Wonderful Home Aotearoa

Last night I slept from 7pm to 2.30pm today in my own bed. I knew I was tired but I didn't realise that tired. Dave came and picked Bron and I from the airport yesterday morn. at 10am (a very rude awakening to 8deg after 30deg.) and we went straight to my parents place for a scrummy lunch, where a couple of other friends welcomed us there too. As usual sleep evades us on long flights but that didn't matter because we were on home stretch. The morning of leaving HOLF was very relaxed as I sat in their garden where trees and brightly coloured flowers surrounded me, as I wrote up my journal. Even though it looked ever so idealic from my side, the trucks and buses were constant barrage of noise and belching smoke behind the separated rows of trees and fence. I was able to see the beautiful tiled roof of HOLF and fascinated with its dainty and ornate finishing touches to it. I soaked in every image and feeling of my last day there and thanked God for his wonderful goodness.

This was a trip I had to make, to finally have something tangible I could see , feel and grasp. As I reflect on this whole trip God has woven a wonderful tapestry of the people in my life, the joys, laughter, tears, the pain and struggles but most of all knowing that God is the ultimate designer with a purpose and the exciting thing is that its not finished yet.

Our last full day, the 4 of us went to Lama Island which is a 40min. boat trip to the outer islands where there is no road access. As we pulled into the island we could see it was lined with fishing sam pans and rows of open air seafood restaurants. What a big decision deciding which one to go into. They were all so inviting. We eventually spotted one where there was a spare table in the corner overlooking the water and fishing boats. Of course being the last day of my trip, I had finally got my appetite back and I was looking forward to a big feast. I wasn't disappointed as we munched into scallops with ginger and shallots, crunchy prawns topped with crispy delectables , huge plate of stirfried veges, fish done in soft batter and a bowl of clams which had been briefly coal fired topped with a scrummy sauce. I didn't want to stop eating, it was so yummy. After some time of lots of enjoyment noises we went for a walk round the island - good w/c path until we got to a steep area and we turned back. That was a great day to finish the trip off for me, as it was very traditional chinese to me.

I would like to thank everyone so much for their prayers, love and support and making this trip possible for me. You have been very much part of this journey and God has woven you into this.

Lots of love & blessings xxxx

Misunderstanding!

I made the biggest bloo with you guys - here I am thinking that nobody is reading about my journey because nobody was giving me feedback. I suddenly realise my stupid mistake (too late now) when I had had an inappropriate comment which should not have been on my blog (CFFD & computer stuff was to not be on here), so I asked that person not to put personal messages there. Unfortunately everyone else thought the message was for them as well and I have so missed hearing from you guys, especially when I was sick and so need of comfort from my friends. Sadly now it is my last full day here but I will still update till Mon afternoon before Bron and I leave for the airport.

Auntie Val's celebration for her 80th birthday was such a happy and fun time. She had this most wonderful scrapbook made up of her 48yrs at HOLF and how it all began at Shatin Babies Home. Us girls even managed to get a photo in it and we were treated as honoured guests. The meal was Western cuisine and sooo delicious - melon & pumpkin soup sprinkled with black truffle, salad with prawns, avocado, chunks of aloevera and other interesting goodies. Main course was layered salmon with mushroom, yunan ham accompanied with this yummy sauce and steamed veges. As I had lost my appetite considerably while sick, I was amazed at how much I got down my shrunken tummy.

We are off to the fishing Village today - if I don't get to hear anyone on my last day - thankyou for following me and keeping in touch, but I will give you a rundown of our day tonight.

Bless you heaps xxx

2 Days left

Yesterday was a great day. We hired Raymond the tour guide for the day and got him to drive us to the coast of Stanley and Recluse Bay. This is a popular spot for the expats and wealthy. Houses/apartments are in the millions. This is quite a contrast to Kowloon, where you see rows and rows of high rise apartments - you wonder how anybody can find their place. As we drove towards the south from HOLF, the terrain was very rocky and mountainous hence there was still a lot of lush green areas, as no buildings could be built on it. We drove through a 4km tunnel through the mountain which took 7yrs to build. Raymond was telling us that there will be a railroad built where you can get to Shanghai at 320km an hr in 2hrs. Unbelievable!

We got off at Stanley Markets and bought some beautiful linen and cotton things. There were some lovely Chinese water colour paintings where I bought 4 of them of the 4 seasons. I need to change my lounge wall decor. The Stanley Markets more up market and catered for the tourists but I was very happy with my buys.

Went to Recluse Bay and walked on the beautiful white sanded beach with its clear waters. Apparently 10yrs ago they did a big cleanup with the water, which now makes it very attractive for people to swim in.

Then we headed off to Aberdeen, got onto a ferry which took us to a Jumbo Restaurant fpr dim sum. Yummy food. Visited the eye specialist again for a check up and then Bron and I headed off for the Temple St Markets to complete my gift buying and for myself.

Each morning Linda has spoilt us with fresh cut fruit and yoghurt for breaky to start the day off. This morning we attended one of the children's birthday party and tonight we have been invited to Aunty Val's 80th birthday. This is a special event being held at a function room.

I have enjoyed some wonderful chats with the aunties on my own and I feel so priviledged to have been brought up by them. My trip here has been very fulfilling, very blessed and knowing I couldn't have had a better life.

This afternoon is packing day as tomorrow we will be out all day catching a 40min boat trip to Lama Island. This is a very old fishing village with no road access, but the village is lined with many seafood restaurants. I'm looking forward to seeing a very old part and traditional part of HK.

Looking forward to seeing you back in Auckland Tues. Thankyou all so much for your prayers and love. xxxxx

It was such a joy to join in with the children’s entertainment this morning. A team from Hawaii had come over to minister in song and music. They are travelling for 2wks going into China and ministering to different groups. Just watching the children’s faces broaden with their smile was a real delight and I felt so priviledged to be part of this. It was such a lot of fun.

HOLF has been my sanctuary as I recover from an acute eye problem, which caused much pain and I could not keep my eyes opened. This of course has made it hard to sightsee. However I am definitely on the mend and yesterday we had a great day out. We discovered the most wonderful Italian restaurant for lunch {yes I know what you’re thinking} but all 4 of us were hankering for pasta. Afterwards Linda and I visited the ISS {International Social Services} to see if we could dig out anymore records when we first entered the world. This will take a little while to check though so it will be emailed back to us. Then Bron and I went to see an eye specialist who gave me some drops which is now improving rapidly.

I have so thoroughly enjoyed having Bron join me in this pilgrimage as she’s very much part of my life. Not only has she has also been my backbone and support, it has been great to talk over events and and put things into perspective with this whole process.

Tomorrow we have hired a car and guide to drive us round the coast and sights for 5hrs. We’ll also stop off at Stanley Markets and do a bit of shopping. Yay!

sleep sleep sleep.....

I've never slept so much in my life - 2days straight! Haven't really anything to report, still confined to my room. Bron went into Kowlooon and had a little splurge and she came back with the most delicious platter of melons. Usually if we buy hard rock melon, it is not ripe and tasteless but the hard ones here is delectably sweet and crunchy.

Hoping I will be able to venture out to a teahouse tomorrow for an outing.

Hey by the way can you let me know who you are musicat, you're still a mystery to me - thanks.

Vegging out today

I could not be in a better place to be sick. It seems I may have a bit of pneumonia. Think I overdid it and even though I had had a slight cough before I left, that may have triggered it. Bron, my sister has been wonderful - she has had to take care of Linda too who was not in good shape for the 2nd reunion. At least I didn't get to miss anything. Audrey and Linda are at church with the aunties this morning and I hope to be well enough to go to their chapel meeting tonight at 8pm.

If you can keep us all in prayer please - it would be an absolute disaster if Bron came down with something. I am masking myself so I'm not breathing germs all over the place. I am on antibiotics so it should clear up very quickly. I can't wait to see the children - apparently the aunties sing to them every night so I can't wait to join them.

The hot weather has not bothered me, we keep the fan on, not the airconditioner dries the eyes out and we do not want to acclimatise to it.

This morning we watched out the window these old ladies doing a dance routine talking continuously the whole time. Thats what I find with the Chinese, they are constant talkers.

Oh well I better get to my journal now - have 4days to catch up on. This will have to happen between my many sleeps. My eyes are still scratchy and burning. Catch up soon. xxx

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Reflection Day

Have had no downtime until now. We have arrived safely at Home of Loving Faithfulness in the New Territories where we have been so warmly welcomed by Aunty Val and Aunty Wendy. They are the 2 missionary ladies who brought us up at Shatin Babies Home many moons ago. It is so amazing to be here. Val remembers Linda and I really well. Linda being the cheeky one and me with my round face and smile. It is so homely and we are being spoilt utterly. We join the staff for meal times - yummy food. Linda and I are having a catchup day with jounal writing and blogging, plus I have a cough and infected burning eyes. Bron and Audrey have gone to HongKong Island. Last night Bron took the plunge with millions of others to watch the incredible fireworks on the waterfront {an hour away} while us 3 stayed back and watched it on tv. It was a public holiday for them.

The last 6days have been 7am starts and crawling into bed round 1 am. Arrived on the Sunday morning where we met up with some of our "sisters" that were staying at the same luxurious hotel and had lunch. Afternoon was rest for 2hrs before Bron and I wandered through MongKok City. Others went to the Peak, before meeting up for dinner again.

Monday was our 1st formal day of our "sisters" reunion. What an absolute buzz as we entered into the room. After meeting up with old and new faces we began the session with intros etc. Kirsten Lovelock who started this whole affair 11 yrs ago spoke about her research and ongoing book which hopefully will be published soon. She gave a very humerous speech. After morning tea, the dvd of China Dolls was shown and then many of the girls got up and shared stories. A lot of hilarity. I must include 2 boys had joined us so now it is "little sisters and brothers". Yum Cha lunch was at a very busy restaurant. In the afternoon Bron and I met up with 2 others for a soak in the spa at the hotel until our skin became all shrivelled up. In the evening we all headed off for the MongKok Markets. I find it hard to bargain so Linda and Bron did that for me.

Tuesday was the day I had been waitng for. I had arranged for the Shatin girls to meet with someone at Shatin Babies Home, now called High Rock Christian Camp. Once we got off the MTR, and outside, there in the distance was a building up on a hill. That was my 1st sight of "Home" - my eyes welled up with tears. Once arriving to the bottom of of the only access path leading very steeply to the entrance of the home, the boys took over my wheelcahair and just bulldozed all the way up. At the top, I just took in the whole sight of this now historical building. It was good to know it could never be pulled down. 9Sadly there were many other big orphanages that been pulled down probably because it was too high up on the hill. It looked smaller but we all headed off for the front entrance steps to reproduce photos taken when we were small. Met up with Iris who took us into a very welcomed airconditioned room and was introduced to a man who had lived in the home same time as us. He did not get adopted out and we thought it was because he was a boy, but later on we found out he had been adopted to 2 American families and did not like being there. He had a list of all the children that was in the Home and I found my name. The information showed I was actually born round the 24 Aug, not the 15 Aug. and I was taken to the Kowloon police, not Shatin Police and found in Diamond Hill.. It was worth going there just to find that out. We poured over old photos and ate fresh egg tarts and drank heaps of water. We were then given a tour round the building. Many of the sleeping area had changed but outside the courtyard and facade of building was very much the same. David the one that stayed back was able to relate so much more to us as he was there till 10yrs. Chris Wong had so many memories which I envied, but for me no memories came back. However I knew I had come back home after 46yrs later after screaming the one word in Chinese "aeroplane". I wanted to go home..In a way I don't think it has really sunk into me that I had planted my feet on the very grounds of my childhood.. Iris joined us for a yum cha l and then we headed off to meet again in an hours time for our city sigh tour and dinner harbour cruise. On the boat we watched the Symphony of lights = a colourful city display. Oh yes before that we had an hour at the Temple Markets and then on an open top bus seeing the city sights. What a sad and happy farewell after drinks at 1 am.

I don't know what we would have done without Dave U, {an adoptee} he ended up being our GPS navigator. He just had the knack of direction and where to catch trains etc.

Wednesday was the worldwide reunion which was more conference and information stuff. Listened to speakers from organisations that had to do with adoptions and orphanages. Thursday night we met up with some adopted families expats who had adopted children.

Friday morning Wendy picked up Bron, Linda, Audrey and myself for HOLF which now updates me to now. We need to go for lunch now, the smell is drawing Linda and I there. Bye for now. xxx

Touchdown

Wow can't believe I have touched down in HK finally. Flight was good, no upgrades but managed to stretch out comfortably. Amazing hotel with great view of city. Met up with some of the girls and had lunch. Bron and I went back to our room for catchup sleep before we fought the crowds in the Mong Kok streets. We felt quite like the locals as we joined them in a teahouse watching the world go by. Meeting up for dinner with our excited "sisters". Had a welcome phone call from Wendy at HOLF, where we will be staying after reunion. Its an orphanage for special needs children.

Finally

What to decide to take umm?? Well its about 30deg C in HK, so I guess lots of tops and skirts....
Yes finally packing is done and room to spare for new ones on my return. Its for real now and I look forward to shut my eyes for flight duration and open them in the land of hustle and bustle. Thankyou my friends for your prayers and safe travel. Keep me posted your end too. xxx

Skype is fantastic - it makes you realise how small the world is. Meeting some of the girls in advance on skype from England, USA & Aussie makes it all so real, but I'm amazed at how my thinking pattern is having difficulty transitioning from planning, planning, fundraising, saving and way in the future stuff to tangible Hong Kong.

18 more sleeps

Can't believe this is countdown now. I finish work this week and have 2wks to finalise everything. Not quite sure how I'm feeling at this time - can't say I'm excited yet, if anything more nervous. However I am excited at the prospect that I am traveling with others and not on my own. God is still confirming so at least I know I am on the right track.