Wuliaochien Trail

scarier than it looks!!
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

Stoic and i headed south this weekend to the Wuliaochien Trail for a three hour hike. It started out pretty typical of most hicks with some easy rope climbs but eventually got more exciting with a sheer rock peak that was kinda scary!! Overall, best hike yet!!!!

DIY Tofu

take the mold off
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

We went on a TLI daytrip to Xindian and were able to DIY tofu….as dorky as it sounds, it was a lot of fun!!

Our Visit Home

kelly's mom's barn
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

We had three weeks of vacation from work so we headed home. It had been something like five years since we had been back to Ohio and about two and a half years since we’d been to Portland. Ohio was great in that we caught up with our family and some longtime friends! Portland was great because we were able to just relax and swim, drink, eat, ect…

Audrey's Wedding

at jimmy's parents'
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

Our great friend and co-teacher got married this summer. Stoic had the privilege to be involved in the wedding and was able to observe many interesting parts of Taiwan culture. We both got to try many new things like shark fin soup, fake eyelashes and Wii.

Kenting 2009

laying out
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

stoic and i jumped on the High Speed Rail and headed back to Kenting for an extended weekend! it was awesome. first our hotel room was not ready when we arrived so they upgraded us, no charge, to one of the nicest rooms in the hotel. the hotel itself had everything we needed like: a tunnel to the beach, English newspaper @ the door every morning, swimming pool & sauna, scooter rental, game room, 7-11 (of course!!) restaurant (free western breakfast) so forth and so on!!
we spent most of our time on the beach and managed to not get burned. we did some snorkeling scooted around the national park, ate lots of good food and really really relaxed!

MONO in Taipei

Takaakira "Taka" Goto & Tamaki Kunishi
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

What can i say? we saw MONO in South Korea and have wanted to see them since. It fuckin' rocked!! They are a band that must be seen live to truly appreciate!!

Dragonboat holiday 2009

fireworks & dancer
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

we headed up to Danshui during the Dragonboat holiday and spent the day at the beach getting pummeled by the waves and burned by the sun. at the beach we met up with some friends and eventually made our way back to Danshui with them for the evening. Danshui was nutty with parades and people celebrating. we made our way through the crowds and eardrum piercing firecrackers. it was a surreal and some what apocalyptic evening that ended at the temple of the god of justice where gangsters danced, drummed and set of fireworks before unloading there ghost money. Taiwan is awesome!!

paintball & go-carts

afterwards group photo
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

yeah, we had to do it!! stoic, myself and some friends made our way south for a day of paintball. but the fun didn't stop there we also did some rock wall climbing, arm wrestling and go-carting. it was too much fun and left us all a little sore for the workweek!!

swivel's b-day-o-carnage

duck tongue
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

this past friday was my birthday, so me and a large group of teachers made our way to the local food and drink night market. we started the evening with beer of course but then took a turn towards the strange. by the end of the evening i had consumed a lot of beer and every edible part of a duck plus chickens feet. overall, it was one of my most memorable birthdays. Taiwan Rocks!!

Battles

Battles #27
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

stoic and i ran into Taipei after work in the middle of the week to see Battles at The Wall and it was totally worth it!!!

Melt-Banana

Ichirou Agata
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

Stoic, myself, and friends made our way into Taipei on a Friday the 13th to see Melt-Banana @ The Wall. The crowd was great and the show was intense, as was expected. we moshed it up, i lost my shoe for a brief moment and felt a little old the morning after but....it was worth it!!

15th year anniversary

stoic and i celebrated our 15th year anniversary by going to see Philip Glass’ Asia premiere of 'Book of Longing' in Taipei.... it was awesome!

Around The Island In 24 Hours

Taiwan Macaque in tree
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

Our friend Patrick was able to borrow a car for the weekend so we took a road trip around the island. Near Taiyuan, on the east coast, we where able to check out some Macaque monkeys. Next, we headed to Taitung to get some dinner at Kasa. After dinner we made our way south to Taimali beach which is well known for it’s sunrises. We set up camp there and built a fire. The next morning we woke early for the sunrise but it was too cloudy. After packing up our tents we headed out for Kaohsiung where we ate lunch and did some exploring before heading back to Taipei. All in all, it was a lot of fun but a little too much time in a car!!

click the photo to sell all of our photos @ flickr

Scootering & Camping Taiwan's East Coast (2008 summer vacation)

north of Shanyuan Beach
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

Instead of working more hours during summer, we finally got a real summer vacation.

take a look at our Flickr photos

take a look at John’s Flickr photos


Day 1: Linkou – Xiao Wulai (camping 100 NTD)
An easy drive from Linkou. “Camp anywhere” is what the locals said. We set up under a shelter near a “haunted house”. The falls are huge and the river is great for swimming.

Day 2: Xiao Wulai – Wuling Farm (camping 400NTD)
The drive here was not pleasant. They have landlocked fresh water wild salmon but we didn’t see any and you can’t swim in the rivers because they are protected for the salmon. Oh yeah, it gets a bit chilly at night because of the elevation.

Day 3: Wuling Farm – Taroko Gorge (camping – free!)
The drive to Taroko was awesome and frightening! There had been two recent typhoons that had hit the island before we headed out so we ran into lots of landslides. Taroko is amazing but should be avoided during weekends or holidays!!

Day 4: Taroko – Hualien (Amigos Hostel 450 NTD per person)
An easy drive. Hualien is a cool city. The hostel was a little spendy. The owner and dog are great and told us about a great swimming hole just outside of town.

Day 5: Hualien - Rueisuei Rafting Service Center (camping 300 NTD)
Seemed like a longer drive but a definite change in landscape.

Day 6: Rueisuei (camping 300NTD)
Rafting!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!

Day 7: Rueisuei – Dulan (camping 400 NTD)
Once out of the mountains the driving becomes much easier and faster. The campsite at Siaoyeliou was under construction. We were directed back to the Dulan police station for free camping but had to pass on the offer. Found an ok privately owned campsite just north of town that was quickly taken over by locals come the weekend. Nevertheless, we were able to get to the beach easily.

Day 8: Dulan (camping 400 NTD)
Swimming at Shanyuan Beach.

Day 9: Dulan - Fugang Harbor – Green Island (camping 500 NTD)
Quick drive. The ferry is a little ruff and nausea ensued quickly. (note: don’t put your bags or sit near the trash cans…it can get messy!)

Day 10: Green Island (camping 300 NTD)
Tried to swim but the water was to rough. Drank beer and hung out with campsite dog!

Day 11: Green Island (camping 300 NTD)
Snorkeling!!!!!

Day 12: Green Island – Taitung (Fuyuan Hotel 700 NTD)
The ferry but was much smother. We made a quick trip south to check out Chihpen National Forest Recreational Park but was chased back to Taitung by the rain.
We loved Taitung! Cool and laidback city!

Day 13: Taitung – Shihtiping (camping 300 NTD)
This was a long day! We first headed into the island via the South Cross-Island Hwy to check out Wulu….Stunning cliffs!! Again we were chased away by rain so we hauled ass back over to the East coast.

Day 14: Shihtiping (camping 300 NTD)
Great swimming, snorkeling, and seafood but hot as hell!

Day 15: Shihtiping – Nanao (camping 200 NTD)
We had planned on a short drive back to Taroko but arrived on a holiday weekend….nightmare!!! So we again hauled ass up the East Coast racing sunset to Nanao. The campsite was tricky to find, especially in the dark so we asked the local police for clear directions. They gave us a police escort with red and blue lights….surreal!

Day 16: Nanao (camping 200 NTD)
Awesome swimming holes! Super friendly campsite with puppy!

Day 17: Nanao – Pinglin (camping 330 NTD)
Kind of a long drive back into the windy mountains.

Day 18: Pinglin (camping 330 NTD)
Headed over to Pingxi for some exploring and swimming! Great swimming hole!

Day 19: Pinglin – Taipei & Linkou
Packed up early and headed to one last swim hole….F*%king Great!!! Then made our way back to Taipei for lunch….Burgers (veggi, chicken, or beef) at KGB. In a state of bliss we haphazardly weaved through the streets of Taipei back home to Linkou.

Things we learned on vacation:
1. Being outside is good for you
2. Friends are fun
3. Camping is cheap
4. Scooter chasing dogs are scary
5. Fish are beautiful
6. Swim when it’s hot
7. Eat where it is busy (with some exceptions)
8. Be prepared for rain
9. Wear sun screen
10. Landslides suck
11. And NEVER buy camping gear from Carrefour

Wufenpu market

@ the market
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

After Chinese class Stoic and I wandered over to the infamous Wufenpu market. Here you can check out the newest styles and pick up something for cheap.....we will go back!

Guanyinsan day hike

@ the top (north east view)
Originally uploaded by swivelizer

We made our way over to Guanyin Mt. via a 25 min. scooter ride north.
It was a perfect day for appreciating the view and a hike.

Dragon Boat Festival

It was a very hot and humid day but we still made our way over to the dragon boat races. It was something we wanted to check off our list and i don't think we will make it there next year.

Another Earthquake!

Last night i woke up and felt like the room was shacking.
By morning i had for gotten everything....and then the news channel reminded me---EARTHQUAKE!

:A STRONG earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale has rocked northern Taiwan today, the Central Weather Bureau said.

The quake, which could be felt in most of northern Taiwan, struck at 2.59am Monday AEST and was centred 20km north of the northeastern city of Yilan at a depth of 95.7km, the bureau said.

"There were no reports of damage or casualties after we checked with local units," said an official of the National Fire Agency, which coordinates the island's rescue work.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a 5.3 magnitude and struck 40km southeast of capital Taipei.

Buildings in the Taipei area shook for about 10 seconds.

"Since it struck from a very deep epicentre, much of its strength was offset," Kuo Kai-wen, head of the Central Weather Bureau, said.

"It was an isolated temblor, had nothing to do with the earthquake which hit earlier in the day," he said, referring to a 6.4-magnitude quake that struck the northern Philippines and southern parts of Taiwan yesterday.

Taiwan, which lies near the junction of two tectonic plates, is regularly shaken by earthquakes.

Xiu xi Ma fan (Rest Troublesome)

we saw this running down the street in the rain. he came to us and we couldn't put him down, could you?

When the fam comes for a visit!

When teachin' abroad, it is always nice to have family ,any ones, come for a visit.
It was really great gettin' to meet Marisa's family and even better going out for drinks.
I think next time we will have to meet up in Nebraska.