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.  

December 26, 2019

Christmas in Hong Kong

The comment feature on our blog should now be functioning.  Thanks to those who previously tried and couldn't leave a message.  

We have enjoyed this beautiful tree in our apartment lobby.  The pine aroma reminds us of our home at Christmas time when we cut a fresh tree.  

 Only in Asia!!

Tsim Sha Tsui decorated BIG for the holidays.  There were so many people (and cameras) here.  The display felt perfectly magical.

We joined the "selfie" crowd though we don't pose quite as elegantly as the Chinese.

 

December 24 in Whompoa (near our home):  It is 70 degrees and so many display excitement for the season.  

Several senior couples joined together Christmas morning to assemble 60 gift bags containing a pass-along card, a poem about the Savior, and home made treats (that proved to be a challenge with our small "Susie bake ovens", yet all goodies were edible and pleasing to the eye).

We delivered the bags to the laborers in our complex: shuttle bus drivers, cleaning people, security guards (most come from Nepal), office workers, and all others working on the holiday. 

Our presentation was met with shock from most and humble appreciation as several bowed in respect for our small offering.  We felt delight in surprising them and recognizing their labors in our behalf.

Photographing the security guards is strictly forbidden so those memories are reserved for our hearts.

We joined together for a pot luck brunch after our deliveries were completed.

Our apartments are comfy and cozy and don't hold large crowds.   

My favorite Holiday event was accompanying this lovely branch choir's Christmas program.  These Philippine sisters sang with all their hearts.  "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" was sung with such sweetness and meaning that reading the music through my tears provided one more Christmas miracle.  I'll always think of them when I hear that children's carol.  They mispronounced several words but they love Jesus and that message transcended all lyrics.  

December in Hong Kong

December 19, 2019

The Hong Kong Harbor lights are beautiful at 8:00 each night.  Our temperatures hover around 70 degrees at that time and we enjoy walking along the promenade as we watch the show.

Keyboarding class:  These sisters are delightful.  Many have studied piano keyboarding for a few years, others are beginners.  I appreciate their dedication.  They really work at learning every aspect of the course.  Musical abilities among the students range from natural musician to tone deaf with fingers that refuse to touch the right notes.  Everyone earns an "A" for hard work and effort.

Keyboarding students begin by completing the chorister course first.  Truthfully, there are more capable choristers in the branches here than I've seen in any ward.  Most of the students are Philippine working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong.  They schedule classes on their one day off each week.  They are amazing!

Last week we participated in the Everyday Branch.  We were the Sacrament meeting speakers Tuesday through Friday.  The branch groups range in size from 12 to 20.  We also provided the musical number, a Christmas piano duet.  The spirit in that small chapel was radiant.  I was moved to tears constantly.  We've witnessed what it means to be truly humble.  It was our honor to be in their presence each day.

Jocelyn, a marvelous sister in our branch, departed for California to marry her fiance.  Best wishes!

We finally met the famous Elder Finklea from our own Santa Clara Heights Stake.  He sings with the missionary choir.  Their Christmas program was outstanding.  The Elders who accompany the choir could perform an entire concert on their own.  The talent these young missionaries possess is inspiring.

Rick stand in front of this beautiful poinsettia display.  The Church Office Building is in the background (the one with the steeple on top).