Hong Kong. Day 11

Another long, productive day in Hong Kong!

Actually we slept in a little bit. After breakfast, we took the tram / street car to Causeway Bay. It was our first time riding them. Before today I always felt riding the trams was intimidated. How the heck do you get on and off the thing!? It's pretty simple...

Outside of Times Square there were a couple fake tanks to commemorate the anniversary of the Tienanmen Square massacre and to protest China's continued restrictions of free speech and non-democratic rule.

After lunch we got (super cheap) massages at Happy Foot. Then visited Mong Kok's  street market to pick up a couple things.

For dinner, Chris and Sherry were so hospitable to invite us over to eat a home-cooked meal! We really enjoyed catching up with them, and we're excited for their little baby to arrive too!

After dinner, we met up with Willson! who just moved to HK almost a week ago. Best of luck with Altitude! When I get back home, I'll have to start looking for job postings in HK...

Hong Kong. Day 10

It feels so good to be back in Hong Kong!

Yesterday by mid day we arrived in HK. After finding our Airbnb accommodations,  we quickly set out to hit up some of the major touristy stuff.

Victoria Peak
Hong Kong Park
Star Ferry
Tsim Sha Tsui light show
Avenue of Stars
Temple St. Night market
"Dun Dan" egg custard dessert
Mango desserts

Most of our meals have been at very ordinary places because that's just what we enjoy in HK. Like comfort food.

Tokyo. Day 9

Today was our last full day in Japan! We spent most of it hitting the last few areas that we haven't seen yet and doing a lot of shopping (for ourselves and for souvenirs/gifts). We're bringing back some good stuff to share!

At one point, I tried a ramen "burger" from Lotteria (a fast food joint much like Burger King). I'll be honest. It was pretty bad. Between two buns they put a ramen patty, a dab of mayo, and some other really salty sauce. No meat at all. Just a lot of carbs. I'm sorry, but in terms of burgers, America does it better. At least they don't forget the meat.

But their tonkatsu from Maisen in Shibuya (next to Omotesando Hills)....oh my gosh....amazing...heaven in my mouth....gahhhhh!!!

For dinner, our last real meal in Tokyo, was Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki from Nabezo in Shibuya.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Hong Kong.

Tokyo. Day 8

This morning we went out to visit Grace in a quiet little town in the outskirts of Tokyo called Higashi-Kurume. From her apartment, we walked what seemed like just several paces to Christian Academy in Japan, which is where Grace teaches. Most of these students were pk's,  missionaries' kids, or kids whose parents are working in Japan for American companies.

And on their campus is where Kurume Bible Fellowship gathers for Sunday worship. Coming from the States, we hear a lot about how Japan's population is less than 1% (I forget the correct figure) Christian. But it was really awesome to see and worship with this community of brothers and sisters here. It is an amazing thing to think of how far the same Gospel has traveled through time and space to this little town in Japan. I got much respect for those people doing ministry here or being witnesses in their workplaces here. Japan is truly an interesting mission field with its own unique hardships. I thank God for them and for Grace, how she has faithfully served her local church and students. :)

Later on that evening, we hit up Akihabara, the center of Otaku culture. The action figures looked awesome. I really wanted to get something, but I didn't want to spend that much...and there's so much more anime than I personally know or keep up with. Oh well...

Tokyo. Day 7

We spent the entire day with Grace! Ate our second sushi omakase at Kyubei in Ginza. Then Grace was kind enough to show us several good spots for shopping... That's dangerous. For dinner we ate fresh tempura in Shinjuku. Tastes way better than what we get in nyc.

Hakone - Yokohama - Tokyo. Day 6

Early this morning, we went for one last dip in the onsen before eating our traditional Japanese breakfast.

On the way back to Tokyo, we made a stop at Yokohama to visit the ramen museum. Tried a couple different kinds of ramen but there were just too many choices to try all at once.

After we got back to Shinjuku and checked in at our next hotel, we went to Shibuya to see the chaos that is their pedestrian crossing and the shops there.

Hakone. Day 5

This morning we took several different modes of transportation (including a pirate ship) to get to Hakone.

Tonight we're staying in a traditional ryokan. The onsens are amazing! So relaxing! And the traditional dinner was pretty good too. Feeling so relaxed...