Happy Halloween from Lamma

As Rob and I were running this morning we met a small Chinese man who said "good morning ladies and gentlemen, happy Halloween." A very fun start to the day. He hardly got our all of his salutations before we had passed him.

We are loving our little Island of Lamma. It is actually the third largest island of Hong Kong. The only motorized cars are called village vehicles or VVs. So it is very peaceful except for the constant bike bell ringing in you ear. We run and swim every morning. Trying to get in shape for our big hike in Nepal. But I think we will still be very unprepared. We are training at sea level and everything will change with altitude. We tried to get India visas since we have a 14 hour layover in Delhi. But we needed our plane ticket and more time so we have decided to just hang out in the airport in Delhi. We will pull out our camping air mattresses, books, chess board, and anything else we can think of.

Two days ago we visited the Big Buddha. Inside the Buddha is a bone relic of Buddha himself. It was very hard to see the actual bone but it was in a beautiful crystal glass. Several Chinese women were praying in front of the relic. And lots of incense was burned (outside). We had lunch in the monistery and then took a cable car back down over beautiful hillsides.

Right now we are in a coffee shop in Lamma. We just finnished a game of chess and Rob has found his first patient of the trip. A nice man from Argentina who helped me win the chess game, who happens to have an ankle problem. We shall see how this turns out.

One of the many lookout points on Lamma.

Drying fish (yes flys are all over it!)

Is it Rob or is it Buddha?

Our view from the Apartment in Lamma. We swim at that beach.

Macau at last

Kim Wilhelm (our wonderful host and friend) and me in Macau

I have finally kicked the jet lag and am on Macau time. Rob seemed to adjust much faster than I. (thanks to the chicken feet he consumed on the 3rd day here) I on the other hand slept the first two evenings away while Rob went out and lost 9 straight games of pool to players from Brazil, China, and Hong Kong. One of these guys is a rigger for the Cirque show here in town.

Now a moment about food. Wow! We have had Dim Sum 2 times and yes at the same place. The first time we enjoyed this amazing feast we had 15 people at our table and a huge lazy susan in the middle so everyone can reach the 15 different types of food. (Rob unaware of the cultural edict put his hands in the peanuts and was scolded.) Dragaon fruit, guava, noodles, of course rice, and various meats of questionable consistency.

In order to get a good idea of the city we thought we should ride the local bus the whole route through. Great a cheap way to do it. However, the route stopped and we were thrown off. Well not the fist time our plan didn't work out. We did make it back on the bus after finding more change and the bus stop.

As of 10 minutes ago we are proud owners of 2 one-way tickets to Kathmandu!!!! Nov. 3rd. Till then we will be enjoying Macau and Hong Kong.

Rob with the birds. Owners bring their birds to the park and hang them on this tree. Good socializing for the birds and thier owners.

"Feel like chicken tonight, like chicken tonight"

Looks like they found a way to make sure the chickens don't run away once they cut their throats. The markets here are FRESH.

San Francisco Day 2

Golden Gate Bridge time. We went on a fabulous bike ride all over the city. Starting at the best coffee shop (blue bottle) and ending at the best Ice-cream shop (bi-rite) in the city. Then we finished off the day at the Karaoke bar.







Biking over the Golden Gate Bridge. (Rob somehow stayed on his bike while taking this video, but just barely)

San Francisco Day 1

Golden Gate Park

Rob and I arrived safely in San Francisco but we had a little problem leaving! After our wonderful time seeing the city and spending the evening with Paula we slept soundly in our bed, little did we know that the rest of the passengers on our flight to China were boarding our plane. The flight was for 1:30. So we arrived at the airport with time to spare (11:00)but we soon encountered problems checking in. Shortly after we realized our 12 hour blunder and quickly called the airline to get another flight. $200 later we have our flight scheduled for 1:30 IN THE MORNING on monday.

So till then we are seeing the lovely city of San Fran with our wonderful friend, guide, and landlord PAULA!!!

Rob freezing and running back to dry land!

Paula and me on Haight Street

Ocean Beach, San Francisco
Now to fully enjoy this video you must know that this water is FREEZING (even by Northern Michigan standards).