Saturday, April 30, 2011

Bangkok- April 29th

 We flew from Hong Kong to Bangkok on April 29th. We arrived in Bangkok around 3:00pm, but by the time we got through customs and on the air train to owntown it was 4:30. We had arranged earlier to meet a guide at the train station for a tour. That was a great decision because our flight to Phuket was at 10:00pm. Everyone told us that that traffic in Bangkok is horrible, so we went by boat down the Chao Phraya River.





 Our short ride in a Tuk Tuk to the Grand Palace






 108 alms
















 The night market

 The flower market


Then it was time to head back to the airport. Glad we could make a short stop in Bangkok. 

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Hong Kong - Day 1 & 2


 We were suppose to arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday May 26th at 6:45pm. Actually we didn't arrive until 8:15pm bbecause the headwinds were so strong. Out total flying time from LAX to Hong Kong was 17 hours!!! Luckily we were able to sleep most of the time. We were lucky enough to have the emergency exit row, so we had plenty of leg room.  Our first stop after our hotel was Victoria Peak.


 Hong Kong Harbor is always an impressive site!
 Then we went back to our hotel and went to sleep. 
Wednesday morning we went to the Temple. Since my last visit in 2004 they built a really nice chapel across the street from the Temple that now houses the Mission Office, distribution center, and Temple Housing.
It is always good to be in the Temple.



 We had lunch at City Walk
 The mall has an indoor ice skating rink.
 This is in the MTR station. We didn't make it to HK Disney, but someday I still want to go.
 We took the Tram to Lantau Island. Last time I went in 2004 with my mom this trip required a long boat ride and a crazy bus ride. Now you can just ride the Tram if you want to. We rode in a "Crystal Car" so the bottom was clear.





 It's a pretty long tram ride


 The Big Budda coming into view







 Then we stopped by the new Asia Area Headquarters and chapel in Wan Chi. This also wasn't finished in 2004. It is a pretty amazing building, but most especially because of it's location. It is right in downtown HK. I think it might be the most expensive piece of property the church owns.
 Then we meet Ada and Cora & Jim Pollard for dinner.
 We had Peking Duck (Dad- remember there are 4 ways to eat the duck???)
 Jim, Cora, me, Ada, Eric
 I taught Ada on my mission

 Cora was a member in the first ward I served in HK.
 After dinner we took a ride on the Star Ferry
Two really busy days!