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January 25th 2015
Published: March 11th 2015
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Jack and LindaJack and LindaJack and Linda

Jack, Linda's brother, came to spend 10 days with us.
After returning from Singapore, we were pleased to welcome Jack, Linda's brother. He arrived for a good part of his holiday to visit with us and see how we live in Taiwan. He had spent 8 days in the Philippines and flew into Taipei. He was able to catch the high speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung, with the help of the locals of course. People here are always ready and pleased to be able to help tourists, and practice their English.

Maurice met him at the train station and brought him to our apartment. The first order of business was to get him comfortable riding the scooter. To spend 10 days with us, scootering independently was a must. Jack did just fine, and did a fabulous job of following 5 meters back and a meter off to the side so I could keep an eye on him. First rule, follow....if I go through a red light, follow, if I go on the sidewalk....follow, and if we get separated, just stop and wait for me to come back. He did very well, and over the 10 days, we managed to put about 600 kilometers. I would take Linda to school
Railroad EngineerRailroad EngineerRailroad Engineer

Linda's youngest brother, Jack drives locomotives in British Columbia, and lives in Smithers, B.C. He spent 8 days in the Philippines, and then came to visit us.
in the morning and we would pick her up at the end of the day, that way we had both scooters for the day. We kept Jack busy showing him the local sites, scootering out in the countryside, up to the mud volcano, along the winding trails, into Meinong, and other interesting spots.

On Friday evening, the school held it's annual Christmas Gala at one of Kaohsiung's finest hotel and rooftop restaurant. It was definitely a dress-up affair with everyone in their finest attire. The banquet was amazing, and the view was spectacular. The school's Board of Directors hosted the whole school staff, teachers, administrators, as well as the janitors and even the security staff. We sipped a few drinks, feasted on both Eastern and Western cuisine, and enjoyed the festive relaxed opportunity to visit with many people we usually only see on a professional basis from 6PM to 9PM, then the party I over and people left.

On Sunday, we were out of the apartment early to catch a bus, along with around 20 people to head south of the city to the coast. We were on our way to hike 12 kilometers along the coast with
Annual Christmas GalaAnnual Christmas GalaAnnual Christmas Gala

Jack joined us for the Annual Kaohsiung American School Christmas Gala. It was a grand event held at the rooftop restaurant in one of the fanciest of the city's many hotels. It was a black tie event.
our guide, Mark Roche. We were told it would be a moderately strenuous walk over rocks and boulders along the edge of the ocean that would take about 6 hours to complete. Wow, we were not prepared for the challenging conditions we encountered. There was no path to follow! The beach consisted of 6 to 12 inch round rocks, and we had to carefully gauge where to place our feet. The rocks would wiggle, jiggle and dance beneath our feet, requiring us to catch our balance with every step. It took us 3 grueling hours to reach our lunch destination, an old abandoned military post where we were able to get out of the wind and eat our lunch. After resting an hour, we continued along the shore. We came upon a huge cargo ship pushed up onto the rocks. Our guide said it wasn't there 4 months before when he had last hiked there. The last mile consisted of climbing over huge boulders, trying to make our way along the cliffs and between the crevices. When we finally found the road's end, we rewarded ourselves with a cold beer which we got from a roadside vendor. Our bus had
Party TimeParty TimeParty Time

The whole staff attends this annual event, the security people, the janitors, teachers, office staff, everyone!
driven around to pick us up and brought us to a traditional restaurant for an early supper, then back to the city. We were exhausted, but at the same time, exhilarated to have completed such a difficult hike. Maurice and Jack decide to hike up Monkey Mountain and that almost did Jack's knees in!

We bid Jack farewell after a 10 day visit, and then completed the rest of December. The last day of school was Friday, December 19th and the school celebrated with the annual Tainan Christmas Party, another gala affair. We caught our flights back to Canada on Saturday, and 30 hours later, arrived in Saskatoon, where it was still Saturday.

We knew we were going home to a very hectic schedule!
Linda's Dad was failing and didn't get up until later in the morning. He was retaining water and found it quite painful to walk. We took him to the hospital on the 22nd and Byron was there to take him home when he was released that evening.

Meanwhile, we headed to Lloydminster for Gracie's birthday on the 22nd. En route, Vicky called to tell us she thought she was in labor. So after
Sunday Morning HikeSunday Morning HikeSunday Morning Hike

We left Kaohsiung for a 2 hour drive south to walk 12 kilometers along the edge of the ocean. A grueling hike!
a quick trip for the birthday and a meal with family, we returned to S'toon that night.
We picked up Tai at 10AM and Vicky delivered Tucker Calvin Popoff at 1:15PM that afternoon. We arrived at the hospital around 4:30 and a beautifully made up mama and a happy papa introduced us to their gorgeous new baby. We kept Tai.

We began the Christmas festivities by hosting Linda's children for hors d'oeuvres on the afternoon of the 24th, then attended mass in early evening, and finally made our way to Luc and Colette's for the traditional Blanchette Reveillon. There were around 30 members of both Luc's and our families gathered together to eat, drink, and exchange gifts. We managed to get home around 2AM and get some rest. We headed to Langham to help prepare the Christmas dinner, and 31 people gathered to eat together around noon. Afterwards, we retired to the basement to exchange Christmas gifts. We left around 4PM and headed to Maurice's son Marc's new home in Livelong for yet another Christmas feast, making it only the third large meal in 20 hours. We were not going hungry, that's for sure. We exchanged gifts, spent the
Rock, Rocks, and more Rocks!Rock, Rocks, and more Rocks!Rock, Rocks, and more Rocks!

About 30 of us made this trek along the coast, there was no path at all, nothing but rolling stones. It was great exercise, the rocks would roll, so it became a balancing act as well.
night, then next day returned to Saskatoon the next day. On our way, we decided to stop in Langham and discovered the folks preparing a meal for 10 people .... Unassisted!!! We helped as much as we could, then proceeded to Beatrice and Ricks.

The morning of the 27th, we drove up to the Tropical Inn in North Battleford where we had, as Christmas gifts, reserved 6 rooms for Maurice's family. The grandchildren had a blast on the waterslides while the adults watched, visited and joined in. Next day, we slipped to Jerald and Lorna's for an afternoon of cards, then feasted on Lorna's Christmas meal. We drove Linda's parents back to Langham. Dad really struggled to walk or do stairs, it's frightening! Mom was just exhausted.
The 29th allowed us a sleep in and a day to catch up on mail. We still managed to have lunch with Jan and Dwayne, coffee with Bev, and a drink with Brent and Wendy Wignes. We were pleased to be able to attend the funeral for Aunt Kay on the 30th and Maurice attended the prayers being held for Daniel Beaudoin in North Battleford that evening. Linda took supper to Vicky
Rocks, Boulders and ShipwrecksRocks, Boulders and ShipwrecksRocks, Boulders and Shipwrecks

About half way we came upon this huge shipwreck. Our guide said it wasn't there when he last made this trek 4 months before.
and Cory's and had a terrific visit with Tucker and Tai, Vicky and Cory. Maurice arrived back shortly after. The 31st found us enjoying business and pleasure with Luc and Colette. That left us the afternoon to get the Christmas decorations down, the laundry done, the house clean and time to enjoy a visit and a glass of wine with Lulubelle and our home sitter, Jesse. We finally headed to Luc and Colette's to join Rick, Bea, Gisele and Mel to complete a puzzle and ring in the New Year.

On New Year's Day, we headed to Langham for a ribs dinner and farewell, then back to the city and visited Marc and Brenda in the afternoon. Linda's children Kristen and Brett, Kody and Janessa, Cory, Vicky, Tai and Tucker, Lulubelle, Luc and Colette, Joanne, and Jesse were all over to say goodbye. We flew back to Kaohsiung on January 2nd.

Once back in Taiwan, we settled into our routines. The weather was a bit cool, 12-14 at night, daytime temperatures reaching 20-21. Our radiator heater kept our apartment comfortable. On Saturday, January 24th, we boarded a train with Pon, Zach, Lulu, and Lena bound for Jiji, an
Unique FornationUnique FornationUnique Fornation

Made for a lovely photo.
historical tourist town just 10k from Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's largest and prettiest lake. We arrived around noon, and immediately rented 3 scooters. What a blast! We checked into our guest house and visited the sites around town. We scootered to Sun Moon Lake so we could have supper at a famous restaurant, and then had to buy mitts for the cold 40 minute ride back. Next morning, Lena and Pon were up early so they could be at the marathon start line for a 29K marathon by 6AM. The rest of us rose at a reasonable time, and were able to arrive just in time to see Pon finish her run, and Lena only 20 minutes behind. We wandered around the beautiful lake and made our way back to Jiji, turned in the scooters and rode the train back to Kaohsiung.

We now look forward to Chinese New Year, and our trip to Vietnam!


Additional photos below
Photos: 49, Displayed: 28


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Massive ShipMassive Ship
Massive Ship

Mark Roche said it was not there in June. It sure was big, and breaking up fast.
Lunch TimeLunch Time
Lunch Time

Sheltered from the wind in an old military compound. Everyone enjoyed the much needed rest.
We Made ItWe Made It
We Made It

Our reward for completing all 12 kilometers though we didn't have much choice, it was walk or we get a helicopter in to airlift you out.
Dinner TimeDinner Time
Dinner Time

At the end of the road was a lookout and a restaurant. We returned to Kaohsiung around 8PM, exhausted but exhilarated.
Hoarfrost on the TreesHoarfrost on the Trees
Hoarfrost on the Trees

The frost hanging on the trees create beautiful scenes such as this in Saskatchewan.
Cold Winter SceneCold Winter Scene
Cold Winter Scene

Sure is pretty, though it sure is cold. We had hoped to go skiing at Table Mountain, but it turned too cold for that.
Gracie's 10th BirthayGracie's 10th Birthay
Gracie's 10th Birthay

We were able to drive up to Marshall on the 22nd to celebrate Gracie's birthday.
Tucker Calvin PopoffTucker Calvin Popoff
Tucker Calvin Popoff

Born December 23rd, he weighed 7 lbs, 6 ounces
Tai Meeting TuckerTai Meeting Tucker
Tai Meeting Tucker

Hi little brother!
TuckerTucker
Tucker

Does he look like Mom, or does he look like Dad? Depends on the day!
Taking Tucker HomeTaking Tucker Home
Taking Tucker Home

He was born on December 23rd, and only came home from the hospital Christmas night because of jaundice.
Christmas at Linda's ParentsChristmas at Linda's Parents
Christmas at Linda's Parents

Christmas Dinner is always held in Langham, and the house was filled with children, grandchildren and many of the great grandchildren.
Christmas Gift ExchangeChristmas Gift Exchange
Christmas Gift Exchange

The Christmas tradition is dinner at 1PM followed by a gift exchange downstairs. This year, there were 31 people at the table.


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