Hong Kong Day 3

Today is Sunday in Hong Kong. We had planned to go to Church and running into the Hong Kong Mission President and his wife last night, redirected our plans to attend the English Speaking Branch on Hong Kong Island. Apparently, the one we had planned to attend has been merged with this Branch recently and we would have gone all the way up there to find that church was over.

We took the MTA (Metro Transit Authority) across the harbor.

It was very easy and the passes we had bought at the Airport when we arrived worked great. We got off the Metro and were walking in the direction that we thought we should go when I saw a little boy (11) and his sister (8) walking ahead of us carrying what looked to be scriptures. I said to them, are you going to church? They said yes. I said are you Mormons? They said yes. We said can you show us the church? They both said Yes. They didn't really even slow their stride and kept walking. We asked where their parents were and they told us their Dad was right behind them. Looking back, sure enough, here comes Dad about 25 feet behind them not really paying much attention. Anyway, it got us to where we were going.

Church was very nice. It was the Primary Program so we felt that we saw a glimpse of what we were missing back home. The Branch President was very nice and spent some time talking to us. He asked if we had ever been to the LDS Conference Center in SLC and we both said yes. He said that we were standing in the 2nd most expensive building the church had built after the Conference Center. It really was a very nice building. It looks like an Office building but the inside is beautiful and reminded me of the conference center. The Chapel had stained glass windows and it was very nice. We stayed for the entire block and it was a very nice way to spend the morning. We also found out that next week, they are having District Conference and that it starts an hour later than normal. Good thing we went to this Branch this week or we would have been messed up for both weeks. Before we went to Church we backtracked and found someplace to eat. We were hoping to find something on the way but didn't until after we found the meeting house. This was what I had. Cheese Omlette, tomato(pretty good too) a Ham like meat (I think it was spam) and a Crossiant. I liked it and would go back as it was pretty reasonable.

Also of interest. This building houses the Area Presidency and the District Presidency. I didn't catch who the Area president is but he is one of the Seventy. They have Apts on the 11, 12, and 13th floors of this building.

After Church, we rode the metro back to our Hotel. We decided we would try and find something at the local supermarket but after about an hour of wandering, we finally bought some Dragon Fruit, some Crackers, and some cookies.

The Dragon Fruit is very strange as you can see. When you cut it open, it is white with these little seeds inside. Kind of like a Kiwi but not very much flavor. Fun to try though

Not the best lunch but it worked. After Lunch we went to the Hong Kong Art Museum. It was Ok. Not really my thing but interesting to look around. The admission was only about $1.20 each. What a bargain. They did have some pottery from the different eras of Chinese History and some that dated back over 4000 years old. That was cool.

Next we decided we were going to give a try to some Chinese food. We have been kind of stepping around it so it was time to jump in. We went to Peking Restaurant, (It was given 2 of 3 Stars on Frommers Travel Guide).

I let Stacey order and as you will see, we didn't necessarily know what we would get. It was OK. I would give it a 6 or 7 out of 10. The Vegetables were not my favorite but the rest was pretty good.

After dinner, time to retire. We are both pretty tired tonight and it feels like we have walked a marathon although we really haven't.

I think the hard surfaces everywhere we go really take a toll on your feet. Anyway, that is it for now. Love you all. Rich and Stacey