The weather is perfect now, high 60s to low 70s with sunshine and most days the air pollution isn't to bad. It almost makes the last 5 months of sweating seem not so bad as I have been able to be outside most weekends.
I've had first two visitors, my cousin Julie and my friend Mark (former co-worker in Fargo, blackjack dealer). Both stayed with me and I played tour guide.
Julie came to Hong Kong for work, she worked during the day and we played at night and on the weekend. We didn't play the typical tourist but she did experience some of the sites and nuiances of Hong Kong. We attended a wine tasting dinner event which was very nice and she had an opportunity to meet a couple of my friends (Rachel and Cathy). We had a blast and a little too much to drink...
Julie and my friend Rachel , other picture is my friend Cathy's Dad and I (I had a few too many glasses of wine)
We took a train to Shenzhen to do a little shopping and relax with a massage. On Sunday we had brunch with my friends on the floating resturant called Jumbo. It was a lovely day, really great food, and wonderful company. Julie left shortly after brunch and flew to Australia for work.
Brunch at Jumbo
A few days later my friend Mark arrived and I had scheduled 4 days of being tourists. Mark had a few issues with getting to Hong Kong (forgot to pick up his passport at the Toyko airport and almost didn't get on the plane and had a "little" disagreement with the airline "Purser") but thankfully he arrived safely.
We went to Lantau Island and took the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car up to see Big Budda. 
It is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. The statue is named Tian Tan Buddha because its base is a model of the Altar of Heaven or Earthly Mount of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It is one of the five large Buddha statues in China. The Buddha statue sits on a lotus throne on top of a three-platform altar. It is surrounded by eight smaller bronze statues representing gods or immortals. Like the Daibutsu in Kamakura, Japan, the Tian Tan Buddha is an image of Amitabha Buddha.
The Buddha is 34 metres (110 ft) tall, weighs 250 metric tons (280 short tons), and was the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha 
prior to 2007. Visitors have to climb 268 steps in order to reach the Buddha. The Tian Tan Buddha appears serene and dignified. His right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction. His left hand rests on his lap in a gesture of giving dhana. The Buddha faces north, which is unique among the great Buddha statues, as all others face south.
In addition, there are 3 floors beneath the Buddha statue: The Hall of Universe, The Hall of Benevolent Merit, and The Hall of Remembrance. One of the most renowned features inside is a relic of Gautama Buddha, consisting of some of his alleged cremated remains. There is a huge carved bell inscribed with images of Buddhas in the show room. It was designed to ring every seven minutes, 108 times a day, symbolizing the release of 108 kinds of human vexations.
History
The Tian Tan Buddha was constructed beginning in 1990, and was finished on December 29, 1993, the birthday of Gautama Buddha, the historic Buddha. The construction costs of the giant Buddha were estimated to be up to $68 million. It was formed out of 202 separate pieces of bronze. In addition to the exterior components, there is a strong steel framework inside the statue to support the heavy load and wind pressure.
After Budda we stopped at Tai O fishing village. The 4000 residents or Tankas of the Tai O fishing village on Lantau Island live a long life, because they say they are carefree and do not worry about tomorrow. They say they have no worries..."we wake up poor and end the day rich because we go fishing in the morning and sell our catch in the afternoon." Their homes or Pangwus are built above the water on stilts because they are afraid to live on the land. We left as the sun was setting lower in the sky and a fisherman was coming in from his afternoon catch
Next day we did a tour of the New Territories, we visited the Yuen Yuen Institute, a large monastery complex housing the three predominant local religions - Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Then it's out into the countryside, going up to Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's highest mountain peak, which provides inspiring panoramic views. Over the mountain lies a lush valley of orchards and vegetable farms.
We stopped at Bride Pool Falls, Mark almost fell into the water below due to slippery footing but he still took a nice photo (you can't see the back of his pants:))
Mark also experienced the Peak Tram which took us up to the side of the hill to the top to get the best view of Hong Kong at night. I never get tired of the view.
It was wonderful to have both of my visitors travel so far to spend time with me and for them to share my life and experiences while in Hong Kong.
