Big Buddha Mountain Hike

March 17, 2020

     As we continue our mission at home, due to coronavirus concerns, I want to recap a great day in Hong Kong.  On Saturday, January 25, 2020, we joined two other senior sisters for a substantial hike on Lantau Island to Tian Tan (commonly referred to as Big Buddha). 

Tian Tan is the world's largest seated, outdoor Buddha nestled high in the mountains of Lantau Island in Hong Kong.  The beautiful tram ride is most commonly used to visit this amazing site.  However, some of us opt to walk the uphill trail to reach Big Buddha.

Sister Gardner (in her 70's) always joins a physical activity.

Rick reaches the first tram station as the rest of the group slowly walks the uphill trail.

Sister Wiser (in her 70's) weighs 100 lbs. on her heaviest day.  No one out-runs this amazing athlete.  She has hiked every known trail in Hong Kong (at least once) and continually finds more "adventures" for us to try.  Mountainous terrain is her greatest joy.  No need to eat lunch if one hasn't walked at least 5 miles.  I forced her to drink water but her response to eating, "I've hardly done anything since breakfast."

     Some of us feel the altitude change more keenly than others.

     Tram station #2.   Note the Big Buddha in the distance.  We're getting closer.

                      The Buddha image appears larger with each passing mile.

                      Rick leads the way on the vertical stairs of wood  (some are stone).
                     The overhead tram insures we are on the right path.

                      Three hours later we arrive!!  How many more steps must we climb to reach
                       the top???

 
                      The Chinese New Year festivities are in full bloom.

We enjoyed watching this award winning group prepare for the dragon parade.  Unfortunately,

they took too much time stretching and talking and the rain began to fall and the crowd departed.

What an adventure!   Hong Kong provides endless opportunities for enjoyment!

Coronavirus

     The Asia Area Presidency, in partnership with the First Presidency, decided to temporarily close the China Hong Kong Mission.  We received the news February 5th and departed February 6th.  Our apartments remain on lease and we expect to return as soon as entrance is deemed safe.

     We immediately began our 14 days of isolation at home.  Thankfully, our tech miracle workers prepared our computers for this "adventure" and we can both work from home.  Our parting gift from the office was a package of masks.  When we are outside our home - which is seldom - we don one of these beauties to keep all of us safe.

     Our return date to Asia is unclear.  We are still set-apart missionaries and continue in our labors.  This too shall pass.  I'll keep you posted.  No pictures this week as we both look scary traveling when we find it impossible to sleep on a 13 hour flight.  Photos that frightening should only be displayed for Halloween.

Coronavirus and Chinese New Year

Most of Hong Kong is shut down this week.  The Asia Area Presidency opted to close the office building also. Rick works at home with his lap top.  Some of my assignments are sensitive and can't be handled at home.  One morning I entered an alleyway door to the office building by calling the security guard for admittance.  Believe me, that building is secure!

 Our daily apparel now includes these lovely masks.  Will the trend catch on worldwide?  The extra time "off" gives us more chances to see the beauties of Hong Kong.  Truthfully, we feel very safe and with the vast health precautions the common cold will have difficulty spreading.

This hotel always decorates to the max.

The Chinese lanterns appear to float in front of the Peninsula Hotel.

Another shot of the hotel from across the street.  Every angle is beautiful.

These tiny potted orange trees adorn every entry way.  They appear juicy and tasty but we've heard they are nasty and bitter.

Lee Tong Road decor presents quite a daytime sight.

The night view is more spectacular especially with the Barlows, Latimers, and Thredgolds.  The Hafens wanted to be there but a 4:30 meeting ended after 6:00 pm preventing our participation in dinner and seeing the lights.

The old clock tower provides a perfect backdrop for this amazingly long dragon display.

Here is a night view of one small portion of the dragon.

 The early morning light catches a different view of the happy dragon.

We return to the harbor light show frequently.  This year round delight occurs at 8:00 every night.  

Masked Hong Kong

Hong Kongers are concerned about the coronavirus.  They have lived through SARS,

 Avian flu and other epidemics.  No one wants to take a chance.

By Friday afternoon 90% of the population donned masks.  We felt a bit out of

fashion as we stood on the bus with naked faces. 

Fear of spreading the virus has cancelled most of the public New Year 

celebrations. We feel disappointment but understand the cause for concern.

Big Buddha Mountain decor was splendid and throngs participated in

welcoming the lunar new year - with masks.

Public transportation is of particular concern.

These girls wanted pictures taken with the festive display.  I'm sure

they were smiling under those masks.

A few revelers removed masks for photos.  Those faces don't

look very happy.  There are always reasons to smile

when viewing the wonders of Hong Kong.

(more on the Buddha Mountain hike later) 

Disneyland Hong Kong

Last week I wrote about the mid-level escalators.  Unfortunately, I referred to them as "elevators"  Please forgive my error.

In December we visited Disneyland Hong Kong.  The cost for seniors, 65 and older, is about $12.  I was the only one in the group who paid full price (about $75).  What some of us must do to maintain our youth!

The weather was perfect and there were no crowds

These people know how to have a good time.  We spent the day laughing and playing together.

Other princesses graced the park.

There were more princesses than we could count.  Each was a rare beauty.

Tinkerbell was delighted to meet us.  She continually asked, "One more photo."

Spider-man was the crowd favorite.  His "in character" acting amazed all.

A date with this "hottie" always makes my heart beat faster!

This is really "the happiest place on earth" but since it is closed we enjoyed the park for a day.

Sun Yat-Sen Museum

Sun Yat-Sen Museum

The building is significant because it is the former church office of the Asia Area.

We stand in the beautiful courtyard with the statue of Sun Yat-Sen behind us.

The building's remodel is amazing.  The stained glass windows and wood work  restoration fit the original time period and appear splendid in this setting.  The baptismal font remains in one corner of the ground floor.  

These darling 12 year old girls bravely stopped us and asked if we'd complete their Christmas survey for school.  They displayed nervousness as they asked their questions in English.  We tried to put them at ease and assured them we could understand their English.  Finally, they relaxed and we enjoyed our visit.  They also needed a picture to complete the survey and I insisted they join us.  

Who do we think of as we drink our shelf safe milk?  

Happy New Year

Happy Birthday Rick (Elder Hafen)!!

We honored Rick at lunch time on his special day.  Then, it's time to return to serve.

We took advantage of the break in our labors to see more of Hong Kong

Ricks stands in front of St. George's Building in Downtown Hong Kong.

The mid-way elevators were a great find.

This series of elevators climbs one half mile in the "Central" district of town.

The elevators meet sections of landing and then the ascent begins again.

The turns in direction can be seen as the "rider" approaches the next level.

Some stretches of the path are longer than others.

Stairs provide the only way down.  Yes, we walked down stairs for 1/2 mile.  

We hiked to Amah Rock. The boulder resembles a woman carrying a child on her back and the legend that accompanies the "rock" is most interesting.

Our name tags start many conversations.  Meet our new friends!  We talked to countless people on this hike.  Offering to snap photos has been a huge door opener.