A Higher view of Hong Kong

Yes there a lots of tall buildings in Hong Kong.  The following information was found on the internet:

"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China has at least 7,840 high-rise buildings, with no fewer than 1,303 skyscrapers standing taller than 100 m (328 ft) and at least 316 buildings over 150 m (492 ft) in height. The tallest of these skyscrapers is the 108-storey International Commerce Centre, completed in 2010, which stands 484 m (1,588 ft) and is the ninth tallest building in the world. The total built-up height (combined heights) of these skyscrapers is approximately 333.8 km (207 mi), making Hong Kong the world's tallest urban agglomeration. Furthermore, reflective of the SAR's high population densities, Hong Kong has more people living at the 15th floor or higher, and more buildings of at least 100 m (328 ft) and 150 m (492 ft) height than any other place in the world."

There is so much to see in Hong Kong and looking up at tall buildings doesn't let you get a good idea of what is really around.  There are several options to get a higher view of Hong Kong so we are posting three that we have been to which are all located on Hong Kong Island.

Hong Kong Observation Wheel (Ferris Wheel)

The Hong Kong Observation wheel is 60 meters (197 Ft) high and provides 20 minutes of unobstructed 360 degree views of one of the world’s most iconic skylines and its stunning harbor.  If you didn’t get that perfect shot first time around, don’t worry, you have two more chances as the gondolas make three rounds in every ride.

Sister Sorensen enjoying the view from the observation wheel.  The white building with the wavy roof in the right window is the Convention Center. 

View at the top of the observation wheel.

This is the ferry dock in Central as seen from the observationa wheel.  The ferry on the right is just coming in from TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) across the harbour.

This is the International Finance Centre 2 seen from the Observation Wheel.

Central Plaza Hong Kong

Built upon reclaimed land in Wan Chai North, the 78-story Central Plaza stands 374 meters tall (1,227 feet).  After dusk, the bright neon rods at the top of the building change color each quarter-hour,  fashioning the city’s most visible and attractive timepiece.  The plaza’s vast lobby is a palatial picture of marble, paintings and real palm trees.  Sky City Church on the 75^th floor is the world’s highest church located inside a skyscraper.  The Observation area is on the 46th floor.

Looking down on the Hong Kong Area Office Building, the red brick building in the center.

Cars are pretty small from this high.

Looking across Victoria Harbour.  If you draw a line between the large cruise ship in the center and the 2 small ships slightly to the right of it then straight across to the other side you would hit our apartment building right on the water front.

With all of the tall buildings so close together where you put a tennis court or a swimming pool?  On the roof of a building of course.

How many buildings are there in this view.

International Finance Centre 2

Soaring 420 meters (1,378 Ft) above the Central waterfront, this commanding landmark is the tallest building on Hong Kong Island, the second-tallest in the city and one of the tallest in the world.      Observation area is on 55^th floor.

Buildings towering into the clouds.  The building just left of center with the lines crossing is the Bank of China Tower.

The first of 2 pictures showing what the buildings in this area of Hong Kong Island looked like years ago.

Second picture 28 years later.

What a difference 94 years has made with most of the changes coming in the last 40 years.

This is how you put over 8 million people in a relatively small area like Hong Kong.

The circle in front of the white building in the center is the Observation Wheel we went on.  The Tallest building is the International Finance Centre 2 building.

At night many of the buildings are lit up but we haven't seen them at night from above. 

Even at ground level the buildings are quite beautiful at night.  This picture was taken next to the bay close to our apartment.

Macau

The Temple is closed for three weeks for maintenance so we are using the time to see more sights around Hong Kong.  The first week we took a trip with three other missionary couples to Macau and spent two days and one night seeing the sights.  Following is some information about Macau.

The first recorded Chinese inhabitants of the area were people seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols during the Southern Song. Under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), fishermen migrated to Macau from Guangdong and Fujian. The Macau native people were Tanka boat people.

Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550s. In 1557, Macau was leased to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999.  Macau is known for its casinos and luxury hotels. Its gaming revenue has been the world's largest since 2006, with the economy heavily dependent on gaming and tourism.  Macau is among the world's richest regions.

We did enjoy seeing someplace new but even with all the money that went into all the glitz and flash of the hotel areas we decided we would much prefer a ride up our mountains at home to enjoy the beauties that God has created instead.

This is a picture of the boat we took to Macau.

On our way.

Other passengers going to Macau.

We tried the local cuisine in Macau for lunch. 

Soup of the day that came with the meal.

Sister Sorensen saying YUM!

We stayed in the circular hotel in the picture, The Hard Rock Hotel.

We got to see the Eiffel Tower.

This was the sight as we entered one of the Hotels.

The center of the pillared dome area in the above picture.

Looking up into the dome.

You could go for a gondola ride, inside a hotel.

Sister Sorensen watching the Gondola coming.  The sky is just painted on the ceiling.

The Roman Coliseum. 

There weren't any Christians being feed to the lions while we were there.

This whole area was brand new and we enjoyed looking around with no crowds.

It was nice to see some truth in advertising when they named this "BABYLON CASINO".

There was even a golden calf.  

It was nice to go to Old Macau away from the casinos.  The Portuguese influence was very apparent in the buildings. 

Elder Sorensen by one of the alleys leading to other buildings.

More Portuguese buildings. 

Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. This wall is all that was left after a fire.

Monte Forte built in the 16th century by the Jesuits and later used as a military base.

Inside the forte with cannons. 

Looking out from the forte over Old Macau.  The large modern buildings in front of the hills in the center background is Mainland China.

Macau's space needle.  You can actually bungee jump off the tower which is one of the highest bungee jumping sights in the world.  No we didn't jump.

Temples in Hong Kong (non LDS)

As we visit different areas in Hong Kong we frequently see temples of other religions.  We have visited several and decided to post some pictures of two of the temples we have visited.  The first one is a Chinese Temple (not sure which religion) and the second one is a Sikh Temple.

 Information on Chinese Temples:  Chinese temples are often comprised of many buildings, halls and shrines. They tend to be situated in the middle of towns and have north-south axises. Large halls, shrines and important temple buildings have traditionally been dominated by tiled roofs, which are usually green or yellow and sit atop eaves decorated with religious figures and good luck symbols. The roofs are often supported on magnificently carved and decorated beams, which in turn are supported by intricately carved stone dragon pillars. Many temples are entered through the left door and exited through the right.

Entering the temple grounds.

Some of the twelve figures representing the Chinese Zodiac

One of the worship areas

Ancestors are very important and gifts were being presented to them

An area for worship and prayer

Women with incense sticks which are burned as part of worshiping

Another building that has religious significance

The following information is on the Sikh faith and their beliefs.

Sikhism was founded in the Punjab region in India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev. Sikhism broke from Hinduism due, in part, to its rejection of the caste system.

The philosophy of Sikhism is covered in great detail in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text. Detailed guidance is given to followers on how to conduct their lives so that peace and salvation can be obtained. The holy text outlines the positive actions that one must take to make progress in the evolution of the person. One must remember the Creator at all times – it reminds the follower that the "soul is, but a part of the whole that is God, who is ever merciful", and that the follower must dedicate their life to all good causes - to help make this life more worthwhile.

It was interesting to learn that the Sikhs believe in the following values (articles of faith?):

1. Equality: All humans are equal before God – no discrimination is allowed on the basis of caste, race, gender, creed, origin, color, education, status, wealth, et cetera. The principles of universal equality and brotherhood are important pillars of Sikhism.
2. Personal right: Every person has a right to life but this right is restricted and has certain duties attached to it – simple living is essential. A Sikh is expected to rise early, meditate and pray, consume simple food, perform an honest day's work, carry out duties for his or her family, enjoy life and always be positive, be charitable and support the needy, et cetera.
3. Actions count: Salvation is obtained by one’s actions – good deeds, remembrance of God – Naam Simran, Kirtan.
4. Living a family life: A Sikh is encouraged to live as part of a family unit to provide and nurture children for the perpetual benefit of creation (as opposed to living as a wild hermit, which was, and remains, a common spiritual practice in India).
5. Sharing: It is encouraged to share and give to charity 10 percent of one’s net earnings.
6. Accept God’s will: One should develop one’s personality so as to recognise the unity behind happy events and miserable events – the will of God causes them.
7. The four fruits of life: Truth, contentment, contemplation and Naam (in the name of God).

They also have prohibited behavior:

1. Non-logical behavior: Superstitions, or rituals which have no meaning, such as pilgrimages, fasting and bathing in rivers, gambling, worship of graves, idols or pictures, and compulsory wearing of the body-veil such as the Islamic Niqab for women, are prohibited.
2. Material obsession: ("Maya") Accumulation of materials has no meaning in Sikhi. Wealth such as gold, portfolio, stocks, commodities, properties, et cetera, will all be left here on Earth when you depart. Do not get attached to them.
3. Sacrifice of creatures: Sati – Widows throwing themselves in the funeral pyre of their husbands, the act of slaughtering lambs and calves to celebrate holy occasions
4. Non-family oriented living: A sikh is encouraged not to live as a recluse, beggar, monk, nun, celibate, or in any similar vein.
5. Worthless talk: Bragging, gossip and lying are not permitted.
6. Intoxication: The consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or other intoxicants is prohibited.
7. No priestly class: Sikhs do not have to depend on a priest for any of the functions that need to be performed.
8. Eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (Kutha meat): Sikhs are strictly prohibited from eating meat killed in a ritualistic manner (such as halal or kosher, known as Kutha meat^[1] ), or any meat where langar is served.^[2] In some small Sikh Sects, i.e. Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Damdami Taksal eating any meat is believed to be forbidden, but this is not a universally held belief.^[3] The meat eaten by Sikhs is known as Jhatka meat.
9. Having premarital or extramarital sexual relations

No Pictures were taken in areas that were prohibited.

This  is a view of part of the Sikh Temple from across the street.

Everyone is welcome to come inside the temple

A view of some of the complex

This is the main worship area.  Before entering we were asked to remove our shoes and socks, wash and hands and feet and cover our heads.

The kitchen area.  Notice how large the cooking pots are.  Anyone who needs food can come to the temple and eat.  Donations are accepted but not required.  Volunteer work is also accepted.

The area missionaries eating during their visit to the temple two days before we went.

The area missionaries had made an appointment before going so were given a lecture on Sikh beliefs while they were there.

When we first arrived this young man saw us and came and asked if he could help.  We told him we were just interested in learning about the temple so he gave us a tour and answered questions.  We found out that he is from Russia and when we asked him where he learned to speak such good English he said, "from the missionaries".  Turns out he is a member of the the church.