romintaiwan

It's been a while - did you miss me?

2008-04-09T08:34:00.006+08:00

Stunning delicious Salt River farmer's market at ....and Scarborough Beach. I miss both.

This is what I miss most - outdoor dinners with great friends - Elsa & Russ in their stunning garden and Helen & Evan and Valentine's friends - wonderful night!

Near the Red Hill area after a fire. Solitary penguin at Boulders Beach.

One of the 10 photos I was allowed to take of the gorgeous Gilberts playing in the water...and I love this photo of Dad Costa and daughter, Gabi.

So it has been 4 months since I wrote and nothing that fun has happened. Here's just a brief run-down and some amusing things I've seen. I went home in Feb and it was mostly a sad time with some good times with friends and a little shopping thrown in. The atmosphere in SA is strange at the moment and I went to a friend's sister's funeral and my special family 'uncle Frits' died in Holland. Apparently the Year of the Rat is not good for Rats and so far.....even though I did a special ceremony to protect myself. Guess money can't buy happiness!

I've moved into a lovely new apartment in a new community and so that part is going well. I also have more challenges and responsibilities at school - I think to shut me up - you know how I cause trouble when I'm bored!

No amazing new photos really...I'll just post some from SA.

And then there's the menu - which always makes us laugh. This is from a nice hotel we found in Fulong and the food was good - just surprising - despite the English descriptions below...

"Go to a small row of the bone chicken thigh" ; "The five senses drench nine" ; "Peaceful-like seafood salad" ; "Sweet and sour apple fish willow tree" ; "The parsley fries the soft silk" ;
"Loses flavor presently fishes the small volume" ; "In the peaceful-like sauce curls" ; "The garlic explodes the lettuce vegetable".

Absolutely hysterical direct translations - anyway whatever we ordered was delicious so it worked out well.

So that's about it - will write with more happy jolly hippy stuff when it happens.

Alley in Kalk's Bay where I always end up. Fishermen and nets in Hout Bay.

happy new year --- "xiennen kuaile"

2008-01-04T13:26:00.000+08:00

Braved the crowds to enjoy a wonderful new year's eve in Taipei to watch what may be the last fireworks at Taipei 101 (no longer the tallest building in the world :( ). It was amazing and despite half a million people, very well organised with no trouble. Kim and I tried out a locals darts bar and met some very amusing people! Haven't laughed so much in ages!

Hope your 2008 is peaceful and full of happiness!

Australia & Singapore Holiday in November

2007-12-26T09:21:00.000+08:00

The view of Cottesloe beach. John kitesurfing.

Swimming with dolphins. White sand and turquiose seas at Rottnest.

My trusty uncomfortable bike. The sunset view from "my" balcony in Cottesloe!

Wide open flat spaces - something I haven't seen in a while.

A regatta I chanced upon in Freo. The only live kangaroos I saw in Perth- others were roadkill :(

Every time I start having extra cash - - - I buy an airticket. This is an addiction which I enjoy but my credit card doesn't. I took 2 weeks off in November and flew to Perth to get some sun and sand and pizza. I stayed with John from varsity and his home was the most perfect location, right on the beach in Cottesloe. So mostly I walked around Kings Park in Perth, walked on the beach, did a little shopping (a very little), went to Fremantle and just generally soaked up the sun. Then I splashed out and took a ferry to Rottnest Island which is only 40 mins away from Freo. Stunning place with loads of family holiday makers and school leavers. Stayed in a grotty hostel, only one night TG, loved cycling around and snorkeling in azure water but it was damn chilly after being spoilt by the warm Pacific for 2 years. Then to further damage my bank balance I hired a gorgeous new Toyota Corolla and drove about 1000km down to the south-western area which is known for wine farms and beaches. So similar to Cape Town but the sea seems closer to the farms in Aus. Stopped in Bunbury to experience a dolphin encounter at a volunteer organisation which was magic of course. The water was choppy and chilly though so disn't have great sightings but still very special. Then carried on through Margaret River - very similar to Franschhoek but not as posh and then found my hotel. Which by pure chance turned out to be the most amazing choice. An en-suite room in a new hostel near the Prevelly Beach. Stunning and so like the Scarborough coastline (even smelled the same and the architecture of the holiday homes was almost identical!)

What a wonderful Horoscope-8 Sept!

2007-09-08T20:28:00.001+08:00

Leo (July 22 - August 22)
The stars and the fairies are in a wonderful sort of competition for your love and admiration, dear Leo. They shower an incredible amount of love on you. Use this love to get lost in the wild, wild atmosphere today. Today, you can do absolutely anything you please. You're going to laugh in the face of convention, taboos, and danger. You needed someone to listen to you and support you, and now you can just abandon yourself to living!

31 August 2007

2007-08-31T20:37:00.000+08:00

It's 10 years since my heroine died tragically. And I still cry. It still feels like yesterday in some respects. But for me it is also an anniversary. So much has happened and changed in those ten years and the memorial service for Princess Diana seems to highlight that for me. Mum woke me up on that Sunday morning to tell me about the car accident in Paris and I cried all the way to Mabula on my way to beginning my job and a life in the bush. The end of an era in which I worshipped Diana and the start of a journey in which I could never have guessed the ending.

I've been the happiest and saddest and again the happiest in those 10 years - lost and found, lost again and en route to being 'found' again. I've met so many people who have changed my life and taught me so much - I've lived in and been to incredible places all over the world - Namibia and Ireland, Italy and Taiwan. The people I've met, the friendships I've renewed and started and lost have all made the last 10 years horrendous and incredible and truly enlightening. 10 years ago, I couldn't have predicted the outcome of my journey, nor would I have wanted to, as I would have turned back or jumped off!

I'm still looking for the role I'm to play in this life but at least I'm doing it with intention and purpose and open eyes - a huge leap from 10 years ago. I still miss Diana and some parts of me from 10 years ago, but I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to have moved on. (is that good English-who knows?)

I hope the next ten years will be no less eventful but filled with more grace and pleasures, and a little less trauma please.

Thank you all for sharing the last 10 years with me.

2007-08-17T08:17:00.000+08:00

My washing instructions:
DO NOT BLTACH
TAND WASH ONLY
SOOL IRON IF NECESSARY
Why worry about safety standards when the washing instructions are so hard to get right?

DOLPHINS & .....??! - Last Sunday

2007-07-19T23:00:00.001+08:00

So I was 'Queen of the World' here on the way to Turtle Island after waiting in the boiling sun for an hour and there is the island that looks like a turtle. And then I needed a bag - felt seasick for the first time since my Holland sailing experience. Kim was kind enough NOT to take pics of the action but she did laugh....a lot.....and tell everyone we know in Keelung.

It was an incredible trip - bus to Rueifang, a 1/2 fast-train south to Toucheng and then 1/2 walk in sun trying to find the sea and then back to train station - taxi to harbour - wait for 1 1/2hours til 12hoo boat departure then wait for more passengers til 1pm in boiling sun! Then saw flying fish - big ones and teeny tiny ones ~~~ truly incredible!!! First time I've seen them - they literally skim across the water for ages!

Then the sick part.....

But we saw Spinner Dolphins - about 100 of them! Magical - even some babies and they were spinning for us and we were the only boat for a while - I just wish I hadn't felt so ill and that I had my camera (she's still in hospital having her screen fixed after I dropped her on her head!)

It was a brilliant but exhausting day!

More Sun Moon Pics

2007-07-19T22:50:00.000+08:00

Sun Moon Lake Long Weekend!

2007-07-19T21:53:00.000+08:00

I lived up to my promise and took a day off a few weeks ago so I could go away for a long weekend and then some other people thought I was a genius so they joined me on my trip to Sun Moon Lake! It was amazing-we booked bus tickets ahead of time, met at school with our bags, were on our way to catch the bus - all good - then I rememered I left the tickets for everyone at home - so I had to get a taxi back home and fetch them. Great start as I was the laughing stock - Organised Rom Messes Up Again!

But then things got better - we arrived at about 1am and found our hotel-5 people sharing one big room, 3 beds and one bathroom - mmmnnn! Next day we found Starbucks and then walked around the lake - it's really serene and tranquil there. We went on a short "hike" up a road to a tea research centre and meteorological station - but it was very, very hot. I mean really hot so I was whingy! Took some great photos though. Across the lake, by a short expensive boat trip, is a rather touristy village where we found Indian food and rice wine and lots and lots of Made In China stuff. We had a delicious dinner and a good rest that night. Then on Sunday we hired scooters (I was a passenger for 1/2 the day and a whizzing driver for about 2 hours ) and we drove around to a very special temple, a pagoda built for Chiang Kai Shek's mother and to the Aboriginal Cultural Village/Amusement park! Talk about contrasts and contradictions! It was a perfect day for me - adventure, peace, nature and rollercoasters but Gordon was a little sick but very brave!

Honda left that night and the rest of us had a a few moonlit drinks. Niall & Darren left early the next day and Gordon and I went to Puli to tour the Winery & Brewery which was badly damaged in the 1999 earthquake. We ate a lot of wine products and it poured with rain - so very memorable. We took the bus back to Taipei and I saw my first Taiwanese rainbow - I felt so blessed to share such a different and quiet part of Taiwan with good friends - that's why I'm here after all!

weirder and weirder

2007-06-21T08:45:00.000+08:00

We had Tuesday off for Dragonboat Festival which was a treat so I went down to Bisha harbour to see what it's all about....it goes on all day and reminds me too much of the endless rowing regattas so I only stayed to take some pics.

Then I had my hair trimmed and Mum phoned with my head in the basin, and then I went to Taipei to book bus tickets to Sun Moon Lake. We are going after work on Friday for 3 nights-it's the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan - right in the centre. The towns around it were badly damaged by the huge earthquake in 1999 - I'm so excited as it looks beautiful and there are rollercoasters nearby - whoohoo! Will take loads of pics!

On the bus ride home from Taipei, I had the weirdest experience. Got one of the brand new busses which has mauve and baby blue frilly curtains on each window and TV screens to watch movies - the sound comes out of your headrest. And the movie was "Tsotsi" - The most surreal experience watching a 'local' movie with Chinese subtitles in a brothel bus with sound pumping into my ears...

beach days

2007-06-18T12:56:00.000+08:00

One of the joys of only starting work at 5pm is that we can go to the beach on good days....which we've been doing! I've bought a mask and fins so that I can snorkel about (my favourite thing next to icecream!) and it's been magic. At the beach about 30 mins away called Waimushan, I've seen amazing blue fish, crabs, shells, and loads of other nameless beauties.

Otherwise not much is new. Been looking after Kim's dog, Shadow so I was walking around our community a lot and it rained a lot but today is perfect.

OK, bye!

wonderful week but no fish ;(

2007-05-29T09:12:00.000+08:00

We went to a Tapas Restaurant in Taipei for Kim & Gordon's May birthdays and ate good food and drank Sangria and laughed and joked and acted silly as usual. Then off to Roxy's which was too hot and too crowded and too sweaty but we danced hard and laughed like mad and sweated lots, so it was fun. And then we came home in the early hours. And the youngest people slept.

And then.....after a few hours sleep.... I went fishing (is it still fishing if you don't catch any fish :p?) at Hoping Dao - very busy with families enjoying the tidal and paddling pools. Great to see locals actually enjoying the resources provided - it's been killer hot lately and there was no better place to be. The recently bought fishing rods were put to fine use but the fish were on vacation too! We swam and saw bright blue fish and I loved it. The sun was going down and it was almost magically beautiful. Like a movie scene. With special effects and great lighting and extras.

And then, we went night fishing at Bisha harbour. Really beautiful - with lights reflecting on the still black water and boats coming in and out and a welcome cool breeze. I could have stayed there forever. There were even some fireworks - my favourite. We ate fried rice and I watched the frustrated fishermen....and then I crashed. It was a long, tiring, fantasy, near perfect weekend...with friends and food and fish - well almost. I'm very lucky.

Mother's Day

2007-05-16T09:29:00.000+08:00

This year I celebrated one of the most commercialised 'holidays' with someone else's Mum and it was delicious! (But I did call my Mum too!) A friend, Johnson, invited me to spend the day with his parents and they took me to an amazing restaurant just outside Taipei City. The place is huge and can seat 1000 hungry people at a sitting (there are 2 sittings for each meal). It's a buffet with hundreds of dishes from sashimi, sushi, salad, fruit, cakes, grilled, steamed, deep fried, roasted meats and fish - but it narrows it down if you only eat fish. I was in awe of how smoothly the system worked and wish I could have implemented some tricks in the lodges in SA.
We then went to one of the oldest temples for the God of Studying, Martial Arts and Good Husbands - so I hope my Chinese and Karate show a marked improvement soon!
They were all so warm and generous so I felt very comfortable even though we communicated with gestures and Johnson had to translate sometimes. His mother is actually at the same gym but it seems to be doing a better job on HER! I left with 2 huge bags of fruit and chestnuts and a Lotto ticket so it was a very special day.

Only in Taiwan...

2007-05-10T09:09:00.000+08:00

must be one of the strangest things I've done in Taiwan - gone shrimp fishing at 10pm!

What an experience to be invited to join a bunch of friends to fish for our own shrimps/prawns! It all happens in a big black pool of water, with a very light pole, tiny shrimp as bait on a miniature hook. Luckily I have a day job - as I caught one in 4 hours !!!! Not exactly skilled!

But then the little blighters (actually about the size of Queen prawns) are covered in coarse salt and grilled - so I ate shrimp at 2am! They were delicious - although it seems my vegetarian status is very blurred - I've gone from buying them in a box at a supermarket, to choosing them in a restaurant fish tank, to putting them alive into a hotpot - to catching them myself!!!

A steady slippery slide...oh dear :(

here are some cellphone pics to proof it...

It's nearly Christmas...

2007-04-30T22:22:00.000+08:00

...well the year is whizzing past and I want more presents...

Last few weeks of April - Kim and I took an adventurous Sunday jaunt on the Pingxi Railway line to Jingtong and the Shifen waterfall.

I love this pic..a billboard of the Lantern Festival, a camera, a scooter - very "Taiwan".

It involved an odd taxi driver, a very expensive fish lunch; less shopping than we'd wished for; 2 weddings and no funerals; lanterns big and small; a cat on a leash in a bag; a bus in the wrong direction and we never saw the waterfall - they charge an exhorbitant fee!

So here are the photos to go with the fun - I know you never read the waffle that goes with them so just enjoy the images...:p

And a few other pics of animals out on the town and in the big city...

and my favourite picture of the moment. Brilliant right?

Busy busy bee

2007-04-17T11:56:00.000+08:00

We've had some time off for Tomb Sweeping Festival and the syllabus issues that Public Holidays create so Darren, Gordon & I went to Ilan/Yilan (who knows?) by scooter. Great idea. My butt thinks otherwise :( 4 hours on the back of a scooter hurts like hell! but the Traditional Arts & Culture Centre we visited was worth it - next time the train and hire scooters there! Then Richard hosted a superb feast at his place that night - so it was a wonderful day!

Yummy food and yes that's actually me in Taiwan!

Doug arriving ...... and then Doug leaving!!!

I'm painting my apartment white - it's been butter yellow far too long already. But as always, I start with enthusiasm and then fade when it all gets too much! So my apartment is a multi-toned mess at the moment.

We also had an AirRaid drill on Tuesday which was quite exciting except it wasn't really. Taipei & Keelung shut down for 1/2 hour - no traffic, no lights - just emergency service staff practicing stuff. It was pouring with rain so I felt sorry for all the police standing in the rain - I spent the time in Starbucks so not too painful!

More photos...

2007-04-09T23:22:00.000+08:00

The Big Toe Tale

2007-04-09T22:50:00.000+08:00

So. Richard has Gout. Sorry, need to share that private fact because it sets the scene. So Gout has been a topic of conversation at recent get-togethers.
Then one night at about 2a.m., I woke up with a hot, throbbing, red big toe. Taiwan has been full of toe issues for me - after I fell down the stairs last August, I lost my painted red right big toe nail in the middle of yoga class and another teeny tiny one in the hot springs. Then my right big toe nail started growing back wrong so I had to go to a doctor to fix it. This is not a very riveting story yet...but it does get better.
The sore throbbing toenail was my LEFT one this time and it hurt so badly that I couldn't sleep or let the duvet rest on it at all. So being remarkably self-sufficient, I looked up GOUT on a medical website and my symptoms matched perfectly.

attacks happen in the middle of the night
I eat a lot of asparagus, seafood, dried beans and spinach
the toe throbs, is red and hot
I don't drink enough water

But, I'm not male, post menopausal, under unusual stress or trauma, nor do I eat a rich meat diet. So poor Richard got frantic text messages asking for confirmation and sympathy for my Gout. I was going to be the first ground breaking, test case for women under 40 getting gout.So I went to the hospital, by myself, to cure this gout immediately. I was fast tracked through registration and escorted to the Renal & Colon Surgeon. Ummm, did I mention it was my toe?!?! I sat down, took off my shoe and showed the 'surgeon'. He pushed and prodded and looked and confirmed, in his limited English, that ..... my shoe was too tight. I suggested my diagnosis and he said "No. Your shoes are too tight and you walked far." Right then - just a tad embarrassing. So I took the prescription for anti-inflammatories and pain-killers and left hastily. Do you think I can ask for time off work?

My toe was, and still is, fine - almost immediately after he stated his medical opinion, it stopped being red and throbbing. But then I was wearing more comfortable shoes that day. Not my brightest moment. And Kim has milked it dry - I think everyone knows...and now, you do too! If you can't laugh at yourself...blah, blah, blah...

On a lighter note - Darren took me on his scooter up into YangmingShan - I was completely underdressed, so I froze but it was still very serene and great to be out and about. My legs hurt from the walking and my butt hurt from the scooter ride but it was so worth it.

April report

2007-04-06T11:28:00.000+08:00

Juice table

Not that much to report actually. Came back in March to wet and rainy Keelung and my yellow margarine apartment and my students. Nothing much has changed. Been drinking, shopping and watching TV programs on BitTorrent. When the sun comes out - I'm sure we'll do more fun stuff.
...some photos of the recent weeks

Q-bar - Sherry & Doug, Kim & Gordon and Old Man Richard.

Here is some funny Chinese English ...
ATTENTION
1. Do not take the pen apart, otherwise the paper would be not able to drawn into.
2. Please release and pull the paper gently and straightly, do not drawn too hard the paper into, it will make the aluminium to fall off.
(from a cute tourist pen I got as a gift)

and another ...

The black sugar is without the refinement pure sugar, contains the very rich mineral substance, the health does not put on weight, has the improvement angiosclerosis the function: a scrap boils a 500cc cup, because is the concentration, too is sweet may dilute, the proportion may own adjust. The refrigerator freezes may preserve a year.
(from a special ginger tea drink)

A great new vegetarian restaurant owned by a KOJEN's student's family...

Girls' Nights Out in Cape Town

2007-03-05T23:08:00.000+08:00

The first night - Robs in great form - girls behaving badly -

The second night without husbands or children ( nothing new for me :p )

Dinner started quietly enough - then things got out of hand

Looking so cool on the way out - cute barman likes older married woman with child - late night streetfood just like Taiwan!

The morning breakfast after the nights before...

The night before I left for SA....

2007-03-05T22:47:00.000+08:00

.....and why I had a hangover all the way to SA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinner was fairly civilised then to Q-ba.....and KTV....oh dear.

(sorry, out of sync with the dates...so these photos happened BEFORE everything else in Cape Town, Joburg and the bush!)

More of those Joburgers

2007-03-05T21:48:00.000+08:00

Almost a Johannesburg afternoon thunderstorm.

Mels' new daughter (Kaitlin's sister),Evyn, all the way from Alaska and at the dam with Paul.

Robs and charmer, Jack!

My Mum and Bookclub (sortof)!

and ballooning over my home (sortof)!

Jo'burgers no more

2007-03-05T21:42:00.000+08:00

The Vakis family have finally done it - moved down south to Wilderness Heights - YAHHOOOOO - now I have a new holiday home - yippeee!
But JHB won't be the same without you....

Magaliesberg magic

2007-03-05T21:37:00.000+08:00

Magical day bobbing in the pool in swimming costumes with the Ristic' family

Joburg folks

2007-03-05T21:22:00.000+08:00

Very special dinner at RussEl Boutique Hotel - delicious food, shared with friends -

Elsa & Russ; Bron, Tats, Cands, Nick and dogs, George & Taxco.

People & Places ... more

2007-03-05T21:14:00.000+08:00

Reflecting at Noordhoek...very weird seas that day & creeping green waves tried to wash me away.

The view over Simon's Town from Red Hill Pass
Wild seas...

Taiwanese me - a shadow of my former self 8)

Sue Lloyd-Roberts @ Groot Constantia for breakfast - yum!
Chapman's Peak Drive - don't walk off the edge...
So many clouds at the V & A...
Hout bay Harbour - yes, I like taking photos of fishing boats.

Emma Suter... Dr. Jay & Lisa with No.2 (yet to be named)
Fellow EFL teacher, Alex, at the very chic Manna in Kloof Street.
Carys when I was still a novelty!
Joseph playing... or doing yoga.

People and Places

2007-03-05T20:56:00.000+08:00

Fiona looking fabulous in Camps Bay.
Annabelle & Bertie from Namibia via Hermanus @ Woolies in Cavendish.
Carys & Joseph - Carys asked if I was going to be so 'curious' in JHB 'cos I take so many photos - here she shows how thrilled she is about my obsession with my new digital camera!

Celebrating Chinese New Year with Ryan, Evan & Helen.

Beating about in the Bush

2007-03-05T20:42:00.000+08:00

Lovely night in the Pilansberg National Park at Bakubung Lodge with my Mum. After missing the extremely obvious signboard to the Lodge, we had a great private game drive until we realised our mistake, followed by another 4 hour drive that evening.

For those that care (i.e. ME!) we saw = wild dogs (my wish), lions, elephants (tons - haha), black & white rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, springbok, hippo, kudu, waterbuck, baboons, vervet monkeys, marabou storks (flocks), yellow billed kites, and a mystery buck that my mum refuses to admit was an impala. :(

Under African Skies

2007-03-05T20:23:00.000+08:00

Misty Cliffs beach for those that know. A Chinese dragon boat at the V & A.

Vineyards at Groot Constantia and sunset at Camp's Bay.

My feet on vacation. Ladies out on the town - Robs, Me and Mel early on in the evening!
The perfect view of Table Mountain from Robben Island.
Kalk Bay harbour boats.

It was an amazing Feb in SA with family and friends...I spent less time in front of my laptop and a TV, went to bed before 12 most evenings and spent more time on the beaches, in the bush and at restaurants and playing with children. Fantastic to spend time with everyone in stunning weather (a "heat wave" according to the experts)....but since it's chilly and wet now in Keelung, I long for the sun already. I can't really explain how magic SA is - so some photos to give a hint - but strangely enough on the plane back to Taiwan, I felt I was coming 'home'. I think I've moved so many times in recent years, that perhaps 'home' truly is wherever I lay my head! It's good to be back - first day back at work today and some students seemed delighted to see me (the Fizzers may have helped) and my new shorter, blonder hair has been noted! (Damn expensive to fly back to Gavin every time I need a trim though!)

I miss all you SAfricans already but for now, I belong here, so keep reading and keep in touch!

Thank you all for welcoming me so kindly and sharing your precious time and laughs - loved every moment!

Whatzuuuup?

2007-01-26T10:07:00.000+08:00

It's been party party party - another surprise party for Richard and Rachel and then our delayed Christmas Party as we waited for Doug to return from Japan...but before he goes to Spain! PLEASE no more surprises - the tension is too great and the surprisee always messes it up, despite our strategic planning - Sherry was too early and Richard was too late!

WHAT ARE WE WATCHING?
THE NEW BOOKSHELF...exciting!

Thank you all for the delicious food [no SA folks - I'm no thinner than when I left :( ] ; laughs and balloons!

The big black pig is OD --- he's my Secret Santa gift from Ivy - 2007 is the Year of the Pig in Taiwan so I hope it's good luck :p

I'm in SA for February {I have renewed my contract so I'll be back in TWN for another year} - so looking forward to being on a beach, meeting all the new souls; blending in for a change; feeling normal size; shopping at Woolies; buying shoes; driving and catching up on all your adventures - so see you on the other side soon!

Taipei 101 New Year's Eve Magic

2007-01-09T13:18:00.000+08:00

I'm totally in love with this building but I wasn't brave enough to get too close on NY - literally millions of people - but I did see the last smoke out of the window where we celebrated! Stunning!

Christmas at KOJEN

2007-01-05T22:20:00.000+08:00

KIDS: Justin, Cynthia, William, Selena or Sandra (twins!), Cosmo, Ruby, Jessica, Joanne and Gina with the violin.

ADULTS: James, Me, Dimitri, Gina, Carol, Amanda, Ruby, Emily, Sharon, Emily

JUDGES: Me, Nick, Darren, Phillip and Niall (teachers) with Anne (Academic Director) and Grace (Adminstrative Director) standing at the back.
All the classes have to practice singing some carols under our "direction"....shame, my students lucked out! but we still won some levels (next year I'm going to go HUGE and make sure we sweep the floor in all classes :P) - here are some pics...the judges panel in reception, M10 performing and winning and my adults in front of the tree.

these are new year's eve actually...

2007-01-05T21:37:00.000+08:00

and as is tradition - I got alcohol spilt on me...happens every year :)

24th December 2006

2007-01-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

OK - these are photos from Sherry's B'day Xmas Eve "do" - and don't worry I do remember everything! We had an amazing dinner at Doug and Sherry then went to a KTV to sing karoake - my favourite - NOT- Richard got dressed up and made up for the event, Gordon got wrapped up, Sherry threw up and the rest of us just played up!

another open window...

2006-12-20T21:44:00.000+08:00

Jioufen for coffee - supposed to be a 'tea place' :p

2006-12-10T17:46:00.000+08:00

We ate some ice and sweet beans and peanuts and chewy squares here...a Jioufen delicacy -- Mmmnn -- the jury is still out on that one-- but the view from the spot was dreamy... Famous steps used in a movie...and the common red lanterns....

Coffee at Starbucks instead of tea in a traditional teahouse...Oops!

Yangmingshan on the way up...

2006-12-10T17:16:00.000+08:00

So many stairs...but look how high I am!

Proof that the couch potato was actually on top of the world!

Wulai photos

2006-12-10T13:41:00.000+08:00

26 Dec - 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE.....

2006-12-03T12:42:00.001+08:00

--- a very different Christmas this year...we had a surprise party for Sherry's birthday on Christmas Eve - except she gate-crashed it early...we had delicious food - not a turkey or mince pie in sight; then went to a KTV (Karoake) for a few hours. It's the weirdest thing - you hire out a private room and choose songs to sing on a big screen in front of your friends. There are couches and the staff just keep bringing more food and drink. Very strange...But I did sing "It's My Life" with gusto (but no microphone) as my students were less than impressed with my Christmas carol singing so I shelved my dream of being the next Rockstar Idol. Confirms my suspicion that I was included in the choir at school because they needed more tall girls in the back row. On Saturday night we had a 'Secret Santa' party at the school with lots of pizza and KFC and noodles and strawberries and I got a beautiful scarf. Monday was a rest day for obvious reasons and I had sushi and a McDonalds McFluffy for dinner....my, how things have changed.

Other than that, life ambles on - just looking forward to being back in SA and Namibia in February...will post pics of the festivities when I get them. BTW, there are Christmas miracles :)

Amazing weeks

2006-11-21T13:10:00.000+08:00

I've had loads of fun these past weeks...we have been to a 24hr Spa twice now. It's called Calla Young Garden Resort and there is something very magical about sitting in steaming hot pools with good friends under the stars until 11pm - actually one time we only left at about 3a.m. with Doug in stitches - literally - as he split his lip open. But he's OK now. http://www.calla.com.tw/index.htm This is the link to see the spot.

And then last Sunday, Darren and I went to Wulai which is on the southern outskirts of Taipei - a bus ride, 25 minutes on the MRT and another bus up the mountain to these great waterfalls. We walked around the town and took a little old train up to the cable car -very cool and then walked around in the mountains. It's very commercialised; unfortunately in a rather tacky way but it's quite amusing and we looked beyond the dancing show and amusement park and overfed koi fish so it was great to be out & about; despite Darren's hangover! (photos to follow)

And then on Sunday I was going to spend a rainy day in bed reading...but it turned into a beautiful Autumn day so 5 of us (including XP) drove the windy road up to Yangmingshan National Park and went for a walk. The area is very special - there are natural sulphur springs and geysers and amazing views in all directions.

The weather was perfect - not too hot and with foggy conditions in certain spots which cooled us down and really gave me the impression of walking in the clouds to the end of the earth. But it turned into a huge hike up a million stairs to the highest peak in the park Chichcingshan - Seven Stars Mountain......................

...........And then the second highest peak in the park too - despite our protests and some foul language from me; Doug's topographical map was not that accurate so we never levelled off and we never found the damn split before the peak...then Kim, the Canadian Mountain Goat and her Trusty Black Rescue Dog, XP - bounded down the peaks and took the wrong forks in the path so we all landed up in the parking lot - the wrong parking lot. Exhausted, we refused to walk another minute to the right parking lot somewhere along the road...so Sherry & I tried to hitch-hike (without success), we tried to catch a bus (with no money) so Doug tried to hitch-hike (without success) and he took a bus, found the car and came back to fetch us - thank goodness!

And then We then drove down into Tianmu in TPE, despite being hot & sweaty, and ate at a German Restaurant - how odd is that???

Funny Chinese story - Sherry phoned ahead from the car to reserve a table at the restaurant and was asked "Do we want table legs?" - naturally she said "Huh? Don't those come standard with the meal?" but it turns out that the Chinese word from eisbein (pork knuckles) is almost the same, so they need to ask to get it prepared in time - we found this hilarious as Sherry is fluent in English & Chinese and even she can get confused! No hope for blond me!

Anyway it was delicious food in a Biergarten with a real German Bakery - except the staff speak Chinese! Perfect end to an amazing day!

AND THEN...while we hobbled home, Kim saw a stray black puppy under a scooter in our community. We had all been talking about our 'doggy tales' that night and this little guy just looked up and said "Hi Mum! You found me". So she took him home - his name is Shadow and he's very, very cute - so it was meant to be!

And now it's raining a lot.

Finishing off...

2006-10-30T20:53:00.000+08:00

Thursday night was a seafood dinner with friends (where I was asked a favour - to join Kim, Sherry and Richard on a road trip to Kenting the next day!) and then Friday was Taipei day - we summited Taipei 101 (the highest occupied building in the world in the fastest elevator in the world!) and then ate di sum together - delicious!
Cam & Harriot departed very early on Saturday morning much to my dismay :( but I hope they had an interesting trip!
Midnight on Friday I slept all the way to Kenting ;0 - the furtherest southern spot in Taiwan where we beached it, ate, drank cocktails and shopped...I went on a crazy jetski ride with a local hooligan and landed in the sea a lot! Kind of like my white water rafting trip - I'm always blond & misinformed! We drove back on Monday and went straight back into the classroom...Crazy, wonderful, busy, amazing week! YIPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!

Green island Graphics

2006-10-29T13:33:00.000+08:00

Train wrecks

2006-10-23T12:03:00.000+08:00

Then on Tuesday - after weeks of plotting and planning - my overzealous organising skills meant we got on the wrong train - 15 mins too early - and ended up missing our actual booked train seats to Green Island! (Public transport disaster #2).

Cam & Harriot were very calm and patient while I had a nervous breakdown trying to get us on a later train, find new accommodation and change ferry bookings etc...not a great birthday for Cam! But after a very long 7hr train journey, standing up in the aisle, we really got a chance to laugh and chat and see some funny Taiwanese snippets - the train conductors that kept saying "Aiyo!" and slapping their foreheads when they checked our now hopelessly inaccurate tickets (wrong time, wrong train, no seats!); the young girls that scored our chips because they tried to practice some English...we ended up eating a fairly grim meal and staying in a very grim hostel in Taitung while we waited for the ferry on Wednesday morning. We were upgraded to VIP status on the 45min very trip - bigger seats. Whoohoo!

But GREEN ISLAND was magic....we were fetched at the harbour and then giving 2 scooters to drive... Mmnnn=Problem=neither Cam nor I have ever driven a scooter - as you know I've been on the back of a scooter but never actual made it go by myself. All I can say - the de Bucks are fast learners (no chirping about my 14 year learning curve thank you!) - we hopped on and whizzed off behind the van...well I wobbled and nearly crashed - cornering is not my strong point.
Checked in, got the run down on our package and ran off to practice driving some more - really fun! Then a snorkelling trip which was superb - despite the fact that we had to ride our scooters in FULL wetsuits, life vests and booties! A hilarious sight - no pics! But we saw amazing fish, coral, caves and Nemo just a gentle stroll into the ocean - totally magical and I was entranced.
We ended with another night drive - the insects smacking into your face aren't a great bonus!!! and a BBQ (braai) which is funny - you choose your own food and cook your own food at a restaurant - not like 'home'! Shopped a bit - everything is open late. Very, very, very early the next morning, Cam & I hopped on our steeds and rode off in the darkness to 1/3 sea hot springs in the world - it was very surreal - a few people in man-made pools next to the waves at 04h30. Then I walked off to one of the natural pools as the sun peaked through and slipped on my butt - but no one saw! Mre people arrived so we left and took tons of photos of the stunning scenery around the island - it was a paradise for me after 8 months of city sprawl. I had the best tuna toast & tea in Taiwan and then we headed off back home way too soon. I'll be back though.

I know.

Whirlwind Weeks

2006-10-21T19:52:00.000+08:00

Well 'THE VISIT' has been and gone...Cam & Harriott flew in and out way too fast! After waiting so long for their exciting arrival - it was all over all too soon! Isn't that always the case ;p!?
They arrived late on Saturday night and I meet them at the airport after a 2 1/2 hr 'trek' (I'll never complain about the JHB-airport-run again!) - but it was way longer for them I think; and after deciphering the incorrect taxi fee information , we made it home to Keelung in one piece in a big, black Merc...

Our first stop on Sunday was the Bisha Harbour close to home - where we walked through the Fish Market and were exposed to an array of smells, sights and sounds typical of Taiwan - there's a kite park outside; some triplet toddlers came up to touch and say "Hi!" to the 'foreigners' and we were stared at a lot. A long, leisurely sushi lunch was followed by a visit to the MiaoKou (Temple Mouth) Night Market - where they learnt how to push and shove their way through the crowds like locals and ate some local delicacies - far braver than me!

Monday we made it to Yeliu GeoPark [after I messed up the bus ride :( ] but it was a beautiful day! Again, Cam & Harriot tried out the dried fish products on sale which really impressed me - I'm still a woos when it comes to trying out something I don't recognise - there have been some gross attempts.

Frustrating to post in batches...

2006-10-02T11:23:00.000+08:00

On the roof....

And these last two are of Richard in compromising positions as usual!

THE PHOTOS

2006-10-02T11:12:00.000+08:00

For some strange reason, these photos refused to be added to the text in the story below - WHY???? so here they are! The bright readers will be able to guess which are the waterfall pics and which are pajama party pics ;P...lots of love!

Weekend waterfalls & Pajama Parties

2006-10-02T10:38:00.000+08:00

Yesterday we went to a waterfall instead of the beach as the weather was very unpredictable. Sherry, Kim, Xiao Pang and I walked up to a lovely waterfall in the mountains behind Lao Mei. In true Taiwanese style, we weren't the first, the last, or the only, visitors to this waterfall as paved paths and bridges had been thoughtfully provided most of the way; complete with a viewing deck at the end. I do miss the isolation found on hikes back home, the solitary spaces we are so blessed to enjoy in South Africa - here at least 50 other people had the same bright idea as us but it was still amazing to work up a sweat in such a lush, deep green, quiet place with bird's nest ferns, enormous tree ferns and bracket fungi all around us.

We were caught in a downpour on our way back down which only added to the fun and laughter & cooled us off! Xiao Pang (Sherry's black Lab) had his own backpack with water and lunch so we caused quite a stir walking along - some people amazed and others petrified!

We went to a roadside cafe overlooking the ocean on the way home (partly to dry off and warm up) so I had Rose tea and we shared a seafood hotpot - great day!

Last Tuesday, for some weird reason I can't really remember - we had a rooftop pajama party but most of us chickened out from wearing our 'real' pjs - so only Sherry and Gordon looked the part! It was the most beautiful starry, balmy night so we bought our chairs, snacks and beers and sat and chatted on Sherry's roof until the early hours with Richard, Nick, Kim, Sherry, Gordon, Honda and HowMean making me laugh hysterically as usual - was a little tired on Wednesday though!

Actually it was a busy day, as I took a walk to the local pond as well - this photo makes it look slightly more spectacular than it really is - but it is tranquil there!

The past few weeks..

2006-09-26T11:50:00.000+08:00

...have been expensive but nothing major has happened. Booked accommodation and train tickets (my hugest mission so far in Taiwan but more on that later) for Cam's visit and been seriously nesting into my new apartment (the expensive part).
We've taken 2 mammoth trips to IKEA and some other home decor shops so I now have all I need, or can afford! But it feels like home and I'm very content here. The bus trips home can be a bit tedious - very crowded and crazy drivers taking my life in their hands!
We've had some great meals too - with Kim's mum and aunt on their way back to Canada and Doug off to New York for 5 weeks - we ate lobster, octopus, shrimp and fish broth at a local spot - mighty marvellous meal!

Kim & I and her family also went to see a Spanish Flamenco version of Carmen last week which was very enjoyable and so out of the ordinary Keelung life - we'll try and keep our ears open for other shows. We went to the beach that same day before school so it was a very full, tiring day which ended at Burger King by my choice (I ate a fish burger!) because I was so starving and exhausted!

The train ticket saga - in my super organised way - sorry Cam! - tried to get everything sorted for our vacation to Green Island way ahead of time.
So - I live near a train station -yay - just book and hop on - NOPE! Can't get a train to Tatung (our ferry departure point) direct from Keelung so have to leave from Taipei or Badu - first irritation.
Figure out the complicated English Railway website - choose a route and time and train (there are slow ones, fast ones, air-conned ones etc=not easy); try to book. NOPE! So ask Sherry to go with me to train station to book at counter. NOPE! Can only book at the train station 1 week prior to departure but as it is a long weekend, trains will be full. How, if you can only book one week in advance? So today was first day we can book on-line (2 weeks in advance) Great, but can't book return ticket because that is 2 weeks and 2 days away! Select all necessary info, press enter..NOPE! My choice is full already. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE WHEN BOOKING ONLY OPENED TODAY! So now we have to take a bus to Taipei and leave from there and on Thursday, try and book the return ticket at 6a.m. What would I do without Sherry???!!!

I'm supposed to be starting Spanish lessons with Richard soon and I'll will try to keep up my Chinese lessons but it seems the lesson always ends up as a social occassion - just chatting and discussing and planning - all in English :)

I have a new 1-on-1 student - an English teacher called Brooke. She is tryng to write an IELTS test to study in England - she's great - quite advanced and easy to talk to and guide so; so far, so good! But it is 2 x 2 hours a week from 7-9pm so I'm a little more tired! I now teach for a solid 6 hours on Wednesday and Saturday! But someone has to pay for the plants, table, chairs and candles that now share my space!

I have to share this writing assignment that one of my KA1 students wrote. He is a really sweet, diligent young boy but his Mum helped him and I'm not sure how to grade this paper without offending anyone - so I took the coward's way out and told the whole class (23 students) that their assignments all sucked & they have to redo them! Apologies to Jonas and his Mum:-)

"Dear younger male cousins
Are you good? I now Japan am spending the vacation. here climate is extremely cold also under the heavy snow. This is the first time saw the snow. in the heart is extremely excited. The Japanese is extremely friendly also obeys the law. I like eating the sushi and eating a fixed amount. likes soaking the hot spring some opportunities hoped with swims this with you."

Great. Should I just resign now? Maybe this teaching English is not my forte!

Trust you are all well and missing me madly ;P

Ordinary days

2006-09-14T01:40:00.000+08:00

Some funny photos of us doing the usual - looks like we really enjoy spending time interacting with each other - NOT! Kim, Sherry, Darren and me!
We found a new open air spot - on the roof of a parking arcade...very low teeny hard stools though so not very soft - the more beers the easier to get comfortable though!!!
Sherry bought this crazy coloured noodle inflatable thingy which took 3 of us ages to pump/blow up and then kept blowing away down the beach or drifting off to sea with a desperate passenger clinging on...it's unlikely to be invited back!
Started at the gym again this week - so I hurt! - been really slack recently so when I went back, my greeting was "long time - no see!" But yoga is great - "hen hao - means very good - still not sure which is inhale OR exhale so I just breathe a lot - all the time! And never hold my breath, in case I miss the instruction to let it out! But today I did do a very good backbend all by myself - was very impressed - with myself! Well, no one else cares?!

Plotting and planning for Cam's visit - just hope the weather is vaguely decent - been grim and rainy the last couple of days :( and very excited to meet his new girlfriend - but don't tell him that!

Dodgy locals

2006-09-09T00:20:00.000+08:00

These are the kind of people I hang out with...scary thought isn't it!
Luckily he will be locked away for at least 5-7 on an island far, far away!

Summer class Outings

2006-09-01T09:16:00.000+08:00

For the past 7 weeks I've had the pleasure of teaching an advanced Adult class every day. It is an intensive program - 3 hours every weekday for 7 weeks which was a bit of a shock to my system now that I'm used to 2 hour work days!

I was so blessed with amazing, warm, talented, fun students that it actually turned out to be an awesome experience for all of us. We had 2 class outings - one to a local Korean restaurant which was delicious and great fun & we also went to Danshui and Bali together. Here are some of the photos - thanks to Angel for her ever-present camera!

What's up?

2006-09-01T00:49:00.000+08:00

Temple view & Old house interior - loved that old house but a little far to commute to work!

Red Shoes & Spinning tops in Sanxia ~

All is well - spent this week moving into a new apartment - about a 20minute bus ride from school but MUCH quieter and I have a fridge, a washing machine and a bathtub - small luxuries but a treat compared to old studio!
Also linked up ADSL - so will be on-line ALL the time!
It's been hot here and now that summer classes are over - I hope to get out a bit more during the week. But I have to paint my Ultra-yellow apartment WHITER first - any volunteers.....?
Shock news is that our Academic Director (Lyon) has left his position to go back & study in Taipei so I have a new home, a new school address, a new boss and new classes - all in one week!
Spent a great Sunday in Sanxia and Yinge with a friend, Sally. We made Indigo dyed cloth at a special festival and walked around an Old Street then went to a famous ceramic area - it was great to do something cultural and really relaxed - plus I was a novelty at the Festival and all the photographers snapped me everytime I moved which was super funny!

UPDATED Typhoon talk 16 September

2006-08-10T10:37:00.000+08:00

The weather has been quite wild recently & once again we are waiting for a typhoon to hit us - the wind is very gusty now at 2am in the morning (I can't sleep) but I suspect we are just going to have another wet day tomorrow and no day off - probably a good thing because we have to make up the classes we cancel and on Saturday I have 4 classes, which would be a huge mission to fit in somewhere else.

I just hope Sunday is clear - my one day off and horrid if I have to stay indoors - cabin fever is a nasty state of mind! BTW - the red arrow is pointing to Taiwan for those of you who are still not sure exactly where I am!

Parade Photos

2006-08-10T09:49:00.000+08:00

Leos are King!

2006-08-09T21:27:00.000+08:00

Yes, it was my 29th birthday - just one more time - last Sunday. After a hectic teaching Saturday, we trekked off to Taipei to meet at Alleycats Pizza - a divine restaurant that Sherry recommended for us! It has 'atmosphere' - something quite hard to find in a Taiwanese restaurant, red walls, mellow music with gorgeous, thin crust pizzas and great beer! So we ate, talked, laughed and drank - the usual! Then we scootered or sauntered over to Roxy 99 and got the party started! Lots of dancing until 4am and funny moments - so I saw the sun come up on my birthday and spent my day with amazingly wonderful people = who could ask for more?

Then Monday night they held a street parade in my honour....uh, NOT...actually it was the annual Keelung Ghost Festival Parade right outside my window....unbelievably loud fire crackers, cool floats, dancing dragons and some fireworks...the locals think it's boring but I thought it was cool-probably since it will only be a once in a lifetime thing for me!

So that's about it - really busy teaching the summer program everyday but the students are great so I enjoy it; learning Chinese is slow and rather heart-breaking - I just can't make some of the sounds - no matter how I contort my face! And really looking forward to a visit from Cam asap so I can take some time off.

Welcome to more new arrivals - Roxanne Kinmont and Kaden Rennie.....my world gets fuller everyday - thank you!

Brave Missions 101

2006-07-07T00:34:00.000+08:00

OK - done it all! Been to a dentist and a hairdresser in Taiwan. Probably the 2 scariest things I've attempted - but teeth were cleaned OK and nothing was incorrectly amputated or extracted!

Hairdresser was wonderful - you get a fantastic 15 minute massage all down your neck & shoulders and then they shampoo your hair in the chair for another 15 minutes with great attention to pressure points and relaxation - HEAVEN!
Not a word was exchanged but I did what I was told and then the stylist chose a style - I shut my eyes - woke up to a lot less hair but love it! The whole thing - wash, massage, cut & dry cost about R100-00 !!!! Brilliant!

Happy Students

2006-07-05T22:37:00.000+08:00

Some pics of high school students that I had the pleasure of spending time with for a few months - really cool, keen, fun kids and it was sad to say "Bye bye!'

A Day in Bali...

2006-07-03T10:17:00.000+08:00

Well almost...Kim and I went off to Danshui, which is around the bay from our favourite beach, LaoMei. A pleasant air-conned bus trip (our fellow drivers are in the real Bali!) and 2 hours later...we arrived at the Danshui bus station.
Today was my first glimpse of horses/ponies in Taiwan - not very exciting.

It was mighty hot and humid so we ambled along the promenade (very touristy) and then took a short ferry ride NT18-with a a free ocean breeze- across the Danshui river to Bali. It looks like a lot of cash has been spent on developing this area and it is extremely easy and tourist friendly. Families hire bikes, tandems and bike carriages which is great but looked too hot and hard for us!
I had a small emotional breakdown when I was getting too hot and needed to stop for a/c & an iced caramel mocha frappe! Immediately!
We walked around the streets a little bit and saw great pottery and glassworks and an amazing apartment block, completely overrun by shrubbery! I was looking up at it, so everyone walking past did to - how to start a trend!
A superb day - bought some touristy gimmicks, ate the famous tall ice-creams (Not great I'm afraid!) and ended up at a magic rooftop patio. It overlooked the promenade, the sunset and the river while we drank draft beer. No one else was brave enough to sit outside - all safely inside with a/c - so we had the deck all to ourselves (except from some Boeing engineers that wanted to chat) . There was mint, rosemary, roses and a frangapani tree so I was in heaven.

Stumbled off to find deep-fried food and I had some delicious battered mushrooms and a wonton shrimp on a skewer. Kim had some deep fried dumpling thingy - we avoided the stinky tofu and squid on a stick! Are there any squid left in the ocean?

We only left Danshui at 20h45 with the wildest bus driver yet! He shaved 15 mins off the journey time, despite stopping on the side of the highway to buy dinner! Kim found it hysterical- I was petrified & very grateful that I hadn't had another beer!
So another great Sunday - yippeeee!

Party pics

2006-06-30T21:52:00.000+08:00

Not as exciting as it looks but cute all the same! Quick nap on my floor before the day begins...

Most of these pics are fairly self explanatory - too much beer, late nights, good, clean fun :)
Usually someone's birthday, end of exams, some excuse.... is involved, somewhere, somehow! Walking home at 4am, with the sunrise, the breakfast shops and the fish market is a fitting end!

Napping on the beach...... 45 minutes away from home....... in the rain.......seemed like a good idea at the time - NOT! I was too scared of the crabs eating my toes and someone had to be on "suicide watch"!!

Beach Brigade

2006-06-22T22:08:00.000+08:00

Me, Sherry, Kim, Richard and Doug with Xiao Pan

Sundays look like this when the weather is sunny!
This great beach (Lao mei) is about 45 minutes away by car :) Yippeeee!!!!!!!

& then a delicious seafood feast eaten on a red plastic tablecloth with Doug ("Drug" if he is drunk+ doug!) and his wife Sherry ("Twister" if her evil twin sister is around!) and their friend, Dave and me.
Doug & Sherry's gorgeous pooch - he eats the frisbee after fetching it, so it's a short game!

Nights on the town

2006-06-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

Tuesday evening at The Truck - the only spot where we can sit outside - helps with all the smokers. Annie & Gordon are TA's (Teacher's Assistants) and Johnny is a teacher at another school.

And later, at what is fondly known as "the Chicken Place"...where we buy food in the wee hours - vegetarian = broccoli or beans...and garlic - quite yum when there is no other option available.

On the left is Eric, he teaches at another school & on the right is Lyon, our Academic Director - a VERY unusual sight out on the town! None of Kim as she was the paparazzi this night - thank you!

Cute siblings!

2006-06-14T09:45:00.000+08:00

Keelung captions

2006-06-02T21:18:00.000+08:00

The road signs are the reason why there are so many English teachers in Taiwan...It is outside a huge hospital...and says "The pedestrian invites the zebra crossing of walking" Huh? What? Do zebras or people have the right of way?

These are the friendly ladies below my apartment that know that I don't eat meat, so they make me a tuna and egg with salad sandwich for breakfast. They work really hard - from about 5am until 1pm and always have a smile on their faces! Xie Xie ladies!
They offer loads of other things like soy milk drink (mmmn-not sure), fried radish (ok with loads of sauce) and these pancakey things with fillings...They work out of a teeny space and wash the dishes etc on the street....They must think I'm really weird as we can't really communicate and one day I came home at 5h30 with 2 guys and another girl after a night of partying and walking up to the Goddess of Mercy...we were just regrouping before a beach visit but it must have looked wild from their point of view. Smiling sweetly usually solves all the issues!

Below is HOOK Coffee on my corner - such a sweet family - they also work like Trojans; starting at about 9am and open until 11pm at least. The dad is so great - he knows my estate agent so he passes on messages and helps me when my keys get stuck in the door; they also notice when I'm late or if they don't see me for a while...so I feel really safe. Plus----his coffee is the best and very reasonably priced! Starbucks is way too over-rated and expensive. The weird thing is that although he speaks quite a bit of English - I don't know his name - need to correct that today! Most of our conversation includes...caffe latte, just coffee (hot or cold!) and Kim and I meet there quite often!

Wild week

2006-06-02T20:51:00.000+08:00

It's been a wild fun week of dancing and meeting people and sleeping on the beach...pictures to follow but for now - some more sights of Keelung and Taiwan; hopefully to explain why I'm here and not there!

New Arrivals....

2006-05-29T22:54:00.000+08:00

......A page dedicated to all the new souls that have joined us...welcome to Gabrielle Vakis, Jack Moon and Joseph Gilbert. Congratulations to all their proud, brave families and cute siblings!!! Can't wait to meet you all!

Quorner Quotes

2006-05-29T09:10:00.000+08:00

“We strongly command that you come to join us to give them some encourage
and you’ll see their music talent and germination with truly
enthusiasm.”

Very subtle...note in local theatre publication and why we should be paid to teach English!

"A person isn't born with the intelligence to be with someone special, you
learn it, and you fail in the path of life, but you don't have to give up the
chance to love." Gael Garcia Bernal My new favourite fantasy man (although he is short - out with Viggo in with Gael!)

Photo spot

2006-05-28T17:33:00.000+08:00

Darren and me at the local beer spot in Keelung after a day 'hiking' around Bitou and Longdong (no really!)

The walk around the cliffs of Bitou and the coffee shop on the way!

One of the paper lanterns at the very disappointing Lantern Festival in Taipei in my first week in Taiwan. This week is Dragon Boat Festival - may give it a miss!

Taipei Dancing

2006-05-28T15:05:00.000+08:00

I seem to be reliving my youth about 15 years too late and it hurts like hell! To celebrate 2 birthdays, we took taxis into Taipei on Saturday night and went to a local club called Roxy 99. Clearly I don't get out much as it was all quite overwhelming with bag searches, stamps, ID checks and staff with headsets....the music was a great mix of old and new and the drinks were very interesting - what is a "Woo woo"?. They even had Spring Bokkies..I had a blond moment when I asked what was in a Tequila Sunrise (and that was at the beginning of the evening!)
For a change, the men were fairly decent, although generally shorter (can't figure that out) but I had a great time, dancing and and laughing until 5a.m. Taiwan is very good for one's self esteem as people here don't seem to be very fussy (and they can't hold their alcohol!) The language barrier is a challenge but also means I don't have to make small talk, which suits me fine!
So now I'm lounging at home, with very, very sore knees.
I've joined an expensive gym and I've been to three yoga lessons in Chinese, which is hysterical. If I don't get what they are saying, they simply rip me into position - very, very strong boys even if they are half my size! They are really advanced and turn on these coloured lights and greet me each time - I can't do most of the positions and apparently my expressions are very funny as the instructors keep falling down laughing!!?
So that's it...BTW - I stayed at the Burning Lodge in Walvis Bay where Brad & Ange are camped out - 6 degrees of separation! I hope they redecorated 'cos when I stayed there, it was positively horrid - covered in animal print and oriental four poster beds - but I remember a cool jacuzzi!

This past Sunday...

2006-05-22T21:07:00.000+08:00

on a surfboard...lying down; never even tried to get up! But it was a fantastic day on the beach. Met up with a wonderful couple called Doug & Sherry at the BullPen. {A local 'sports bar' where the staff wear more bling than I do...and much better hair!} Kim [Canadian fellow teacher] & I were going to the beach anyway; so we hooked up with Doug & Sherry and Xiao Pang (black lab "Little Fatty!").

Such a treat as they fetched us in their Venture and drove us to a beach - no busses, no hand gestures, no anxiety wondering how much and when to get off!
Found a magic beach - fairly trash-free with some sand to lay a towel. Magic to throw a ball for their dog and just play in the water - the Pacific is really warm and the waves were tiny....that is until I borrowed Doug's 9ft surfboard, then the waves were HUGE and WILD! Much, much harder than I thought! Despite the small surf, waxed board and lack of spectators being ideal for a beginner - I really battled just to lie on the board, which is about as wide and buoyant as a small boat! After being pummeled by set after set and suffering from upper arm fatigue - I took a break! It was worth it though - finally got my balance right and found a spot where I didn't have to paddle for 10mins just to get out 1m and be washed back 3m! Now I hurt all very - upper arms and ribs especially - feel really old!
Everyone was so easy to get along with and once again, I laughed for ages...a very special memory.
Just to top off a superb day; Sherry took us to a local spot at Fugi harbour - you choose your dinner from numerous buckets of assorted weird seafood! Some of it is trying to escape and some of it is totally unrecognisable.
Sherry, being local, organised us a feast of clams, prawns, lobster, soup, rice, veg and little battered whitefish...then you go up to a really basic locals restaurant and your choice is whipped up how ever you like...you eat off a rubbish bag - literally - and just pick 'n choose; leaving all the shells and debris on the table. Great to truly 'dig in'! Then they throw the whole table "cloth" away!
On the way home, we popped into a temple built to honour a loyal dog - very freaky and rather ominous looking if you ask me! It was on the way up a lush mountain so it was such a pleasure not to have to walk everywhere and go where you want! Felt like royalty - funny how ones standards change!
Sherry bought us grass jelly by the side of the road, which was quite a weird novelty taste - not like anything I've tasted before and not too bad - actually quite refreshing!
So far BEST day in Taiwan by far!

Trial Run

2006-05-13T18:12:00.000+08:00

Now I'm really in the techno hotspot - no clue what I'm up to but instead of writing mails and attaching photos which freaks some of you out big time...I'll set up a 'blog' and update it as things happen and you can check it out or NOT!
So here goes nothing..