Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Moon Festival!

Moon Festival is celebrated throughout the month of September.
Mooncakes began showing up in all the shops, and even on the tables in the break room on B2.
They come in a variety of flavors.
After trying the one in the top photo, we weren't interested in trying any others.
But, Sister Law offered us some she had made , and they were much better.
We learned that President and Sister Hui have come up with their own version of mooncake, and after having a sampling of theirs, we voted theirs the winner of all Mooncakes.
They are so delicious that we couldn't get enough of them.  We ate them so quickly that we had them devoured before realizing we didn't even get a photo of their delectable creation.
Colorful light displays were set up at the Cultural Center.
 The last day of the festival is when the fireworks begin.
We joined Sisters Chan and Chan to forge through the crowd along the promenade
 to watch the display.
Below is what we saw in the harbor.
Boats and small ships sailed close to get a good view of the show.
The fireworks were being launched from larger boats in the harbor.
 The Grand Finale

Monday, September 28, 2015

Hiking On Hong Kong Island!

We decided to spend our Monday doing something besides grocery shopping and cleaning the apartment, and definitely a bit more physical.  We took Marj Sanders (a temple worker) up on her offer to introduce us to the trail system on Hong Kong Island.  She loves to hike and since she has lived in Hong Kong for 8 years, she knows the trails well.
She suggested Wilson Trail, which begins near her home at Yo Ming San Jong (Parkview).
Parkview

This at the start of our hike.  We began at 8:00am to avoid the hottest time of the day.

Hong Kong's Balanced Rock

Sister Sanders and I both wore black and blue, but completely unplanned.
We made it to the first summit.
This might be what Quarry Bay is named after.

A good part of the trail was shaded.

The view of Victoria Harbor from the second summit.

We saw things we didn't expect along the way.  This gravesite was one.

A shrine to burn incense and pray for a son.

Wartime stoves that are now used as planters.

Can you see what is hidden in this photo?  Look closely!


This should help.
We saw a few of these huge spiders along the trail, but they blend in with the surroundings so well, 
that we didn't see, who knows how many others.
Sister Sanders has seen much larger ones at times.
I was just grateful that we didn't come across any snakes.

This appeared to be some sort of a dwelling at one time, but a tree has grown through the center.
The man to the right was comforting his little boy after he took a tumble.

Tai Chi Class near the end of the trail.
This is not uncommon to see in any park.

The end of the trail 3 1/2 hours later at Quarry Bay, 
It has been over five months since we went hiking, and we are out of shape.
But, in spite of feeling hot and sweaty and having tired feet, it was a good morning, and
we hope to do it again sometime.
After a shower and a much-needed-nap, we made our way to Outback Steakhouse (the one on Mody Road) for a quiet, relaxing dinner.  Then leisurely walked back to Harbourfront.
It is safe to say that we got in more than enough steps for the day.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Luk's Wedding Reception!

Brother and Sister Luk are temple workers, and were nice enough to invite the temple missionaries to the wedding reception of their son, Steve and now daughter-in-law Emily Chan.
President Wong was nice enough to drive us to the church from the temple since it was raining like cats and dogs.
Sister Chan being goofy while waiting for the festivities to begin.
A lesson in photography for the mother of the groom.

We saw several familiar faces during the evening, and this time they weren't dressed in white.
Below are just a few of them.
The helping hands of Sister Ng and Sister Yau
Sister Tsang, Poon, and Yuen hard at it in the kitchen.
President Yuen hard at it on the stage making sushi.
Sister Lim.  We hardly see her without a smile on her face.
Brother and Sister Shum
Brother Hui
Brother and Sister Yip
Sister Yuen is incredible.  She is 10 women in 1.
Love her sense of humor and her helpful attitude.
Brother Chan
Sister Wong Ling Ling
Brother Wong, Ling Ling's husband
Sister Poon
Brother Ko all dressed up and all smiles.
Brother and Sister Ng
Guests were served a variety of foods, 
which included one of my favorites, mango pudding.
Part of the Bridal party.  Liked their boutonnieres.
The cutest members of the bridal party.
Guess who is behind the bouquet?
The Chans always have fun.
Ah, Sister Tsang, is such a character.   
Temple missionaries with the grooms' parents.
(Ngais are below)
Elder and Sister Ngai had to leave early.
The Bride and Groom and their parents
A nice photo with the newlyweds.
This wedding reception was much the same as receptions in Idaho, minus the round tables.
Lots of hands put together a fun celebration 
in honor of Steve and Emily Luk.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM BOTH!