9th to 15th February - Bob and Tracey's Holiday Visit

9^th to 15^th February

Monday

Bob and Trace arrived on time (9:25am).  I met them at the airport along with Peter.  We drove back to the apartment then they had a quick shower and change of clothing before we were off to start the holiday.

Nicholas met us around 11am then we took the scooters on the ferry over to Cijin Island.  I think this was an interesting experience for the both of them.  I purchased a couple of masks for them and they used them.  It gets quite smelly on the ferry with all the fumes.

We had lunch at one of the eateries on the island and of course it was all seafood.  It was enjoyed by all of us.  Nicholas, Trace and I had a drink that was made from smoked plum and that was not well liked by Trace…hahaha  She said she doesn’t enjoy eating anything that has been smoked and I think this was probably the first time she has ever had a drink that had that smoky flavour.

We met up with Lee in the early evening and went to our favourite beef noodle place.  That was also enjoyed.  It was an early night since Bob and Trace were starting to show signs of fatigue. 

Tuesday

We were up early and caught the MRT to the High Speed Rail station to catch the train to Taipei.  Our train was departing at 10:30.

I was a little nervous thinking about the arrival and the confusion that could set in in navigating around.  This is a huge train station with I forget how many floors all-connecting to the HSR, MRT and the local train.  Yikes!

Well much to my surprise, it was quite easy since I already knew the exit needed to get on to the street.

As soon as we exited we stood there looking around as to where the hotel is located.  As funny or stupid as this may sound, as we looked to our left the hotel was right there, literally maybe 10 metres away.

Check in wasn’t until 3pm and now it is 12:30.  We left the luggage and took the MRT to the Taipei 101.

It was a cloudy day and somewhat foggy so we decided to wait until the following day to go up.  We then walked around a little then went to the Martyr Shrine to walk around.

By this time it was early evening so then back to the hotel to check in, rest and freshen up before we searched for a dinner location.

There was a Mos Burger we recalled seeing in the train station so that’s where we went.  After dinner it was still early evening but it seemed everyone was ready to call it a day so that's exactly what we did.  Tomorrow will be another day.

Wednesday

We went to the breakfast floor around 8am and had a great buffet breakfast of mixed Asian and Western cusine.

Today is more clear and the sun is beginning to come out…yeah!!  Off to Taipei 101 we went and it’s good timing because we are early.

Had a good view and walkabout at the top of the Taipei 101 and the observatory deck.

We then decided to go to the Gondola and scout out that area.  I have never been there before so this was a first for all of us.

It was fantastic here.  The gondola was approximately 2.9km in total length and an elevation of around 4000 feet.  What a great view from the top and there’s a small town located there with many street vendors so this would be lunch.

It’s getting close to go back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and head to the High Speed Rail.  Our departure time is 5:30pm.

Arrived back in Kaoshiung around 7pm then took the MRT to the Sanduo station and I invited everyone for dinner at Yaletown Bistro.  It was on the way to the apartment so was convenient and we were somewhat hungry by this time.  Had a good visit and dinner there before heading home.

Did a couple loads of laundry and chilled for the remainder of the evening. 

Tomorrow we will go with Nicholas and Jocelyn to the Fung Guan Shan Temple in Ping Tung and then to a Hakka Village.

Thursday

Nicholas and Jocelyn picked us up at 7am and went for breakfast to a local eatery that he swears by being the best in Kaohsiung.  There was a line-up and also a security guard because it’s so busy.  Breakfast was good and very traditional.

After breakfast we began our journey to the temple.  This is about an hour’s drive northeast of Kaohsiung.

We arrived around 11 and the weather was cool but sunny.  At this time there are hardly any tourist or tour buses.  Great timing I think.

Once inside, one of monks gave me a small plastic bottle.  I was instructed to give this to another monk in the room next to us and she would place it under a waterspout.  A mechanical figurine moved about and poured a small amount of water into the plastic bottle that was given to me.  The monk then gave it to me and indicated for me to drink it.  This was to be sacred/holy water and will cure me quickly.

We were here for maybe 3 hours before heading to Dasu. (a Hakka Town)

We had lunch in a very unique Hakka eatery and once inside, we were shown how to make our own tea.  Nicholas already arranged this since one must reserve to do this as it takes time.  You will see from the photos what the process entails.  This was a lot of fun. 

After lunch we drove to a small market for some shopping.  Afterwards continued driving around to view the countryside and discover anything new that we could.

Nicholas took us to a place where a water vegetable is harvested and prepared.  I’m not sure what it’s called but it is cultivated in the water and is very long. (similar to long thick grass or beans).  The women are wearing wet suits and treading around in the water cleaning this vegetable.  Quite the process to observe.

Nicholas said that one of the female workers wanted to talk with me because she apparently spoke English.  I approached her and began a conversation and her English was quite good.  She was from Philippines and living and working there. 

We drove back to Kaohsiung and stopped off to the jade store where Jocelyn’s mom worked.  She was presenting some jade jewelry to my sister but it was a little out of their budget.  Jade is very expensive but a true gem and does not depreciate.

After this we all went for Vietnamese food.  Nicholas then dropped us off at a 7-11 so Bob and I could pick up a latte then we walked the apartment.  Another day finished and we are exhausted.

Friday

Peter picked us up at 8am for the airport to fly to Penghu.  This will now be my fourth time to the Island.  I simply love it there.

Flight over was good and only 35 minutes.  We arrived at 10am at the hotel but check-in is at 3 so we left the luggage and went and rented our scooters.

We rented them for two days and decided that Bob and Trace would each ride their own while Lee and I would share one.

I told Trace to wait until we got out of the city before she drove it as I wasn’t sure how comfortable she would be and if she has even driven one before.

Once we got out of the city limits and onto a quiet road I said to her to take the scooter and now we’re ready to go.  Trace would ride between myself/Lee and Bob in the rear.  As I rode further ahead I looked in my mirror and I saw Bob waiving his arms and Trace and the scooter were tipped on an angle at the curb.  I rode back and asked what was wrong and she apparently couldn’t keep the steering steady and lost control and tipped over.  She wasn’t hurt and nothing was damaged but she said that’s enough and decided to ride with me.  Lee took the scooter and Bob continued riding on his. 

We rode around until 5pm and saw basically one entire stretch of the island.  This would be one less area we would need to visit the next day.

Came back to the hotel and checked in then went for a local dinner.

After dinner we walked to donutes for lattes and small pastry.  Donutes is like a starbucks.

It was a cool but tolerable evening for weather so we walked around a little before heading bck to the hotel and calling it a day.  Tomorrow will be a full day of riding and site seeing.

Saturday

Day 2 on Penghu.  We went down for breakfast in the hotel restaurant around 8 and on the scooters by 9 to begin the day.

We rode everywhere and stopped off at a few beaches as well.  Beautiful scenery and when riding scooters, one can stop when and wherever one wants.  It was quite windy as well so had to hang on to those helmets.

We returned shortly after 5pm so by this time, we are once again exhausted.  Went for dinner at another eatery, then walked around before heading back to the hotel.

Sunday

Our departure is at 5pm so we need to be back to the hotel lobby by 4pm for the shuttle.

Flight was good and arrived around 6:05 in Kaohsiung.  Peter was suppose to pick us up but for some reason he was busy so we grabbed another taxi that was already there.

Back to the apartment around 6:45.  The next morning we are leaving for Kenting so Lee and I rode to a local night market to buy dinner while Bob and Trace did some laundry and repacked for the following day departure.

Monday & Tuesday

Peter took us to the High Speed Rail station at 8am as our bus to Kenting departs at 10am.  We arrived at the station around 8:45 so decided to go to MacDonalds for a bite to eat but mainly for a coffee.

The bus left the station on time and we’re now off on a 2 ½ hour ride to Kenting.

We arrived around12:45 and once again check-in isn’t until 3pm.

Left the luggage and headed out to find some scooters to rent.  Once we found a place we did some negotiating and finally had our scooters.  We got three again as it’s easier for Bob to ride by himself and Trace would ride with me and Lee would ride by himself.

We rode around for about 4 hours then decided to check-in, clean up and rest a little before heading out for dinner.

Went to a local eatery that was serving Mexican food.  It was actually quite good but the margaritas were better.

Kenting’s main street is one gigantic night market at night time.  Both sides of the roughly 1 km street is packed with small stalls situated next to each other.

We went for an early breakfast the following morning because I’m going to skype with Michelle. (Humber professor who taught in Kaoshiung last year)  We need to talk about some final arrangements for the Humber students.

After my skype with Michelle we were off once again on scooters.  We would ride around any other areas we hadn’t seen yet.

We stopped around 4:30 in the afternoon and all decided that we had seen as much as possible so then we checked the scooters in at the shop and then went back to the hotel to freshen up and rest for a while.  I’m tired by this point in time. 

We decided to go to a Thai eatery as the menu looked interesting. This was a crazy busy place so we thought probably a good choice.

After sitting down the menus were brought almost immediately to us.  It is now going on at least 15 minutes that we are waiting for someone to come and take our order.  Finally a woman comes to us but looks disgruntled.  Oh well, perhaps she was not having a good day.  Everyone agreed to let me do the ordering.  I began by ordering green papaya salad.  She replies ‘sorry we don't have’.  Ok, so let’s or pad thai.  She replies ‘sorry we don't’ have’.  Bob says at this point let’s go, so we left.

Walked up the street not far before we found an eatery that was not busy but the menu looked interesting and there were a lot of choices.

The servers were very pleasant and the food arrived very fast and tasted fantastic.  This was the best eatery we had eaten in for some time.

We then walked down the main street (night market) and saw as much as possible as this would be our last night in Kenting.

It’s now 10:40pm and I’m sitting here in the hotel room trying to finish this…

We will leave tomorrow morning for Kaohsiung

Wednesday

Took the 9am bus back to Kaohsiung, arrived around 11 and back to apartment by just before noon.

After unpacking and getting some clothing in the wash machine, we decided to take the scooters and ride to our favourite shaved ice place.  The same girl was there serving and again she gave us some extra ice cream on out shaved ice.  I’m not quite sure why she continues doing this but perhaps its to do with my frequent visits and my pleasant demeanor?  Hahaha

Nicholas invited all of us to his home to enjoy dinner with him and his parents.  We would have a total vegetarian dinner. (Hot pot)  It’s Chinese New Year Eve tonight so a nice celebration with them is nice.

Both his parents are strict vegetarian and I couldn’t be happier to enjoy eating what we did.  I just love my tofu, in any style possible.

Nicholas gave Bob and Trace a tour of their home prior to dinner.  After dinner we sat down to watch a movie but I began falling asleep, as I’m not very good to sit for long periods of time viewing the TV.

After the movie Nicholas’ father offered to give me acupuncture.  He has been studying this for sometime now and wanted to do it on my right leg.  You can see by the photos that I have needles sticking out from my leg and hand.  Didn’t feel anything but looked creepy when I saw these needles protruding out from my leg.

Thursday to Saturday

Our traveling around is now over and we’ll spend the remaining days of Bob and Trace’s vacation in and about the city.  Traveling on the freeways and/or trains would be a total nightmare.

Between Nicholas and Lee, we went and saw many things here in Kaohsiung

Went to Lotus Pond, Bird Café, shopping in the computer district, eating all the time, coffee and pastries, Sugar refinery, and shaved ice.

I think shaved ice is a big hit for Bob and Trace.

Some Humber students arriving today (Saturday) so will meet up with two of them.

Bob and Trace departed Sunday at 1:30pm and I think they had a good visit.  I know I am exhausted because it was almost non-stop for 2 weeks.

I spent today (Sunday) cleaning the apartment and catching up on schoolwork and my own studies.  I didn’t do much of any of that during their stay here.

Monday (23^rd)

Today I went to the school to meet up with all the Humber students.  Nine students have arrived for their one semester here at NKUHT.

Rode the scooter there around 11 and met them at lunchtime.  After speaking with them and introducing myself to them (some of them don’t know me), I rode the scooter back to the apartment but realized I was hungry so gave Nicholas a call to see if he wanted to go for quick lunch, so that’s what we did.

Well, it is going on to 5pm and I still haven’t been home to do my schoolwork.

After lunch we went to Starbucks then to an outlet shop that sells men’s suits (I purchased nice pair of dress pants) then we rode to the scooter shop to see if the part for my bike was in.  The part was in so left the bike there for them to install the part.  This took around 1 hour and they oiled the kickstand as it was getting to difficult to open.

UPDATE

I received a phone call at 12:30am from one of the Humber students.  He is at the police station but I don’t know at this time why.  My first question to him was ‘are you ok?’ and he said yes.  Took a taxi to the station to pick him up and what apparently happened is that he went out by himself earlier in the evening but got disoriented and confused trying to find his apartment.  The taxi he was in was getting frustrated driving around in circles because the student couldn’t remember how to get back to the rez.

He tried to pay the taxi drive but for some reason the taxi driver did not accept the money and simply stayed at the station.  The police paid the driver then I paid the police back.  What an experience I must say.  I think Jeffrey was a little embarrassed and/or afraid because he couldn’t communicate and he didn’t know how to get back to the residence.  I have since asked Jasmine (administrator in International Office) to print out the residence address in both Mandarin and English and give it to each of the students.  This could happen again with any one of them and having this with them will at least allow someone to know where they live.

I think I got back to sleep around 3am so it’s going to be a rough day tomorrow.