Surprise--Hong Kong!

The fact that Daniel and I took a trip to Vietnam is probably news to many of you. However, the trip to Hong Kong was a surprise to me! Last week Daniel and I were on our way to one of the top destinations on my list--Vietnam! However, our day did not go as expected. Praise God, it went better than we expected!

Since our flight was cancelled in one city, we missed the one in the next. The airline worked with us and ended up making us this side trip where we had 5 hours in Hong Kong! Flying in was exciting, as I had no idea I would be going there that day and had no idea what it would be like. I was surprised at how much I actually liked it! Islands, high-rises, boats, culture and fashion....

We got our passports stamped and took a train to the center of Hong Kong! Our eyes were open wide taking in every sight. Tons of high rises, lots of traffic, but it is situated in such an interesting way on the water with the mountains behind, closing in all the people to one area. Here Daniel is looking out the window of the airport express train.

We had to make as many memories as possible in five hours! Hong Kong, here we come!

It was the perfect weather and time of day. Just hours before sunset, everything looked warm and enchanting. Tons of people were walking fast! I noticed that in the Philippines I walk faster than everyone and am taller than many people. In Hong Kong I was slow and everyone was stylish, modern, fast and tall! I only saw one child the whole time we were there, and it was a foreigner in a stroller. Not a place for small children, take note! However, it IS a place for awesome shopping if you have the money! (I also took note of that and don't plan to return soon!)

I love the water and boats coming and going. Such a unique city! I've been to port towns before, but this one is just unique.

Tons of public transportation...double decker busses and taxis. I noticed a British influence, but driving was still on the right side.

Now it is dusk and we are looking for a place to eat. What looks genuinely "Hong Kong?" We kept getting hooked to looking down new streets, but we knew our time was short.

Ah! This looks foreign, doesn't it? Indeed it was a new experience, using chopsticks with who knows what it was we ate. We were served some funny tea, and we paid using our newly exchanged Hong Kong Dollars. Truly we took in as much as we could in a short time and felt by the end we "had the city under our belt" (Daniel joked!). "We've seen it all and done everything!" We had so much fun and were thankful for this special side trip surprise the God had in store for us!

Now, back to the airport on the train to catch a flight on Hong Kong airlines to Hanoi, Vietnam!! What adventures will lay ahead next?!

Sarah and Daniel Visit the Philippines

Dear readers,

Please enjoy pictures from our last 10 days with Sarah and Daniel! Notice on the left margin that there are 10 posts that are recent, capturing our adventures together. Since all the days are not displayed at once, click on them using the links to the left (Day #1, etc.).

Scroll down to Day #1 and enjoy the journey in reverse order.

I hope you enjoy all the pics. This is just an amazing dream come true and an answer to prayer. Thank you, Lord!

Day #10--ZipLine--Sarah's Last Day

On Sarah's last morning, the three of us went to the longest and fastest zipline in Asia.

We had to take a raft across a pond to get to the hike, which would take us to the launch pad.

How do you think Sarah feels? I posted this pic for Peter. This is your adventurous mom!

Here she is, Peter, your mom is superwoman flying through the air.

Here comes Daniel, fast as a bird.

Going on the "Traverse", Daniel shows muscle and balance. We had a blast up there in the trees!

Sarah is doing a great job!

We rested for a bit and had some laughs. We really felt Micah missing on this one--he was the ropes course guy at camp. Someday, Micah, we'll do a sibling thing again when all four of us will be there. We love you! You would have loved it and we know you would have coached us.

Sarah just looks beautiful, so I had to take another picture!

Last of all, we had lunch with Nate, who missed the zipping fun because he was teaching. It was the "last supper" and the good-bye. Sarah is gone now. I love her! I'm so glad for that treasure of being with her and all the amazing experiences we shared. Thank you for coming, Sarah! Thank you for sending her, Dad and John, and thank you, Lord for this gift!!

Now stay tuned....

...For pictures from my next and coming adventure with Daniel!

Day #8--Snorkeling at Sea

A must for all visitors--a boat trip to the island in the bay to snorkel and relax. Daniel looks so happy! I love his smile.

The Becker family, minus Malachi. I love my Nate!

Sarah and Emi connecting...

I love these moments with Daniel. Elijah is watching the brown starfish curling up. I've never seen a brown one before. This was a wonderful day for fish--I saw new ones and tons of them. I missed having Stephen's underwater camera for this one.

This photo is one of my favorites! It was fun collecting the blue starfish for this photo-must!

Do we look like we're in paradise or what?!

Daniel and I opted for the ride on the outriggers on the way to the beach.

Sarah chose a peaceful afternoon of rest and reflection.

Buko--coconut--she's always willing to try something at least once, all except for Balut!

Elijah loves following Uncle Daniel around.

Stephen, I'm sure you'll recognize this shot! Thanks for the idea! What a place, eh?!

Elijah wants a turn to climb the tree like a monkey.

But Daniel is the real monkey! Look at this guy go!

This has got to be his next facebook profile picture. This is almost unreal!

Always wanting to be like Daniel...

How about God's creation--wonderful, Lord! Thank you!

I just love this little guy! My boy, Elijah!

Since you couldn't see us underwater with Stephen's camera, we decided you'd get the idea with this one. What a great day at sea!

Malachi gets left behind on such adventures (still two naps and not so good at not eating sand and saltwater...). He would not be left out of drinking Uncle Daniel's Mango-avocado-banana shake, though!

Well, Day #9 I got pictured out again. It was Sunday, more normal and restful with church, lunch at Coco's, and naps, followed by ultimate frisbee at the park. I did not take one picture, but that's okay.

Time for one more post...Sarah's last day.

Day #7--Market, Shop, Culture, Bike

Friday was another full day of adventures in the Philippines! See Elijah teaching Sarah and Daniel how to get a trike. Their first time in one--we'd been spoiled with taxis.

Smooshed in a trike--I remember Dad going on this and after a few blocks saying, "I get the idea." We all laughed just imagining Dad saying that and being in that same place. Fun to share the same experiences, though at different times.

Sarah looks cute framed by the back of the trike--ready to go to Market day!

Daniel is with Stephen--"I love the market!" He also loves Avocados"

Daniel fits in here--loving to do things the local way, even buying kalamansi (lime thingies) to put in his food.

Fresh fish! You cannot capture the smells and the blood dripping on my foot from this picture!

Daniel is so fun, ready for any adventure. I could see him as a fisherman--at least for one day.

I like this mango lady--I've seen her before. It's fun to meet different people at the market.

CAn you spot Sarah? Doesn't she stand out?! Not hard to get lost here--we let her off to buy a market basket and we did not have trouble finding her again.

The mango lady gave Elijah a free one, so he carried it all around with him like a treasure. Daniel was my muscle man carrying heavy kilos of veggies and fruit.

Rice--the staple food here. The three of us in one picture--I treasure these moments!

Sarah and Daniel tried the Durian--a must for visitors! "It takes like soft onions..."

Do you think Daniel likes the Jackfruit?

Now it's time to try riding a Jeepney! We went shopping at a different place (Trisha, where you got your market bag and pearls--I always think of you there).

If you can believe it, I got pictured out!!! I didn't take pictures after this point for the rest of the day!!! Yikes!

That afternoon we went on a really fun bike ride around the local place--a highlight for both DAniel and Sarah. All of us just wanted to experience it and not take pictures. It is impossible to capture that experience anyway. It was fun to have the four of us biking and the two boys on the bike seats with Daniel and Nate.

Past the river, over the mud and rocks, up hills, past locals calling out "Hey Joe!", and through a cemetery, into a bario, and over the river and through the woods...It was crazy but lovely! Too rich to capture in words or pictures. I guess you'll have to come visit to see for yourself!