Thursday, November 29, 2012
OUR LAST DAY IN CHINA!!
The kids were more than ready to go home today so we thought we
should keep them busy and try to take in as much Hong Kong as we
could. The weather was mild and the rain looked like it was
going to hold off so we decided on a bus tour. We climbed up to
the open top of the double decker bus, plugged in our head
phones and were ready to go. The first tour was of Kowloon.
Kowloon is known for its markets for bargaining and getting
great prices. In addition to the Ladies Market that we went to,
there is a market for electronics, flowers and even fish. We
weaved our way through traffic and finally made it to Port
Victoria and the Star Ferry. This is one of Hong Kong's most
popular spots. Along the port is a boardwalk dedicated to
Chinese film stars. Just like Hollywood, there are hand and feet
impressions in the cement, and the walk is adorned with all
types of cinema related statues. The most breathtaking part of
the boardwalk is the magnificent view of Hong Kong. The ferry
takes over 70,000 people daily from the Kowloon peninsula to
Hong Kong Island. It is just a short 10 minute ride from one
side to the other. Once on Hong Kong Island, we boarded the bus
again and toured the island. Although just as crowded with
shops, restaurants and night life, Hong Kong has a different
feel than Kowloon. It is so upscale and urban, and a shopping
mecca. We saw Tiffany's, Coach, Michael Kors, Burberry, Cartier,
Rolex, Prada...just to name a few. The people who live in Hong
Kong feel that by wearing designer items it shows their success
living in Hong Kong. Because Hong Kong is so big, it is divided
into many districts. There is even a district just for night
clubs! We saw some amazing and famous hotels, like the
Peninsula, where the Dark Knight was filmed. Because Hong Kong
was a British Colony until 1997 when its sovereignty was given
to the Peoples Republic of China, there are some beautiful
colonial buildings peppered among the high rises and designer
shops.
About half way through the island, we made a stop a Victoria's
Peak. They say that going there is a must for any trip to Hong
Kong. Although the weather wasn't that clear, we had heard about
the tram ride up and decided to have lunch at the top. The kids
loved the tram. Picture a trolly car on a roller coaster.
Because China is so short on space, the tram runs just feet from
apartment buildings. Once at the top, what I saw was nothing
like I pictured. I think we've been to too many peaks in
Colorado. I imagined a spacious area over looking Hong Kong.
What I got instead was a high rise mall with walls of glass that
you could peer through as you went up the escalators from floor
to floor. There is a big lookout area at the top of the mall,
but the clouds were so low that we could barely even see
anything. We did grab some lunch up at the top, and would have
had a nice view from the restaurant, but again, too many clouds
to see anything. Bummer. But, at least we can say we did it.
Back down on the tram, hopped on the bus for the rest of the
tour of the island and then back to the ferry. It was getting
dark by then and the skyline was absolutely spectacular. The
picture doesn't do it justice. Every night at 8pm there is a
light and sound show, but we knew we wouldn't make it back to
that after such a long day. I'm sure it's amazing though! When
we left it was dark enough for some of the building to have lit
up. Several high rises were decorated top to bottom with holiday
greetings.
Hong Kong at night is such a sight. The lights are just so
beautiful and it is just as busy as during the day. They say
Vegas never sleeps, well, I don't think Hong Kong does either.
Once back to the hotel, Shy and I ventured out to the Ladies
Market to get a few things before we left. Connor wanted a
wallet and the girls each got a pair of Toms shoes. Bargaining
with the ladies there was so fun! Some of them even chased us
down the isle still shouting out cheaper prices. I did ok on the
wallet, but I was really proud of the price I got for the Toms,
about $18. Not too shabby! It was so fun just to hang with Shy
alone for a while too! There are just so many people! And so
many of those people smoke! We are all so looking forward to
smelling clean Geneva air. Something we will never take for
granted again.
Taytum is proving to be the perfect 4th child. We have plopped
her in the carrier and she just goes where ever we do without a
fuss. Let's just hope she's as happy in the car when she's
strapped into that car seat! She was so good today. She sat on
the bus tours, the ferry rides and up and down that peak and was
happy as could be. She grabbed some sleep a few times along the
way and was good to go. We still have a long way to go in the
manners dept, not sure she ever learned any of those, but she is
learning a lot of signs for basic needs. She has started to
babble a lot more, and even just after a week we can tell she is
trying to make some sounds. I'm still not sure how much her
cleft palate will hinder her speech, but I think she's doing
pretty good.
I bought 5 really cheap Hong Kong t shirts (5 for about $14) so
we all at least have a clean shirt to wear home tomorrow. :)
It's seems almost just as surreal to be going home as it was
coming here. We have been here so long! We have all had the
experience of a life time, but can't wait to start our next
chapter.
We couldn't be more thankful of all of the love, support and
encouragement you have shown us along the way. Taytum is the
most precious, silly and sweet little girl. We can't wait for
all of you to meet her. I'm still in awe of God's goodness as to
how well she just fits right in with our family. We all just
love her to pieces.
There is a song that I have loved for some time by Stephan
Curtis Chapman called What Now. Here's the first verse. Thought
it was very fitting.
I saw the face of Jesus
In a little orphan girl
She was standing in the corner
On the other side of the world
And I heard the voice of Jesus
Gently whisper to my heart
Didn't you say you wanted to find Me?
Well, here I am
Here you are
So what now?
What will you do now you've found Me?
What now?
What will you do with this treasure you've found?
I know I may not look like what you expected
But if you'll remember
This is right where I said I would be
You found Me
What now?
I hope you all enjoyed following our Journey to Taytum, as well
as through China. I know that the website will be something that
Taytum will treasure. If you haven't already, please sign the
guestbook. She will love reading the entries, one day, as much
as we do. Thanks so much to Joe and Jennifer (the website
masters) for posting the entries to quickly! You guys do amazing
work!
Check back tomorrow for one more post from John. He's been
compiling his thoughts...should be good!
Love and blessings to all!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. Jeremiah 29:11 |
Breakfast!
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Being silly with the girls
Hong Kong at night
Kowloon at night |
