Spring Break in Hong Kong

I have to keep reminding my kids that when Josh and I were kids, we were happy to play in the backyard for Spring break.  Where my kids get the notion that they can just flit to another country is just indulgent parenting.  Oh well, we had a great time. The purpose of this trip was to attend the temple and it just so happened that we did some other things too!

We flew to Tokyo and took a bus to the Narita airport where we met my mom.  Together we took the Hong Kong Express to Hong Kong.  We arrived late and were hungry and tired.  We took a taxi to our Air B and B.  The building was really run down, and the room was small and old and not terribly clean.  We were not pleased with the accommodations but tried to make the best of it. 

 

I will just say, the pictures were misleading

We took the Metro or taxi's all around the city. I found it very easy to navigate. As we look around and traveled from area to area, we noticed that there were a ton of shopping malls with expensive stores.  The buildings around the malls were not always in the best condition though so it was an interesting juxtaposition.  I was also frustrated about being about to get Hong Kong dollar.  All my research before the trip made it sound like I could get money out at any ATM.  I was not having any luck.  I only had the cash that I was able to get from the airport ATM.  So, we were a little frustrated from searching pointlessly through malls for eating places and my lack of funds.

Victoria Harbor

Bear tries out some Bruce Lee moves

On the Star Ferry

We decided to change our scene from malls by traveling over to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin, a Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianists temple.  It was set in natural surroundings and suddenly, I felt like I could take deep breaths again.  My soul was revitalized by the beautiful surroundings. The gardens and colors in the temple were gorgeous.  According to Feng Shui, the decoration of the temple includes four of five geomantic elements- metal, wood, water, and fire.  I felt more balanced there.  People seeking good fortune come to the temple and can get their fortune told from a fortune teller set up along the hall. 

We walked to the remnants of the South Gate of Kowloon Walled City.  The city was built in 1843 and became a British fort after their possession of Hong Kong Island.  The city was then under contention as China and English fought for control.  No one took ownership of it and it became a den of thieves, crime, and prostitution.  What was amazing to me was that the people who lived there, learned how to make their own industry among the filth.  They carried their own water from wells as there were not utilities, and they made a life for themselves.  The buildings were stacked wall to wall.  The city was demolished in the 1990’s and a park was placed in the site in 1995.  The park was beautiful and a reminder that something lovely can emerge from the slums. 

Remnant of the city wall

Diagram of the close quarters

We went to Chun Yeung Street, the wet market.  We saw all the fish lined up on the tables for sale and the pigs, lots of pig meat.  The sellers were often actively cutting up the meat with cleavers to go through the bones.  I was interested that people lived just above this busy street front in the apartments.  It is such an interesting lifestyle here in Hong Kong.  I also figured out the Hong Kong ATM’s.  I guess I was asking for too much cash from the machines.  I had intended to get cash only a few times and to try to use cards when I could.  So, I now had some cash and was feeling better about our situation.

We went to Hong Kong Park.  It was a large, beautiful green space right in the middle of the city.  I was surprised by the high-rises all surrounding the large park area.  It felt calm and green and lush and then you look above the tree line, and there are all the buildings.  Such an interesting contrast!  Inside the park was the Museum of Tea Ware where we learned about the tea ceremony and saw interesting tea sets.  There was also an aviary and we all enjoyed the colorful birds there. 

Just outside the park was the tram up Victoria Peak.  The tram ride was a bit thrilling because at times it felt that we were going vertically up the mountain.  At the top of the peak was a shopping area, many floors of shops and restaurants.  We did enjoy the Trick Eye Museum there.  We knew about these museums from Korea, but I think it was the first time my mom had seen such a thing.  Once we found our way to the top of the building, we were able to overlook Victoria Harbor and the skyline.  It was impressive to see.  

We took the tram back down the mountain and taxied to Victoria Harbor to see the symphony of lights.  It was cloudy so it was hard to see the spotlights going into the sky.  We did enjoy the huge Ferris wheel so that we could overlook the harbor and buildings full of lights.

We always enjoy seeing the religious sites and the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery was a sight to behold.  We walked up a long path lined with 500 gold painted statues of Buddha.  We saw some wild monkeys in the trees.  It made us remember that we really are in a tropical location even though we have been surrounded by the city so much of the time.  The temple at the top of the hill was filled with 12,800 tiny lit statues of Buddha. 

We journeyed to the Chi Lin Nunnery and connecting Nan Lian Gardens.  The garden was designed as a refuge within the city.  It is surrounded by build-up urban structures but there are sound blocking walls and strategic barriers to block out sound and smog.  We enjoyed the rockery, water features, and traditional timber structures.  The nunnery courtyard was filled with lotus pools.  It was a beautiful location. 

I make a cameo in the pictures at least once a day

Josh loves his bonsai

We took the Metro to the Man Mo Temple, a grade one historical building.  The temple is used to worship the God of Literature and the God of War.  Worshipers hang large bell-shaped coils of incense from the ceiling to attract the attention of the God so that their prayers will be answered.  There was so much incense that my eyes started to burn. 

Bear, Moot and I tried our luck at the Ladies Market, in walking distance from our Air B and B.  I wanted to see if we could bargain better than our last market experience on our first night when we were taken by a few savvy sellers.  I think we did better this time.  We all walked away with some souvenirs and we did not pay the first price offered to us.  It became like a game.  They would say a price, I would say a price, they would look annoyed and offer another price, I would not back down, I would start to walk away, they would say a price and then I would make the sale.  It was fun to see what we could talk them into. I still do not know if we were getting good deals, but it felt learned a new skill.

We were lucky enough to leave our Air B and B a day early as I secured us a room at the Hong Kong Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple lodging.  Our room really was so gross and none of us were sad to stay somewhere else. We had a family room at the temple in the housing building right across the street.  When we arrived at the temple, it was lit for the evening and we met so many missionaries and temple workers that were kind and helpful.  I loved looking at the lit temple from our room window. 

In the morning Josh, Bear, and I went to do baptisms for the dead in the temple.  My mom stayed with Bub and Pants in the room.  Josh was needed as a priesthood holder, so he did many of the baptisms and confirmations, including baptizing Bear.  Bear was so happy to be there, and it made me touched to see Josh baptize her.  She really likes it when he baptizes her. I always love our time spent in the temple and this was the purpose of our trip after all!

We took a taxi to the Hong Kong Disneyland property.  We were staying at the Hollywood Hotel and our room was facing the pool, courtyard, and ocean.  It was a beautiful view and a beautiful hotel filled with a lovely scent that I could not quite place.  Something like freesia.  We had two rooms, so we finally had some space for the six of us.  We went to eat in the lounge where they were showing a Disney movie.  There was a tv in the lobby showing Disney cartoons, and we enjoyed the gift shop where we swapped pins with the employees.  I loved hearing the Disney music everywhere.  I was instantly happy and filled with a sense of “home.” 

We started our first Disney day with breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at our hotel.  We got to take pictures with Mickey and enjoyed the excellent food.  They had Asian food, Chinese, and American fare.  

We then took the shuttle to the park to line up early.  They let us into Main Street, and we looked around some of the shops.  We already enjoy pin trading and at Hong Kong Disney, the employees carry stickers that they hand out.  Those were fun to collect as well.  The park is similar in size to the Magic Kingdom in Florida, but it was filled with new rides that we do not have in the US.  The Iron Man experience is like Star Tours, we met Iron Man, and the Ant Man Nano Battle is like the Buzz Lightyear ride.  All day long we walked from ride to ride, with only 5-10 min wait times.  It was fabulous.  We enjoyed the Mystic Manor ride where the house comes to life because of a magical artifact.  There were some things similar to the Haunted Mansion, but it was definitely its own experience.  There were Easter Egg Disney characters hidden all round the park.  Bub especially enjoyed seeking them out.  There was a cute attraction called the Fairy Tale Forest that we walked through.  Bear and Bub participated in the Jedi Training Academy show and were able to fight Darth Vader.  We had a magical day.

Mystic Manor

I felt like I was with my Peeps in the Marvel themed Tomorrow Land

Bub is reenacting the scene from Avengers: Age of Ultron.  If you get it, you are geeky just like me!

Jedi in training

I should have brought a shirt change along with me.  I hope I did not offend Iron Man

Our second day in the park we focused on the rides we did not try out yesterday.  We all loved the Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.  It is a roller coaster that went backward at one point.  Toy Story Land made us feel like we were tiny toys in a big world.  It was bright and colorful.  We loved all the rides there; RC Racer, Parachute Drop, and Slinky Dog Spin. 

We finally decided to take the girls to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique even though I had no original intention to spend the money there.  Bear said she wanted to do it and we thought that this would be her last year to participate.  She is getting too old and I was excited that she was still interested.  Pants got the full treatment as Queen Elsa; make up, nails, hair, and Elsa costume (this is our third Elsa costume, you just have to hand over your credit card with eyes closed sometimes).  Bear just did the makeup, nails, and hair.  The crown they put in her hair was too much, so we just asked them to take it out.  A 13-year-old has a limit!  They did a photo shoot with each girl and we got to choose one free picture.  Then they did a reveal where they flipped the mirror around for the girls to see themselves.  They both enjoyed being pampered. 

The reveal

Two of the three mouseketeers.  We missed you Bryce!

On our last day we took the metro to Ngong Ping Piazza to ride the 360-cable car.  It was beautiful ride over the bay and up the mountain.  For some time, we were in the cloud bed and could not see around us.  We reached the little city at the end of the ride and walked to the Big Buddha at the top of a large staircase.  The Buddha was huge and facing the mountains on the other side of the valley.  It was immensely impressive.  We shopped and ate in the little Ngong Ping Village.  I was surprised at how much Japanese food and Japanese influence we saw on our travels.  Maybe I am just more in tune with it now.  We enjoyed the trip back on the cable car.  I liked viewing the huge Buddha from the car and the lush green of the mountain below us.

This was a great finale to our Asia travel.  There will always be more that I wish we could have done, but I am grateful for the amazing opportunities we did have.

There comes a day that the movers arrive

It is time for our house hold goods to leave Misawa.  Luckily we already purged with the help of the Marie Kondo method, so it was a matter of sorting all our items into three shipments; the slow shipment to Oklahoma (HHG and the largest shipment), the quick shipment to Oklahoma (Unaccompanied Baggage leaving in June, mostly the essentials for everyday living), and our suitcases that we will live out of for two months while traveling in Utah and before all our things arrive in Oklahoma.  We do not have a lot of extra room to sort here so we spent two days just shifting things around.  Bub got moved out of his room and it became the "safe" zone.  We also marked with blue X's the things that are staying for later shipments.  I hope that the blue X's will cross the language barrier or else we will be in trouble.

As I was shifting things, it was hard not to be nostalgic.  There is this interesting mix of emotions- a disconnect from things going on here because we will not be part of it in the future, and a bitter sweet longing for all the memories we have made over our three years.  Josh was saying that if it is not hard to leave, that means that we did really "live" here.  I always experience a loss mixed with the anticipation for the future.

First day in Misawa, June 26, 2016- Bear (10), Bub (7), Pants (5)

Oh, look how much we have grown!  Bear (13), Bub (10), Pants (8).  And it is time to add another plank to our sign!

The End of an Era

I have closed a chapter in my life, all three of my children have been baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Pants was baptized in our Misawa Military Ward on April 14th.  We were grateful for the support of our ward who truly are family in our remote location.  We are also grateful that my mother was here with us to see Pants take this important step.

Pants with Grandma Gayle

The ending of an era:

Pant's Baptism- Misawa Military Ward, Japan, April 2019

Bub's Baptism- Misawa Military Ward, Japan, July 2016

Bear's baptism- Hobble Creek 1st Ward, Springille, Utah, April 2014

Fun things to do in the snow in Misawa

We are one of the few families that do not ski in Misawa.  People say that if you don't ski, the winter is long and isolating.  I have not found this to be true.  It is quite sunny in the winter here during the day and even though the days are short, if you are a planner like me, you can enjoy the outside activities.  We love all the winter festivals around Misawa.  Many towns within a two hour radius have them and they are all in month of February.  This year we traveled to the Sapporo Ice Festival (see previous post) and the Towada Winter Story Festival.

Sledding around the snow sculptures

Local entertainment on the snow carved stage

We don't always know the Japanese characters but they are fun to pose in front of.  This festival came alive at night

A little love for me and Josh

I am sure this says Towada Snow Story 2019!

Other winter fun events:

Josh kicked off BSC week by paiting the initials in the snow on base

Bear tries out skiing with the Young Women and Young Men of Misawa Military Ward

We celebrated Girls Day, March 3rd, Hinamatsuri.  It is a celebration of peach blossoms and all things girly in Japan

One of the last winter events in this area of Northern Japan is the Mount Hakkoda Snow Walk.  Last year, Josh took Bub and Pants on the walk while Bear and I were at the Sapporo Temple.  This year Bear, Pants and I made the trek.  All winter long the Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line has been closed for snow.  The last weekend of March, the road is plowed, and people can walk the 5-mile road for a two-day limited time.  Then the road is open for cars again.  The snow walls surrounded us as we walked, some standing 9 meters high.  It was beautiful to see the mountain range still covered in snow.  

Count your Blessings- Name them one by one

In no particular order, a list of blessings that have come our way from living on a remote, cold, and small base in northern Japan:

1. Friends that allowed us to use their car to drive to Aomori for our snow adventure trip when our car ran into problems.  And then allowed us to keep driving the car until we could figure out what to do with ours.

2. When we junked our second car (mentioned above), strangers (and angels answering a prayer) responded to our FB plea and are letting us borrow their car for two months while they TDY. We just have to make to June and then we PCS.

3. When the fitness contract was removed for the second time in six months, stopping me from teaching yoga at the base gym AGAIN, I have loyal yogi friends who filled out countless ICE forms (comment forms), requested me for private and group yoga sessions, and sponsored some Key Spouse Yoga events so that I could keep teaching. A blessing for me and for the welfare of this base.

4. That my kids have the chance for positive, cultural exchanges.

5. That the school class sizes are small so that my kids can be recognized for good work.

6. That my kids got to meet the Jabbawokeez dance crew since they are a part of the Hip Hop class at the youth center.  Josh and I paid a lot of money to see them in Las Vegas, we got a free performance since we live overseas.

7. That I have a sweet husby who goes through the trouble to nominate me again for Military Spouse of the Year.  

Bear and Bub with the Jabbawockeez dance crew

Just a fun pic- look at the huge icicle in our backyard!

Pants had a cultural exchange with a Japanese Elementary

Bear got five awards- Principal's list, Academic achievement in Physical Education, ELA, Science, and Math

Annual Awards night

Marie Kondo is good for the military

As we start to prepare for our move from Misawa Japan to Enid, Oklahoma, it became clear that it is time to purge.  When we arrived here three years ago, our kids were in a different phase of life and we have just held on to the leftover items because there was no motivation to get rid of it.  We have to divide our home into three different shipments- the big shipment HHG (household goods) which will leave in May, the more essential day to day items, Unaccompanied Baggage, that will leave in June, and the things that we will cart around in suitcases until we have somewhere to live in OK.  We have no extra room in our house to sort all of this and so it is necessary to get rid of things that are not needed anymore.  We used Marie Kondo's philosophy of discarding.  It seemed fitting as we are in Japan and there was the Netflix series and her book to learn from.  I really liked thinking of the things that bring us JOY and the things we are going to keep.  It seemed so much easier to make decisions this way.  I do not think we discarded enough to be featured on her show, but I was surprised at how much we have been holding onto in our little Misawa home:

Clothing- 7 bags
Papers- 2 bags
Books- 2 boxes/crates
Komono (miscellaneous) 18 bags

Every time I took a load to the thrift store on base I felt a little bad for the employees there who have to sort through my junk.  Maybe someone just arriving here can benefit for it.  Life comes full circle here in Misawa!

Bub and our seven bags of discarded clothing