Weather, Holidays, and New Senior Couples

 November 1, 2020

Red tape on the lobby doors represents a typhoon warning before witnessing any broadcasts or stepping outside to feel the powerful wind.

Nets cover the lampposts on the harbor front hotel when weather warrants the precaution.

Senior missionaries head to the northern territories for flu shots.

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum enjoys this splendid location.

The Elegant tea cup display provides a perfect photo op.  My birthday month is honored with the  cymbidium plant.  Each of the twelve china cups was beautifully designed.  This display was one of my favorites. 

Rick gives Bruce Lee’s pose a try.  Actually, he looks great in this position.  We had no idea this martial arts expert was such an icon in Hong Kong.  His legend continues to outlive his short life.

We enjoyed these “misting” butterflies.

      Autumn festival at North Point – what a beautiful scene of lavender flowers

          Children celebrating on the square, playing with light sticks and other glowing attractions

               Mid-Autumn festival full moon – notice the glowing orb this woman holds on a stick.

The John Denver Tree – this major attraction stands as a landmark in downtown Wan Chai, near the Church Office Building.

      Newbies!!  Sister McAllister joins me along with Elder and Sister Burke at the John Denver tree.

The Cantonese speaking employees sing for my surprise birthday event.  The song requires lots of hand clapping and singing aloud.  I felt extremely honored.

                      Weekly groceries – Thankfully, $598 HK dollars is closer to $75 US dollars.

October 2020 - Mong Kok Street Market

 

We visited another market – yes, they are everywhere -  this is a non-tourist location, Hong Kongers shop here.  The day-to-day stuff can be found in the countless number of booths, along with other interesting items. 

               Rick stands at the entrance of the market.

          Pajamas – many varieties for ladies and children.

            Pants

                       Luggage, backpacks, purses, fanny packs, and any imaginable carrying case

           Bras and more bras

         Lots of sweaters for children and women

                        Gadgets and miscellaneous items

          Toys

green oranges

huge plums

THE FLOWER MARKET!!!   Welcome to my favorite part of the street.

Orchids - so many varieties and colors

Orchids in a more formal setting

Bouquets of tiny peppers - beautiful and delicious

tropical flowers

Something unique in green. . .

. . .and in yellow

Bamboo

The sidewalk comes to life with colorful flowers everywhere.

        

Adventures in September and October 2020

 Man Mo Temple and our Anniversary

    Man Mo Temple is nestled among high rise complexes near the antiques market in Hong Kong.

            Rick stands at the entrance of this small temple.

The intricate roof décor tells its own story through multiple pieces or art.  Unfortunately, we must strain to view the magnificent details.

We smiled at this rickshaw that adorns the entry courtyard.  There was much here to remind us of China.

The mid-autumn festival is a time to honor loved ones with fruit.  Ribbons of recognition and prayer hang from the decorated tree.

Two lion statues mark the entrance to many buildings in China.  The pictured statue would be the male, as the front paw protects the world globe.  The female lion, not pictured, places a paw on the young cub.  We enjoyed viewing this tradition throughout China.  Now and then we see similar reminders in Hong Kong.

          Once again, the rickshaw appears in the background.

Hanchem Korean BBQ Restaurant – We chose this location to celebrate our anniversary.  Notice the seven complimentary side dishes that accompany our meal.  The vented grill indicates we will be cooking our own meat.

Thankfully, our server offers a hand in starting the flame and placing the meat and veggies on the grill.  We can handle it from here.

        33 years together!  I’m honored to share my life with this great man.  Bring on the decades!!

Tai Po Market

 Tai Po Market - September 2020

The indoor/outdoor market at Tai Po is huge.  The meat sections are divided by type and I opted not to include the poultry area.  Chinese culture encourages the use of every part of the animal so these markets display a bit of everything.  Truthfully, walking through is entertaining and educational.  I couldn’t take enough pictures (except of the live chickens) and every booth was crowded.  The locals shop here and participating with the fast-paced selling process felt somewhat exhilarating. 

                        Pork knuckle delights are on every restaurant menu.

                        Pork tongues hang below the pig's feet.  Yummy!

Sorry for the blurry photo of the pig ears and hide.  I really don’t know the use of this item and wasn’t curious enough to ask.  This part of the world has experienced eras of starvation so I must honor their resourcefulness in utilizing every animal – no waste. 

Meat choices can be ground on the spot.       

    This photo shows only one of the many booths dedicated to pork which dominates the meat choices         in China.

Fortunately, the crabs no longer are moving in this still photo, while in our presence they crawled to free themselves.

    The seafood quarter was eye popping.

Slippery and crawly seafood options appeared everywhere.  I recoil because my first reaction is to step on the critters.

This knife wielding worker is fast and amazing at cutting open shells in less than one second.  This show charges no admission.

Amazing shrimp like crustaceans!   We learned to eat something like this in China, with chop sticks.

One booth offers sauces of every kind to season any dish.  Who knows where to begin in making a selection?

Another area offers jars or dried seeds, legumes, mystery items, and pickled everything.  The fascination never ends but I have no appetite traveling through the market.

     Beautiful ginger root and purple onions - Vegetable and fruit markets provide a feast for the eyes.

     We enjoy Asian cauliflower – light and lacy pieces – different from the firm varieties at home.

I’m still learning how to use some of these greens for the kitchen.  Bok choy is easy; some of the others require a tutorial.

The seasonal, prickly, strange fruit has never been a temptation.  One sister had to try it and discovered a pasty bland center.  More research is needed and I didn’t volunteer for the project.

Unique fruits in color, shape, flavor and size.  I don’t even know the names of everything in the marketplace.  This market provided a morning of entertainment though we didn't walk away with many purchases.