Blogs from Taichung, Taiwan, Asia

Saturday, 21st May 2011 We arranged with our driver for our 4-hour drive around Kenting and the historic city of Hengchun before sending us back to Kaohsiung for our onward journey to Taichung. Today was going to be our final day in Taiwan as we were expected to fly home to Singapore the following day. Our knowledgeable driver drove us through the southern coast of Taiwan covering the usual suspects like the Sailing Rock, the Eluanbi Lighthouse as well as the Southern Most Point of Taiwan. After lunch, he drove us to the city of Hengchun where we had the chance to visit 阿嘉's house that was used as one of the key filming sites for the 2008 hit movie, Cape Number 7. Before we departed, we took some pictures of the Old Walls of Hengchun ... read more

9 Days Central & Southern Taiwan (14th - 22nd May 2011) Arriving at Taoyuan International Airport this afternoon, HQ was already patiently expecting us at the Arrivals. She was early today, in fact a full 1 hour ahead of our flight schedule as the traffic and bus timings from her house to the airport was erratic. "It's better to be early than risks being late!" What a nice pal. For the 3 of us flying in from Singapore, this Taiwan trip was a relatively long wait having booked our air tickets way back on 7th February 2011. After SS got her Taiwan 大哥大 calling card, we headed straight to Taichung via U Bus, 统联客运 for the 2-hour journey to her house. Home was a 2-bedroom apartment at downtown Taichung. It was a small yet cosy place ... read more

Went for a haicut yesterday (Saturday)...was not the first time either going to this place. It is located directly below our apartment, and I particularly enjoy getting my haircut here because the people are always friendly, prices are cheap, they pay attention to the tiniest detail of the provided picture I bring in, and it is family owned - which I found out yesterday. They are quite busy too, with no exception on a Saturday night. I made my appointment for 6, catching the tail end of their hours. When I walked in, an elderly woman greeted me, remembering me from the one previous time I've been in there, way back in October (at least, I would like to think so, I don't understand Taiwanese, but she was certainly friendly enough) I was ushered to a ... read more

Hello all! Just wanted to give you a few photos to view of the Cornel Christmas/Thanksgiving Party. Although neither holiday is widely accepted in Taiwan - the main religion here is Buddism - as a way to completly immerse the students into American culture, holidays that are celebrated in America are also adapted. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day and held a party for all the students. The day was filled with activities, such as a "Pilgrim and Native American hat making" project, a reading paralleled with a reenactment of the First Thanksgiving, and finally ending in a Thanksgiving feast of Turkey and corn soup with showing of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. The students, although not quite understanding the significance of the holiday, every year look forward to this day, as it is also a break ... read more

Hello all! I know it's been awhile since my last update. It's just been a wild and crazy week so far! We've started our summer program at Cornel school, I'm incharge of 11 wonderful 4th graders as well as the 8th and 9th grade graduates program. Between setting up the classroom, discovering the ins and outs of the curriculum, and trying to figure a routine that works, let's just say this past week has been a frenzy! The first day of school went well. I love all the students I have, all with wonderful personalities. Setting ground rules has been a bit tough. They also attend Chinese School everyday, so it's understandable that at times they need a little break from memorization and notes to play a game (educational of course!). The students I have are ... read more

Miaoli is a county on the west coast of Taiwan that is full of beautiful mountains and parks. I have a good friend here, who, luckily for me, dreams of being a travel guide. So when she asked me if I wanted to go look at the flowers in Miaoli, I had no idea what I was in for. Our small group became four when two other Taiwanese teachers decided to join us and off we went. Up the small roads that wind around the mountain. Our first stop? A park that features an old train bridge with beautiful ruins. The park has some amazing views, and long hikes down to a supposed waterfall. I say supposed because we kept walking downhill, and could never quite get there. After a stop for some black stinky tofu ... read more