Wednesday, March 30, 2016

"There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline..."


My second visit and first set of dives in Xiao Liuqiu Island off the southwest coast of Taiwan. It is a coral reef island and a "popular destination for scuba divers for its crystal clear water and untouched underwater beauties."
My Xiao Liuqiu Dive Crew. First time diving with all of them except for Paul who helped me with my original diving training back in August 2014.
Among this enormous spotted eel hiding in the cracks of the coral reefs, I saw a giant clam with a protective rainbow fish circling it. I saw large lion fish and puffers, an electric angle fish among countless other colorful coral fish. I saw sea slugs and a peacock mantis along the ocean floor. One of my favorites the trumpet fish, too. I lightly touched a starfish and the soft coral. It was the most incredible coral, colors of pinks, peaches, cream, tan, and oranges, flowing back and forth in the currents of the sea. The best dive, was dive #2 when I saw 6 different sea turtles, one being almost 4 feet long! The largest I have ever, or probably will ever see! 
Arriving in front of the sunken ship. The head of the ship was in coral, while the rear was lying along the sandy sea floor. It was a haunting feeling approaching the ship. Being a 90s kid it gave me the feeling of what it would be like seeing Titanic for the first time. 
A meditating girl in a rusted box on a sunken ship under the sea. 
Playful coral fish swimming along stunning soft coral. 
"The Flower-Vase Rock is a coral-limestone with an appearance like a flower vase."
It is about 9 meters high with green grass on the top making it look like a giant vase standing in the water. 
Just being me under the sea. 
 "Good morning beautiful friends, why are you so close? You're throwing off my groove." You know when you have a pet and you speak for them, saying what you think they are thinking. That's what I'd like to think he's thinking. 
Dive crew on day 3! Still fully excited and ready to go!
It was an automatic reaction for me to grab my heart when it began beating out of my chest after realizing not only the turtle in front of me was getting so close, but there was one coming up behind me. 
Picture will never do justice to what you can see with your own eyes under water. However, I am pleased with how well the oranges are captured in this photo of the soft coral and clown fish. 
A big- friendly puffer. 
Awestruck.
These moments when a sea turtle swam straight towards me,
was the most captivating experience I have ever had. 
Some fellow divers and I on the nights between dives. Playing card and dice games, having a cold one, and getting to listen to stories of dive trips 10-20+ years ago is one of my favorite parts of going to the islands of Taiwan and diving. I haven't a clue at what age they are but their souls are youthful and they are still so happy together. When we were underwater I saw two different couple holding hands as they were observing life under the sea. Talk about life goals!  
Ryder, Andy, James, Curtis, and Steven 
enjoying outside play on crazy hat/hair day in Dr. Seuss celebration spirit!
HBD to Dr. Seuss and to my girl Coco! 
Silly faces from the silly Pirates!
Tuesday was crazy sock day! Bella won the contest with not only wearing her own silly socks, but sewing four more pairs on to each foot, stuffed with even more socks! 
Wednesday: Pajama day and celebrating with cake and Dr. Seuss story-time!
Sleeping Pirates 
Thursday was Red and White day!
Annie, Christy, Bella, and Cindy put in a great effort.
Jo, Steven, Coco, Ryder, and Curtis are looking pretty fierce as well in the red & white!
Back to back birthdays in March. This time we celebrated King Curtis! 
T. Jacklyn and I with the Pirates at the Natural Science Museum here in Taichung. This was our first field trip of the year. Most of the students had been here before, but who doesn't love to see real life moving dinosaurs!?!
Check out that SAUROPOD!
Ceretopsia eating my little Pirate men. 
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Jess, Michelle, Brittany, and I  

Many and more came out to celebrate Ireland's famous holiday.
This was my first St.Pat's celebrating with a true born and bred Irish beauty! :-)
Practices for Class Performances were everyday at this point. St. Patrick's Day was a great brain break for everyone!
Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Pirates!
What are you lucky for? 
My dear friend Gina's wedding was March 20, 2016! Congratulations to Gina and Victor! 

Among the dozen amazing entrees served at the banquet, the wedding ceremony included many of the other traditions found in Taiwanese weddings. Gina and Victor, along with other bride-and-grooms-to-be take their wedding photos months before the wedding in their actual dress and tux. The woman do not buy the dress, instead they rent. They do this because they will end up having anywhere from 3 to 8 different dresses when all is said and done. Wearing the traditional white as we see in western culture doesn't always apply here. Gina wore a vibrant red for most of the photos, and on the day of she wore pink and gray. One important thing to know is that in Taiwan, the wedding is not just for you. It's for your family and in-laws. Guests do not need to bring gifts, instead, based on your closeness to the bride or groom, you will fill red envelopes with cash to give as your gift. In exchange you usually receive a gift box of cookies. There are also games to be played by bachelors and bachlorettes in the crowd. I was called on stage and Totto was my translator. It is quite a day for the bride and groom, with 100-200 guests, they make their way to each rounded table to say thank you and have a toast with each group. With thousands of photos being taken and a hundred hugs given out. It's a wonderful, exhausting day for many of those involved.   
Eloise, Totta, I with the Bride and Groom!
Since the four of us girls all go diving together,
we did this pose to represent being scuba buddies!
The elegant bride and myself 
Happy Easter from the Pirates Class!
This was the first Easter Egg hunt that I have conducted myself. Inside one Easter egg I put 100 NT. ($3usd) Christy was the lucky Pirate to find it hidden in the window of our school library. It was an exciting morning! 
Thanks for the support and continued sharing of my experiences here in Taiwan! -K