Sending off Meg and Eric

Meg and Eric left us, today for the rest of their adventure and I had the pleasure of escorting them to the train.

I really enjoyed getting to know the two of them in their time with us here in Hong Kong and look forward to seeing more of these two at future family events. We hope that they have a great time on the remainder of their trip!


Getting packed up.


Tickets all purchased and ready to go.


Outta' here!

With Meg and Eric at The Big Buddha

Today was a big day with an even bigger Buddha. Meg, Eric and I took the Tung Chung Line out to the new Skyrail and took it up to the Big Buddha statue where we walked around, saw the Buddha relic (which looked like a tooth) and ate our turkey sandwiches in front of the sign that said, "Vegetarian Food Only." We felt bad, but not too bad. That's what hunger does to you.

The weather these past few days have been remarkably clear and we are sad to see Meg and Eric go the day after tomorrow because it seems like the clear air and balmy temps coincide with their presence here. In any case, we've had views of Hong Kong that only happen once or twice a year.

We liked the Buddha, and our tickets included free ice cream so it was a good day. At the end of it, Eric even found a belt at the mall above the MTR subway station and all was well.

We're now getting ready to enjoy a delicious pizza dinner that they are slaving away in our kitchen to prepare. Delish!


Waiting to get on the Skyrail gondola to get to the Big Buddha


Inside the Gondola. We had the car to ourselves and got to truly enjoy the panoramic 360 degree views.


View of the Buddha from the cable car.


Here they are at the top! Big Buddha in the background. Apparently, it's the largest seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha statue in the world. I guess that means that there are larger Buddhas that are outdoor and bronze but not seated, seated and bronze but not outdoors and seated and outdoors but not bronze. Truly exclusive.


Meg enjoys free ice cream while Eric learns more about the Buddha through the helpful brochure.


At the base of the world's largest seated, bronze, outdoor Buddha statue.


Exhausted and on the way home.


Eric trying to look happy for his mother. It's one for the scrap book!


The first of three pizzas that Meg and Eric prepared for us for dinner.


The crew.

Kyoto scenery pics!

See the post below for my earlier post (and photos of Sam and I) in Kyoto. I thought I'd attach some more scenery pics that I took to give an idea of what Kyoto was like.

Kyoto is Japan's ancient imperial capital and was spared bombing during World War II so is rich in ancient architecture. From what we learned, it sounds like the speed of life is set just a notch lower than it is in Tokyo or even Osaka and we enjoyed the very friendly people, very incredible sights and most delicious food.


Our hotel room! This is where we started from and came back to every day. A 7 minute walk from the Main Kyoto Train Station (with a complimentary shuttle bus in case the walk was too long), the "Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto" was our home away from home.


Our first view of women dressed as Geisha (these are either Geisha or Maiko, trainee Geishas) came in the Ponto-Cho district - an area of tea houses and other entertainments which sounds like the seat of Geisha culture. We would frequently see these women walking around and while walking in front of tea houses could see Geisha and parties through the window, serving tea and engaged in conversation. It was stunning to see this element of their culture so readily and alone was worth the ticket to Kyoto.


A view of the Ponto-Cho district from the river (as opposed to the street where the last picture was taken). Many of them face the river and offer delicious views of the water with an al fresco option.


I got one photo that made carrying around my very heavy 200 mm lens worth it. It is this one of a heron (or some other type of bird) in the Nijo Castle garden catching its lunch.


Detail of the eaves of the Shrine for the Protection of Pregnant Ladies and Their Babies (or whatever its title is). This was my favorite shrine because of its quietude and care-worn state.


View of the entrance of the Kiyomizu-Dera temple/shrine complex of which the "Shrine for the Protection of Pregnant Ladies and Their Babies" is a part.


Altar offerings at Kiyomizu-Dera


Sam and I on the front steps of Kiyomizu-Dera.


My girl sitting on a bench at Kiyomizu-Dera.

Kyoto!

This post is a bit late, but over the past long weekend, Sarah and I were in Kyoto where Sam's Granny spent much time and seemed to gain much inspiration. The weather was cool and pleasant and we enjoyed the wonderful sights of temples, shrines, castles and even one tourist shopping arcade. We saw many women in traditional kimono and even caught sight of some geisha in their tea houses.

We took much public transport and ate a ton of ramen noodles. Delicious!

We also did what all in the McLean family have done since time immemorial in Kyoto - we bought a woodblock print as a souvenir of our trip.

We're glad to be back home now and are having a blast with Meg and Eric, but have taken with us many warm memories of Kyoto and a piqued interest in seeing more of Japan.


Here we are on the JR Haruka Limited Express on our way from Kansai Airport in Osaka to Kyoto Main Station. This was the nicest train I have ever been on and it is just the airport train! It's got seats that automatically turn around depending upon the direction you're going in, toilets, payphones, vending machines, an enclosed area with worktop counters for those who need to talk on their phone and work, conductors that bow to customers and the smoothest ride I've ever encountered in a train. Plus, you can eat in them which you can't do in Hong Kong. Very nice.

If you find yourself taking this train, don't forget that in Japan, you need to put your ticket in the turnstile in order to EXIT the station. Don't forget that. We did.


Life moves fast when you're trying to find your way. Even in Kyoto.


Self portrait in the Kyoto subway.

We are less positive on the Kyoto subway/rail system. It's very confusing to us and many of the lines don't seem to link up, making transfers a matter of exiting one station in order to enter another to catch another line.


On a bridge crossing the moat at Nijo Castle. This is a UNESCO heritage site and former home to the Shogun. It's got special floors that are designed to squeak when you walk on them so that the Shogun and his bodyguards would know if someone was trying to sneak up on him to assasinate him. It sounds much like the floor at MacMahan or at my mother's house and they didn't even have to pay extra.


At the shrine for pregnant ladies and babies, or as we read in Chinese, the "An Tie" shrine. No clue how it's said in Japanese. It was very quiet and we couldn't get in, so we took a picture outside. Apparently, pregnant women in Japan travel to worship at this shrine to ensure a healthy pregnancy and child. I guess they were closed that day though there were plenty of people there.

Meg and Eric in Hong Kong!

These past few days, Sam and I have had the pleasure of hosting Eric and Meg here in Hong Kong. They lovely couple have been awfully tolerant of having to sleep on the couch and floor (sorry!) and have been a blast to have in our lives. We've only had them for a few days so far (sadly for us, they must leave on Friday for new adventures) but we've already got some nice pictures as even the Hong Kong smog has lifted in honor of their trip here!


Meg and Eric on the Star Ferry about to pull out for Kowloon.


Meg and Eric at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade with a stunning view of Central and Sheung Wan in the background.


All three of us. This is one for the scrap book, Eric!


At the Kowloon Park aviary where Meg discovered how much she loves birds when she first saw the "Rhinoceros Hornbill."


In step on the way back to the MTR to return to our place.

New Additions to the House!

Christmas and getting married have been good to us. The generosity of family has helped turn our home in Hong Kong into a truly warm home away from the States.


Our bedroom now benefits from a handmade, Roz McLean exclusive quilt and pillow sham set! Together with our paintings from Hanne, we feel like we're snug in Maine looking out our windows at MacMahan!


With our flower holder from Tim and Amy, Sylvia's beautifully matted and framed watercolor cards and Hanne's picture out the view from the front bedroom at MacMahan, the feeling of sleeping while surrounded by family is complete.


The centerpiece of our living room is the painting of Sarah at Potton which turns our apartment into a home. Dick and Dodi's gift of a handwoven afghan helps to warm up the room (and us while we're watching TV!).


Our office area now benefits from two woodblock prints by Sarah's Granny. I'm the lucky one who has these over my desk, but these are clearly in the sightline from the dining table so we enjoy looking at them them while we eat.


Of course, Dodi's afghan isn't the only thing warming up our couch. Sylvia's quilted pillows not only fulfill our need for throw pillows to snuggle with, but warm up the couch with complementary tones. Also, while I may get Granny's woodblock prints above my head, Sarah can take a break from work by looking up at Sylvia's photos which are mounted above her desk.

On top of the bookshelf, you can see the beautiful hand hammered bowl that Patti gave us for Christmas. It awaits guests so we can use it to entertain.

Visit with the VanHovens

Some pictures of the VanHovens with the McLean girls (and friends)





Here are some group shots in front of the VanHovens' home with Kay, John, Jeff, Sylvia, Martha and Brad and associated partners. It's a great looking bunch to be sure!

We had a great visit during which we took over their living room and turned it into a McLean family picnic area. Charlie even made a showing and got some free bacon for his trouble!

Ruston and Sam in China

The Chinese arm of the McLean family (sans Jessie)


Ruston and his 'hawg'

More of the couches and the bedroom

Last couple of the house before moving on...


Here's one from the reverse angle. Shot from the doorway of our bedroom.


Here's one of our bedroom with the brand new spring arm lamps...

couches!

Woohoo! We now have some places to sit in our living room...


1) This one is of our living room. Sam took this by standing on the couch and shooting in towards the dining room table (which has dinner on it).


2) This one is taken from the same spot (next to the door standing on the couch's back) and taken towards our little study / office nook.


3) Here's me at work in our nook. In the photo, you can see our very nifty lamps that are serving as our desk lights.


4) Here's a shot taken from our front door into the house so you can see a larger shot of our living room including the couches, which are in an 'L' configuration.


5) Another shot 'straight in' the door. Our office nook is on the right, the dining table on the left and you can see straight into our bedroom ahead.

More new photos...

The blog only lets you publish 5 photos per post so here are some more...



Here's one of our study nook. Say 'hi', Sam!



A view into our kitchen (same as before since we didn't have to furnish it!)



Here's a shot into our bedroom. You can see our lack of bureaus, but the bed is there! And you can even see our window seat, all our un-put away junk and the foot of our bed.



From the head of the bed looking at our junk.