Some Hong Kong Scenes

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

The following are some scenes that you expect when you are in Hong Kong, and then there are some scenes you may not expect.  

 Sok Kwu Wan at low tide.  Great seafood restaurants, laid back life, Sok Kwu Wan is a great place to get away from it all on Lamma.

 Hong Kong has some ugly to it.  This is a back alley where a homeless lady lives.

 In contrast the gleaming towers of Hong Kong light up the night.

 Lots of dramatic views from the small mountains that make up much of the Hong Kong territory.

 Abandoned, stray dogs run around in packs in the country parks.  They are surprisingly friendly and there are many good people who feed them regularly on their walks.  Dog owners in Hong Kong often leave their dog at the edge of a country park when they have to move away.  So sad.

 Hong Kong is a great place to see butterflys.

 Space is so hard to come by in Hong Kong.  This is the new campus of my school.  Jammed under two flybys and across the street from a prison.  Typical Hong Kong to jam in schools and other buildings in rather strange unconventional places.

 Bamboo scaffolding in the new gym of my school.  Hopefully in November the gym will be ready to use.

 Romantic Lamma.

 There are many bamboo groves in Hong Kong.  Many get damaged during a typhoon.

 Education is serious business in Hong Kong.  This is located in a library and is common place here.

 These little flags were put up on July 1, anniversary of the Hong Kong transfer from Britain to China, near our home.  The tension between independent movements and China loyalists simmers constantly.

A street scene on Hong Kong island.

Have a great week everyone!  Next week some pics from mainland China!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

A Sweet Day in August

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

On August 5 this past year I was in Tacoma, Washington USA for Elsie's wedding to Josh Mitchel.  It was a wonderful sunny day and I am very happy for Elsie and Josh.  It was an honor to take Elise down the aisle while a group, which included Eli, sang the Lion King's "Circle of Life."  Awesome!  Elsie and Josh had a 1920's theme wedding and most who attended were dressed up in that era's clothing styles.  The wedding took place in the backyard of Josh's parents home.  Several antique displays, an old car, and pictures of Josh and Elsie as children added great flair.  The pastor that married off Josh and Elsie spoke well and I know the happy couple are both committed to letting God reign in their lives and marriage.     

 Elsie and Josh's first dance was a well choreographed delight.


 The new family with Wally.

 It was great to see family members.

 Josh and Elsie.  Four years old.

Thank you Lord for Elsie and Josh.  Bless them, take care of them, may they trust You for everything!

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Chinese Garden

My Dear Great Ones,

Hong Kong has brilliant public gardens.  They are a great rest and inspiration for a weary soul.  I think part of the reason Chinese society has lasted so long is because of their amazing gardens.  Many gardens have walkways and pagodas that make make them interesting and peaceful.  The pictures below are from Lingnan Park located about 15 mins by car from our home.  Ping On!

Life begins the day you start a garden. – Chinese proverb

Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years. – Unknown

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. – Francis Bacon

When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden. – Minnie Aumonier

He who plants a garden, plants happiness. Chinese proverb.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

It's a Little Different in Australia

Aborigine selling boomerangs near the Sydney Opera House.



Hello My Dear Great Ones,
Here are the last pictures from our trip to Australia this summer.  They are a little different, a little quirky, but seeing and experiencing the unexpected always makes a trip great.

 Long shadows.

 An old traveling minstrel.

 Skating outside in Australia?!  Yes!

 A flock of "turkeys."

 Australia's coat of arms.  

 Nasa's Canberra Deep Space Communication Center.  

 Moon rock.

 A cockatoo eating center.  For a fee you can feed them.

 A flea market.  Bring a suitcase full of stuff and sell.

 In Canada dad's and son's play hockey, in America baseball, in Germany soccer, and in Australia: surfing.

 At the side of the road along the Queensland coast there is a tourist attraction that is very interesting.  People have piled up rocks for years creating hundreds of artistic rock piles.

 Beaches are wonderful in Australia.

 Crocodile warnings all over the place.

Manu Skywalk high in the jungles of Queensland.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk