The Rest of My Parents' Trip

My parents got very familiar with the subway while they were here. Can you spot my dad?
Jadyn is pretty good at hurrying in and saving seats on the train. Usually Grandma was the lucky recipient of the extra seat if Jade was able to snag one.

Tuesday: Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui (TST)

Big Bus Tour of Hong Kong Island.
What a great building to put on the tour route! (That's the LDS church building we attend.)
Crossing Victoria Harbor on the Star Ferry.
TST Waterfront.
Avenue of the Stars: Bruce Lee.
There was no prompting in either of the below poses.
Temple Street Night Market.
Dinner at Temple Street Spicy Crabs.


Wednesday: Shatin

Hong Kong LDS Temple. I absolutely loved going to the temple with my parents! We had such a special experience sitting in the Celestial room together. I am so thrilled to know that if we are righteous and keep our covenants, we will be together forever as a family.
I really wanted a picture of the three of us, so I asked the first passerby we saw to take one. I pointed to the building I wanted in the picture, but I was doubtful of his understanding. Sure enough, this is the photo we received. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

10,000 Buddhas Monastery.
Last week my dad said he has seen enough Buddhas to last a lifetime. Not sure why he thinks that?

This little trek about killed us. It was hot and humid and there are about 10,000 stairs to go along with the 10,000 buddhas.

Hanging Duck. We decided to get takeout for dinner. Nothing like a genuine Chinese meal.
Although I know Cody will object to me saying this, you may want to pass on the hanging duck when you come for a visit. Let's just say some of us (*cough* DAD *cough*) had Montezuma's revenge after eating it. Simply put:

Hanging Duck = là dùzi (辣肚子)
là dùzi + Squatter = Authentic Chinese Experience

Some of you will get my drift.

Thursday: Lantau

Ngong Ping 360 gondola to Tian Tan Buddha.
Tian Tan Buddha.
268 steps leading to the world's largest outdoor bronze statue...
...the Giant Buddha.
Po Lin Monastery.

No pictures, but this night we had dinner at Din Tai Fung, a world famous, Michelin rated, Taiwanese dumpling restaurant (most famous for their delicious xiaolongbao--small steamed soup dumplings). I have been craving the spicy dumplings my dad ordered ever since! When I was pregnant with Jade, I remember craving KFC mashed potatoes and biscuits. What a difference!

TST Light Show.

Friday: Lamma Island and The Peak

Lamma Island.



We happened onto this beautiful, secluded beach. It was awful steamy that day, so we were all wishing we had brought swimming gear. Pretty sure we'll be revisiting this place in the future!

The Peak.


My parents left late Friday evening. My dad, with his beautiful voice, sang Jadyn to sleep that night as my mom and I sat by listening. The moment was so tender I may have shed a couple tears. I absolutely loved every minute they were here. It was so fun to show them where and how we live, but even more, it was touching to see how much Jadyn latched on to them. They talk every week on skype, so she of course knows them, but I wondered how she would be in person. She adored them, to say the least. Even now she still talks about them all the time and is anxiously awaiting our trip to Utah in July. Thank you Mom and Dad for coming! It means so much to me that you would come all that way to see us. We love you so much!