I forgot to add one thing that happened at The Peak. After I had looked around at everything, I decided I would treat myself to an Italian gelato. Then I wandered over to a spot for one last look at the view. I stood by a group of tourists who were receiving their information from the tour guide in German. I stayed with them a little while just to hear a language I could somewhat understand. Who would think that I would be standing in China, eating an Italian ice and listening to people speaking German. Small world!
Then I made my way back down into the city. I was trying to capture some of the amazing architecture all around me. I love the building in the third picture. Someone had fun designing it. There were many beautiful fountains everywhere too.
I had a little time before going to pick up my visa, so I decided I wanted to see the area from the harbor perspective. These are all taken at the harbor looking at Kowloon across the way. Once again the misty day didn't make for the best pictures, but at least I got a look at everything from sea level. The center picture is of their big auditorium.
About 2:00 p.m. I went to the visa office to pick up my visa and passport. I didn't think it would take too long, and then I would be on my way to the temple. Imagine my shock when the lady said I owed 1400 Hong Kong dollars (about $200 US) and not 600 HKD. I had only brought 1400 HKD and had already spent about 300. I tried not to panic - remember the part where I said this was going to be another exciting heart-stopping experience. Well this was the heart-stopping part. I located a couple of big banks in the area to see if they would let me use my credit cards. They said they could only do it if I had a passport to show them. I finally found one place that said I could use my Visa card, but then I couldn't remember my pin number. After a couple of hours, I decided to just go over to the Temple Patron Facility, check in and go to the temple. I needed to find someplace where I would feel a little peace. After a temple session, much prayer, and a little sleep, I was guided in finding the money so I could pay for my passport and then pick up the money that Kim had wired to me. I don't think I want that kind of an experience again - much too hard on the body and nerves.
I traveled to Kowloon with the subway. I had no idea where to go when I got to my stop, but imagine my surprise when a woman walked by with a name tag on. (She works in the mission office.) She told me which exit to use and the roads to follow to get to the temple and temple facilities. It was very comforting that the last road was called "Devon." What a coincidence!
This was my first sight of the temple. I must admit I cried a little bit just seeing it there ahead of me. I went inside and checked in and then took my things across the street.
These are pictures of the building across the street from the temple. It houses one chapel facility, the Hong Kong Mission headquarters, a distribution center and the Temple Patron Facility - which is on the left side of the building on the 3rd floor. There are eight rooms with eight beds and a bathroom for each of the rooms, plus a kitchen area. There were only four in my room and five others in other places. Some of the rooms were being used for a new group of missionaries who had just arrived on their missions.
These are pictures of some of the people who were staying there too. I didn't get to know the girl in the white because she came as I was leaving. The three young people at the table were from Mongolia. The two sitting across from each other are married, and woman is the sister to the other young man. All of them filled missions. The brother went to the Washington DC mission, and married couple served in Mongolia. They are wonderful representatives of the church and their country.
Margaret is the name of the young woman in the picture. She is from Beijing too, and could speak wonderful English. It was a joy to get to know her and feel her spirit.
I couldn't visit Hong Kong without getting a picture of a door. It is the entrance into the Graduate Studies of Confucius. Just happened to be on Devon Street.
Last, but definitely not last, some pictures of the temple. It is very beautiful and very peaceful. I wasn't able to do 25 sessions like the German saints, but I was able to do quite a few. Each visit filled me with renewed strength. It was a wonderful way to spend four days.
Thus ended my Hong Kong trip. I have a visa for a little longer - still no work permit, but the people I'm working with say it should happen soon. I want to thank Marne for helping me find the hotel and getting me maps that made getting around much easier, and Kim for doing a lot of running around so she could wire me money. I got back to Beijing at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday night. I must admit it was good to be home.
