A Different Kind of New Year's Day For Us!

Brother Lai invited the temple missionaries to join him and the West Point Ward for a hike and BBQ on New Year's Day.  We jumped at the chance to spend time with a few of the other temple workers.

The hike we took was on the Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail, which covered one of the areas occupied when Japan invaded Hong Kong.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.

We met Brother Lai and his ward at 8:15 in Central

 to catch Bus 6.

All fresh and ready to get started.

Our group at the beginning of the trail, which is really the end of the trail.

Brothers Ng and Ng - no relation though.

Brother Ng on the right was giving us directions and a history about this area.

Brother Ng on the left was giving smiles.

Got a great husband who is willing to pack my stuff too, and

makes it possible for me to get by with a pack like this.

All ages were on this hike.

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A few things we saw along the way.

 Elder Bodily and Sister Rancie checking out a bunker used during the Japanese invasion.

Not sure what they expected, but

this is what they saw. 

Sometimes those walking sticks require some muscle,

and you can bet Elder Bodily is happy to come to the rescue.

The Rancies reading the history regarding this area.

This is Stanley Ho's mansion on a hill.

Who is Stanley Ho?

Even Elder Rancie knows who Mr. Ho is -

one of the wealthiest men in Hong Kong who owns casinos in Macau.

Taking a short cut, and narrowly escaping injury across the deep ravine.  Just kidding!

Our curiosity got the best of us, and we got a little daring. 

 Elder Bodily would have been right there with the rest of us, but someone had to take the photo.

SAW A FEW FAMILIAR FACES

I stick out like a sore thumb.

Sister Luk

Brother Luk

Brother Lai, Elder Bodily, Brother Fong

Brother and Sister Ng and their daughter

Sisters Rancie, Lo Lo, Chan, Lee, and Bodily at the summit.

Took this just after learning Bro. Fong is Ammon Fong's father.

Ammon was our tudor from the MTC Language Training Center

whom we skyped with every week to learn some Cantonese as we prepared for our mission.

Somebody asked the question, 'what do you suppose is at the top of those steep stairs?'

Not sure anyone really expected Elder Bodily to go find out.

 Bro. Lai and Tom Wu (the ward's photographer) watched and wondered if he was coming back.

 He finally made it back down, 

and it only took him just a few minutes, and 154 steps each direction.

Do you know what was so exciting to see at the top?

THIS!  

Guess the rest of us didn't miss out on too much, 

other than an increase in heart rate and trying to catch our breath, and burned calories.

After 1.66 miles, we made it to the end, 

which is really the beginning of this trail, but oh well.

By this time we were hungry and not so fresh.

So, we headed down the hill to Tai Tam Country Park to gather with the non-hikers for a BBQ.

One of the ways to get your essentials to a picnic.

Chicken, pork, sausage, hot dogs, sweet potato, corn, and even bread and honey

were provided for roasting.

Sister Lee was smart to bring her umbrella.  It was sunny and hot.

 I went for the hot dog, sweet potato, and the toasted bread and honey.

Elder Bodily roasted two sticks at the same time, and he tried almost everything.

Ammon Fong's parents

Ammon's brother Aaron and his mom

Elder Bodily, Jason, Elder Rancie, and Elder Lee

Jason is 16 and investigating the church.

 He accepted an invitation to come from one of the young men in the ward.

Three of those fine West Point young men.

This group of Filipino ladies were singing, swaying, and having a good time.  It was nice to watch.

This is what we saw as we left the park.  What kid doesn't like to play in dirt?

This is what happens when you have so much fun in one day.

You don't make it five minutes on the bus before the lids are closed and the dreams begin.

Hikes and BBQs on New Year's Day are traditions for many in Hong Kong.

If it weren't so cold at home in January, its likely they would become our tradition too.

Thank you Brother and Sister Lai for your invitation to having a great day with you 

on the first day of the year.

HERE'S WISHING 2016 BRINGS BLESSINGS TO ALL!