Thanksgiving Hong Kong Style

Thanksgiving was a unique experience this year, foreign country, no family and a balmy 70 degrees. Thanksgiving is not a holiday in China, I hadn't given that much of a thought until I realized Ron had to work and John's school had scheduled parent teacher conferences for that day. I went hiking the hills and then off to the high school to talk to John's teachers.

We participated in a Thanksgiving dinner at our local church building. Turkey with the trimmings was a welcome delight. I couldn't a turkey in my oven, so it was nice that someone else could. About 12 families participated and many wives who's husbands were traveling for work were able to enjoy the large family style dinner with us. It was nice and peaceful.

I did spend some time on my hike reflecting on the things that I am thankful for - and on the top of my list was ....

LIFE, I am so grateful for the life, my life and for the many things that my life has taught me. I am who I am because of my experiences. When I was diagnosed with cancer 9 years ago I had some moments when I thought that my life was over. In fact my life had just begun. Since that day in the fall of 2000 I have looked at things through different eyes. I appreciate all of my friends more, and want to be a better friend. My family is important to me and I am trying create deeper relationships not only with my immediate family but also with my extended family. I desire to be a better daughter of God, to serve Him who has given us a second life though His atonement. My life has a richer, deeper and fuller experience since that fateful day and I am grateful for it.

Next on my list of things was - this beautiful world....

It is amazing to me all the wonders of this world. We are blessed to have eyes to see the wonders of nature. I love the colors, sights and sounds of all I see. Living in China I have the opportunity to see so many things that others only see in books and magazines, I am blessed.

Thanksgiving is more then a American holiday - it should be a way of life. I am going to try to make thanksgiving day everyday by counting my blessings and enjoying the life that I have the opportunity to live.

Happy Thanksgiving

Heidi learns about Hinduism

When I travel to other countries I love to learn about the culture and the people of the place that I am visiting. So, when we were in Bali I wanted to learn about Hinduism. We had our driver take us to the largest Hindu temple on the island. We hired a guide to take us to the temple and teach us about the religion that dominates this small island.

The Mother Temple of Besakih, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih in eastern Bali, is the most important temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali.

We had to buy "temple" clothing to wear on the temple grounds.

The temple spires are an important sign of the temple's architecture.

I loved learning about the culture and spending the day visiting the Hindu temple.

Scenes of Bali

I loved taking pictures and wanted to share with you some of the interesting things I saw on our vacation to Bali. Not many people have the opportunity that we have to see some of the most amazing places in Southeast Asia. I hope you enjoy the scenes of Bali...



Mt. Agong in Northeast Bali, we could see it from our resort - we had excellent views everyday.

Sunrise at the Resort

Mt. Agong on our way to Ubud, Bali

Mother and her two little boys, she was picking peanuts out in a field and they were playing near by, I offered them about $10 USD to take their picture, I am sure that is more then she makes in her hours of working.

Peanut field workers

Peanuts are harvested by hand, each worker has their own umbrella to work under.

Young boys and their sister taking their daily bath in the South Pacific Sea

Village parade to the village temple.

Older Balinese holding his wife's handbag in Ubud village

Small town street

The practice of carrying things on their heads in common, both by men and women

Small village park on the east side of Bali

Rice Terraces in Bali

Rice Fields, Bali

Sunset Tambulen, Bali

Our trip was educational as well as fun!

Scuba Diving Bali

Scuba diving is a hobby of our family, Ron, Heidi, Audrey, Toren, David, Laura, and John all are open water divers. Needless to say that four family members were a little upset when they missed the Bali dives, and you get to see why...

Heidi getting suited up for a morning dive!

The beach is not sandy but black rock - the dive resort hires porters, mostly Bali women, to carry our BCD vest and tanks. They carry them on their heads - it was amazing, some would carry two tanks!
We see some amazing coral formations, so many different kinds and colors.

John is swimming among a school of fish, we did this almost every dive, it is an incredible experience to be in their world

Ron is busy taking pictures, here John and I are at about 60 feet under the sea!

Finding Nemo

This picture was taken on a night dive, can you see the small baby seahorse among the coral?

See the different colors,shapes and sizes of plants and coral.

Dive is over and I am waving goodbye - at least for a few hours.

Heidi and John surface and walk right out to our resort they take about twenty steps to shower off in our private outdoor shower in our courtyard next to our room!

Scuba diving is a great family hobby, so if you plan on coming on a vacation with the Gailey's you better have your diving certification - or we will leave you on the Beach!

Bali or Bust

The last week in October found Ron, John and I in Bali. We opted not to visit Denspar or Nusa Dua the popular resort areas of Bali but to go a stay in the rural northeast area in a small village known as Tulamben. We chose the area for the ease of scuba diving. The diving was right in our backyard, take ten steps from our bungalow and we were in the water.

Our resort in Bali, no real sandy beach but who needs that when you have a view like this
Our room french doors open to our private courtyard, behind the gate, our outdoor shower

This is where we had breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday and $12 USD massages. It was a beautiful place to spend a relaxing week scuba diving and soaking up in the sun.

The Top of MY WORLD

Since moving to Hong Kong I have picked up at new addiction. Hiking - I hike the mountains, the parks and the city. It doesn't matter what I hike as long as I am out feeling the sun on my back, the humidity on my skin and rhythm of my breathing - it is a good day.

In order to do some of my hiking trails I need to leave my apartment and walk down the county park road to the Tai Tam upper Reservoir. This is a picture of the flat walk way that I run around. There is not many flat places to run in Hong Kong so I really appreciate this.


This is a picture of Mt. Butler from the upper Reservoir where I start one of my favorites hikes.



Since I start the hike from my apartment, I am all warmed up by the time I reach the trail head for Mt. Butler. It starts with an impressive 600 steps straight up the "freaking" mountain side.

So with determination I set out to conquer the 600 steps with an attitude of "I am Woman- bring it on!" So, when i hit the 100 step mark my attitude is " You can do it!" Okay by the 200 step mark, my attitude is " What was I thinking!" As I look up, all I can see is more steps, so I tuck in my chin and get my legs going and proceed upward and onward!

Having climb it from the other way - knew the view that was awaiting me. So a change of attitude is required, now at the 300 step mark I am thinking, half way there. Then 400, 500 and I look up and can finally see the steps ahead coming to the top.

And here is the view when I reach the 600th step! That is looking back at the Reservoir from where I started and the next picture is of my apartment complex, see I have to walk down the hill that we are on to get to the reservoir and then back up to get to Mt. Butler.



Views are amazing, it was a little hazing Saturday morning but still I felt like I was on top of the WORLD! I like to rest here and think about the beauties of this world and the amazing adventure that I am experiencing.











Grab your hiking boots, come for a visit & you too can climb to the top of my world!

Stanley's "Public" Amenities

One of my favorite places to go for Lunch is the small neighborhood city of Stanley. It has a wonderful little market and a beach front street where I eat my chicken curry as I people watch. The other day I decided to walk to the other end of town and discovered this cute little quite beach.







One of the things that you can find all over Hong Kong is small patches of beach or hidden hiking trails among the metropolis of the city.


As with any public place in Hong Kong you can find some

wonderful amenities. On my walk back to the main Stanley...



I noticed the public restrooms, which here in Hong Kong are called Washrooms. I noticed a nice little Chinese washroom attendant. He must have been tired because found him sleeping on the Job!

Well I must show you the wonderful public facilities called a "Washroom" This next picture will give new meaning to "PUBLIC TOILET"
Can you say SQUAT!

I will personally make sure that you have a chance to experience this wonderful washroom if you are ever in the area! Oh, it is BYOP, Bring your own PAPER!

What JUNK?

What a piece of JUNK? A junk is a Chinese sailboat design dating from ancient times and still in use today. Junks were originally developed during the Han Dynasty (220 BC–200 AD) and were used as ocean going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They were further evolved in the later dynasties, and were built and used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. They were found, and in lesser numbers are still found, throughout South-east Asia, but primarily in China, perhaps today most famously in Hong Kong. Also, found more broadly, is a growing number of modern recreational junk-rigged sailboats.

Living in Hong Kong and having Ron work for the Coca Cola Company we have the opportunity to spend the day on the "JUNK". It is the modern type of Junk, which is a glorified wooden yacht. It is wonderful and John has a blast jumping from the top deck. The south china sea is warm and inviting on any day - but especially when it is warm and we are floating on the JUNK!





Ready Set JUMP- Bon Voyage

John Hanging Around!




Got AIR!!





The perfect Cannonball!






How is the water, salty and warm!

Nothing beats swimming in the South China Sea. If you come for a visit we will schedule for you to have a piece of the "JUNK"!

Order, Order in my LIFE!

So I took this quiz on facebook the other day, something about colors - and I was a little shocked to see the results: My color is Gold and here is what it said about me:

Values: Loyalty Perfection Honesty
Joys: Time for Family Home Order
Strengths: Organized Consistent Dependable
Needs: Stability Organization Appreciation
Frustrations: Lack of control Disloyalty Inconsistency

"At work you provide stability and can maintain organization. Your ability to handle details and to work hard make you the backbone of many organizations. You believe that work comes before play, even if you must work overtime to complete the job. In love you are serious and tend to have traditional, conservative views of both love and marriage. You want a mate who can work along with you, building a secure, predictable life together. You demonstrate love and affection through the practical things you do for your loved ones. In childhood you wanted to follow the rules and regulations of the school. You understood and respected authority and was comfortable with academic routine. You were the easiest of all types of children to adapt to the educational system. "

I might really believe this quiz!! I am worth my weight in GOLD! LOL

So really there should be no reason why people should be surprised when they open my fridge, it may be tiny but it packs it in!
Keeping it Organized ...Hong Kong Style