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.