terry Steen and Sharon Gibb. We had a perfect day to spend together seeing the sights of Hong Kong. They are in HK after two weeks in China and on their way on a cruise through southeast Asia.

Terry and Carol Steen, Judy, Sharon Gibb, John

With only 6 hours, we did a whirlwind tour on the hop on, hop off, "Big Bus". After a typical Chinese scuttle to see who got to pay, the Steen's and Sharon won out and they treated us to our tickets for the Big Bus. We started off at Tsim Sha Tsui and the Star Ferry Terminal. We rode the ferry across the bay and hopped on the Big Bus. It was great to be on the top open air deck of the bus. With the warm sun on our face and the wind in our hair, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Who gets to pay?

Warm sun on our face, and wind in our hair...a perfect day!

First stop was the famous Peak Tram.  Our package included tickets to the Peak so we had priority boarding and didn't have to wait in line! We rode up the rickety 128 year old tracks to the top of Victoria Peak for a bird's eye view of the city, a few quick photos, then down again.

On The Peak Tram

My new friend, Sharon...we're actually related through marriage!

Genealogy: Sharon was married to Max Gibb. Max's brother is Dave. Dave's daughter is Christie. Christie is married to Jeremiah Cundiff. Jeremiah's sister is Molly who is married to our son Rylan. Bob Gibb is also a brother who taught school with John for 25 years in Raymond. 

Gotta get in our shopping - Peak Gift Shop

View from The Peak on a rare clear day.

Then it was on the bus to our next stop. It was great riding through the concrete jungle through the hundreds of high rise buildings. We had a very scenic ride past Ocean Park and Repulse Bay, Stanley, then to Aberdeen for a ride on a Sampan (junk). Saw the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant, then back to the pier.

The Concrete Jungle

Our own little Sampan (junk) ride through Aberdeen Harbour

Chinese Junk. Notice the roof. Is that why they call it a "junk"?

Enjoying a great day!

Jumbo Floating Restaurant

The adjacent Tai Pak Restaurant

The fishing village in Aberdeen Harbour

Contrast - OLD

Contrast - NEW

We took a quick break for lunch at Subway! Yeah! Then off to our next destination.

Next adventure was riding through the subway system (MTR). Luckily it wasn't too busy. We took the blue line to Sheung Wan and walked through the old streets of Hong Kong. Up a few flights of stairs to the Man Mo Temple. It's one of the oldest Buddhist Temples in HK. It was packed full of people burning incense, making offerings to their ancestors. The air was so heavy with the smell and smoke of the incense, we didn't stay inside very long. This area was famous for old Chinese antiques. Shopped around a bit before heading back to the pier where Carol, Terry and Sharon caught the Big Bus shuttle back to their cruise ship. All in all, a wonderful day with wonderful people. Bon Voyage!

Incense Cones in the Man Mo Buddhist Temple

Burning Incense offering to ancestors

We rode on a junk boat. This is a junk shop...wagons and wheeeeels.

Chinese arts, crafts and antique store.

Spices anyone?

Looking for ginger candy for Carol's cough.

March 1 (Tuesday)

We've been watching the US primaries. It's been very interesting with Donald Trump running for the nomination of the Republican Party. He's ahead in the polls. It will be very interesting...either you love him or hate him.  Today is Super Tuesday, which will have a very dramatic effect on what happens today.

March 2 (Wednesday)

Super Tuesday is over, and not surprisingly, Donald Trump was the clear winner. We'll see if he makes it to the end, and then probably go up against Hillary Clinton.

I heard from Elder White today. He wants to get together again this week with Constance. We had asked them to join us for dinner with Constance, so that's planned for Saturday. Constance continues to make good progress. He attended church this past Sunday. That was a huge step forward. I'm so excited to hear of his progress. He's a deep thinker and actually does ponder the scriptures.

We also ran into Sister Ng who was teaching Constance before they turned him over to the Elders to teach. She informed us that Phoenix continues to show up at church. That's the good news. The bad news is that she avoids seeing a certain person, and reports to the bishop that this certain person is an evil spirit. Well, that's Phoenix. She has a very complicated mental condition. If we could just get through to her, that she has this problem, maybe we could actually help her. She refuses any professional intervention. We will continue to pray for her.

March 3 (Thursday)

Though I'm fairly technology challenged, I'm glad I know how to use Face Time. We Face Timed with Rylan this morning and saw their new home. They just moved in yesterday and are still unpacking and setting things up. What a huge job! The house looks wonderful and it has an incredibly large back yard, about 1/2 an acre. The kids all seem to be excited about their new home.

Then my Mom Face Timed just to say Hi and see if anything was new. John's Mom had Face Timed my Mom by mistake, as she was trying to get a hold of John's sister. Great to see these 2 ladies, ages 91 and 95, using Face Time.

The third call was from Jade. She informed us that they received a third offer on their house. With each offer, the deal is a little sweeter than the one before. Anyways, they are already under contract with the second offer, so unless it falls through, they won't be able to accept the higher third offer.

March 4 (Friday)

Today I'm going to commit to trying a laser hair restoration therapy. It's very expensive, so hope it works. They say I should see results in 2-3 months. If it works, there's another missionary who will take the therapy too. Guess I'm the guinea pig. 


March 5 (Saturday)

We had another meting with Constance today with Elders White and Phung. Constance attended church for the first time in many years. He still has many questions but I see progress being made. As I looked upon his face, it seems to be a little brighter and more life coming into his countenance. He's opened up so much. We invited him to come out to dinner with us after, but he declined, still not feeling all that comfortable in public. Maybe next time. We'll work on it.


March 6 (Sunday)

Today was fast Sunday and the Coffey's last Sunday before going home. They have been a great example, so dedicated and faithful in serving. The branch will certainly miss them. We taught the Self Reliance Class for the first time. The sisters are all so diligent in learning the principles of starting their own business. I continued with interviews for my book on the Sisters of Pen. 3. The primary girls said they missed me not teaching them today. That made me feel good, to be missed. I love these little angels. They are so precious!

Elder and Sister Coffey with farewell gifts.

In recent months we have had a number of investigators come to our branch. Frankie and Stanley are from Ghana or Nigeria, memory fails me yet again. The last time I visited the investigators class there were 4 new investigators. So exciting to see people interested in the church. I'll have to get Frankie's pic next week. The sisters love to take photos with our new black friends. You've heard of "Flat Stanley"? Well is is "Tall Stanley"... (and I'm on my tip toes).

Finally, after redoing this post 4 times, I hope the issues have been resolved. My cousin Steven gave me the name of his friend Ricky Ma who is a computer whiz. He came and did whatever he does to fix computers. I'll keep my fingers crossed, that next weeks blog will go smoothly.