Japan Part 1 - Kobe, Kyoto and Hiroshima

Our long awaited trip to Japan finally occurred.  This was the trip that Andy had his heart set on for his family the moment we decided to make Hong Kong our home.  He loves Japan and has spent so much time traveling there that he couldn't wait for the rest of us to experience this amazing country.
And since we waited until our fifth year to do this trip, we got the bonus of visiting great friends, too!!

The Marletts moved to Kobe, Japan in July...which was perfect timing for us...and a great spot to be centrally located:) Kobe is on the same train line as Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima...and we can get there easily by train from Tokyo.  But, while we were excited to see all that Japan had to offer, our main goal the beginning of the week was to spend time with them and see their new life.  We got to Japan on a Friday night, stayed in Tokyo, then left the next morning.  Our room in the Tokyo Hotel was so cool...6 single to double beds all configured in one room, one set being bunk beds.  It was very fun, and we probably would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been so late...getting to sleep around 2am.  Then we were up by 6am because we had to make a train in order to get tickets on the bullet train to Kobe.

And we're off...

Yes, her head may have gotten stuck for a bit

Walking through Tokyo at midnight

We got lost a couple times

Our cool hotel room that fit us all!!!

The bullet train...a definite favorite!

Mt Fuji from the bullet train

Finally crashed

                   

We finally arrived to Kobe around 1pm, and of course Nicole had an amazing Japanese lunch waiting for us when we got there. Then we were able to visit a beautiful herbal gardens that was located on the side of the mountain behind their house.  We took a fun cable car to get there.  Then it was back to the house where the kids swam, had fabulous Miso soup, and finally made it to bed...exhausted and happy.

Kobe

The next day we got to go to their church...which was just as adventurous getting their as it used to be for us before the car. Then from there we traveled to Okayama by train, enjoyed some sightseeing in Kurashiki, and then had dinner at one of Drew and Andy's associates from Gore.  Onosan has been a friend of Andy's for about a decade, and the two of them dreamed of getting our families together one day.  It was hard to believe that dream was reality.  Onosan, his wife and his parents, in Japanese style, prepared a feast for us that blew us away.  Kobe beef, Japanese pizza, Miso soup, beautiful desserts and on and on and on were served with excellence and pride.  And then the fun began...the kids were given sparklers and small fireworks.  They had a ball, as that night turned into one of our favorites:)

We got home very late, as Okayama is a good hour away from Kobe.  The next day the Marlett kids had sports day, which was only a half day.  This was fun because Drew had off and we all went to watch the end of the festivities.  Then we went to a local Japanese restaurant, and finally made it to Kyoto.  Unfortunately we didn't make it to Kyoto until 5pm, so we booked it to the bamboo forest...something we thought was very unique...spent about an hour there...and then went back to Kobe.  I was a little bummed we couldn't have spent longer in Kyoto...having heard so much about it, but it was so important and wonderful that we got to see where Jack, Megan and Sophie went to school, and it just meant that I will have to go back:) When we got back to Kobe we went to a Sushi-go-round restaurant.  Amazingly enough, we all fit in the restaurant, and even more miraculous, Abby ate sushi for the first time and loved it:)

Sarah's foot did not "mind the gap" and therefore her sneaker fell on the tracks

Ice cream to keep us going

The bamboo forest in Kyoto

One of my faves!

All the Marletts and Puffs at a Sushi-go-round

The next day we decided that in order to be more productive and efficient, we left our youngest two with Nicole to do a museum while the rest of us met Onosan and went to Hiroshima.  Again, I really wanted to go to the museum, but with Onosan taking the day off, we didn't think he wanted to do that so we went to Miyajima Island instead.  It wasn't the best weather, but the island was so unique, had an incredible view, and it was something Andy had talked about from his travels to Japan.  We hiked and took cable cars to the top and ate an authentic lunch on the way down. We had a great time spending those few hours with Onosan, and I think he had fun, too.  Then we got back on the ferry to the local train to catch the bullet train.  Onosan left us, and we continued to Himegi Castle, one of the most famous castles in the world.  This was an amazing tour and we all loved it.  We finally got back on the train and made it back to the Marletts for dinner...it was a FULL day.

Miyajima Island

Himeji Castle

We left for Tokyo on Wednesday morning feeling sad that we wouldnt see the Marletts for quite awhile, but we had incredible memories and felt blessed to have seen their new life and experience Asia with them, as well as seen some amazing parts of Japan we would never forget

Where Did September Go?

Wow...the year is already flying by.  We are trying hard to soak it in...and granted, many days seem to be long days, the weeks and months are going too fast.  September was a full month, full of lots of good things. I actually have my calendar out, just so I don't forget to include something important:)

The first weekend I was given the opportunity to go to Hoi An, Vietnam for a long weekend with some very good friends.  These are a group of ladies that I do lunch with once a month.  Each month we try a new restaurant...we have termed our group "Lunch Bunch" Last Spring, when I knew this coming year would be my last in Hong Kong, I brought up going on a weekend getaway.  My friends ran with the idea, and I basically did nothing but pay for my end of the trip, pack and get on the plane.  Besides a little miscommunication about the visa, we had a wonderful time.  Vietnam was beautiful, the rain held off except during our massages, and we ate unbelievably cheap and SOOOO good!!! One day we took a cooking class, we spent time by the ocean and the pool, and spent a lot of time talking.  I'm so grateful for the time to make special memories with these women that I have spent the last four years getting to know. They have been incredibly helpful, have made me laugh and allowed me to see parts of Hong Kong (and now Vietnam) that I wouldn't have on my own.

Emma Rose Puffenberger is finally a teenager.  I still can't believe that I am saying that.  We had a great time having some of her friends over for a birthday swim and dinner...and then just like Emma...they wanted to bake cookies.  Stephanie and Viann have been such sweet friends, and I'm glad that Emma had a memorable celebration. We were even able to have Stephanie's younger sister, Hannah able to come and play with Abby...a win-win:)

Our newest teenager

Emma with Stephanie and Viann

Later that evening, we also got some visitors!!!  Christy, Andy's sister, and Brittany (niece) were able to get away from their lives and stay with us for about 10 days.  We were so excited to have them come see our lives here and show them around this beautiful city that we have grown to love.  I feel like we packed it in...the Peak, Sai Kung, Stanley, Ladies Market, Jade Market, TST for dinner, Mid-Autumn Festival in Tai Po, Central elevators, Cloudy Hill hike, Big Buddha and Ngong Ping...as well as showing them our church and the kids school.  It was a FULL visit.  But I think they had a blast.  They certainly had beautiful weather, which was a huge blessing since it was supposed to rain.  My favorite part was just spending time with these two.  Having known Christy for over 20 years, and Brittany her whole life, we have never spent this much time together...it was such a gift:)

Love this...Brit skyping her dad and friends from the Peak

Brittany loved The Peak

On our way to Big Buddha

Korean BBQ

Adult dinner in East TST

Long Awaited Guests

I'm not sure that I even allowed myself to dream of the possibility...but that's the God we serve, God of the unimaginable.

When we left for Hong Kong four years ago, there was one major hurdle that we had to get past in order to go with peace...leaving our dear friends, the Marlett Family. Our paths crossed years before and we had been neighbors for years as our children became the best of friends.  But what bonded our families together was their special little girl, Lucy, and the major health concerns that she had...which brought on special needs for the family. We had been privileged to walk with them through their very difficult journey, and by God's grace, were even able to come back to the States in February 2014 to say goodbye to Lucy.

All the Marletts and Puffs...or the Puffletts:)

Waiting for pizza at the Peak

I remember having a conversation four years ago with Emma about the Marletts coming to visit.  In fact, it was a common conversation with Emma..."Wouldn't it be great if the Marletts could see where we live...if MEGAN could see where I go to school?" Of course, when we left at the onset, I couldn't even have dreamed of what would transpire in the next couple years.

Fast forward and the Marletts have moved to Asia!!

Drew works for the same company as Andy, and last spring they were asked to move to Japan.  So this summer, after putting their house up for sale, they moved to Kobe, Japan...which, of course, is a lot closer to Hong Kong:)

So after being on the ground for 48 hours, back from our summer in the States, the Marletts arrived in Hong Kong...and we were beside ourselves with excitement and disbelief.

We had a fantastic time showing them the popular attractions...The Peak, Star Ferry and Stanley...but it was also great to just be with them and show them our lives.  The kids got to show them their school and they went to church with us on Sunday. They met some of our friends, rode the train, and we did a great job of cramming in our car...yes, all 13 of us...maybe slightly illegal.

Stanley after church

My taxi buddies

Piled in the car

It was so so good to be able to share with them our lives in HK...it is such a gift to us when our friends have a deeper understanding of our time here.  They had only been in Japan for three weeks, but they needed some time away, so the visit blessed them as well.

The boys

The cabooses

Twinsies

Just like old times...typhoon day:)

Making guac!!

Now we are leaving in less than a week to see their home as we travel to Japan as a family...looking forward to reciprocating the gift:)

Landing For our Fifth and Final Year

If you would have told me four years ago that we were embarking on a FIVE year journey, I would have turned around and said, "No way!" But that's how God works.  He only shares with you what He determines you need to know, nothing more.  I think that is part of His compassionate character.  He knew that if I would have known it would have been five years, I would have said "no" and missed out on a crucial part of our family's lives.

As we return to Hong Kong after our last expat summer...exhausted and ready for stability and routine...we come back with mixed emotions. We have grown to love it here in HK.  It has become our home and we all have done significant growing in all aspects of our lives here.  We are changed.  I think we all have come to conclusion that our home in PA has changed, as well.  We have spent enough time during the summer to realize that people move on and change, as well. It is good. None of this is unexpected.  So as we prepare for the time following this year, our biggest challenge is to enjoy this year...take each day and soak it in.  It will be a year of "lasts" for us, and I'm sure I will always wonder, "Is this the last time I will do..., or be here?" But even though there has been some sadness that has seeped into my soul, it has also given me pause to open my eyes to this place...this amazing place that is rarely boring and so different than what I used to know.  It has challenged me in so many different ways and has offered our family a new realm of thinking and feeling and relating.  I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and would encourage and challenge anyone, if given the chance, to live abroad.

Ran into our friend, Caitlin, at Newark Airport!

Landing in HK is always an interesting experience.  The contrast to our homes is just so vast, that I can't help but be blown away by the differences every time we land. This year I came with the kids by myself...which I have only done one other time.  And like I have told others...it's not traveling with five children by myself that is the hard part...its transporting all of the stuff. And this year was no exception...collecting 11 huge bags and boxes(each 69llbs) from check-in, making sure I kept track of five kids and their passports, and that they each had the 10 carry-ons we brought with us.  And this year was a bit more stressful than normal just getting to HK...the "ever so pleasant" attitude of Newark TSA, the rude United Club attendants, and the 2 hours of sitting at the gate after the 3 hour delay that was already planned because of the typhoon. So it was more than relief when we finally got through customs after waiting an hour for all of our check-ins, and saw Andy and Kendy, our taxi driver, waiting for us.

We didn't arrive home until after 2am.  This didn't make as much of a  difference to us...when we get back we are all messed up.  Our children slept great on the plane..Sarah about 3-4 hours,  Josh, Grace and Abby about 5-6 hours...but the winner in this category was clearly Emma...I kid you not...11 hours of sleeping on the plane!!  I even got more than I am used to at about 3 hours.  So when we landed, it could have been the middle of the day.  This is great when we need to be unpacking, but it does not help when trying to get over jet lag.  That being said, we powered through the jet lag and prepared for school.  This process was expedited a bit because we were about to have some long awaited guests....To Be Continued:)