After a night of 45 minutes of sleep for me, Tony about 4 1/2 I had a frantic morning of trying to get ready to go to the airport. Getting ready for Joe to stay at our house for two weeks, I was running around trying to make things seem perfect. Emily came to take us to the airport and I put her to work watering the plants. Finally took off for the airport, thank you so much Emily for waking up so early to deliver us there on time and we apologize for the craziness. Once dropped off at the airport I was very emotional. A member of our church family(Kathy Carnahou) delivered a card to the airport, an airport official delivered it to our gate. It was a lovely card wishing us well in our travels, inside the card was a beautiful hand embroidered handkerchief with flowers. Kathy, thank you so much, it was such a sweet, thoughtful gesture and gift that touched our hearts. It comforted me and I started getting my act together emotionally.---S (Emily and Jill, thank you so much for helping us pack and get our paperwork organized, you two are great and we appreciate it)

We got on the plane in Chicago at 12:20 PM on Saturday and arrived at 5:00 PM in Hong Kong, Sunday. Three meals (Nice Asian Entrees), five movies, couple of naps and 16 hours later we're here. I had no idea that our trip was to take us North over Hudson Bay, then the North Pole and straight south over Siberia. I didn't plan on looking at icebergs for most of the flight. We've already gone to our first restaurant and ordered something neither of us could read (still Sushi) pronounce or had heard of, enjoyed that - good start. Great Hotel, our room has a great view of the river and city! We added a shot of the lobby and view from our room. Tomorrow we meet other families in our group and go on a tour of Hong Kong. ---AK