tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39035587228177676812024-02-08T04:33:52.373+08:00Wardles In TaiwanGranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-31746807035546368892011-01-07T22:28:00.007+08:002011-01-08T08:21:05.093+08:00Back on the Blog....Wow. The blog has been kind of dry for awhile, so I'll try to get back to it. While this year has been going wonderfully, there is not the newness of last year and in some way it's felt like there is less to say since we've told most people about our adventure. That said, I will try to update you about our lives and get you up to speed on how the first half of the year has gone.....that's right. It's already half over.<br /><br />First, in general, things are similar this year, but better. While the newness is gone, the freedom of familiarity has taken over. We seem to have less stress with discovering how to do things and this has allowed us to be a bit more adventurous in our explorations. We can find just about any place we need to in Kaohsiung just by looking at a map and are now quite adept at hopping on the MRT and heading into the city.<br /><br />For me (Grant), my year is much less stressful in terms of preparation work (although I always want to try new things and this tends to suck up a lot of extra time). Having taught and basically organized it all last year, I'm really enjoying going through it again feeling I really know what I'm talking about, having already once investigated the questions that caught me off guard. This has given me more time to teach more effectively and to take on a few more things. I'm coaching more, leading a weekly chapel worship team, and probably most significantly, I'm putting together the yearbook for the school (along with a team of trusty students), which has forced me to finally spend a lot of time with photoshop, something I've wanted to do for a long time but never found the time. I'm also playing on a worship team at church and leading kids worship on the weeks I don't play in the main service. As well, I'm helping with an English club/bible study at the local university and am getting to know some students from around the world.<br /><br />Janice is still working in the library but has branched out as well. She's leading a weekly English class and bible study with a group of women in town, tutors English with a college student and just recently, has started to write assessments for an English language proficiency organization. She also teaches Sunday school at our church. If that wasn't enough, she also heads to town occasionally to lead an English class for a group of students at a cram school. I'm not sure who is busier but we're both really enjoying the new adventures.<br /><br />Isaac is really enjoying his year. Although he is in grade 10, he chose to stay and do class with the current grade 9 group, because he really felt close to the kids in that class and it didn't seem to make sense to make 3 transitions in 3 years (here, Taiching (boarding school) and then back home). He's taking classes with that group when there is new material to be learned, but is also doing online math from Canada, Planning 10 online and preparing for the English and Science finals when we get back in June. He's also turning into quite an athlete. He was MVP of his soccer team, is playing first string in basketball, will hopefully be my star hitter once volleyball season starts and is poised to set the alltime school record for the mile. He's also active in worship bands both at school and at youth and gets taller every day.<br /><br />Makena is loving middle school. She's also on the worship team and also has a number of roles in our upcoming school play. She's hoping to take voice lessons in the near future (I've just been informed she starts next week) and is also doing a lot of babysitting. She's amazing with the little kids and does a great job taking care of them.<br /><br />Probably the biggest new thing is that we're coming home for good at the end of the year. This was a tough decision for us. There are many things we like about Taiwan. The school is amazing and I'm really loving teaching science full time. Of course the weather is great....summer all year (although it seems freezing right now) but the trade off to that is the smog.....super bad pollution. Another thing we love about living here is that, despite the fact that we make missionary wages, there seems to be so much less financial pressure here. We seem to always have the money to buy stuff the kids need or go grab lunch. Maybe there's not the commercialism (or any we can understand) and of course, being a home owner is a money pit and we're not doing that (we sold our house by the way, in case you didn't hear....we'll buy again when we get home) and living on cash just seems to be an easier way to do things. Maybe we'll have to try to take some of that mentality home with us.<br /><br />On the coming home side, we're all on board with the decision. Dad needs looking after (it's a really long drive for my sister Kelly to come out) and misses us (though I'm not sure how much he's remembering these days). Also, I'm on a leave but that would not be extended beyond 2 years so if we stayed, I would not have a job to come back to.....at this point, I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing at MEI. Hopefully that will be sorted out in the next few months. We also felt it would be best for Isaac to graduate from MEI and really have to do it this year in order for that to happen. Finally, we do miss our country and our family and friends and hope they'll be excited to see us. I also feel a daily longing for clean air, mountains and my kayak.<br /><br />Anyway, that's an update. I will post about Christmas and our awesome visit from the Chapmans soon.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-65001830891115374622010-09-30T22:53:00.001+08:002010-09-30T22:53:24.661+08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4NTg1ODM1NDE4MCZwdD*xMjg1ODU4Mzk1MTA3JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*/NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2F26th%2520Anniversary%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/26th%20Anniversary/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-21617066286411318392010-08-17T22:13:00.006+08:002010-09-30T22:31:51.491+08:0026th AnniversaryA certain very hot place is getting lots of new roads as I "intend" to post fairly often. We're coming up to October break (first day of holidays) and I've been pitifully bad, but going to get better.<br /><br />The one other major event that I failed to write about previously, which actually occurs before Penghu, is our 26th anniversary weekend getaway to Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's most popular and beloved tourist attraction. It's Taiwan's largest body of fresh water, and apparently is actually 2 joined lakes, one which looks like the moon and the other like......YES the Sun. Looked like one big lake to me though, especially when we rode 35 km around it, but more of that later.<br /><br />We debated, before going, whether to book something or just go and hope to find something. We decided to be adventurous, and it paid off. We walked into a cute little place (Taiwan cute which is very different from BC cute), and they offered us a lakeview room with breakfast for 2800 NT (about 90 bucks) but then knocked it down to 2200 for not apparent reason, because we'd already said we'd take it. It was small but super nice and was on the 8th floor looking over the lake and the night promenade lighted walk thingy.<br /><br />We walked around a bit and got our bearings and then decided to go for a little bike ride.....now comes that music where you know something unplanned is going to happen. We rented bikes (went for the good ones, at 200 NT (6 bucks) instead of the cheapies, because we knew the lake was 35 km around and who knew how far we were going to go.<br /><br />Now, two things about the road. First, there are about 10 temples around the lake and huge tour busses go round and round the lake taking interested visitors to each one. Fair enough as long as your little mountain bike doesn't get squashed by said huge bus. The second thing, however, is that, in order to be closer to the gods, the temples are all at the tops of hills, but the drive is a lakeshore drive, so the nice little road around the lake is an up and down grind like you've never seen. The third thing, even though I only said 2, is that Janice has a phobia about back tracking, so, no matter how tired we were after 10 km of hills, there was no way we were going to turn around.....we were going the whole way around.<br /><br />One interesting detour we took was about halfway around. There is an aboriginal village on the other side of the lake from where we were staying, which we were going to take a boat to the next day. It was quite nice and the scenery was beautiful, but more than that, it had a huge gondola....that's right, I said gondola. Apparently, there's another aboriginal village and theme park (roller coasters etc) on the other side of this mountain, so they built a skyride to help get you there. The gondolas are brand new and remind me of the new peak to peak gondolas at Whistler, but maybe without the Canadian Safety Inspection stickers. But, we're in God's hands here so we jumped on for the ride. Holy smokes, it was super high. This one valley we went across was about 2/3 the peak to peak distance and pretty much as high but truly beautiful (and Janice would agree if she'd opened her eyes).<br /><br />We were pretty well rested by the time we got back from the ride (we only took it over and back. We're saving the amusement park for when the Chapmans come) and then continued around the lake.<br /><br />The one part we were really looking forward to getting to was this no cars, paved bike trail which was about 5 km long and apparently pretty nice. What it was in fact, was 5 km of stairs (up and down) and a dead end, with no apparent route out. As we looked around in desperation and exhaustion, we came across the one thing we had both hoped we might find....a group of teenaged olympic canoeists at a ramshackle training camp. The bad news was that they spoke no English. The good news was that, having fingers like us, they were able to point us towards town. Funny how the gesture for "that way" is the same in many languages....it's not, however, in German, but that's a story for another day.<br /><br />We finally got back to the bike shop, tired but feeling accomplished, and after looking through the shop owner's photo album of his trip to Vancouver, we headed out to find some dinner. We adventurously tried a local Chinese place and it was fine, though not totally recognizable.<br /><br />The next morning (sorry, not evening details) we went for the included breakfast and found the traditional Congee (rice porridge) with various pickled things and shredded spicy meat stuff, so turned around and ran for Starbucks. We then bought tickets for the tour boats that run on the lake (dozens of big, diesel boats that carry about 100 people each) and toured around for a bit, stopping longest back at the aboriginal village we had been to the day before. It was really pretty and had some really cool floating gardens, but there was also a bit of an obsession with carvings of male genitalia, some as big as lawn mowers (why lawnmowers???) I'm sure Karen will be anxious to see that....from a strictly medical perspective of course.<br /><br />That was pretty much it. We had a great drive home and it was a perfect anniversary.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-37584188727898599762010-08-16T21:50:00.002+08:002010-08-16T21:51:14.522+08:00Trip to Penghu, June 2010<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4MTk2NjU4NTc4NSZwdD*xMjgxOTY2NjEzNDQ2JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*/NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FPenghu%25202010%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Penghu%202010/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-80562578918412238902010-08-16T20:40:00.009+08:002010-08-17T22:13:14.816+08:00Start of Summer at PenghuOkay, so technically, we're back and have started the first day of school. I'm not sure what happened to summer, and my good intentions to catch up with the blog, but here I go. We'll back up to the end of school and try to catch up, now that I'm busy again.<br /><br />School ended on the 4th of June. We were sad to see some friends leave and head back to the states, but I guess it's par for the course in missions. So, after a few days of organizing my class and thinking about packing for home, we headed off to Penghu, a group of islands off the west coast of Taiwan. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lonely Planet</span> pegs it as pretty desolate but it's really quite the opposite. I had visited it earlier in the year with a bunch of science teachers from around Taiwan and thought it was a very interesting place to check out in more detail. Of course, when it's your idea, you always hope the rest of the family will agree. Fortunately, the verdict was unanimously thumbs up.<br /><br />The options for getting to Penghu are plane or ferry. Seeing as how the ferry is about half the price, we opted for that. One thing Penghu is known for is super high winds in the winter, making ferry travel nearly impossible. For that reason, summer is the best time to go. Unfortunately, someone forgot to inform the weather that it was actually summer on the day we traveled, because the water was super rough, causing almost everyone on board to sit with their heads between their knees puking. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAWmFmef6kwQe51JHcF2lMkiCnPRL8aL4P5UOM_U0HX8GQOCwSEDPoN9Zlysb9dGbK-_2cs3Ln5DD3QtQ8_wZlShogFG3gpfhqTwN1uh-9wdLpz7M5HiyuwINXlaLNFMyJNWaZant3TzE/s1600/P6060257.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAWmFmef6kwQe51JHcF2lMkiCnPRL8aL4P5UOM_U0HX8GQOCwSEDPoN9Zlysb9dGbK-_2cs3Ln5DD3QtQ8_wZlShogFG3gpfhqTwN1uh-9wdLpz7M5HiyuwINXlaLNFMyJNWaZant3TzE/s320/P6060257.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506008797559866834" /></a>Fortunately the Wardle constitution is a little tougher than that and Makena and I spend most of the trip out on deck laughing and getting sprayed. Janice and Isaac did quite well too, but much further and they weren't far away from joining the baggie users. The ferry was well equipped though, with plastic bags (unfortunately clear) within reach of all seats (about 200 in all).<br /><br />We had tracked down a bed and breakfast <a href="http://home.pchome.com.tw/travel/jan_hou/english.html">online</a> and were pleasantly surprised to find that the couple that ran it, despite being Taiwanese, spoke excellent English, a result of doing graduate degrees in the States. The lady picked us up at the ferry and took us back to the B and B, which was located about 20 minutes from the only town of any size on Penghu. It place itself was located in a little fishing village next to a tiny harbour, still in daily use by fishermen. The owner is an avid windsurfer and it's the main reason they have it. During the winter, when many people head to the city to escape the winds, wind surfers and kite boarders from all over the world come to this place to sample some of the best wind surfing in the world.<br /><br />That, however, was not our goal. Penghu is made up of 4 main islands, linked by bridges and then about 7o other surrounding islands, which you need to take a boat to access. Our plan was to rent scooters and explore the main islands. Penghu has spectacular geology, some very decent beaches, dozens of tiny fishing villages and quiet roads to ride along. It's about an hour from one end to the other.<br /><br />We spent 4 days there, mostly bombing around on scooters, exploring. We didn't spend a ton of time in the "city," where all the restaurants are, but relied fairly heavily on good ole 7-11. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7FC09W9WsP6lkRHz7R7b37BfOK-5JcyBJEobfV6kTFQ9k8i65zA6J-gomDtIlDL-OrJ0M8r_9IgKFEeTJiszx7ryR4YSqHR-5b6NFKEHgkYCEp_RtXTO9wnkBGqWoxzUPdzLsn9gy3VX/s1600/P6060273.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7FC09W9WsP6lkRHz7R7b37BfOK-5JcyBJEobfV6kTFQ9k8i65zA6J-gomDtIlDL-OrJ0M8r_9IgKFEeTJiszx7ryR4YSqHR-5b6NFKEHgkYCEp_RtXTO9wnkBGqWoxzUPdzLsn9gy3VX/s320/P6060273.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506008147910280210" /></a> If we haven't mentioned it before, 7-11 is not what you see in North America. First, there's the distinct smell of tea eggs (and other tofuesque, stinky snacks). Second, you can and do pay everything there from parking fees to phone bills, to automobile registration. Thirdly, and bestly, you can get quite decent food there, really cheap. Great salads, pasta (yes, they microwave it), rice wraps, and it's all quite cheap, so it's always a good option on an outing, or if you can't decide which mystery restaurant to eat at.<br /><br />Among the best things we did at Penghu were:<br />a) visiting a temple which had a stunning coral grotto with huge sea turtles in the basement<br />b) hanging out at 2 stellar and virtually deserted beaches<br />c) eating not once but twice at a pizza parlour/surf shop that could be right out of California <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhc5YAS2jnLtQMjYuhnDvRv3ubVctAUSTGKRuNvRN_pRuLtiYvXBtlTh69XzO_l5dULGWmwg3pTBAmycOxooZWWUO7OncugQ0b8eFj36Xpgb6y_nzbtRLa3NGUeg3vLwSrmwx2bN-Qg3n/s1600/P6060299.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhc5YAS2jnLtQMjYuhnDvRv3ubVctAUSTGKRuNvRN_pRuLtiYvXBtlTh69XzO_l5dULGWmwg3pTBAmycOxooZWWUO7OncugQ0b8eFj36Xpgb6y_nzbtRLa3NGUeg3vLwSrmwx2bN-Qg3n/s320/P6060299.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506008503888720130" /></a><br />d) getting a photo of Janice and I with a cute Greek looking village in the background (in case we never get there)<br />e) finding Einstein park (who'd 'a thought)<br />f) walking around Magong at night, and discovering the rainbow bridge.<br /><br />Actually, the trip to the city bears mentioning in more detail. After a day of scootering all over the island, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEthHka4HtPzynnE1vhecBYYu-ahhrux85Qzhogd5fd9t8FlrhzIOGOQIvaRA3A0A3bNNVcKYYxdZaoqjnPZ7jspsJs14XZ_KXngaKshYhqFFREL_YJmtKBu-ojhCXAozzoLoAKmRr6XC/s1600/P6080418.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEthHka4HtPzynnE1vhecBYYu-ahhrux85Qzhogd5fd9t8FlrhzIOGOQIvaRA3A0A3bNNVcKYYxdZaoqjnPZ7jspsJs14XZ_KXngaKshYhqFFREL_YJmtKBu-ojhCXAozzoLoAKmRr6XC/s320/P6080418.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506009152442175218" /></a>we hit the main town around supper time and found a really cool, Italian restaurant (recommended by our hosts). By the time we got out, though, it was getting dark and we weren't really sure how to get out of town. We decided to venture down to the water, as we were there anyway, and found it to be a really pretty town with a huge saltwater, natural pool where many locals come to swim, lots of cool shops, and the rainbow bridge, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnzBkohx8Dwl4l2QnwGiKTeU08aR5i4hmUnLn8FJWMLbxXzoh4tT3eaprs_3KAoOJeWc5zaYugf3Y0fj8alhfixLkskfZVN1a123Nk9V2doqzxhmMh1Y2txttrnPsbntHGpiFThZtAslw/s1600/P6070398.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnzBkohx8Dwl4l2QnwGiKTeU08aR5i4hmUnLn8FJWMLbxXzoh4tT3eaprs_3KAoOJeWc5zaYugf3Y0fj8alhfixLkskfZVN1a123Nk9V2doqzxhmMh1Y2txttrnPsbntHGpiFThZtAslw/s320/P6070398.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506009669793340258" /></a>a walking bridge with spectacular lights at night. Getting out of town was rather interesting though. Janice doesn't like driving in town at the best of times, but on a scooter, with a passenger, in a strange town, not knowing where you're going, was a little stressful, and involved threats to kick cars that got in her way. Fortunately, the Lord sent an English speaking guy who gave us a guided escort out of town and on our way.<br /><br />All in all, Penghu was one of the coolest places we've visited and we'd all like to go back someday, Lord willing.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-83959156271614184642010-05-16T16:19:00.010+08:002010-05-16T21:07:29.545+08:00Out of PlacePicture this. You're situated in a rural area, about 7 minutes from the nearest village, surrounded by pineapple fields and jagged hills. You venture off away from civilization, toward the hills. As you go the road gets smaller and more rural, till it's nothing more than a small rural farm lane, barely wide enough for two cars to pass (although 3 Taiwanese cars could probably make it). You see snakes, lizards, chickens and shabby little farm "houses" and lots of pineapple. Eventually, mixed with the smell of rurality, you sense the faint aroma of concrete dust and the faint din of commercial construction. Suddenly, as you come around a tight bend, everything changes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Xd8r5K1RW4LL8GnvhvjbHpa1Gb6v_fW4nQEl5gH8QfGYSKkxUSx7UdlY77PCIikrfdYR-yPgGr0_1wCvba9PxJAxLND55k5AYf0ovPZiikfk5MXEWc-8NL9Js56ehmp4fSFfkNeXbSH/s1600/DSC00851.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Xd8r5K1RW4LL8GnvhvjbHpa1Gb6v_fW4nQEl5gH8QfGYSKkxUSx7UdlY77PCIikrfdYR-yPgGr0_1wCvba9PxJAxLND55k5AYf0ovPZiikfk5MXEWc-8NL9Js56ehmp4fSFfkNeXbSH/s320/DSC00851.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471852815835385362" /></a>You're smack in the middle of a Universal Studios set (having never been to Universal Studios I take great artistic license with this) or perhaps downtown somewhere in Italy with giant Coliseum and Parthenonesque structures looming overhead. And what's that. Upside down rollercoaster and perched on top of the "mega" hotel, a ferris wheel? W.T.H. (the "H" being heck, of course). You've arrived at E-Da World.<br /><br />What started as a university (E-Da University), presumably named after Mr. E. Da, it has grown into one man's dream of immortalization. The university is fairly large, new and beautiful, despite its isolation. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Bfh1WJga9S-kNULkEzNLPCc4UbpGn7dO8VfpH5UKddigA70LZqlmcXEhmowCJR6INJM-hQ3MNLIaAN38B7bydyY9ddoxIgjndBxH4-yZ5bYBa1jSIhNl0-hZ_fznEId6uBFS-HcFhrG/s1600/DSC00845.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Bfh1WJga9S-kNULkEzNLPCc4UbpGn7dO8VfpH5UKddigA70LZqlmcXEhmowCJR6INJM-hQ3MNLIaAN38B7bydyY9ddoxIgjndBxH4-yZ5bYBa1jSIhNl0-hZ_fznEId6uBFS-HcFhrG/s320/DSC00845.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471853403540021378" /></a>Janice and I often head up there for a coffee at the little "knock off" Starbucks. So, a university, isolated at the top of a mountain is not all that "out of the ordinary." (Think Simon Fraser). But what awaits you surrounding the university is quite astounding. It's called E-Da World and is the brainchild of a rich, Taiwanese businessman who longs to create an empire in southern Taiwan. Apparently he's backed by the princess of Thailand and has poured millions and hundreds of millions into this place and it's quite amazing. While still unfinished, a state in which it may eternally linger, it boasts numerous amusement park rides, giant "godlike" statues,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsSXcK9WSDTUNkB66wVTCUo0Ipp3_2f6rNYP0sqDIzUhw2RT4jd-z1ZoQaLAf5mX0fxBDgVQVt3JHeHWOVz_S_uZ8Oop7F9i3l90vZHHYpRhUjRLFFwBc_qjVid82Biw3FR-wO38m62LE/s1600/DSC00854.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsSXcK9WSDTUNkB66wVTCUo0Ipp3_2f6rNYP0sqDIzUhw2RT4jd-z1ZoQaLAf5mX0fxBDgVQVt3JHeHWOVz_S_uZ8Oop7F9i3l90vZHHYpRhUjRLFFwBc_qjVid82Biw3FR-wO38m62LE/s320/DSC00854.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471853017254562850" /></a> a high end mall, a giant feris wheel with a light show that can be seen from downtown Kaohsiung, 20 km away and 2 five star hotels. Oh, did I mention the only skating rink on the island??<br /><br />As you drive by the buildings, you seriously think downtown Rome (haven't been there either). Millions of tons of concrete have been hauled up there to further the behemoth construction project. While not beautiful like the University, it could be described as impressive for sure.<br /><br />Two interesting questions arise after each visit, though. First, who is going to come to it. Kaohsiung is already riddled with mega malls, including one called Mega Mall and even the Dream Mall has a pretty cool amusement park on its roof. All of them, however, are close to civilization, unlike E-Da. It's pegged as a "destination resort" but generally, implicit in this term, is the idea that the resort is at some sort of destination. Not the case with E-Da, unless you happen to be a pineapple farmer returning home to your fields.<br /><br />The other question is one of completion. Over the Chinese New Year break, they had a "soft" grand opening of the skating rink. While we didn't go, our friends went and picked their way through the dusty construction zone, wishing they'd brought hardhats, across boardwalks to a patch of ice that seemed to be the main feature in an unfinished carpark. I know someone else who visited the "open" hotel, to find a mostly plastic tarped lobby awaiting them. Fortunately, the electricity had just been hooked up in the room so they could see enough in the bathroom to wipe the construction dust off the bathroom counters. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuqHlhPiTZUMFOU8Iy43hxam_QWmRf5ybO8_iXt8lhnTfZt1_mbuSp7tMu4F-pEoHK_5jxdc1VAVWDJvOZdCDUxACsh5lOP4EDvoKWCl8KVzaAqqbeO-gUFnCTpY4gWeNJOip_-0RTB8P/s1600/DSC01005.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuqHlhPiTZUMFOU8Iy43hxam_QWmRf5ybO8_iXt8lhnTfZt1_mbuSp7tMu4F-pEoHK_5jxdc1VAVWDJvOZdCDUxACsh5lOP4EDvoKWCl8KVzaAqqbeO-gUFnCTpY4gWeNJOip_-0RTB8P/s320/DSC01005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471853646418396802" /></a>Even last night, Isaac and I went to an "almost midnight" showing of Robin Hood at the Mega Theatre, which has been open for several weeks. We walked through the ground floor entrance (having parked in the construction worker parking lot), across the masking taped and paper covered floor, through the parkade (on a carpeted walkway) up to the theatre. As we waited to buy our tickets, we gazed over the balcony and looked down on 5 or 6 floors of under construction mall, months away from having stores. I don't think I've ever seen such an example of jumping the gun, but it seems to be the Taiwanese way, because may building projects are abandoned before they are completed, so better do something with the real estate before that.<br /><br />That's not so say that there aren't many nice, completely finished and functional establishments in Taiwan. I'll tell you about the amazing buffet we went to at the Grand Hai Lai hotel for our staff appreciation dinner, but I wont' tell you now. Parkades too....there's a story to tell.....later.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-40877434097816813232010-05-05T21:55:00.005+08:002010-05-05T22:06:22.515+08:00Hiking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSGP5TY-EylhIyDBFlgV08vifRqp-WVpmZdO9sb22VdriSqaE8-MNT-gayoC9QMa6b0Z25WGzQBqdXwKtTaEWO9Qf_GGemZ7KAnGC860MC96e4wt1momfwwwQqVNvn-S731nbhV_m1rSy/s1600/DSC01541.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSGP5TY-EylhIyDBFlgV08vifRqp-WVpmZdO9sb22VdriSqaE8-MNT-gayoC9QMa6b0Z25WGzQBqdXwKtTaEWO9Qf_GGemZ7KAnGC860MC96e4wt1momfwwwQqVNvn-S731nbhV_m1rSy/s320/DSC01541.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467786526652910450" /></a><br />We're counting down to the last few weeks here in Taiwan (for this year). 4 more weeks of school, then a week of organizing and traveling to Penghu Islands, then home. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone.<br /><br />Last weekend, we had the opportunity to go on a hike with a family from school. James is a professor at Sun Yet Sen University which is right on the ocean at Kaohsiung Harbour and backs onto Firewood Mountain. The hike was amazing as it was almost straight up. Very steep steps and paths<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqayjO6h1zCrp6PMzaY3Nu4dPfp4tPfzhxg9yD4_mWhoxywx6xtvRvPldujoZnH3o8jaN4yZWUtgCURZJOmX1-VGlY_G7fYOmI1sheIEP2Ya8kY9uLZAfdewc5HJxXaWsuf5bOtLnfHpVT/s1600/DSC01547.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqayjO6h1zCrp6PMzaY3Nu4dPfp4tPfzhxg9yD4_mWhoxywx6xtvRvPldujoZnH3o8jaN4yZWUtgCURZJOmX1-VGlY_G7fYOmI1sheIEP2Ya8kY9uLZAfdewc5HJxXaWsuf5bOtLnfHpVT/s320/DSC01547.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467786676886810018" /></a>, facilitated by ropes, with stunning views along the way.<br /><br />It's interesting that all the paths are privately maintained, including several "gardens"to which I can't imagine hauling the rocks, cement, plants and water. They are really quite beautiful.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk8uC4wl9s4R1mlTkJoqiUAfQrxufgPcG71fgyNE4uLqSsCb_FIqbPYA39MoXv9JcZWNebC_jzGwxW1qUmm7kqs1g05-5MZTwtKdvb4J21KXw6zWO8GUqWWA3KfQI5bdeB7eWpY2dTKN8/s1600/DSC01580.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk8uC4wl9s4R1mlTkJoqiUAfQrxufgPcG71fgyNE4uLqSsCb_FIqbPYA39MoXv9JcZWNebC_jzGwxW1qUmm7kqs1g05-5MZTwtKdvb4J21KXw6zWO8GUqWWA3KfQI5bdeB7eWpY2dTKN8/s320/DSC01580.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467786891335534578" /></a><br /><br />We were amazed at how well the kids did. They were all super troopers.<br /><br />The next day (Sunday) we took the kids home from church and then almost immediately headed back to town on the MRT to go to the Kaohsiung Film Archives for a free showing of Mama Mia. The show was packed with Chinese speakers but there were Chinese subtitles, although I had to wonder of they could really relate to 80's Abba music the way we westerners all can :)<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing you soon.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-67629204152390009832010-04-24T19:29:00.003+08:002010-04-24T19:36:37.250+08:00ChinglishI couldn't resist posting this video. We often run across what is affectionately known as Chinglish, where a well meaning Chinese speaker tries to make an English sign (with the best of intentions and better English than my Chinese) and it turns out hilarious. I have often thought I could make a killing as a person whose service is to properly translate these signs.<br /><br />Well today, I came across this video. It's a promo video of a set of islands called Penghu, where we are thinking of going this summer. This interesting thing is that the Chinglish is clearly spoken by a white guy, who obviously was just doing what he was paid to do. Enjoy the beautiful scenery but listen carefully to the soundtrack.<br /><br />Check it Out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk02pmHlvps">here</a>.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-45258001177813643262010-04-03T17:42:00.002+08:002010-04-03T17:45:50.275+08:00Pics from Taitung<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI3MDI4NzQyNDIzMCZwdD*xMjcwMjg3NzQ4MTk1JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*/NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FYurts%2520etc%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Yurts%20etc/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-69734507876770706072010-04-03T16:16:00.012+08:002010-04-03T19:10:39.493+08:00Last BreakWe're just about at the end of our last break before the long 9 week stretch to the end of the year. After that, we'll be around for about a week, taking a brief trip to Penghu (a series of islands off the west coast) and then flying home. As great a year as it's been, we're really looking forward to coming home.<br /><br />The "break" started with me spending 4 days in Manila, Philippines (and I'm still struggling with the number of L's in Manila and the number of L's and P's in Philippines) at an overseas schools conference. I mostly stuck with the technology stream and learned tons (some of which our blog followers will be forced to learn in order to follow us next year). We didn't get outside of Manila and Manila on its own is not that amazing. Would like to someday return and see some of the beautiful islands that are a part of the country. One interesting thing was how English it is there, and how Catholic, with churches and crosses everywhere. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKaGC-U8fAIthedLBOeJBosA6TWQg1BDM0AL-SPHcsLlcj-GqfHsBj5br_Y3IUbmWlKFYJHUBsTrbPJ74UCV0R71TSASECfKCwOe2TbgYRMngC8UOx7W-XKHQOnwB6cCfPqrKGuviVcD/s1600/DSC00960.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKaGC-U8fAIthedLBOeJBosA6TWQg1BDM0AL-SPHcsLlcj-GqfHsBj5br_Y3IUbmWlKFYJHUBsTrbPJ74UCV0R71TSASECfKCwOe2TbgYRMngC8UOx7W-XKHQOnwB6cCfPqrKGuviVcD/s320/DSC00960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455845612330101362" /></a>Big contrast to Taiwan. Also in contrast was the poverty, something which we don't see much of here. Taiwan has lots of simple living but no poverty. We constantly had street kids coming up to us asking for money and I bought a few of them dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRISUaFheO8UZI4L_y82ohkS4Ul74455flhoC1gTMUiDJQiTnchCA01eTiYTYOTVdL-Y8eMn9xhpntHSxNICgKX9zVK2AE_KN963LgjR6TEdieJY31ioQzOgN6cIZrNQmPOO-LyE-Bp_3W/s1600/DSC00985.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRISUaFheO8UZI4L_y82ohkS4Ul74455flhoC1gTMUiDJQiTnchCA01eTiYTYOTVdL-Y8eMn9xhpntHSxNICgKX9zVK2AE_KN963LgjR6TEdieJY31ioQzOgN6cIZrNQmPOO-LyE-Bp_3W/s320/DSC00985.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455845391994531794" /></a> (which was an amazing experience). We also attended Mass on Palm Sunday and almost got arrested for accidentally taking a photo of the US Embassy (I won't post it, and in case the CIA reads it, I don't have it. It was just a banyan tree "outside" the embassy). We also came across an Imelda Marcos rally (who knew she was still around) and everyone was wearing red shirts (including me!!!). Good thing there was no trouble.<br /><br />After landing at the Kaohsiung Airport, we headed straight down to Kenting for a few nights at the Howard, swimming, beaching, bowling(??) and having tons of fun with a bunch of other families. Hardly saw the kids. Kenting is really a must see for ANYONE WHO EVER COMES TO VISIT US!!! (get the hint). From there we drove to the other side of the island, for the first time, to stay near Taitung at some Yurts.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_NFAos4IzS71RNkrww2faI0A4jj-OU3F4OF2PFdluY4YbvlXqI7j1YSFheo3nEcn9378lZgSeu4UgpiaHrD2-vfn4fmFZuJyHmySjVFqtWknyQuWr8hyphenhyphendx6G1uCk88MjyVzjTA3qwlvP/s1600/DSC01436.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_NFAos4IzS71RNkrww2faI0A4jj-OU3F4OF2PFdluY4YbvlXqI7j1YSFheo3nEcn9378lZgSeu4UgpiaHrD2-vfn4fmFZuJyHmySjVFqtWknyQuWr8hyphenhyphendx6G1uCk88MjyVzjTA3qwlvP/s320/DSC01436.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455846099780850434" /></a> Once again, a bunch of families came along so it was very fun. The place was kind of hilarious though. First, it had been a big tourist destination at one time. As I drove up, I felt like I walking into a scene from Road Warrior or some other post atomic movie. The place had definitely seen better days, but must have been quite elaborate in its heyday. The yurts were fine and there was a store, and restaurant (and the kids rented golf carts). <br /><br />A couple highlights: On the way, we stopped at a goat farm with amazing border collies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_M25a60WWVuFLNSygRUZTdKFyxqUZOuZzf2zfL_pjwyF7EmShnUvEjIwnU4VAXo8J1J4zH82PfRjVCGXE29HvS5JGrTA7FW0XEvOn9H9eqQRp-nq1g88tuFGwEKhCa70hp5mubSy19L1/s1600/DSC01395.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_M25a60WWVuFLNSygRUZTdKFyxqUZOuZzf2zfL_pjwyF7EmShnUvEjIwnU4VAXo8J1J4zH82PfRjVCGXE29HvS5JGrTA7FW0XEvOn9H9eqQRp-nq1g88tuFGwEKhCa70hp5mubSy19L1/s320/DSC01395.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455845852736082114" /></a>, spectacular scenery and grass sledding.....yes, you read right. Check out the pictures of us doing some good old sledding in Taiwan. I even tried to get one of the other dads to try double luge with me (I was inspired by the recent olympics) but no takers.<br /><br />We also went biking at a really beautiful waterfront park. Bike rentals are quite amazing. You'll come across shop after shop of bike rental places with tons of bikes, all for around $3 for adults and half of that for kids, FOR THE DAY! Janice and I also checked out a local natural hot spring but what we got was far from natural. A beautiful private spa room with slate spa, shower, cheesecake, for 90 minutes. Amazing.<br /><br />We had some good campfires and crazy meals but overall, traveling with fun families is definitely the way to go.<br /><br />The last stretch of the holiday is comprised of recuperating (Isaac is sick) and planning (for return to school and a big worship leading gig for me), and organizing (the usual post-holiday "get things back to normal.") Then we hit the home stretch and soon, we'll be home.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-28257323279551916242010-03-22T20:29:00.001+08:002010-03-22T20:29:57.932+08:00and I thought pollution was bad...Check <a href="http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2010/03/22/249263/Huge-sandstorm.htm">this</a> out.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-10816942809058648972010-03-21T21:30:00.001+08:002010-03-21T21:30:35.405+08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2OTE3ODE*MTU3OSZwdD*xMjY5MTc4MjMyNzAxJnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*/NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FWeekly%2520Update%2520B%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Weekly%20Update%20B/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-33154587814394788332010-03-21T17:36:00.012+08:002010-03-21T21:17:56.344+08:00Weekly Update #2Okay, so it's bi-weekly. Sue me.<br /><br />We're heading into the last week before Easter Break. For me it's a 3 day week (although I have to plan 5) because I'm heading to the Philipines with a bunch of other teachers, to take in a teaching conference. When I return, we're heading straight down to Kenting (beach) for a couple days at the Howard and our favorite, beach, and they we're heading up the east coast (probably the most beautiful part of Taiwan, to go Yurting with a bunch of other families. Then it's 9 long weeks till the end of the year, at which point, we'll be home for 6 weeks!!!! Yay!!!<br /><br />The day after the last weekly post, I had the chance to head off to sea for the day on an ocean research vessel. I kind of invited myself aboard and they said okay. I had high hopes that we'd spend the day tagging whale sharks but instead we spend 15 hours sailing around collecting water and mud samples. While that was maybe not the most exciting thing to do on a ship, being out on the water on a beautiful day was awesome and I had a great time. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CQvGlDMqPJ14OH6p4qMxJ5TxVx-PR5QCk9MB_eFZaYHt9iO4BvpvlZDHTdEoT-x0HwIklR8iiXGxGT26J0UNJ6ML0uR7srMFcw6Mxz9g8WS1A4lPbuOp3YhfGoLwxbQPiQfe1ugjL3v_/s1600-h/IMGP0028.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CQvGlDMqPJ14OH6p4qMxJ5TxVx-PR5QCk9MB_eFZaYHt9iO4BvpvlZDHTdEoT-x0HwIklR8iiXGxGT26J0UNJ6ML0uR7srMFcw6Mxz9g8WS1A4lPbuOp3YhfGoLwxbQPiQfe1ugjL3v_/s320/IMGP0028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451073337824737970" /></a>There was lots of "sailing" time (which did not involve sailing as it was a motorized vessel) during which I listened to 7 sermons and read a very long magazine. Nobody spoke much English, but we managed to communicate a few things, including thanking the cook for 2 excellent meals (which were a little scary, when I saw all the tentacles). I would definitely take another opportunity to spend another day at sea.<br /><br />Report cards have just come home and both kids continue to do well, which isn't always the case for teacher/missionary/white kids over here. Janice and I are pretty proud of the positive comments we receive about both of them. We're in the process of making some tough decisions regarding Isaac's schooling for next year so please pray for wisdom on that.<br /><br />We've recently found that the harbour is a cool place to hang out. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbieXG02tt7WeO-Z4yH2242wTQDskpREj6dtkoKETfaFjE6M7h50OrOLxTfY-wb0508Prum_Arsumykq7_b1GTcgPseRkaBNm8dj-RYgFxgXvDPJdIPJRO3JXjr1IlykyaMFI_R-EGwloq/s1600-h/IMGP0010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbieXG02tt7WeO-Z4yH2242wTQDskpREj6dtkoKETfaFjE6M7h50OrOLxTfY-wb0508Prum_Arsumykq7_b1GTcgPseRkaBNm8dj-RYgFxgXvDPJdIPJRO3JXjr1IlykyaMFI_R-EGwloq/s320/IMGP0010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451074699622284562" /></a>There's a cool artsy community down there where events often take place (like the Chinese character festival). We've gone down a couple of times and rented bikes (3 bucks a day) and ridden along the awesome bike path that follows the harbour. On our first excursion, with the kids, we ventured up the <a href="http://architecture.about.com/od/skyscrapers/ig/World-s-Tallest-Buildings/Tuntex-Sky-Tower--.htm">85 building</a>, which is the tallest in Kaohsiung, used to be the tallest in Taiwan until a few years ago, and is currently the 16th tallest in the world. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf6NPiLLZDBk7h7MmiqsGZkEIVG_WipwWRVBcX3vU1ZFD5nzjZOHI0qKXSLE2M4Bk_rAN4eTocb8wlp1b1xldWxxc1MvrCi5TFg-M3o16nA7vkONAU2qWNoQhE1w5YPvPdBKVkO9SarM3/s1600-h/IMGP0025.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf6NPiLLZDBk7h7MmiqsGZkEIVG_WipwWRVBcX3vU1ZFD5nzjZOHI0qKXSLE2M4Bk_rAN4eTocb8wlp1b1xldWxxc1MvrCi5TFg-M3o16nA7vkONAU2qWNoQhE1w5YPvPdBKVkO9SarM3/s320/IMGP0025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451072538371048754" /></a>Amazing view and one which I wish I'd seen when we first moved here because it really gives you a good overview of the city. We found a mini amusement park along the way and took in a few rides. We also rode past Pingu, a winter wonderland, complete with skating, sledding and snow (really fake looking and not inspiring at 35 degrees). <br /><br />The second time we went, just Janice and I, we got to the 85 building again, hoping to explore further, when Janice got a flat tire. With the help of a very friendly Taiwanese business man, we phoned the bike company and he brought us a new one (pedaled it over himself, 40 min later) but that was all the time we had. Another day I guess.<br /><br />One more event. A few weeks back, our school had Games Day, which is like sports day but all students, K-8 are on country teams and participate in real winner-loser events (yes, competition). My kids were on the Canada team, of course, but somehow I ended up captaining Team Malaysia (???) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWCdQYNcAW4BbbLxwjEk_N79y9ygfcKmxSGlhZ1J0mlsdc0yntmDndJfOv_lnSoJKq1VVcUYU5oCT03pg5lNwS9nQ6WSAPhBuOmv-5kS3D4gY06n6tYJpb7IuUf4K4DKOT-hvEK9HIa9e/s1600-h/IMGP0056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWCdQYNcAW4BbbLxwjEk_N79y9ygfcKmxSGlhZ1J0mlsdc0yntmDndJfOv_lnSoJKq1VVcUYU5oCT03pg5lNwS9nQ6WSAPhBuOmv-5kS3D4gY06n6tYJpb7IuUf4K4DKOT-hvEK9HIa9e/s320/IMGP0056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451072886436647346" /></a>The kids made us all proud by winning the "Best Cheer" award, and Makena got a bronze medal in the distance run (who knew). Isaac didn't get to compete because the grade 9s were on helping duty.<br /><br />The next month or so will prove pretty hectic for us. The day after the Easter break, I am leading worship for an all campus pro-d day (always stressful to organize), and then the following Monday, I head off with my grade 9s (Isaac included) to Kenting for snorkeling and a night spend at the aquarium sleeping with the whale sharks. 3 days later, Janice and I are leading a 30 hour famine for about 80 students. 30 hours without food or sleep. Sounds like a whole lot of fun:) I'll try to post from Manila. Later.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-70941011588145862532010-03-05T21:00:00.001+08:002010-03-05T21:00:17.413+08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2Nzc5Mzk4MzQ5MCZwdD*xMjY3Nzk*MDExMDE4JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*/NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FGo%2520Karting%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Go%20Karting/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-45417669861480650352010-03-05T20:19:00.003+08:002010-03-05T20:49:31.899+08:00Barbecue, Racing and Karaoke?????So, who would ever think these would go together, but in Taiwan, everything's possible.<br /><br />About 15 minutes from our house is an old sugar factory (Taiwan was a huge exporter of sugar in the past). The factory is now a giant park with petting zoo, train, sunflower fields and bike rentals). It also has a really good GoKart track. We're not talking the kind of GoKarts where you press your foot to the floor the whole way and feel like you could still get out and push.<br /><br />Anyway, somehow, Marion and Janice found out that they have a great package deal there. For about 10 bucks a person, you get a barbecue shelter/picnic area, a barbecue with charcoal, food, drinks, a Karaoke cottage and GoKarting. This sounded like such a deal, we organized a bunch of people and made our booking.<br /><br />Now, this wasn't your typical barbecue. There were pencil fish, a strange variety of mushrooms, peppers, tofu, fish balls (balls made of fish), more tofu and pork (thank goodness). No burgers, smokies or chips. Sitting around barbecuing and socializing is a whole day affair for Taiwanese so we did this for as long as the food lasted. When you were ready, they would let you into a Karaoke cottage to sing your heart out. Unfortunately, the people across from us brought their own machine and were blasting it at 100 decibles, and boy, they could not sing. Fortunately, a few from our party, including Kris, the only white guy I know who can sing in Chinese, joined them and made it at least a little better.<br /><br />They also had a cool maze, train and amazing mango smoothies. Finally it was time for racing. We had a fairly large group, so the kids went first and Makena was at the front of the pack. Unfortunately, her limited experience behind the wheel caused her to mix up the gas and brake, causing a very fast head on with the wall. That was the end of her driving career for now, but hopefully it wasn't a sign of things to come.<br /><br />The racing was amazing. I felt I had found my real calling in life. The cars were super fast and you could actually spin out if you took the corners too fast.<br /><br />It was a great, and very unique day.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-80473078927256804372010-03-04T22:24:00.004+08:002010-03-04T22:32:09.901+08:00Shake it Baby.So far today we've had 25 earthquakes, ranging in size from 3.8 to 6.4, and all fairly close to home but up in the mountains. The biggest happened in Biology today. I stepped into the science prep room to get something and the kids got noisy all of a sudden. I stepped back in the room and felt the shaking. I noticed my fish tanks were sloshing so I told the students to get under their desks. They were like: Do we have to. It's not a real drill...???<br /><br />It's always kind of scary when it happens because you feel so out of control, but really, how much are we really in control of anyway? Even as I write this I am wondering if I feel anoth...........argh!!!Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-89523830707016013202010-03-02T22:21:00.006+08:002010-03-02T22:44:16.035+08:00Weekly Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW_CBd_h0RyKINbYOnqHZ2SrxCXi-F56vWDCPjRWl3sQaukZ7b7ldBszCYptM7Wu3EeapxpC81QOL0R84OqumFblbzp-atjxwoTITXRUWlbDVjXQtrWpCDBgtOeDT79UTgcX-F-wj9HP7/s1600-h/DSC00850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW_CBd_h0RyKINbYOnqHZ2SrxCXi-F56vWDCPjRWl3sQaukZ7b7ldBszCYptM7Wu3EeapxpC81QOL0R84OqumFblbzp-atjxwoTITXRUWlbDVjXQtrWpCDBgtOeDT79UTgcX-F-wj9HP7/s320/DSC00850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444046898446167458" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, I'm trying something new. I'm going to update this thing weekly, even if it kills me. Sometimes the big updates seem so daunting that I avoid them and then I get behind which is even more daunting. I still have to update you on our Chinese New Year week off (not like our last) and a few other things but I'll stick with the present for now.<br /><br />Last weekend was pretty unique and sad. One of our students died earlier in the week after a long battle with cancer. His mom is a teacher at our school. He has an amazing story. I'll link to his sister's blog if you're interested. I was asked to lead worship at the memorial. It was a very touching time and Ian was supported by a huge number of people. He really had an impact on a lot of people. So did his family, who are really amazing too. It's not something I want to do again soon (obviously) but it sure gave us a lot to think about in terms of how we live our lives.<br /><br />We had a bunch of people over for pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Not too many people had heard of that but they had no trouble eating our food! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQCSFaqwuXwFc6I10qufV5qU62_l-67Jr0y2bISMK7BkE1hhN1_HWzmNXk0kRwnACVj3eR_yEzYvq2Bf4yefSEEE-WVPri5gFVPAWMX0A9y2ZrEs3oUITws6U7KMo5yzTPxEiWSrijTbU/s1600-h/IMGP0039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQCSFaqwuXwFc6I10qufV5qU62_l-67Jr0y2bISMK7BkE1hhN1_HWzmNXk0kRwnACVj3eR_yEzYvq2Bf4yefSEEE-WVPri5gFVPAWMX0A9y2ZrEs3oUITws6U7KMo5yzTPxEiWSrijTbU/s320/IMGP0039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444047081672513538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apart from that, Isaac is doing well in Grade 9...in fact, his marks have gone up. He still is pretty well connected with his friends from Grade 8 so the transition has been pretty smooth. He heads off this weekend for his final soccer tournament, which he's pretty excited about.<br /><br />Makena is active in dance and worship team at school and is doing very well.<br /><br />I'm pretty excited about next Monday. I have been invited (I sort of asked for the invite) to go out with a research crew from the local university on Ocean Researcher III, a research vessel that's going out to collect some data off the coast of Taiwan. I've been told that if I go, I'll have to work and help out, which is fine with me. I can't wait. It is what I'd be doing if I wasn't a teacher. I also am going to the Philippines for a conference at the end of the month. Now don't take this the wrong way because life is still very busy and the job takes tons of time (in case you thought it was all fun and games).<br /><br />I'm also LOVING swimming, which is a change for me. I go at least once a week to our favorite pool (almost nobody there and quite with a great lap pool and awesome hot pools). I'll post pics soon. Besides that I run 2 or 3 times a week as well. Janice is being very faithful in this area as well.<br /><br />Janice is working more as the other library person shifted into teaching Kindergarten for now. Life has become a little crazier as a result but she really likes being busy.<br /><br />We're into our second week back after the Chinese New Year break, during which we mainly stayed around, seeing some local stuff. Unfortunately, it rained pretty much the whole week but we did some things we haven't done before so it was relaxing and fun.<br /><br />The only bad news is that our car needs some work, which is going to cost us $20,000 NT (600 bucks). It seems like a lot (especially when you're making 1500 a month) but for what they're doing (2 tires, engine mount, timing belt, several other belts) it's not too bad.<br /><br />I'll try to share our weird barbecue/go cart/karaoke experience soon.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-77536681186934407102010-01-27T21:03:00.012+08:002010-01-30T22:41:56.037+08:00The Final Leg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRI0I4mqh3Jy-chuU62zHTblxycso_iQLsN2k8W9iLY1Oc6mVxv1-t6UYVUtMU8Eom3HwHKibqBy5FDp3ckyTbMjfdcknq9PFCdlDIZA6LWk2bJq1me0d7HfrzHBIWkosRdr474aZtKlT/s1600-h/IMG_6233.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRI0I4mqh3Jy-chuU62zHTblxycso_iQLsN2k8W9iLY1Oc6mVxv1-t6UYVUtMU8Eom3HwHKibqBy5FDp3ckyTbMjfdcknq9PFCdlDIZA6LWk2bJq1me0d7HfrzHBIWkosRdr474aZtKlT/s320/IMG_6233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432537718509347234" border="0" /></a>We arrived back in Bangkok around 11 on the night of Christmas day. We were pretty tired but knew we had to get up at 4 to catch a bus from the seediest part of Bangkok at 6 am. We had a little trouble getting a taxi at that time of day but made it down to Khaosan Road on time. We were a little leary about being dropped in there at that 5:30 am, especially seeing the drunk college kids still wandering the streets, but we finally made it safely on the bus and headed off. It was to take us 7 hours south to Chumphon, where we would catch a high speed catamaran to Koh Tao. We opted for the 1.5 hour ride instead of the 6 hour ride (go figure). We slept, read, shared ipods and watched movies. We also talked ALOT to some overly friendly New Yorkers, who, to their credit, managed to convince the seemingly unconvinceable attendant to make a brief stop at Starbux. The rest of the ride and the ferry were uneventful. Janice and the kids rode inside on the way across the water but I spent a bunch of time on deck, enjoying the scenery.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPU2wwuIi64eeRZJMNVWEwp8g9W4pBSSftJZtUbAlRz5gJD9J17YysTMFJlPLDejeky8XDZy_6ygVzEXi6P_HXV9gIRDi5yc9lYe78XQu7yjjzar-Ir1ELXsyGrj10VHar0A0LmsGu8E3/s1600-h/IMG_6256.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPU2wwuIi64eeRZJMNVWEwp8g9W4pBSSftJZtUbAlRz5gJD9J17YysTMFJlPLDejeky8XDZy_6ygVzEXi6P_HXV9gIRDi5yc9lYe78XQu7yjjzar-Ir1ELXsyGrj10VHar0A0LmsGu8E3/s320/IMG_6256.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432538044598521218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We arrived to a very beautiful little island with crystal clear water. We took a short taxi (back of a pick up) ride to Koh Tao Resort and it was awesome. Room was great and feet from the beach. The pool was really nice and was an infinity pool (and was closed for the first 2 days, but we got to go up to the "Paradise Zone" up the hill and use their pool). The best part about the place was the restaurant. The waiters, especially one man, were so awesome, friendly and nice. The food was pretty decent too. We had breakfast included every morning (custom made omelettes) and then usually ate dinner there as well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuD5cjZrw8bbDQhPBSX9DfnjQT6fO6hVz548UHa5QxAX1EC5gW0cb5HEfLxMwIt5ATH5YCd7_akQvxFcd52klFx8k5iSJ0M6t_KhMxwQ1PvSirtnxiEzy_8BIBl8XyZNqAxcio5HTiSF8/s1600-h/IMG_6364.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuD5cjZrw8bbDQhPBSX9DfnjQT6fO6hVz548UHa5QxAX1EC5gW0cb5HEfLxMwIt5ATH5YCd7_akQvxFcd52klFx8k5iSJ0M6t_KhMxwQ1PvSirtnxiEzy_8BIBl8XyZNqAxcio5HTiSF8/s320/IMG_6364.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432538409282948706" border="0" /></a>We considered going to other places for dinner but realized there was probably nothing better.<br /><br />Our stay on Koh Tao was marked by the following highlights:<br />1) A longtail trip around the island. We went with 2 other couples and stopped at 4 good snorkel spots. At the first spot we got to swim with a couple 5 foot black tipped reef sharks. Bombing along in the longtail was lots of fun, but we weren't too impressed when we arrived back at the beach 2 hours early. That's the way they do business in Thailand.<br />2) kayaking to some pretty bays near our beach, past some amazing rock formations including Buddah Rock.<br />3) A second longtail trip to a couple nearby bays where<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXRj3kJDOhu0FWCocA6jnw4uZjNTFvMJ_erd9N8b-kEWefoPyLTC8H9c76E-YN7BsxXCzCbeE1IrN96d988nBEab58HNViiuvgZpK0dVG82JKLu7q07a922X_f0MHLvJ_QsPFQ8ndumfN/s1600-h/IMG_6388.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXRj3kJDOhu0FWCocA6jnw4uZjNTFvMJ_erd9N8b-kEWefoPyLTC8H9c76E-YN7BsxXCzCbeE1IrN96d988nBEab58HNViiuvgZpK0dVG82JKLu7q07a922X_f0MHLvJ_QsPFQ8ndumfN/s320/IMG_6388.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432538913882481330" border="0" /></a> we found some amazing fish and corals and were also left bobbing in the water 500 m. from shore while the longtail driver "ran an errand."<br />4) a game of mini golf on the stupidest golf course ever. Most holes were ridiculously impossible and the place was alive with mosquitoes.<br />5) sunset romantic dinner for 2 at the Paradise zone restaurant.<br /><br />It was an amazingly relaxing time. We spent lots of time going between deck chairs, the pool and the ocean. Even though many people said that prices had gone up in Koh Tao, relatively speaking, it was still quite cheap and having the waiter deliver drinks to you at poolside or beach side was the same price as the menu. I think the kids were in shock when we let them order banana milkshakes direct to their deck chairs but for less than $2, who would say no. We felt quite spoiled. Koh Tao was amazingly beautiful. We were really sad to leave. My one regret was that I had pictured kayaking around sea caves and those big volcanic sea stacks you see in Thailand pictures, but those are not on this side of the penninsula.....may have to go there one day :)Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-55676010184482350132010-01-13T21:07:00.006+08:002010-01-14T22:26:08.890+08:00Friends From HomeThe next leg of our journey, contained one of the most exciting parts of the trip.....reconnecting with old friends from home. The day after our amazing Elephant adventure, we were picked up at our guest house by the Lundbergs, friends from Abbotsford who are serving for a year in Chiang Mai. It's interesting how Janice and I both wondered why we didn't see more of them back home and plan to fix that when we return. They are a great family and everyone had someone to connect with. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqYOi6RZ3soO9_FhlC4rimzHF3ad_04oEfx03kspj_j2vi6T7Thncughm_hig26p7WgNkILZ6fHJ-SSQYSoEO2q8ZfdzDEOWCXSaIdBgOfE6P5hXzHx9iorSyL0i1g4LqyE7BLH95VtIQ/s1600-h/IMG_6156.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqYOi6RZ3soO9_FhlC4rimzHF3ad_04oEfx03kspj_j2vi6T7Thncughm_hig26p7WgNkILZ6fHJ-SSQYSoEO2q8ZfdzDEOWCXSaIdBgOfE6P5hXzHx9iorSyL0i1g4LqyE7BLH95VtIQ/s320/IMG_6156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426215072254677730" border="0" /></a>Our day started with a trip up a nearby mountain to see a temple with a fabulous view. What a beautiful city Chiang Mai is.<br /><br />From the temple, we headed out for lunch/dinner to the Lundbergs favorite restaurant. Typical to Asia, it didn't look like much (think carport) but had fabulous food and was super cheap (we fed 11 people freshly prepared Thai food for 12 bucks....total). After some hanging out and catching up, we headed out that night to the Chiang Mai night safari, a zoo that's really only open at night. It was definitely much better than I expected. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNamYIG6_eDmHb55MVjpXao8Duyov1mdBMnGpHZURyQ92jnSPywkcpYnt75oXm2FB6NqOnO1azsS_CUHdfFReVxuwjjBx7qYrqWtgI1oD7KZ77mK26bVeVPRtyCcfT6KIvCIva8wsqmHc/s1600-h/IMG_6195.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNamYIG6_eDmHb55MVjpXao8Duyov1mdBMnGpHZURyQ92jnSPywkcpYnt75oXm2FB6NqOnO1azsS_CUHdfFReVxuwjjBx7qYrqWtgI1oD7KZ77mK26bVeVPRtyCcfT6KIvCIva8wsqmHc/s320/IMG_6195.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426215321457847394" border="0" /></a>We saw a laser show, and did two tram tours, seeing the animals at night, when they're more active. The best part was this walk around a huge lagoon. You actually got to see some of the animals quite close up. I had quite an interesting encounter with a leopard. Everyone had gone on ahead and it was just me and him in the dark. He kept jumping on the fence trying to eat me. All that was between us was a chain link fence, which I could easily have stuck my fingers through. Wonder how many kids have walked away sans digits???<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGNjbmc2-PMpKVq-bGuoflqek4hiERy0NHduvprAO1i6m-_w-_iN3ZIy-3aAaqyAoFaElGbwZ8BUY5hRBqMXF_5hBaNUsjpcfAKlzmuD6E16LVZI6-MJtIlDyohPLLpnotPb5p3moJRNi/s1600-h/IMG_6226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGNjbmc2-PMpKVq-bGuoflqek4hiERy0NHduvprAO1i6m-_w-_iN3ZIy-3aAaqyAoFaElGbwZ8BUY5hRBqMXF_5hBaNUsjpcfAKlzmuD6E16LVZI6-MJtIlDyohPLLpnotPb5p3moJRNi/s320/IMG_6226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426220761941487170" border="0" /></a>The rest of our time in Chiang Mai consisted of a) visiting the huge Night Bazzar, which was super fun and had lots of very cool stuff. This is where we did most of our shopping. It also had a great place for foot massages and Janice and I snuck back one evening for a 4 footer (2 bucks each) for half an hour. A little out of my comfort level but something I could definitely get used to, and b) hanging out with the Lundbergs more. We had Christmas dinner together at a local restaurant and it was a real North American turkey dinner with all the fixings. The kids enjoyed hanging out together and riding around in the back of the pick up truck. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIlEJLIIXlADNtUONCfVVkdJtkfaFTcW1zSrIyAbq6JsyHrpSSnWKJOE6uRNhRhJyDp57aKe3NephPpqBJOq2PruT5x70W9rV-2xgyP-awoUrCq9c0zme_OSVLfHBF5eYVB0nV9hSuCh2/s1600-h/IMG_6199.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIlEJLIIXlADNtUONCfVVkdJtkfaFTcW1zSrIyAbq6JsyHrpSSnWKJOE6uRNhRhJyDp57aKe3NephPpqBJOq2PruT5x70W9rV-2xgyP-awoUrCq9c0zme_OSVLfHBF5eYVB0nV9hSuCh2/s320/IMG_6199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426215693160469202" border="0" /></a>That night, we headed back to Bangkok, this time by plane. The train up was definitely something you want to try once but 15 hours compared to 1???? For almost the same price.....not much to think about there. Once again, our ever faithful Thong Ta Resort people picked us up at the airport and brought us to the hotel for a brief bit of sleep.....we were off at 5 the next morning, heading for the beach....part 4.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-29869801949323704772010-01-10T21:53:00.003+08:002010-01-10T22:00:06.051+08:00Thailand 09 Christmas Pix<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2MzEzMTU2MTQ2NiZwdD*xMjYzMTMxNTk2MDUxJnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FChristmas%252009%2520in%2520Thailand%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Christmas%2009%20in%20Thailand/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-56082961534948094372010-01-10T20:17:00.018+08:002010-01-10T23:11:57.239+08:00Christmas in Thailand, Part Deux<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chaing Mai and back again...</span><br /><br />We arrived in Chiang Mai in the afternoon and had time just to relax and enjoy the lack of rocking train motion, although Janice and and I continued to feel it for the better part of the day. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm94VMvaMX2vcU9DbIhm4fSzAQExdI5ik-OlSfqqZ_aTs8gVYqLGRV61qkPgTkEYvXyzzmZds-hJIrUhLDaUscLlCl9Ug6XHdAqcMFwvEuiOFMZpBAZz9y3HP23WpdqKFH5d3EaoUKMcR/s1600-h/IMG_6066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm94VMvaMX2vcU9DbIhm4fSzAQExdI5ik-OlSfqqZ_aTs8gVYqLGRV61qkPgTkEYvXyzzmZds-hJIrUhLDaUscLlCl9Ug6XHdAqcMFwvEuiOFMZpBAZz9y3HP23WpdqKFH5d3EaoUKMcR/s320/IMG_6066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425124508920055714" border="0" /></a>Chiang Mai is a beautiful city, very clean and with lots of neat places to explore, and in close proximity to lots of great trekking.<br /><br />We explored the night market that evening but wanted to rest early for our big elephant trekking day the next day. Janice had a glorious half hour foot massage ($5) to finish the day.<br /><br />The next morning we were picked up at 7 am to head off on our trek. We were joined by two other couples from California and Australia. We headed out of town towards Chiang Dao. We stopped at an orchid farm on the way, which was actually better than we expected. A neighbor here gave us some amazing orchids and we were unsure the best way to grow them till we saw this farm. We arrived at the elephant camp and got right to it. It was in a beautiful location, right on a jungly river. We had to cross a rickety rope bridge to get to it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS_sQAwNSYvPYjogphiCZl2HSu67WufY0XR4QYpkJr7Zzfi2hzQfwK1y-Y5NtuYn6IZJNuKjPcVSFxlPo8c1oAIoVGeSxTdZ4v28-Ld6mB6mFOIqHDscr3w5TZiI2Y8l6prxrqkL3S54J/s1600-h/IMG_5953.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS_sQAwNSYvPYjogphiCZl2HSu67WufY0XR4QYpkJr7Zzfi2hzQfwK1y-Y5NtuYn6IZJNuKjPcVSFxlPo8c1oAIoVGeSxTdZ4v28-Ld6mB6mFOIqHDscr3w5TZiI2Y8l6prxrqkL3S54J/s320/IMG_5953.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425122940584999634" border="0" /></a>We fed the elephants, watched their mahoots bathe them in the river and then saw a demonstration of their logging skills. Since logging has died out in Taiwan, lots of elephants and trainers are without work so this elephant trekking has become their livelihood. After the demos, we were ready to ride.<br /><br />Our ride took us about 90 minutes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiO1rxRKJxsCL89SyBzoFSFuZtw4kC5K8bf6uyKgWiVBGHsgXBUdzqP1BufzOC0a14H7eK_sBw58rEQgYo9a0ApzXL4b25L__Hu7AHj440AKD2ylspV8hzRvk8TFYPtDxaDJq0g2lHWGg8/s1600-h/IMG_6050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiO1rxRKJxsCL89SyBzoFSFuZtw4kC5K8bf6uyKgWiVBGHsgXBUdzqP1BufzOC0a14H7eK_sBw58rEQgYo9a0ApzXL4b25L__Hu7AHj440AKD2ylspV8hzRvk8TFYPtDxaDJq0g2lHWGg8/s320/IMG_6050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425123470168673266" border="0" /></a>You're up quite high and they go through some pretty steep and narrow jungly stuff. Halfway through we stopped at an aboriginal village (actually more of a shopping stop, no one really lived there) and then headed back. From there we went for lunch at a really nice restaurant, connected to a beautiful retreat center. We had a chance to grill the Australian couple about travelling around Australia.<br /><br />From there we went for our rafting trip. This was really the only disappointing part of the trip. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMavn3RFxYHAh7XKYRFl2on4bxp_96ssbx7prVgWyCsswJcFr0SYAL6puB9QF1yghkrYePca7MwJgCdCyRuPox_8_SxQ1SrqzD7IWvS51OI4AnJLcBHhC1-ZSojh3oq4pZBGHDutm0dK4/s1600-h/IMG_5928.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMavn3RFxYHAh7XKYRFl2on4bxp_96ssbx7prVgWyCsswJcFr0SYAL6puB9QF1yghkrYePca7MwJgCdCyRuPox_8_SxQ1SrqzD7IWvS51OI4AnJLcBHhC1-ZSojh3oq4pZBGHDutm0dK4/s320/IMG_5928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425116946050374914" border="0" /></a>The rafts that you could take from the camp were amazing looking but ours were kind of in farmland, not jungle, on a fairly small stream. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2fhTeftxfw-glOfKvp6HdHlDnDIeA2XU3RpPCHXOyYrWcC7OQHeM2x62k_UDFtdnDGpMZZaxMO3IOpvOW1SDn0HO6dVgzjwtbZxEJ04-149mgMGNKcqg7dM4suHlw3xmXbmcqEsb1SvU/s1600-h/IMG_6119.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2fhTeftxfw-glOfKvp6HdHlDnDIeA2XU3RpPCHXOyYrWcC7OQHeM2x62k_UDFtdnDGpMZZaxMO3IOpvOW1SDn0HO6dVgzjwtbZxEJ04-149mgMGNKcqg7dM4suHlw3xmXbmcqEsb1SvU/s320/IMG_6119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425116681494290370" border="0" /></a><br />We had seen the ones at the camp and were quite excited so ended up a little disappointed.<br /><br />On the way home, our guide offered to take us to Tiger Kingdom where you can see and pet tigers. Everyone seemed game so we stopped, but instead of it being 100 baht to walk around, the only option was to actually get in with the tigers, and that cost anywhere from 300 ($9) to 1300 baht. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGM7F9SdDV5yBjhuLSsFHZ3Kow03tlgdHC7x5fgK7BhegL5pvp1yhGJ-JVud_paGVYjMxDHgQx6oOgVwSrJIfZmbAXwIE3Fl21DRsvVVEOW80M_t3cvLBv0hOojEXsevuR_NZaZMDXQsx/s1600-h/DSC01065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGM7F9SdDV5yBjhuLSsFHZ3Kow03tlgdHC7x5fgK7BhegL5pvp1yhGJ-JVud_paGVYjMxDHgQx6oOgVwSrJIfZmbAXwIE3Fl21DRsvVVEOW80M_t3cvLBv0hOojEXsevuR_NZaZMDXQsx/s320/DSC01065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425125045711721426" border="0" /></a>Being suckers for something unique, the kids and I decided to go for it and Janice stayed on the safe side of the fence. We figured we'd never get this chance again, because civilized countries would never let tourists get in cages with 500 pound carnivores. It was actually really thrilling to be that close to a tiger, probably because it's my favorite land animal. Makena was too small to go in with the big tigers so she got to play with the cubs. That was so cool. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0GpRK3Y6f1fwt0br8kLWg_RE-DVZu1dlzfmsWp1xCoxvOYEWkiXs_6bkGvnfZdoL6b0iBB_RB_9zF27fuvCxPH0ZYOzGPNGkzH9oIMMQPWBeUgy8WXUZdyT8LIiKyjsd_RchRi_KenaI/s1600-h/DSC01081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0GpRK3Y6f1fwt0br8kLWg_RE-DVZu1dlzfmsWp1xCoxvOYEWkiXs_6bkGvnfZdoL6b0iBB_RB_9zF27fuvCxPH0ZYOzGPNGkzH9oIMMQPWBeUgy8WXUZdyT8LIiKyjsd_RchRi_KenaI/s320/DSC01081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425125231678439362" border="0" /></a> They were active and very playful and she was totally in love with them.<br /><br />This was a really stellar day, one which we will not soon forget. Part three soon.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-36093058597976063782010-01-09T22:07:00.010+08:002010-01-09T22:54:00.023+08:00Thai Christmas Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNSTIXmyAfeVv8kxbonJkRILx23l37zGnSffPfPFfuPmhQZ_sqIdHrX0EbFIDpM-hockzuPlI4r2W3uI6iaU9KPfNv7NFhRGxqZNhuZwhBqDK4PLBQPaz0YO4MdILNbPCdrWcl4SDc4dP/s1600-h/IMG_6386.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNSTIXmyAfeVv8kxbonJkRILx23l37zGnSffPfPFfuPmhQZ_sqIdHrX0EbFIDpM-hockzuPlI4r2W3uI6iaU9KPfNv7NFhRGxqZNhuZwhBqDK4PLBQPaz0YO4MdILNbPCdrWcl4SDc4dP/s320/IMG_6386.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424750882447877474" /></a><br /><br />Okay, I suck as a blogger. I put off blogging before Christmas because it was busy. Then, we didn't take our computer to Thailand (not necessarily my plan) so couldn't really blog while there, so here I sit trying to summarize 2 amazing weeks in the most exotic place we've ever been and update you on where we're at in life.....and realize that it's impossible. So, here's what I'll do. I'll divide the trip in three and also post a photo album, and then I'll update you on life. <br /><br />Our trip started with a trip on the high speed rail.....no, back up a sec. We left on Sunday, Dec. 20. Because we were going to be away for Christmas, we decided to do the Christmas morning thing on the morning we left. So, the night before, while Isaac was at a youth banquet, the three of us sat on the couch watching a Christmas movie, when all of a sudden, the house started to shake. It was definitely the most powerful and longest earthquake we've ever experienced. Janice started to pray for safety and I jumped up and grabbed the bookshelf so stuff wouldn't fall off, instead of running for a door like the manual said. I was worried that our trip might be affected, depending where the epicenter was located. The quake lasted over a minute, but finally stopped and didn't affect our travel after all.<br /><br />So, our trip started with a ride on the 300 km/h high speed rail to Taipei. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIfmq3x22mIrqZ5_Vc9kwuKIe0YHPJJZEjfd1h3XyFjKCkMZMo5XXeTzQAVEO42OvwcKMlejxvzxWAKYG1BOPhsOQbnLt1DPzk3sXYP33u-ijml0a1uhVms_93CFf_cwA9ohDCa4EY3xB/s1600-h/IMG_5747.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIfmq3x22mIrqZ5_Vc9kwuKIe0YHPJJZEjfd1h3XyFjKCkMZMo5XXeTzQAVEO42OvwcKMlejxvzxWAKYG1BOPhsOQbnLt1DPzk3sXYP33u-ijml0a1uhVms_93CFf_cwA9ohDCa4EY3xB/s320/IMG_5747.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424752438406910178" /></a>From there we flew to Bangkok. We had one day to see Bangkok before we caught the night train to Chiang Mai. We were quite excited about Chiang Mai because some great friends from Abbotsford, the Lundbergs, are there for a year and we were going to spend Christmas with them.<br /><br />Bangkok was interesting. Not a very clean city and lots of people trying to take advantage of you (of course everyone has a different opinion about this city but for us, it's not a place we need to go back to). We had one guy try to swindle us with his TukTuk buddy. We did see two cool temples <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpufFGzZfm1uhGBxMbtTga1SwGNIZ7pWPjNWwx-25Db-GDiTOpcC0EfveO5u-hYxaZ_s5mLtD5JC8P0NWtOOwO7KhEzLsLEOkiV3DjuzZbI-i1BZdnCFZ1bumaV0KWMmKNTDlWiGoB0ZF/s1600-h/IMG_5844.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpufFGzZfm1uhGBxMbtTga1SwGNIZ7pWPjNWwx-25Db-GDiTOpcC0EfveO5u-hYxaZ_s5mLtD5JC8P0NWtOOwO7KhEzLsLEOkiV3DjuzZbI-i1BZdnCFZ1bumaV0KWMmKNTDlWiGoB0ZF/s320/IMG_5844.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424750762994239554" /></a>(Wat Arun and Wot Po) and our first longtails (boats) and rode the water taxis up Chao Phraya (the main river). We also spend a couple hours in the morning back at the airport trying to track down our train tickets. That was a frustrating experience and probably didn't help to ingratiate us to the city. Our hotel was nice and we would be returning there two more times as we hubbed in Bangkok (just made that word up).<br /><br />We dropped our luggage at the train station for "safe keeping," The train station was not quite what we expected and was really like what you see in those National Geographic films about backwoods India....very dirty and crowded. This is also where we first learned about paying to go into the washroom. Not much money (about 6 cents) but requiring a full time person to count your pennies (baht). The sign said the money was to pay for water and paper towels but it seems that it was something they were saving for in the future because it was non-existent when we were there. After seeing all we wanted, and with only 30 minutes of light but 5 hours till our train, we headed to the mall to try to catch a movie. We found a Tuk Tuk <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYQ2ddFG7y5PmWcAIWJMa9zLXOjNABXvtbLKb35OQFnSDtxWGN8-Rr8AKrp2zQLdYmHaTZT8lXYg3i8JeW_UBHl4zvGyRD14_LKJx8GT_qLLnfJDkEoxSKpyUGps2J9txEEFX8yumdHIw/s1600-h/IMG_5897.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYQ2ddFG7y5PmWcAIWJMa9zLXOjNABXvtbLKb35OQFnSDtxWGN8-Rr8AKrp2zQLdYmHaTZT8lXYg3i8JeW_UBHl4zvGyRD14_LKJx8GT_qLLnfJDkEoxSKpyUGps2J9txEEFX8yumdHIw/s320/IMG_5897.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424753206701779858" /></a>(awesome little 3 wheeled motorcycle taxis, a must if you visit) and made the crazy 20 minute ride. Once there, we found out only movie that seemed to fit our family, Avatar, was too long and we'd miss our train (turns out that was a good thing because Janice and I saw it last night and it would definitely not be a movie for Makena). We shopped around and checked out the cheap and crowded (in a good way) night market in a mall, and headed for the train station. We recovered our baggage (safely) and took a seat, only to be told that our train was ready for boarding. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsTY1NLShXFmfTu6P26WiqynocThalkPZJaTWAUyiY8DDx0JCIo6r08aNaSzIGoSVH7uAxkhxP_gz8AoeGagmF0bJ4-DTmwd9VuL2mz6_YqabEfEOAM5MIkMYO071YoFNMOshhTvoGiql/s1600-h/IMG_5877.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsTY1NLShXFmfTu6P26WiqynocThalkPZJaTWAUyiY8DDx0JCIo6r08aNaSzIGoSVH7uAxkhxP_gz8AoeGagmF0bJ4-DTmwd9VuL2mz6_YqabEfEOAM5MIkMYO071YoFNMOshhTvoGiql/s320/IMG_5877.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424752884716342066" /></a>We had originally hoped for sleeper berths with doors, but this train didn't have them. In our car, the seats fold into beds and then they hang curtains. When we arrived, our beds were all made with fresh sheets, and, apart from the constant swaying and bumping which interfered with sleep in a major way, it was quite cozy. The longest part of the trip was from 7 am on. The scenery wasn't as spectacular as I'd heard so it was a very long 6 hour sit till we arrived in Chiang Mai. The toilet, a story in themselves, were metal squatties (on a bumpy train) with a big hole that emptied out onto the track. Interesting. Once in Chiang Mai, we negotiated a great deal on 2 Tuk Tuks and headed for Galare Guest house. What an amazing place (for $35 bux a night) and we totally fell in love with the city of Chiang Mai.<br /><br />Okay, so this may be 4 or 5 parts, I'm tired. More later.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-44526367079681856482009-12-05T22:17:00.002+08:002009-12-05T22:18:12.669+08:00Kenting Photo Album<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI2MDAyMjU2OTU1OSZwdD*xMjYwMDIyNjQ2MzQ*JnA9Mzg2MzYxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz**YzE3NjYwZGVkYjI*NzZjYTIyNjU3MjJiZjQ5NTJjOSZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="width:480px;text-align:right;"><embed width="480" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed575.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss200%2Fseagullplayer%2FKenting%2Ffeed.rss" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" > </embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" /></a><a href="http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss200/seagullplayer/Kenting/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" /></a></div>Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-83285925040318559402009-12-04T20:54:00.016+08:002009-12-05T22:58:05.812+08:00Paradise Found<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqI1k9-mC9bujSvT9kNrXDKNe_g-qoM71Wu186a25I4oVoy0A_MBybn_Jv_pY7-rtfVtsOxbvz-SVvlyYGM0_RCnHUPfyWjYfM0kLwZyLA8rWs-VxnQew0QDUsCqbxurunckWx9KjoZex/s1600-h/IMG_8378.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqI1k9-mC9bujSvT9kNrXDKNe_g-qoM71Wu186a25I4oVoy0A_MBybn_Jv_pY7-rtfVtsOxbvz-SVvlyYGM0_RCnHUPfyWjYfM0kLwZyLA8rWs-VxnQew0QDUsCqbxurunckWx9KjoZex/s320/IMG_8378.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411609242211871474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Unlike many places in Asia, Taiwan isn't known for it's amazing beaches, except, apparently, for one spot. That spot is Kenting, at the southern tip of Taiwan. I've lived for the past 4 months in disbelief of this legend though. That's because, up until last weekend, our only experience there was at our staff retreat, when the beach was stormy, murky and full of debris. I realized that it had only been a month since the typhoon but was still skeptical that the beach would be a place where you could actually go snorkeling, see lots of fish and play in the waves. How wrong I was.<br /><br />During the Thanksgiving break, while all the USAers were attending obligatory Thanksgiving dinners, we decided to head down and give Kenting another try. We explored a number of accommodation options, including The Oasis, which is a guest house run by some OMF missionaries and is a place for missionaries to go and retreat. They offer simple rooms and meals if you want them. Some people had discouraged us from going there for various reasons, including the fact that it's not near the beach or town of Kenting (but only less than 10 minutes drive). Well, it turns out it was a great decision. There was only one other couple there so it was relatively quite, but the people running it were great, the food was interesting and the conversation enlightening. I actually even played a game (Stone Age) and enjoyed it. They had a great library, AV room, games room, trampoline and a guest kitchen where you could store your cooler stuff for the next day. They also made us bag lunches (meatloaf sandwiches for Isaac and I) to take to the beach. We would definitely go back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIv7uV2BLcXwCLx1LG2vxdV2BNQaqoil8lhKCzGjbJpoqG8weckIPTps7UNL8C8PcqPagoVS6jiMstrrsxAF9_z0tww6fEVx1tLoZA0WE1FNxLG0AZ9V-pSfQ06xPge2TsRfo3XBKjeFM/s1600-h/IMG_8355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIv7uV2BLcXwCLx1LG2vxdV2BNQaqoil8lhKCzGjbJpoqG8weckIPTps7UNL8C8PcqPagoVS6jiMstrrsxAF9_z0tww6fEVx1tLoZA0WE1FNxLG0AZ9V-pSfQ06xPge2TsRfo3XBKjeFM/s320/IMG_8355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411730429227192274" border="0" /></a>We left relatively early on Thursday morning (short week of school, yay), stopping for an espresso by the beach on the way down. We got to Kenting around 10:00 and found Baisha (White Sand Beach) which is one that people recommended. It's strange because you drive down one of a number of driveways and park, apparently in someone's yard. The first day we didn't pay, the second day we did. We rented 4 chairs and a big umbrella (for 9 bucks) and headed down to the sand. We were blown away. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw9YgOvcEC6bdXjC8MDEpWXVifMUg58CIEO1xpgh3l0GFDVkqoSAt6IUQQhAxkjttWrRijFxGkojvD6pKBR8Va2RBIl_dGkp2GO4r_C7ZcVY0vwJ1Zohr6IIifgbw3CY_If_BGh3y5aQD/s1600-h/IMG_8385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float:left;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw9YgOvcEC6bdXjC8MDEpWXVifMUg58CIEO1xpgh3l0GFDVkqoSAt6IUQQhAxkjttWrRijFxGkojvD6pKBR8Va2RBIl_dGkp2GO4r_C7ZcVY0vwJ1Zohr6IIifgbw3CY_If_BGh3y5aQD/s320/IMG_8385.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411731215537661250" /></a>It was second only to Napili Bay in Maui (not that we have been to that many beaches) and totally deserted. The middle was rougher than the edges, which were clear and good for snorkeling, but was fun for playing in the waves, tossing around the old pigskin. It was just like being back in Hawaii. We spend 3 or 4 hours there (unfortunately I didn't use enough sunscreen and got burnt.<br /><br />We headed back to Oasis and got our stuff organized and then headed to town to buy a few things. We returned for dinner (meatloaf) and then played our 3 hour game of Stone Age.<br /><br />The next day, we met the Muirs and the Harrisons at "Secret Cove." <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6EO9eos0eACpwhGliLt57kmLDI42drQsxAfQMP44KGTqqU4DB_XgPQMgHnM-ocMOY8i7nTqkxkFyY7i9kRTtvTT0MAfByCV5drDGz0acs2HV2QDiZNgZALmKZEhDnSeokg0R1xQovP5l/s1600-h/IMG_8395.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6EO9eos0eACpwhGliLt57kmLDI42drQsxAfQMP44KGTqqU4DB_XgPQMgHnM-ocMOY8i7nTqkxkFyY7i9kRTtvTT0MAfByCV5drDGz0acs2HV2QDiZNgZALmKZEhDnSeokg0R1xQovP5l/s320/IMG_8395.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411749254323710098" /></a>It's a hard to get to snorkel spot that is very sheltered but leads out through channels, to deeper and more interesting (yet rougher water). Admittedly, it wasn't Honolua Bay but it was better than most spots we've been to and definitely worth going back to. After a bit, the kids all wanted to go back to Baisha so we did and had another amazing time there. We were sitting on the beach, laughing and playing in the tropical water and wondering how we had missed 4 months of weekends when we could have been coming down. We definitely plan on returning more often. We headed to Oasis for showers and then down to the village for dinner and night market. We were bagged when we got home.<br /><br />The next day we headed home but not before first, heading down to hike to the southernmost tip of Taiwan <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDz17P5nUVFoCdeZI2NyDsS6PDntSj2fUXMiSIFwSKp45s3nFGN-IHUu9OhE9iA-WOjJIUrDzXUaJvcMlAwTSiPSvSd8eAYARsZrAjo1KFI3KN3rI2TnkXg_5Z3oREqfvf_R-nr5wRNqM/s1600-h/IMG_8447.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDz17P5nUVFoCdeZI2NyDsS6PDntSj2fUXMiSIFwSKp45s3nFGN-IHUu9OhE9iA-WOjJIUrDzXUaJvcMlAwTSiPSvSd8eAYARsZrAjo1KFI3KN3rI2TnkXg_5Z3oREqfvf_R-nr5wRNqM/s320/IMG_8447.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411749708095235858" /></a>(and saw the world's largest green soccerball). We then went to the National Museum of Marine Biology. Wow, amazing fish, walk through underwater tunnels and even a whale shark. It was amazingly put together, and had its own Starbucks.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL5CnXVm54FWAWOR2urXc24zpIOdwSbWAssQ3lZg9n4RVkH7Lva1mCUZLEpJr66zyJQXKgLn_vmQS-GL4RSNeFmCrv0x1f_ezBq2I39NB4gGFDTBwXT95cUex0Kvwj9iY3DsNJ_ZH0kXX/s1600-h/IMG_8473.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnL5CnXVm54FWAWOR2urXc24zpIOdwSbWAssQ3lZg9n4RVkH7Lva1mCUZLEpJr66zyJQXKgLn_vmQS-GL4RSNeFmCrv0x1f_ezBq2I39NB4gGFDTBwXT95cUex0Kvwj9iY3DsNJ_ZH0kXX/s320/IMG_8473.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411749969892291762" /></a><br /><br />The trip home was interesting, and a story in and of itself (see next blog).<br /><br />What a great way to spend a holiday. We came back planning to return often. Even for the day.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3903558722817767681.post-50052083375019486822009-11-21T08:31:00.009+08:002009-12-19T21:23:23.108+08:00Saturday Hikes (and Wednesday Runs)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFSABFKM3drTjTxIyoDplMaYX6pPwo_dyVbuqNj4n4r1f-3lwZwY3kbdluivi6VJi5wcL-P56xYrbYbDCMKeBd9TNkgRdNV-AZQMXA1UMuKOAT6q9tGmGNIDvvD0jmzHBk1is9XtDQVzg/s1600-h/IMG_5728.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFSABFKM3drTjTxIyoDplMaYX6pPwo_dyVbuqNj4n4r1f-3lwZwY3kbdluivi6VJi5wcL-P56xYrbYbDCMKeBd9TNkgRdNV-AZQMXA1UMuKOAT6q9tGmGNIDvvD0jmzHBk1is9XtDQVzg/s320/IMG_5728.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416935114080381426" /></a><br /><br />About 5 minutes scooter ride from our apartment is a little village/market/hiking area called Guanyingshan. Every morning it's a bustling market with tons of stalls of food, clothing, and other interesting things. Every Saturday morning Janice and I walk the trails and then circle back through the market. It's about a 45 minute hike, with an amazing coffee stop in the middle.<br /><br />It starts with a pretty steep hike up the road and then up the first part of the trail. It's well used by people of every age. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCXk3FmSmlR84ZIF0GPy02F6zMbuLp_odfWxkVGinmnfJngyrBhL8Yr-qwNiouA9T26GdaVZypUpp9yXNAgJHNyfwQ3umwEH-wVZBXLRJ9dwqYe3-3M7HpBNsDcnjNJyVP6kD8U3s9srQ/s1600-h/IMG_5731.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCXk3FmSmlR84ZIF0GPy02F6zMbuLp_odfWxkVGinmnfJngyrBhL8Yr-qwNiouA9T26GdaVZypUpp9yXNAgJHNyfwQ3umwEH-wVZBXLRJ9dwqYe3-3M7HpBNsDcnjNJyVP6kD8U3s9srQ/s320/IMG_5731.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416934805838976754" /></a>Some of them choose to hike it in bare feet and many of them are walking with way more clothes (jackets, sweaters) than I would think is comfortable. The walk is quite steep for the first 1/3 but you are rewarded with a great view at the end. You then come out at the top where there are ropes for climbing the dirt hills/cliffs, giant and heavy hula hoops, twistercizers and big tires which people lie on backwards in a seeming spine breaking move. There is often taichi going on and people just chilling after the big climb. Many trails go off from there which are really up and down. Along the way there are more interesting viewpoints.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMt_uVSvUYpIs7Qu2T87U8-bJMAHe-Q8ednnILgQ3XW5-aaVFRHu0CdZHzoDY-k-cYBMhQcHPuKA9v28ER7OySLCaA6Pdoto967aHQo-_CSbuKvVdh88S3r-EvfRfdonNwKqEG-JrslSq/s1600-h/IMG_5729.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMt_uVSvUYpIs7Qu2T87U8-bJMAHe-Q8ednnILgQ3XW5-aaVFRHu0CdZHzoDY-k-cYBMhQcHPuKA9v28ER7OySLCaA6Pdoto967aHQo-_CSbuKvVdh88S3r-EvfRfdonNwKqEG-JrslSq/s320/IMG_5729.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416935959247436226" /></a><br /><br />Partway along the hike are some interesting little areas where some rough shelters are set up and some people keep gardens. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTEw6_dQ695jlbfbbvlH1lZIX31jUFNK47JgjZx_XTgnwDZAqSebYbhBq-cfQWWoxBIueCk4e7ezcTlS9kC0pBuktV8SQZLmN2jDHavVpFtA0JXosUkPyRcHVEqYB-Hr4qUp6v9fxkl8z/s1600-h/IMG_5732.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTEw6_dQ695jlbfbbvlH1lZIX31jUFNK47JgjZx_XTgnwDZAqSebYbhBq-cfQWWoxBIueCk4e7ezcTlS9kC0pBuktV8SQZLmN2jDHavVpFtA0JXosUkPyRcHVEqYB-Hr4qUp6v9fxkl8z/s320/IMG_5732.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416937116211292098" /></a>They are little areas of trees and flowers with spots for sitting or resting. They're really quite beautiful and definitely a lot of care and attention goes onto them.<br /><br />One interesting thing we've noticed is that, besides people walking barefoot, they also walk downhill backwards, supposedly to avoid damaging their knees. The weird thing is that lots of them walk uphill backwards, which is kind of doing the opposite, I think.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5fxcGjZ7b4GsI67dfkCgjTncMXVDFvDlgZEnlH0qcHoLAq8QRst8Yy4-pl-Fvg21vekNmtXPdeyaMKa-glEbxIFWgxKMDUIh5SUEoNtEZOYaTPvsZZ6M3Eko7JxcI7MTMdLEzLtBob5_/s1600-h/IMG_0367.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5fxcGjZ7b4GsI67dfkCgjTncMXVDFvDlgZEnlH0qcHoLAq8QRst8Yy4-pl-Fvg21vekNmtXPdeyaMKa-glEbxIFWgxKMDUIh5SUEoNtEZOYaTPvsZZ6M3Eko7JxcI7MTMdLEzLtBob5_/s320/IMG_0367.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416936321178849810" /></a>When we get through the hike, we head down through the market....still very steep. Partway down, we stop at this little coffee stand. The husband and wife that run it are amazingly nice and we've actually built a bit of a relationship with them. The man makes the coffee with this very cool vacuum, science lab looking sort of thing. So cool, in fact that I had to buy one. I'll post a vid later, after I get it for Christmas tomorrow (teehee).<br /><br />Everytime we walk through market, Janice says "I really love Guanyingshan." The only thing we wish for is that some of the food would be palatable.....nothing much but stinky tofu and other strange things. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWf6HgGLhgO2ijyF6Z20RiwQaKq5wEpUuIvEFJGcKlUwWrAcN0dgmdoXQ4dTazJca3Z2R-PZoue_AAr_7tM_Qrugl0rML7ejDnBauqPzu1yByqc66zBQ7CYMFBDAGREt4hyobPaczQkIh/s1600-h/IMG_0368.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWf6HgGLhgO2ijyF6Z20RiwQaKq5wEpUuIvEFJGcKlUwWrAcN0dgmdoXQ4dTazJca3Z2R-PZoue_AAr_7tM_Qrugl0rML7ejDnBauqPzu1yByqc66zBQ7CYMFBDAGREt4hyobPaczQkIh/s320/IMG_0368.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416935663870451010" /></a>Fresh fruit and veggies good though.<br /><br />On Wednesdays, I run the same route. I leave work by 4 (instead of the usual 6) and head over for my run. It's a great workout and really beautiful.<br /><br />Well, better get off to bed. Tomorrow is "our" Christmas. We'll do presents in the morning and then head for Thailand. More posts when we get back. Miss you all.Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04307303356428392973noreply@blogger.com0