Off To Hong Kong

Roger and I began a Grand Adventure 

that we have long looked forward to on January 12 - 

we drove to Mesa to meet up with our daughter, Stacy, and her family, to fly to San Francisco, 

stay overnight with Tom's brother, Steve, his wife, Barb, and their 4 kids in their lovely home, 

then fly to Hong Kong the next morning.

The Young's daughter, Sydney, is living in Hong Kong because her husband, Jake, is the Senior Manager 

of Operations for the Asia Pacific Region of Marriott. 

And Grandma and Grandpa hope to catch a peek of our LDS missionary grandson, Josh, 

who is serving as AP to the mission president and living in the Hong Kong Temple.

As soon as we landed in San Francisco, 

we headed to Fisherman's Wharf for clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and  . . .

. . . crab cocktail.

And a trip to Fisherman's Wharf is never complete without dessert at Ghirardelli Square!

Are you going to eat that whole thing all by yourself, Londyn?

Oh, okay, you shared it with Mom.

 Yum, delicious hot fudge is on top!

Maddy handled hers all by herself!

We took a drive down steep Lombard Street and it was gorgeous at night.

Steve, Barb and the kids gave us a warm welcome. 

We visited, the cousins played together and the boys caught up on (what else?) playoff football highlights.

Stacy, Tom and kids stayed in the main house and Roger and I stayed in their beautiful guest house.

It was a comfy bed.

 Barb asked us what we liked for breakfast and had delicious yogurt, 

fresh berries, apples and drinks in our fridge.

Next morning Roger took a pic of the front of their home. 

Then it was off to the airport to board the plane 

for our 13 1/2 hour flight to Hong Kong!

Sydney and Jake met us at the airport (happy reunion!), then we boarded the express MTR to go to our hotel.

We walked right into our wonderful hotel from this station 

without having to go outdoors. 

Syd and Jake live just four blocks from the JW Marriott.

JW Marriott lobby

There are many levels and floors of this wonderful hotel.

Our room had a gorgeous panoramic view of the city.

Maddy and Londyn stayed with Syd and Jake Walker 

and Tom, Stacy and Jake Young stayed in a room in the hotel.

We all went to bed, then we were off to tour with Syd the next morning!

It is the Year of the Rooster in China (it cycles through with different animals every 12 years), 

and they are celebrating Chinese New Year, their big holiday.

Coincidentally, I was born the Year of the Rooster.

Everywhere were gorgeous decorations for the holiday, 

and the street where Syd's apartment is is lined with Chinese lanterns.

Syd and Jake live in the nicest neighborhood we saw on our trip.

Though very small, their apartment is lovely. 

It has huge view windows and is brand new.

 Syd showed us all of the areas of the amenities for her apartment, including this little playground, 

a gym and nice common areas.

We had to all take our pics in the lobby with the Chinese New Year dragon.

 Right across the street are many restaurants and shops.

There is a bustling market a block away.

There is such a variety of things to buy.

These gold fish were at the entrance to the wet market, 

which is where you can buy fresh pork, beef and fish.

When I say fresh, I mean the pigs are butchered that morning 

and some of the fish 

are caught and killed when you purchase them!

Syd had us all try her favorite Chinese treat from a bakery, 

a pineapple bun.

Very tasty!

We purchased day passes on the MTR (Syd has an ongoing one),

then headed to the Peak Tram to overlook Hong Kong.

I loved all of the colorful ads with the cute little kids on the subway walls.

Pretty good re-enactment, wouldn't you say!

The line was huge that day, probably because of the kids out of school for the holiday.

We were lined up across the street from the actual tram line, 

which had people snaked around and around 

before you get to the huge line-up for the tram ride!

Cute Londyn taking her turn hangin' out with me while I sat on the steps and the others waited in line.

Couldn't do that after we crossed the street, but it was good while it lasted!

Over two hours later, this is the line waiting for the tram.

 Off we go, almost straight up!

What a glorious view of this beautiful city!

We caught the tram back down and it was almost 3 pm and we were starving!

Syd took us to her favorite ramen place for lunch.

 We spotted this cute decoration for the Year of the Rooster on our way to Jake's tailor 

for Tom, Roger and Jake Young (he will be going on an LDS mission soon) 

to be measured for a custom suit.

All of the girls

We passed it that night on the way to dinner.

We got shots of our adventurous riding on the MTR.

Rush Hour trains were crazy full!

Richard at Shaniel Custom Tailors measured all three men for suits after they picked out their fabric.

Syd and Maddy are having some sister time while they are waiting for the men.

They had a fitting on Thursday, then the tailor delivered them to our hotel on Saturday morning.

They turned out great - they are beautiful and it was a cool experience for these guys!

We ate at Syd and Jake's favorite Thai restaurant that night.

I had steamed mussels and Roger had a sweet and sour dish.

You can tell by the empty plates that we enjoyed it!

They took us to their favorite ice cream place for dessert. 

It was a huge walk, 

including going on the world's longest escalator . . .

. . . but it was so worth it!

The ice cream was extra delicious and served in these unique cones.

What a super first day in Hong Kong!

Sydney was a fabulous tour director and it was wonderful to be shown around by someone 

who knows the ropes.

The Grand Adventure was just beginning . . .