Hong Kong! This isn't China!?

The great and beautiful Hong Kong! W-O-W! I mean that. It was more than what I had expected. It's kind of China...but it's not. Strange political stuff that goes over my head.

This was the actual building used for batman jumping off a building...IF I heard that right

Photos do no justice to the greatness or splendor of the views

Looking across the bay

 We arrived and were met outside of customs by our friend Lonnie and her daughter Jade. They were kind enough to open their house to us and let us stay for 3 nights. If you don't know Hong Kong is made up of 200 or so islands. We had the privilege of taking a ferry everyday to and from the island they lived on, Lamma Island. It was a beautiful and fun island to stay on. We got to explore it a little and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Jami and Lonni having a good talk on the Ferry to Lamma

Jade and the boys having a good time. Jade was real sweet and they all got a long great.

Eating dinner at a little restaurant on Lamma! We ate here 2 times! see next picture....

OH YEAH!!! A REAL CHEESEBURGER AND BUFFALO CHICKEN WRAP!!!! H-E-A-V-E-N!!

View of the bay on Lamma island

Playing on the rocks at Lamma beach.

Family selfie with Lamma Beach in the background

Everest's dinner!! (just kidding no lil crabs were harmed in the taking of this photo)

Everyday day in Hong Kong was overcast but it was warm and pleasant. We enjoyed the lights and took a trip to the Tian Tan Buddha, at one point it was the tallest bronze Buddha in the world. We took a gondola to it and took the clear bottom one. It was sweet! We had a lot of fun with it.

On our way to the Tian Tan Buddha

AHHHHHH.....WE'RE FALLING!

Looking down just after crossing a bay

That little "tower" in the background is our destination

Looking back on Hong Kong, that is the airport to the left

Almost there!

We have arrived!

We spent a day shopping in Hong Kong as well. It was fun? Okay, okay...if you're a shopper then it's quite the experience. We did lots of haggling and got some great things with deals to go with it.

The market down below.....it was crazy! So much stuff.

 Every night at 8 there is a light show that incorporates all the buildings. The night was overcast and you couldn't get the full scope of the show....what does that mean? One day we'll make it back.

A bridge at night that connects the islands

The clouds where low but the lights still were amazing

Beginning of light show...it happens every night at 8 and last about 20 minutes

This building changed lights every night and we went by it every night via the ferry

One of highlights of the entire trip was our visit to the LDS Hong Kong Temple. Ethan went for baptisms for the 1st time. It was a good time and gorgeous! While there we met a family from Mongolia that was going through to get sealed and a couple from India that was getting sealed. A Canadian that lives and retired in the Philippines and visits the temple frequently. AND a Chinese national from Beijing! (While on mainland China we are not to talk about Church or anything) Again we met and made some great friends!

Ethan getting ready to go into the Temple

The boys outside the Temple

Jami with Elijah and Ethan outside the Temple by the fountain

Family pic at dusk

The Temple at night

Temple at night

Our new friends from Mongolia, India, Canada/Philippines and China!

 For anyone that may be counting...we hit all modes of transportation on this trip...Coach Bus, Train (HIGH SPEED!), Airplane, Boat, Car and Double Decker bus!

Heading to the Hong Kong Airport using a DOUBLE DECKER Bus! Oh YEAH!

Bridge that I thought looked cool and have we have a picture of it at night (see above)

A cluster of apartments in Hong Kong

 We made it home back to Huai'an and.....well we've had quite the trip! It was spectacular!