June3 - 9, 2013

Monday morning we started off early to meet the Aki's at the temple.  We were to meet them at 8:30 to catch a taxi to the Macqu ferry.  

We met their son, Jonathan, nephew, Joel, Sam, Lea and Sonia their daughter-in-law.  They are here for a week from Hawaii.

We took a mini tour of Macau.  We entered a bus tour from the Venitian Hotel and traveled through the city seeing the A Ma Temple, the Macau Tower, St. Paul's ruins, and Senado Square.  This city is a small Las Vegas.  We learned that in the early days it was the major sea port of this area.  However, when the steamship came into being the harbor was not deep enough and that is when the commerce moved to Hong Kong and Macau became a gambling city.  Our guide told us that gambling is in the Chinese DNA.  There are 35 casinos in Macau and Sonny Ho owns 22 of them.

Rising 338m above ground, this iconic structure is the tallest in Macau offering stunning views of the city.  You can bungi jump from it and walk around on a glass floor.  

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St. Paul's Ruins.  This was once the largest Catholic Church in Asia.  It was destroyed by a fire in 1835 and the remaianing intricately carved facade is the city's most famous landmark.

Another view from the tower.

Our room at the Venitian

Our bath

Sonia and Lea standing in front of a mime in the Grand Hall.

We had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.  

Paul waiting for the shuttle to the ferry

The Venetian Hotel/Casino where we spent the night

It was our first trip to Macau.  The Church has two Branches with two missionary couples and eight missionaries.  

Saturday morning on the way to the temple the train was pretty empty and I think Dad is trying to dry out from the walk to the station.  The humidity is so high here.

A pretty quiet week for us so I am including some pictures of some of our grandkids.  Kimberly and Kory and families went to Island Park to paint the cabin and had a little fun.  

Gage ready to go.

Jos, Gage, Tyler and Mallorie at the pool.

Didn't get any pictures from the Branch this week.  I taught Gospel Doctrine and my Primary class.  There was a District Priesthood meeting at 6:30 pm so I went home with Sister Castleton and Watkins while Paul went off to Wan Chai for the meeting.  

Gage, Tyler, Josh, Katie, Kory

Mallorie and Brayden

Josh, Gage and Tyler