tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33644645839193844972024-02-19T12:29:51.698+08:00My Taiwanese ADDICTIONkay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-28768846436672032372018-09-16T22:05:00.000+08:002018-09-18T00:35:02.996+08:00#1 Living the Island Life <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh87z3E5dJ0lWK3rVbZ_OA6jv6MzH8QNM7J9NeHE3pKOEOf7FGqIJZj7BZt7Nkgp0QuLol9-YgP4OrLrEdnfZgf1PWghn422x9a9kJiTa0ukw4GGaGrSQ84p2XNnT27IxdhFl4OPQxqmE/s1600/1erh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh87z3E5dJ0lWK3rVbZ_OA6jv6MzH8QNM7J9NeHE3pKOEOf7FGqIJZj7BZt7Nkgp0QuLol9-YgP4OrLrEdnfZgf1PWghn422x9a9kJiTa0ukw4GGaGrSQ84p2XNnT27IxdhFl4OPQxqmE/s640/1erh.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was born and raised in the middle of America. With an abundance of wide open spaces, big blue skies, gravel roads and endless highways through flat lands and rolling hills. All four seasons were a guarantee in the midwest, as well as trips to the local lake for family reunions, birthdays, and holidays. Farmers brought in produce to the markets every week, midwest beef was plentiful, something to be proud of, and there was no concern for the </span><a href="https://theconversation.com/five-ways-the-meat-on-your-plate-is-killing-the-planet-76128" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">damage it was doing to our planet</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, nor to us. Life was good. Little did I know that life, for me, would get even better, just by living near the sea. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First trip to Kenting before <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/asia/taiwan/articles/7-customs-and-traditions-surrounding-taiwanese-ghost-month/" target="_blank">Ghost </a><a href="https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3236393" target="_blank">Month </a>begins - August 2013</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn4HQQmIvVNb_nSk0SBttwWAbm_S3L4ULsyfOhGAsoklU9VYH5NLeclw5iAHybOu0iRSXTxrHx1oveofpcAKhdS8tnww5RkB0aw5kEjS7SQ6HfWQPrbJKvGVZCtljxuJiiiXM3LsdZcNf/s400/islandbig.jpg" style="cursor: move; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.3333px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First Open Water Dive after certification in 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I moved to this rather large island of Taiwan in June 2013. I remember discovering that it is 1/4 the size of my home state of Iowa </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(1/3 the size of New York- </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Approx. 245 miles long, 90 miles wide.)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, but 7 times the population of my entire state! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">23 million people are living on this island that is smaller than Switzerland, and just slightly larger than Belgium! With this density, there are certainly places where one could not remotely tell at all that they were living on an island. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, it is still an island! A tropical island with all the variety of adventures to be desired and more. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYngZpgs_OJwQx9VIAyeUovzB3FQy88MTtAODx0oaTbZkIEO-6MSgXMUSOCaxA1Lqlb04LGrCThJRlmgmNltdgeDxR3RBI7gp1jQ6XrVXMdGft8KTawBhxInG7-hGTl1RqPuYyxQ3nGtRF/s640/1clou.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isla <a href="https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=20,29,35,45&post=26140" target="_blank">Formosa </a>(Taiwan) is a bountiful in mountains and oceans views; immense in freedom, beauty, and wildlife; lush in forests, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">fruit, and friends. While also having dozens and dozens of offshore islands surrounding Taiwan to deepen the feel for truly living an island life</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOTQDBVUoqhSrIobXanznrn3r-4SlXX6xny5dYQCWC110bOC3uG6GSdttRKJJblCONVRrNStjFnDS_eHyL2NZy9n3AYXWg7zf4OkT9pOCvHs7_KgV2LfZN8Due_0ZdnxRJLPjFXUjaEjG/s640/1w.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdstdwkjY8k-o7i-eAY-i5me8qR5UCWZoRAgMXc3JcqT5r3_8WJ8b6ZVvVXOdnxFp6WcCrLxKuUtWy7KIi3_5TQAxTvWXcF4zJwDUqZK7yoIn5zG7f6MxZUUw9nvVyo4DUQWFbnb90LjY/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdstdwkjY8k-o7i-eAY-i5me8qR5UCWZoRAgMXc3JcqT5r3_8WJ8b6ZVvVXOdnxFp6WcCrLxKuUtWy7KIi3_5TQAxTvWXcF4zJwDUqZK7yoIn5zG7f6MxZUUw9nvVyo4DUQWFbnb90LjY/s400/31.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;" width="296" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the things I love about being part of an island community is that islanders often look out for one another </span>(less theft)<span style="font-size: large;">. Due to size and limits on resources, we must depend on one another.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> While being in the larger cities of Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan this feeling is harder to come by. All it takes is a day trip to a small town to find it. Another perk, people in s</span><span style="font-size: large;">maller communities spend more time sharing; sharing food, drinks, stories, and laughter. More doors are open, children watched over, and I personally always enjoy when a c</span><span style="font-size: large;">onversation with locals leads to hidden island secrets. ^^</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">❤ <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mountains sunrises, <br />Ocean sunsets.</span>❤</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">F U L O N G B E A C H </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few more benefits (I find) of living on an island:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tropical weather is good for skin and hair! </span>I've never put the pieces together about how hair and nails seem to grow so quickly in the humidity, but I am not the only one. As for the natural moisture humidity provides, it's wonderful effects are easily noticeable when I take a flight back to the USA in the middle of winter. Eek! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With rainy seasons lasting anywhere from June to October, you really learn to appreciate the sunny days. ^^</span></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgovK1W6-0Ya4G4TN_S9brCOd9rnHLqQnUTvXBAYojVBcgqPSsa0JbCp7k2PAok9mYWe5abflPkpOpZaua4Ut827bk_EU2ylO0f8DlIrSR9DI68tomjQrX_cWjvfdU5VQA6fnYcAJHQkxS/s640/1flo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Flower Festival 2013</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_PZ7Hdj-EsqXODOj696RmiSK3I6qnx00laBs2BRqb6YSdAQvgMGePwk4wdUg4HDJ_XP3DiOxdqoxD2YtDNL5LGtb9nLl5CmuwCIyVFs0AW0rq4p5-GSW5Tgk416XG0y5bPh_qB5weJts/s400/1y.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"The Mountains Are Calling & I Must Go"</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmuW8765dLVky0YBOFMLNm0eXDX_n3QT10jrUqElJBUPfh5YwPXTFZW87Y6_2L05xDWWjNiWwXn9LmpsmPVwMX1KYCFjECvTdWk6uGJS010N7XTVQc0fyUpk_fP89YnWa-OW70P5AX6E0/s400/1a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Waterfall exploring- Sept 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Best kind of exercise is provided! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hiking to waterfalls, hot springs, or the tip top of mountains for guaranteed breathtaking views. Cycling is popular in Taiwan and there is some surfing for those able. ^^</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_kKPZYRofp-EqiNX0ZIaenG0-TmEZsKPre45QP0pEtkXWxI6wrx6DJ2GlJRL_UciKK5qZwbuEm22Q2keJ_boBG4NjnkHyq-2AbXz8tLZADHVkBIEWi_gVcQMoqLMoRRjEgmiZToXUeQG/s400/21.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First Mountain Hike in Taiwan! - July 2013 </span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tropical islands that grow their own fruit also have the advantage of selling these delicious delights in inexpensive abundance. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="960" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUILmYQoqkl5GovOHpZinBgUzC5nkJShV65flFJEJXNK800G0kAe7m0Iv35U0i-YPcSzkLvXVhwXEqFi0XcouDzz-pvQyA_7IuzBJ7lf1qw-EY_R22OStRzfH5AVAMALEEJz4SDmjRwdJ/s400/1wn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quick and easy use of transportation!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWasulTVo83FheiGJBzcKsvtGgqJVwS5cbY4i3Q5y0BpBetF2atnCVYhBnBmwaVAByjwlg42BGVW8M6XEFp_FFBiggzhOstfE2fF5oYnl4cN60CfZHnya4Zpm8wtqdcdjB1wANF6IfiAy/s400/1nm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">❤ <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hop out of the ocean, jump in the back of a blue truck and go. </span>❤ <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>❤ <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Run up the road for BBQ with the sun on your skin and sand in your hair. </span>❤ </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Learn to entertain ourselves in more creative ways! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Waking up to mountain views. ^^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Camping trips!</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-K0UeGhxxzgp9oqljIAliSafKZiSs-ADeA9AzZk4-Oz5T2SVD0qT4y-fMJnR03XHoIfplmSlRCy2ULdWR7R6ZHCs9lcZJfYw-oyD3BatIsf5yD2FiRCOXLv3-e2J2_-mqdMlNVGUKp73/s640/1ndm.jpg" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Islanders tend to be 'night owls' as well. For me, nothing beats seeing a sky full of stars with the sound of the ocean nearby.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAYca5oE-hfwpqzYZOxRlm9oE93Ifq7pEsa-jBCUp7UOhssbdEcJC4YnNmbBjdh4mNxh-Jyr7C882BNaghCKgNq_4a8yVP7ki8if-_RVCJ0Hnus11gOFfFiijFvp7Wuy00Ucx9R3Sub4U/s640/1dss.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">❤ <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ancient Forests, Aquatic Animals.</span><span style="font-size: large;">❤</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEawuAjnBUp8TzlLTsDWYAkgaASeVzQ3fTRqGywy8_DJJl0YdAm9IAOicKbOaAkhE-ZaCFfEC5jyqNlZmP70PambIxOmwo-Ikzvdys7P81qYGq6CnyRAgBv6sKX_7qziqpQhOxY0YmLTi/s400/1dol.jpg" width="292" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I read a book this past year, <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-vanishing-face-of-gaia-a-final-warning-by-james-lovelock/article4276742/" target="_blank">The Vanishing Face of Gaia</a>, that spoke of Taiwan as one of the "lifeboats of humanity." The book discussed how a handful of places (Japan, New Zealand, Tasmania, British Isles, Scandinavia, Northern Canada, and a few others) that will not be as altered or harmed in the years to come when climate change further begins to take its effect on the planet, or more so, humanity. So another large benefit of living in Taiwan is that it's a tropical, high-elevated island that can produce its own food to sustain its people. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqKSrTUHSUuTSR-5qZN4QY6GLjaV23PDRufWsm47CcJEivSf0praINfZ7gy-rFPF3gWfiVLvE3n5ovqGcdvuB8iMYRHMaOfVyNvswtA4xSrUK5k02rvScOphO31yedqZjCR93FoeTL-Va/s400/1isl.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I S L A N D G I R L </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1339" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyCrZec5wlhJ_oAt_IjPK8x_vVoK7v-hhr_Vt48nbtX5Spo6NV-NowITue-C2qY-PZaCndCg0j9rd7yF5HG7qtfM_dwVwVh3T89Lf8EUNZeH7spp8K0CTqZLFYZpplv6qu_DOfUDp1dtr/s320/kk.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By combining a good economy where small business and families thrive and depend on each other, Taiwan has created an island mecca of incredible, friendly, happy healthy people. A society most people can only dream of, and many are in disbelief still exists.</span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseGhSMOkXbE5UoT8aNpxMjv3HZOpkHPb6HYO9xr_pMa_BH49vLhEa31UED2mMP5U-WKm6DEHEphldkucOcmrWDNfVFwC2fu6jRMokfY3jbnzjoWTv0-nMKGeBofC-qkoeA97Iyon_BElK/s400/1flj.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With this blog, and the fact I've spent a majority of my 20s in Taiwan, it's easily
obvious to see I am a huge fan of this place. However, my time in Taiwan, at least
for the foreseeable future, has come to an end. This chapter in my life has
been written. From here, the journey will change into something only I can
dream of at the moment. </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I leave my adopted home after five years and three months with more love, trust, hope and confidence in my heart than I came with. I leave behind some friendships I'll never forget, and memories that I know will last a lifetime. No matter what is to come, I know I will see Formosa again. Taiwan, with all its beauty and its people, have truly touched my heart. </span></div>
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ZaiJian~</div>
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-K </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span>kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-60728436057431182832018-08-22T22:04:00.000+08:002018-08-23T22:58:30.621+08:00#2 Patience <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-IgpNy7YwsNL3V9u36IJ95dUowf4iEy2nsommQSiaIkwHjUHRasTKD50FMlteYIciDFYYyn52mZR1apm5H6v0yuRl9wYGviKbam6Q2BbmWtCbqBeRVchSkoP_ZvHmHh2lqW4aOtwoJcp/s400/8hskjh.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
Taiwanese seem to have a set expectation, an unspoken agreement, of how you treat others – not that
there aren’t the exceptions- We <i>are </i>all humans. ^^ Still, their vast amount of patience seems to be a key factor in this. Having patience requires self- control. It helps us overcome daily life frustrations, helps us hold off judgments, and in turn we make more mindful and informed decisions in all aspects of life. Patience helps us to achieve our goals, to see things more clearly, to be a good friend, and have compassion for others. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="960" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObMlHgbBoJnI8FsbjO0JgdgealTkdmF32db5acf7C63bj2p5FjBek7QDhunqRX03kFOJXR7N8N7DAdOIitFNh-EjLcP5D8OzWn-77TsPmJGCNNfn0GnsLv7d43QhnJFAp_v99WMDGD3At/s640/islandlife.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After sharing a meal and planting a tree with an aboriginal tribe CNY 2014. ^^</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Taiwanese have patience unlike I’ve
ever experienced. Growing up on an island of 23 million people must help with accepting
that things take time. I should mention that as I have traveled to other places, and met people from all over the world, Americans do have the stereotype of always being in a hurry. I can admit, this need to fit as much as I can into a single day and hustle from task to task is still very much in me, but my how far I've come. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5bkUFB9mcyuHjaxuBdvy4_JNVcZFgbok0E8eDq5wsYRloRiat4YGVgbOgDXr835pZR4fuckyorvWtDQy5sVOSopJXm9Ru9or72uFDIK1DuET2ID65B7QSMDYYiDJayTbAdHTbJHeq5ys/s640/love1.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I return to visit the USA, I am one of the most
patience people in any given vicinity, but here in Taiwan, I often find myself
being the impatient one. I will curse the ill-parked scooters and their
drivers, too often I've grown impatient waiting for the elevator, and oh my golly, the lines. Yet they never seem to fret, nor grow restless, or become ill-tempered
because only one register at IKEA is running as a line of 15 people continues
to grow. There's rarely an aggravation at the 99 second red lights you hit five times after work, the tea stand lines that wrap around the building, or the
elevator stopping on every level before picking you up on the first floor, to
only then continue downwards to the basement when you mean to go up!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw8MGilgqkslrzt6Af2s3YhC6nf3NoeTXQU5nEQTrzCLhoziZa1XuulpXXRJ5G6X3ubv0-m_3EUYtC8uJ7nEK0qjl0Rlzm7YK2Yhi2n657lb80iLc5yx9_gcge40DEUWrZ_zH72d6BLTf/s400/20180804_124539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Another day, another line. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.theodysseyonline.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">*Taken from The Odyssey Online*</span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"So why are Americans always in a hurry? The answer lies in our culture and our history. Perhaps it is even within our capitalist economy; in connection, the idea that if you work harder, longer hours than the next guy, you'll come out on top. But what does this do to our bodies, minds, and spirits? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All work and no time for recreation, meditation, and personal reflection causes more of a detriment to our well being than success ever can compensate. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So the next time you're ready to blow up at the waitress taking too long, or schedule your day with so many things that the only down time you get is your limited sleep, remember that there is always space for those things that matter most. Physical, mental, and spiritual well being enables higher success and productivity, greater satisfaction, and increased longevity."</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Great Things Take Time </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwLuTxF_ud8HdjMBsF-vSg7JtTfo3tgSYQi4wrFkbcd_-yvN-FZCZwq0bdYPxxqq_mc8Gr-U-hxFn87j7yo2xFDiW-6gQT9Z59jI5CLpQKIkBfZeYjclmK4Ow9LUHuWvxMl51WcAC79jh/s640/3a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cousin Jessica and I in Kaohsiung, enjoying Taiwan at our own pace. May 2018 </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Taiwanese are in no rush to
start their days. Many places open at 10 am, and schools often beginning at 9 am. The most scurrying I've witnessed is at the breakfast shops between 8-8:30 am. In the evening, m</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">eals are often an hour or more as to enjoy the food and let the conversation flow. This is also true in European countries. As well as the common use of public transportation, walking and biking versus every individual over 16 having their own means of transportation to get where they're going. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvN4viBprlC_JmlknAZNvYYRdn6Wwd4kMlRapyNs2QbJBhIapnOFaXuzjZAcxybih9IN0l9s88JCEp9cWK-SNO4SLXpfVZuBWMjU1Wi5qVd1JDm_NwYEIHlSPvNyP6AK6_OlhwIgQqOUW/s640/8uj.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have learned a great deal of history while living in Taiwan. Because of this, I have also learned great lessons in patience. Gaining this</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> knowledge has taught me a lot about the world, my country, and has led me to d</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">iscover, follow, and thrive in deeper passions within. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h2vGm-euGSEkytny1_SGqDOvbecAOs8oGoNRUXDj9qQFpNuFu9DLFh5APHUkqYqd0wluSBuvFw8e_z4-XcN7_daKA9lk7ZZUR8qXJFSsmD5EanAvgU13d9m7ZXlac8X5-58nWDxiT3Fu/s640/8lokj.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">I've learned a lot about America’s history while in SE Asia for five years abroad. Including the importance of USA's relationship with Taiwan, keeping it free from China.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MtgN3Pk-oNy-Bf8bQsZHAsm4j4nE1PvxECs1GFeFE6jSbfyqHO65x41L9JCQMe3kQL-r186kQRU4LQ51QcKJgIrw1Moyr8_i6WaRehlTbHa4XswG1i8HxbIcGFxv4JoEhEcguDoXYfCd/s640/222.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Taoism and Buddhism</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the first month of arriving in Taiwan, I was given the chance to <a href="http://www.tanshentemple.com/what-is-receiving-tao.html" target="_blank">receive </a>Tao. Since then I've invested the time to learn more and more about <a href="https://personaltao.com/taoism/taoism-101/" target="_blank">Taoism </a>and Buddhism in Taiwan and surrounding countries. Many consider Tao and Buddhism a <a href="https://lifeoftaiwan.com/about-taiwan/religion/" target="_blank">religion</a>, or faith, but it seems more of a way of living than anything else. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Neither of these 'faiths' try to convert nonbelievers by force. Instead, brings one to 'acceptance of their life,' opens possibilities, peace, and patience. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="960" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEoKbDJBLEDHKUDubgZ4XPoBfUbL-lLQmwGwXtFSaZ4XQqffJfQQ4PmzTkZALq8oSJqQagz7jt20oiR0RYxrRtDBttLQjVl_kO7U4c-Nj2D-Cs7ex6RfEC_pOaFVYwHR9Pk5ZLZyGwHr3/s640/22f.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-size: 16px;">In Taiwan, the religious environment is characterized by </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-size: 16px;">"tremendous diversity and tolerance." The majority practice a mix of Taoism and Buddhism, while </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Christians and Muslims are a small minority.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">" </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Some say there’s no such thing as folk religion (in Taiwan), rather a motley collection of beliefs and superstitions which adherents hope will bring them health, longevity and prosperity." After speaking on the subject with Taiwanese friends and high school students, as well as my own experience, I would agree. There seems to be more rituals to bring protection from illness or to bring success in school or work, than prayers for refining behavior or uplifting thoughts. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6qMddGkCJQe5-8gQiOo98u2594NpXonkrHqzkPskdvlmI3Hgrh1hF_Oh87LAcHe47VJxs1StL9G3h7vLmb1AEKfsL9EuSupgHw1ZwenBFe3oSOH8l2OLGxB0AGwxtYrAnPqs1CsQ1mcy/s400/2bm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar- May 2014</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Both Buddhism and Taoism do not require a belief in any God or Gods. They are gentle, nonviolent, and anti-war. Believing in the equality and dignity of all living things. It encourages people to think independently, to transform themselves and to seek and find their own way to true happiness. In </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">recent years, many Buddhist groups have emphasized environmental protection and minimizing. As Taoists teaches a person to live in their heart. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK1Clhup8XKwYG3gRaJPl8O5SMnh-sBSsrJ9z49a4Es680xBg48z9lqb7G1EaL2cR_JGzg3HIm95bI39FXhRWcDAn5Es1RYlTwGNTIW0V1butsZ-rMrBQXp3VWCQovlUa3w5bRTDVraIh/s640/2p.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I mention these two belief systems, because I believe they play an important role in how the Taiwanese are raised and, subsequently, a strong reason as to why they grow to live by the golden rule. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I am approaching my final week of working with</span><a href="http://www.ecornel.com.tw/en/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"> Cornel English School</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"> in Taichung.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"> When I signed my name to this journey 5.5 years ago, I didn't quite expect that it would turn into such a major chapter in my life. I have embarked along a path that has forever changed who I am. I have reached more personal and professional goals than I even set out to achieve. I have gained confidence and insight that will honestly make returning (or at least attempting) to the USA an even bigger challenge than it ever was to leave. "Reverse culture shock "is what they call it, and I can't say I'm looking forward to it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I am, however, looking forward to being with family and friends again soon. As well as what I have planned for the next three months before my return home. ^^ </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUt90-iIuOgV54CEolDb3bKNXbU4OaLHfczeUL2ACHJC0Sdh7uSeaUxwKA6i67eeKEdeSkrquS4kbB5OnZZw0LpYbaPUeBLRGJBxVNLFFtNCrbe44sf5gwqU6XOqPtUcT_6RrMASLbjKy/s1600/lao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="519" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUt90-iIuOgV54CEolDb3bKNXbU4OaLHfczeUL2ACHJC0Sdh7uSeaUxwKA6i67eeKEdeSkrquS4kbB5OnZZw0LpYbaPUeBLRGJBxVNLFFtNCrbe44sf5gwqU6XOqPtUcT_6RrMASLbjKy/s320/lao.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #110020; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Thanks for the support! -K</span><br />
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-25315653802710059552018-08-18T02:00:00.000+08:002018-08-19T23:50:31.304+08:00#3 Low Cost of Living & Adventures of a Lifetime<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have Big Dreams! <span style="font-weight: normal;">(You can afford them.)</span></span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Top of Taipei 101 Jan. 2014. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">101 still held the Guinness World Record for World's fastest elevator at this time. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Enjoying the benefits of low cost living and having 'adventures of a lifetime' are seemingly two different aspects of life in Taiwan to miss. However, it's largely because of the low cost of living in Taiwan, that I, we (foreigners) are able to rapidly cross off bucket list items, fulfill dreams we may have not really thought possible, and why we're able to</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> partake in adventures we often had never even thought of. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paragliding in Puli - Jan. 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">As a foreign English teacher in Taiwan, we are spoiled with making a fair amount of money while still paying Taiwan prices. (You will occasionally come across those who raise the price <i>just</i> <i>because </i>you are a foreigner, but not nearly as much as in other Asian countries who get far more tourists.) The wages we are making wouldn't count for much in nearly all other first world countries, yet here in Taiwan, a single income can take on a three bedroom apartment plus utilities, transportation needs, frequent dining and shopping, and a good amount of vacation/travel time each year. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jackie Chan's handprints @ Avenue of Stars <br />25th Birthday- Hong Kong Feb. 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Personally, what I will really struggle with on my return to the West is accepting and justifying the prices of daily living expenses. In </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taiwan, EVERYTHING seems incredibly LOW in cost. Food, travel, leisure activities, school and home supplies, shopping (although there is plenty of high-end shops for those in need), insurances, etc. Most of which I've discussed in previous posts. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgPambTigdQncICjZBU6oyvw0Z4JILSe442TKhKqPPbKph9NN8dPRwGUGEM2-P1BJU8FS4VNBdssTM5xQkIMbi2j5fAvH5SNYF__IsH1RGntdR7RW7DihfZHXw_l75LT6aT5j9qYlxucn/s400/3n.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This mega smile was permanent after my first weekend trip to Sun Moon Lake. Summer 2013. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For years now I have paid bills such as water, gas and electric every two months at prices that would seem unbelievable stateside. Water bills hardly breaks $20USD every two months, gas and electric, depending on the use of aircon will be from 25-75USD, again every two months! Internet and cable in your home is around 30USD per month, and as far as having Wi-fi on your cell phone, I currently pay $6USD for 1.2GB, which lasts me nearly a month since I connect to Wi-fi at home and work. How do I go back to paying $75 for shitty service with a monopoly company like Verizon? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burma / Myanmar May 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Along with that, a majority of us drive scooters which take $3-5USD to fill. That full tank of gas can last 1-3+ weeks depending on how much driving is done. On average, apartments are around $500USD per month, some more, some less. Outside of school housing, I had a three bedroom, two bathroom for $400 USD (in 2017) right in the heart of the city. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The girls and I bungee jumping near Jiji, Taiwan- Nov. 2013<br />(She handled the experience much better than me. I was terrified at this point.)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">January '14- Ran a half marathon (21K) in 2hr:15m and placed 15th out of 70+ females.<br />(Never having played sports growing up, I was surprised and proud at this accomplishment. ^^)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before arriving in Taiwan I was very curious to find out as much as I could, since when I took the job I knew very little about Taiwan itself. While doing some research I read that Taiwan was one of four "Tiger Economies" of Asia, along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dangling from Seoul Tower @ the Alive Museum, S. Korea - October 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">As you may have guessed, receiving a nickname such as 'Tiger Economy' meant that these four 'countries' had rapid economic growth and still do have a 'booming' economy, much of it high-tech. All four locations rate high in quality of infrastructure, business opportunities, and safety. However, residents of Hong Kong and Singapore experience a much higher cost of living. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Singapore - September 2016</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">To tie in with the low cost of living and lifetime adventures, I had no idea coming to Taiwan also meant living amongst so many e</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ntrepreneurs. I was once told it takes as little as 45,000NT (1,500USD) and a tie in with the Taiwanese, to get your own business up and running. Other than the endless amounts of foreign teachers you'll meet, Taiwan is full of self-made DJs, some who even reach events outside of Taiwan, a large array of restaurant and bar owners, plenty of those with adorable bakeries and boutiques with even more adorable shop names. Although small businesses can sometimes seem to open and close with the change of seasons, it's impressive to see so many dreams become realitites. If I stayed any longer in Taiwan, the question might become, "What will I name my first business?"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="677" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6XiUOdalxUGVsgF0t0hfTxs1vkwPbi8lRKwVe7w4N_yphsqGXDz5zFxFYvY2SCJO5LSS_lLEAq5mld4W1CcvvcgO1zsFdUnivRTnBiCaSXuMslyaWcEDDw93cPfaBklAzEsJw5H3uV9e/s400/3el.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Always a friend</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">aiwan is full of good financial opportunities for expats, including a healthy work-life balance. (I know I sure am going to miss having two hour lunches and mid-afternoon naps!) It is also easy to interact with the Taiwanese because of their friendly demeanor. This observation is often the first thing foreigners notice about living here. I also believe it helps that Taiwan in not high on the list of tourist and/or vacation destinations. In this regard, Taiwan has been well hidden from the masses. It's what keeps her so special. ^^</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="709" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvi6GEX83pIVM8B4I_C-LKH5pvN1deXzZC0DAE-w_Pt8LH8ICoHpK-PZqLuO_G0gLMWxtUeq0Ubg_QISrSm6oTuFdrFdh3KrYeO7i-T7lHrYnDYFi3CKt8ydt85V4Z44sOsxD8pRy9op1/s400/13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="295" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scuba Diving with the locals (again, LOW cost!!)</span><br />When scuba diving with a foreign dive instructor in Taiwan I paid nearly the same amount for 4 dives as I did for my entire two weekend training and certification. THEN I decided to go diving with my Taiwanese Scuba Buddies. Not only were the dives incredible, we did 6 of them for 1/3 the cost of what the the foreign instructor charged. There is something so absurd about that! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another wildly less expensive cost in Taiwan is that of a wedding dress. As many and more people go through the expense of one day needing to pay for the cost of a wedding dress, here they are rented. Not only this, but because they are rented, the bride-to-be gets to have several! I myself have never needed this, but would 100% get on board with it, along with I'm sure many other woman (for the dresses) and men (for the cost). </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="960" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAg8oJu1W-ofO6YBUuKO7o1q1heueMG0bDi4xYXgvGGmL6k0JTd_IQX09p4TSEIn6WQFuetqWungfNw4Ug_AXkPpFvP1Ul4YCuBQacvitO0pEeexEkDkcVH3W-s0dmwUsttp7TRAFPCgWv/s400/3jpk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">J A P A N </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">February 2016</span></span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh_T-uikzL_KZOk6kkNkhn6jDgq8sMVeRIM12LxNxZqBVZxBYoiABptvkkal8KlUNfg1vCuRpN20CIq4zyYPU_P7ydDFy63w2Z5pFecFufrGl9Fpt-EDV7nFO77UKjvk_QItfy-1Uu8J2/s320/3m.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">M A L A Y S I A </span><br />March 2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For many people living abroad is a grand adventure, and for me, living in Taiwan meant living one big grand adventure while taking unimaginable adventures in between. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meeting my first Cornel Family Flying from Chicago to Tokyo</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 6/20/13</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">T H A I L A N D<br />March 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eternally grateful, I have traveled out of Taiwan four times a year, excluding the one month home as part of my school contract. This has led me to visit and learn from over a dozen Southeast Asian countries, as well as spending two weeks in Australia and visiting two European countries. I have never taken any of these adventures for granted, and only further admrie the beauty of the world, as well as having experienced the discovery of oneself and life, that traveling can offer. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">B U R M A </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The best view comes after the hardest climb."</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chilling with the snow monkeys in Nagano, Japan February 2015</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">L A O S </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">February 2017</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walking Tour crew in Brussels, Belgium April 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">C A M B O D I A </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Making the decision to live and work in Taiwan for the majority of my 20s has made it possible for me to financially accomplish things I didn't think would happen in my 20s. Such as, paying off student loans, getting Lasik, and having my own three bedroom apartment in the city. It has made it possible for me to experience life in ways I'll never forget. Whether it be scuba diving with sea turtles, through caves and wonders, and even the Great Barrier Reef, to staying up all night on a rooftop or on a beach to dance under the stars or swap stories with incredible, courageous people from all over the world. To learn about myself by learning of others, their cultures and their history. All this and more is why I'm thankful and undeniably in love with this beautiful island I think I will always call a home. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhv7LkQI_YJ86q7hnKrok63PdkOw4-Bw_MJqqr0d986SoJ35MELJfvf_tp2kYSvzNfIg6-va32BZ2eIP0tDjobTSmgwyCn7HwVV1b-t075lyAWO-CxNYhm8ZTgncVhXN2ZtvDPuiwsbu4/s400/3phj.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">P H I L I P P I N E S </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 2016</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">P H I L I P P I N E S </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">November 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">V I E T N A M </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">November 2015</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I N D O N E S I A </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 2018</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The biggest adventure you can ever take </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">is to live the life of your dreams!" -O</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can always go meet the wonderful place that could just ignite your dreams! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! - K </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-1479839842886845522018-08-08T22:02:00.000+08:002018-08-23T16:46:19.601+08:00#4 Safety <div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Physical (and Economic) Safety of Taiwan</span></span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Forbes Article: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jnylander/2016/08/29/taiwan-tops-global-expat-ranking-while-china-and-hk-tumble/#3008fc931886" target="_blank">Taiwan Tops Global Expat Ranking</a> August 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can't put a price on safety, (esp. as a woman / person with child) nor the importance of </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">freedom from worrying about potential harm, burglary, theft, or harassment from others. Safety, along with respect for basic human rights, is essential to what brings people to live, work, or just to travel, in a foreign country. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Taiwan, not only are their morals in the right place, day to day interactions among people are unlike anywhere else I've traveled to. I should mention that in Taiwan, living as a foreigner has even more perks than as a native born citizen. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDluJHWaVNvIp-naU3ea8ARQK8x1nQvcjlsp9yIHOCCC8vGczVAetEMA7iZLhGTmwxbDUvShB_eItLIC8Q0hE0LcpnoZKRKUdLQTgJt9PxeZohn-aKgBn4G3hxqYZsU6QRou7GbzLlqt5r/s400/7518838288_IMG_3761.JPG" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Preparation for a protest in Taipei, Dec. 2017</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 2016, Taiwan ranked #2, (#4 in 2017) as safest country in the world according to InterNations: <a href="https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/" target="_blank">Expat Insider</a>. (Yes, I realize China does not allow the rest of the world to recognize Taiwan as its own country.) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Yet "while expats seem happy in Taiwan, the same can't be said for neighboring China, which dropped 10 places to 48 out of 67 countries.</span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "cambria" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 18px;">"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan's ability to provide expats with <u>economic safety</u> and a healthy 'work-life balance' has also been noted. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The article stating: <span style="font-size: large;">"</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan's nature, friendliness, and advanced economy have helped it....(to be)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> our big winner. It's the best place for quality of life as well as for personal finances. They are doing something very right there." </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VYSfm6a9WUWcRQOgaGqqKn9yymeojqj5DuyXGrmsKWyGY1kztKKvu5nof7NQ0-CJSAhsYShZHKlHra_xKPWFm3AmqN8nC0qquH2C8YeAktrbgr4IigHEDHwk7fBIy-1-lc-laqrlb2wd/s1600/tai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VYSfm6a9WUWcRQOgaGqqKn9yymeojqj5DuyXGrmsKWyGY1kztKKvu5nof7NQ0-CJSAhsYShZHKlHra_xKPWFm3AmqN8nC0qquH2C8YeAktrbgr4IigHEDHwk7fBIy-1-lc-laqrlb2wd/s320/tai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The one downfall to Taiwan's integrity is that you may find yourself beginning to let your guard down, maybe even forgetting things, leaving out your personal items, etc. Things that would not serve you well in a new country or the inevitable bad neighborhood. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Few Differences of TAIWAN + CHINA:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although "China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, not as a country, and vows to eventually bring the self-ruled island under its flag. </span><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Taiwan HAS BEEN self-ruled since the 1940s and DEMOCRATIC for the past 30 years." </b></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQMbF1jOHPxvt40jju0O9S82LDpSUBXiYk3ViqIz1OLO1tcJBwTJyY50qqSJ9YqUMAl6NO5If859aTkrcxiFz4U5Fjz2ScLoPDXiv6GssjIMyKAJs_blrBBEmf27weYzFBVZSYwC0vsUf/s1600/Miro-China-vs-Taiwan-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="630" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQMbF1jOHPxvt40jju0O9S82LDpSUBXiYk3ViqIz1OLO1tcJBwTJyY50qqSJ9YqUMAl6NO5If859aTkrcxiFz4U5Fjz2ScLoPDXiv6GssjIMyKAJs_blrBBEmf27weYzFBVZSYwC0vsUf/s400/Miro-China-vs-Taiwan-4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.nileinternational.net/en/?p=95706" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan also foster's "<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2015/12/15/how-taiwan-rose-to-world-no-1-in-government-transparency/" target="_blank">the world's most open government</a>" serving the public's needs and allowing access to meaningful data. Compared to China (18% of its data open to public), Taiwan's (78%)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "mass media faces f</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ew legal restrictions so the pressure from (its) fervently democratic society" is there.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Meaning, <b>public majority requests are quite often met,</b> hence why Taiwan's safety and security are topping the charts! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan is also the first country in Asia to legalize equal rights for same sex couples, another huge win for public safety. Again in the news, China put pressure on the <a href="http://focustaiwan.tw/news/afav/201808050014.aspx" target="_blank">Paris Gay Games</a> to change Taiwan's name to Taipei, not allowing any international recognition of Taiwan as an independent country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As China (the world's second biggest economy and growing) continues to demand that other countries stop calling Taiwan a country, it's of course easy to see companies bend the knee. Mostly airlines, hotels, and private companies. There seems to be no real winning against China in this department. Taiwan's best hope, is that the USA remains their ally. However, here is an </span><a href="https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2061180/us-should-not-allow-taiwan-issue-hurt-its-all-important" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">opinion piece</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> from someone who thinks the USA shouldn't risks its indispensable relationship with China for Taiwan's independence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Police and Crime </span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Police set aside areas for demonstrators in Taipei Dec. 2017.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=22052" target="_blank">Taiwan's Crime and Safety Report:</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Minimal street crime in Taiwan, violent crime is rare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Extensive surveillance camera coverage ensures most activity in public spaces can be monitored and recorded, serving as significant deterrent to crime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Pickpocketing and petty theft can occur. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Violent crime against foreigners is generally uncommon, but isolated incidents may occur. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-Fraud is a reoccurring concern perpetrated by criminals from mainland China and other SE Asian countries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Terrorism Threat: LOW THREAT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence: LOW THREAT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Civil Unrest: Demonstrations occur. "Protests and demonstrations occur on a regular basis in major cities, particularly during elections. Protests are an accepted part of political life. Demonstrators rarely turn violent, although they may become confrontational." </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Police presence is clearly visible in preparation for protesters and demonstrators. <br />
(Unsure what was the reasoning, nor if they were eventually ever needed.)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Guns</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Assault rifles are illegal in Taiwan. However with a license and a background check, citizens can own a shotgun, handgun, or a regular rifle. It's also worth mentioning, I've seen plenty of police officers not carrying guns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Much of Taiwan's gun culture is geared towards hunting wild game and target shooting, as well as self- protection, though most gun owners don't normally emphasize on self-protection due to Taiwan's low crime rate."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Out of a population of about 25,000,000 there are approximately 1,080,200 gun owners in Taiwan and about 3,332,235 legally owned guns." </span><a href="http://althistory.wikia.com/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Taiwan_(Right_to_Bear_Arms)" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Part of Asian Culture</span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://medium.com/im310-sp17-social-media/facebook-exploits-our-intrinsic-and-extrinsic-motivations-6bd3b83bde00" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Burmese friend of mine once told me how Asian cultures seem to "breed" people with intrinsic values and goals vs. extrinsic ones. At first I was unsure how that could be true since it seems every household is unique. Now I've come to realize, that that <b>choice</b> to teach, encourage, and support intrinsic <b>or </b>extrinsic motivation, is the culture and consensus of the West. Whether you, and those around you, are motivated by intrinsic goals or extrinsic goals has a lot to do with how one behaves and conduvts themselves in society. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He went on to say that they, Asians, are less aggressive in aspects of social and educational daily life norms. Having traveled to over a dozen Asian countries, I have clearly seen this as well. Maybe this is why, in Taiwan, a 14 year old woman, or a 40 year old woman can wear a mini skirt through the city streets at midnight and not fear for her safety. Why a teenage boy can ride his bike to and from elementary school without being jumped, why subways are kept pristine and interactions even among upper and lower class are kept polite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Another great blog (with stats) on <a href="https://nihaositgoing.com/2017/08/14/safety-in-taiwan-the-heat-is-more-dangerous-than-the-crime/" target="_blank">Safety in Taiwan: The Heat is More Dangerous than the Crime.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No Place is Perfect: Traffic and Environmental Hazards </span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Construction in Progress</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan seems to escape the violent madness unraveling in other parts of the world, however, the same cannot be said for the madness on the roads. On the streets of</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc;"> Taiwan, big overrules the small. Traveling around the city as a pedestrian, cyclist, or on a motor scooter can be quite hazardous! "Scooter and bicycle accidents are the largest source of accidental American citizens deaths in Taiwan, as scooters often fail to </span></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">obey traffic laws or follow generally </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">accepted driving practices." *OSAC</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/07/world/asia/taiwan-earthquake-search-survivors.html" target="_blank">Earthquake in Hualien February 4, 2018</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Taiwan experiences several earthquakes each year, with few major ones causing considerable damage and loss of life. In my first years in Taiwan, I felt the small swirl of an earthquake once or twice a year. Over this past year, the amount has increased uncomfortably so. Typhoons are the other natural disaster to watch out for. Typhoon season runs from June to October. Taiwan averages six typhoon warnings per year. The strongest one I have been here for was <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3788464/Strongest-typhoon-year-Meranti-hits-Taiwan.html" target="_blank">Typhoon Meranti </a>in September 2016, however, Taichung is protected from mountains so, luckily, I haven't experienced more than howling winds and drastic rainfall. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="800" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdIrg-_A2ovfH05aGwlROo02Fpz82hhi523BSo1ASFqtCZBgonEB9Zpgd7t33VCDCsCqUbbTnewG0yUEBHD4Rg9QBXa35769MYKRQ5NiQRVExtJhr5So9ILFf6beIBcQqHCVEN8eAhq1h/s400/tep.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://hiveminer.com/Tags/pollution%2Ctaipei/Timeline" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reports now say that one in six global deaths are linked to <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/one-six-global-deaths-linked-pollution-180965347/" target="_blank">air pollution</a>. In Taiwan, a</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ir pollution has gotten significantly worse since I arrived in 2013. Schools now require air filters in classrooms, and it's also the reason many of us wear the notable face masks. While </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taiwan has met incredible and inspiring goals when it comes to its recycling regulations, and '<a href="http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/taiwan-action-plan-to-reduce-air-pollution-shift-to-electric-vehicles/" target="_blank">action plans</a>' to shift to electric vehicles have been made. I think we're all still wondering, is it enough? </span><a href="http://aqicn.org/map/taiwan/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Air quality index in real time!</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mental Health in Taiwan </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my last post, I raved about the National Health Insurance. While it is exquisite, there is a different light shed on people who suffer from mental illnesses in Taiwan. These people are much more vulnerable than in the West. Mental illness is still misunderstood and not often discussed in Taiwan, there is not much available mental health services, including elderly homes. I have seen the occasional </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">spook hanging around a convenient store doorway or on the city buses shouting irrationally. Few times I've seen elderly handicapped persons in the night markets, or marks of homelessness near city main stations as well. Here is an article of t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36263774" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">most violent act </a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that has happened while I've lived in Taiwan. This man was executed as he was ruled not mentally ill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have included the few minor incidents that happen in Taiwan </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(maybe to convince myself this place isn't perfect^^) </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">which</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> are rare, but do happen</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Overall, in over five years as a foreigner living and working in Taiwan, with countless experiences and shared stories, Taiwan really does outshine and surpass the majority of nations in safety and security. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">till not convinced that Taiwan in the bees knees?</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://city543.com/taipei/2016/01/24/forget-about-the-forbes-lists-here-are-9-great-things-about-taiwan/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">"Forget About The Forbes' Lists; Here are 9 Great Things About Taiwan."</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to shine. Thanks for all the support! ^^ - K </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-3847815577594802112018-08-01T22:01:00.000+08:002018-08-09T17:00:13.142+08:00#5 Taiwan's Children <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1YzzaqPSXSZsy38deaGqkswbgkQBo7Em7nw053d9nUPmOiCsnHuGSCa-XRz_0kJ0Vt2YOqzhh9DcookpLhRuvqis-QIDFh0YbpruZGxqTYt7iBVo_K36GG8WQD7WisT_UfOoPz3jexre/s640/IMG_1174.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Summer Camp July 2013 </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif";">The children of Taiwan, including the families, or as we call it at school, the "parent picture," has forever changed my expectations in teaching and how we should behave and raise our children (our future) in every day society. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif";"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9C4316SaRaaX1s_iwyJ7QIDOqE9Ilh0QT-mPQEvyROFbR87nrVUastCvAgbgYM3kDzA928z0AlUVkwlrnPRCqHHVRG517jvdLZJ12jpKIPrgIzajringZw1d9ZBhaIV474nj_UgL5c79/s640/5liger.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial narrow" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Taiwan's student standards are overall higher than anything I was taught or experienced while in the USA. In my opinion, Taiwan does better in childhood education, teaching respect, and building children's talents and their citizenship responsibilities. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">However, as always, there are two sides to the debate of whose doing it right.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="959" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGvNODGSquNkIpkPE9E0fJV2tX7Gmk1CsNTXHrWdpp9NAUIMPdxw2Y_tUIWy0YvLr0_gZNRq8wvrnkUtFHQrErYHPoinhB8PDevIv3sX4XGcpRQqe1HPTLrnE9cDWmKAF75Mr-_qlAkCJ/s640/5pi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daban Pirates Class 2016<br />B E S T C L A S S E V E R ! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">The children in Taiwan have classes morning, afternoon, and sometimes in the evening. Many of them are learning a second language, spending weekends practicing an instrument, learning to swim, dance, or helping clean up grandma's house. Some would say that the kids don't have enough free play time, or that they're missing out on their youth. While others would say they're becoming thoughtful, determined, and global citizens. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jungban Little Critters in their graduation performance outfits - June 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">So instead of going into that debate, I'll stick to why departing from these impressively well-rounded kiddos is going to be one of the hardest parts of leaving Formosa. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yoyoban Koalas Class 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My Loves ^^<br />I'll never have a class quite like them again. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">First and foremost they are <b>absolutely </b>adorable.</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> While I have heard plenty of Taiwanese woman make the claim that caucasian babies are the cutest, my vote goes to t</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">heir porcelain- like skin, sparkling dark eyes, sleek black hair, and cute chubby cheeked babes. – Okay maybe</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">I’m describing all babies. So let’s talk about the youth. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Girls from my Grade 1 Fireflies Class 2014-2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Since university, my main experience has been working with elementary students (7-11yrs). In Taiwan, I've continued to, while also working a majority with kindergarten students (2-6yrs). And of course, a good handful of pre-teens (12-16yrs- who are often painfully shy), usually in public speaking classes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grade 3 students and Little Cornel CT's after 5-7 class. -2013-2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yoyoban Students July 2016</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Most teachers can easily tell you what their favorite age is to teach. </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">In the states, I preferred working with students in grade 1-3 and that was it. It seemed that b</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">y 4</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> or 5</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> grade students were already lacking respect for adults, while below kindergarten seemed to have no set expectations. </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Here in Taiwan it's difficult </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">to pick a favorite age since many of the “issues” I didn’t like with kindergarteners and adolescents seem to disappear here. In Taiwan, students start learning responsibility as young as </span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">2 or 3!</span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yoyoban Students 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">English name is Raptor, it's fitting.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Never did I realize that by the age of 3, a toddler could take off and put on their own shoes, they could put their shoes away, as well as their backpacks, snack bowls, and toothbrushes. They can find their name, recognize classmates names, greet teachers, drink water on their own, wash their hands with soap and water, feed themselves, clean their bowls, push in chairs, and even ask simple questions, such as “May I play?” when they’re finished. It’s astounding! My expectations for a 3 year old will never be the same.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pi-Ka-Chu</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yoga Love</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking in Grade 1 ^^</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">It takes
some patience and persistence, but these kids can get a routine down within a week. Moving on through kindergarten,
by age four they begin having polite conversations, learn their letters and
letter sounds, start to recognize words and even begin reading CVC and other
sight words! By five years old they are writing simple sentences. By six they
are creating their own stories and writing as if they were in the second grade
already. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Students begin reading their own sets of books in the 4/5 year old kindy classroom. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">On through 3</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">, 4</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">, 7</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">, 8</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">, 10</span><sup style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">, these children have been instilled with hard work. The respect they have for their elders is also worth mentioning. Whether it’s walking them across a street, accompanying them to their doctor’s appointment, holding up an umbrella, or giving up their seat on the bus. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Participation Nation</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">It is truly amazing to be involved in these students lives and see the landmarks they're able to achieve in one school year. Yes, they do still play on ipads and cell phones, and yes, even with their rigorous schedules they do play outside
(parks are always full of families). However, most children do not get much TV time, and they
don’t get to be picky eaters or wasteful with food or other materials. Students are even taught to recycle as early as 3 years old! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T. Sabrina with our Grade 3 girls - June 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Chinese teachers discipline firmly, and there is no problem with making students re-do, re-read, or re-write. The children are encouraged to problem solve on their own, as well as being motivated from an early age by adult approval. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finishing the year strong! Grade 3 2014-2015</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade 1 Fireflies 2014-2015!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Best Friends </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Daban students enjoying Children's Day April 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt7BKTFNo4-DRzZ4BWVwkvmmuFLIFI5d_RFPx6_5sJPPEQ0sq205KZb5tTJmADEYnbyQ9_JW8quuJFt8N8n-0p4kMtIDuDQEWFaGClqDpHwFwBzX8tJWw8ixaubqXmKgZaONrUCPf6MIT/s320/5hk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dr. Seuss Week with Grade 3 2016-2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAu_9yjV-JvfdOMPCBpHxv_-R_nzXWPeWYFObDK50cKtxY64HSB5DVG1bVhGG2axg9RWtcbXVe5ElD8XdQf5-tcJ7nxBuurAEDxtlTKm9rnA3q56xQX17Hr95MSHrhrED3jZN0eOqs9kg/s320/5hjj.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pajama Day with Grade 2 2016-2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArulGI5qIuLg3Nnh9bxuBbENz9GlLidk6Ddhc4gvAEkT4WFFlZHm58A2q7gQgB1-1Jl1lKXuDNoDW4FWxPxXPty5IqGugdMaJ4oDZt8pHv0cL0S0Edq3FQO_wV9PzZ34b3L8eTUb9vqXV/s400/5pix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pixies Xiaoban Christmas 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkX5JyIii4Fs8klgQlw7g97NbsS2Nq0KTT6A7CsO4v0eNiqZUaPy0ehuLfORI08yQfSwbLcrm1N4i9Ay-j2csh4eFW0OKFkPHWoE_04Qe83nvO3-3ikNAA3LaUdv4EOaQmfVn6RUx_QEH/s320/5ffg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jungban Foxes Class 2017-2018- Our "international" class. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Along with everything else, children who attend English schools will participate in loads of field trips, such as a trip to the fire station, train station, bakery, ice cream shop, science museum, and earthquake museum, to name a few. Learning so much about their community and not to mention sparking new skills and interests. </span></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoid1LNuCP2PYyXtpnsPWTJv5f3fZ_O4C0P4zufidP-HXq2gOdOeVzvTON7q36oiMqOtt5QgpMmOUSUWbY-UgEo9K1YSu78Mw5PdmDTwHJsotnDmyyM2phy3jBmVBS7P8QMLmH4CUMe_10/s400/5cat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jungban Bananas Class at the Pet Shop 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="908" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49M_YznEZrty0ERdBB7xF2AC5R-9vE_C3BAUZxrKEPkdeSO7qz5ZjhG6Dc_7SMzSescd0az3frA7J6KLL_oDcZuJIpPM4o7jGI25JVt8ec_CL9AUleQZ320WEj4Zan5NYl56iLCx_ZMnH/s400/5yhk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cooking up cuteness.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL70UzaIyHEkeMimwzoJVHfdOnhU-EnTFlPlroO9LeclMQjhQy2asHcMhf_FVEYzoye_DJcDi2ebhUTf8VaFCbV6_Rw1IO10j3hQ1ho8XVtY9_nJtMk77aaiv1OTzYUeaBqv3fg0-Kens/s320/5ter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jungban Jungle Cubs 2017-2018</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijF56qsZABRCUMopuqhlL0WFPQiHDadjkNifRhYlGPuAaLWBU8lHe3r64kN3Ub-frcttW-4TEGwvftSEVxDje6K8RhMUDtAswf1VBtjd8HxZWcb7VNfF-QBvOEro03aHqTmSeLrw703X-A/s400/5bb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Daban Busy Bees 2017-2018 at DOUGH</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5A6zDZfSb3VUgamwub9tFq8clw5wSqE5L00a1MNM6GgLRBM4Rg6a9W__cQR-ysuslUN41EeaYfWi2WqVRg8ADENkeUsvn7Q13v65rxG3MXf_4fd6Iei_aWXITcTXTetnwkQJJPP9yLyX/s400/5san.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade 1-3 with Santa John; Christmas 2017 </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">Children will also fully participate in Western holidays. One of my absolute favorite holidays to celebrate in Taiwan is Halloween. Check out adorable <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cornelfans/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155708094532978" target="_blank">album here!</a> Unfortunately, holiday activities and special occasions have slowly been sucked out of elementary schools in the USA. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="960" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztkNlyZtY3V7n5Czuh7hCq2cLypeGFNyjbuFMtBFA6av-pzNsGwRtqpLEFPNuy9SgyzNe-007VjV2nukM7V07k1nRLMAYmII2jujI_iF5zA9lRHI1Vjw5-S3qNOKSIhhGCaG8taC6jtTV/s400/5sta.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Star Wars Team Halloween 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_iRfjkFnTJfSm54MIsinSSR-PXsdSM3eOhLsEARuh5D9jWNsKJt2MKqOFAQbq6kfvClRb9wlf8e835lz5rPYIQMs5iTlFOEilgkp4qwnYxvHAh2jgL1uPTtXyh6GbXLOpWzfHvXVyhXT/s320/5wei.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Captain America</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">In the beggining, the students are so excited to have a foreign teacher. That alone greets you with an appreciation you don't find in many classrooms. As time passes, and the students have more experiences with foreigners, (as well as having year round schooling -_-), this fades a bit. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">A few of my favorite photos from my favorite class!</span></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu4XPLl51P_icqDjSjJWH2qqf9AKwftZXKBTz1AYHuaxRMtNP1TuBFnLHoP9uyedb_Bkr8e_DNTE7ngY1H8YOalJIj2TLcAhbm1q6WOzcRaMYj4rqWsY6kUPX49gw7vshHezgB52eZ6-c/s400/5fav.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Silly Loves</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="960" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zkP4NuS5UsL31z32ms5oO1eAmfADuG0wF_a2udzcpV-6rwwGCKQYhv1dXyGLNWBVx3cGTY0Fcox92t9QoPMK9rNINdeYCYWtyo5bCQsxLj5z0dVk8tjpi_dbeYjFNWD3g6CCkbQ8kVtS/s400/5p.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lesson on feelings - Daban 2015</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="960" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3iLdt_Rdm1A5OVQF7QF3gunJWDGLrRYJd1CU5IKNj1BG4qMk8Ig5E2BU9oWWd9KNmrAodMq9XmgkhLjhp2oH50djYpvlFSgwQwS5SafAUfpKh2OauqBPCuhvmRhis5XCrBXMv1r6jwSe/s320/5yu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Yoga Thursdays</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-Byn0GdxJ_EI1khopVjm-bqVehVjZG5HF1uhVZNbO2MZD6k4pMwU8ymRes47ogkS9O9C8gYsp5crk54OCeH0XInzeHuvnxJlZ3NP35i7NF0CUENpLblObtnkoIyzRqoK394H9_j5kgbi/s400/5re.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="296" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">King Cobra</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaJ7GsEppZd-c6tt7DXediACzQMHxsWB09lJu4UkGaFTd2soC90H9sG0zTJOksRGxm7CC28MuvHGjKj9OLbUYOfKDDwD_z-mKO_l0srSWptm8aVgWJvi3VWabwhKeoEDj1KUPmhZFQZUj/s320/5and.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sweet Andy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="960" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAqmlhAAnnOuSYZ03pHtQUhbBvgJBTMWRwBHJ7nWNKbq7uJpedBRDzJJSiwVZDJ726BPHc50I5Oh2Qwla0VBkCQ-zm46aLwfwFy2blIkKLfTcTNEcKDevCvbChO-Md9IBLior6t79ZpFb/s320/5jo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most mature 6 year old I've ever met.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNPlvjUDms5RckM3WglVE6iwOccy03pWG7F9iAUY6n_MTQ8axq54-o6xOBH1Fq6QE4XflkrWTc2gL8gCwF2yOef-soQ5tEWuXG9D6038Z7ip7nyzGHPsnkLjiisSNHKtU6Fxxy9q5E7KO/s320/5cur.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My boy Curtis wrote the sweetest good-bye letter to me at the end of the year. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="960" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrENpv6pYspc0PjreV1yfv_K-wAEeQfhjm6yZh6WVhqmQzxh_YeU4yGB9n8fugxWyka_99aIVcINoEtqqy6wFRxrwCzpftQXoMH_LmURMYzt2rIy5PF3J2MRmJJHNGD6Q4cP14nM6fy_C7/s400/5nas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pirates and I taking a nap on Dr. Seuss Pajama Day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjssb6IdznBlSJAU-SChz6s4NURoDHiaguLlN7H8lFZL0EwIgCzi8b8uMJQqG5LFMzGIeLGjXjwkktJYaVu1nT6ZKc2v3uR8Hnp1ZC037cebX5x-3ndu9h_inXa3Kp24aUPZHd6WBUIE1/s400/5red.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="375" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">G R A D U A T I O N 2 0 1 6 </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A huge part of schools in Taiwan is the graduation performances. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNJscrBCymDHQ3ZUJzPeGF6e5kDWvXzrDyEA-xXO29XR-3Y_Q6d9jWtF3GfulUHDJbOtg6AcR3Letvf0NDdNCjn3swE7mp5qHfOeJGBPNrULP15S8h6pE4QWqKI_3KhOMye8gvJxqP7Jx/s400/5grf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First time seeing Cornel Kids at Graduation 2013. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> And school-wide contests!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDFMwPsjrVAkX3KEdMDvTKDXbfSYs7VkWYFtyRYrxcx2K-Z7zdw0rihrRybj3m70HlmIJ-jxsoQ1X3c0twvG27Dzrf7-sTi8b0lGRoM51DNkhdM5zawIyJLjQInOAGaQYAv_YXS_Nus0C/s320/5das.jpg" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chen Boys always placing #1 at the Cornel events. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teaching Elementary in Taiwan</span></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHmkdpwHu2DOnD0krEPMBIL3VxS2DrxzTSLFoXlb8MnmPEcE_-AqIV2jGlWs5JyjGknjGZuI2vY92cyrV2mfyFkmOrWpp0uyJ3UqQ_IzHYuIWNMcNqS_qnoigiZ7e9gGxGXBgoIMKl9M/s400/5first.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WE ARE FIRST GRADERS !</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea6LoX72Z-yZRljyXnsuFgmNB2uJdxJbH9YLnEBBqfs6x__EXpn6Jg00vZBoUxp__aTD44vDnTX-3UiEW-NKcKuRrGsPvaK6S50L7BfgZk2_2G6BLwulSfIYRlfY3c-8j0Q-I-VAsxKRH/s320/5yg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade 1 Fireflies 2014-2015 </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rm715mOCsjmJ9AGGQt0764fz3B8MU-tPnUzDhtPxpqbNmfQ8ncJyfF8xsYsaIt4wktoFHGgdAE4fnnK1UiRyCqUCCvNERsRhzcywUal2Rw1gCVQQ8t7Io35l3IHWHsUSFr8_FxEFnykm/s320/5tg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Good-bye Yoyo! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1080" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlIg8hCl19veRVA2GutEnZ_ME4Bg3Z1lSYem0TeOhpmaBll9RM148dBfSdEq0zUxgdT45EeMio0Uk0BqMTsL3c-oSjNPuA-dRuIyNXcC4TAbL64O_Huule3E0CIYh7uCxkfNWeji_E4yN/s400/Screenshot_20180728-114635_Instagram_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade 3 Stars went wild meeting Deric January 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1080" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP0XehIp2pelRcmIsat1sdHTUt3FSAqWYtAhSRPFjx7-6t03-bTdr2Hj_5BlpLR8qP6skeGPcg-NcYdzVZ3roaNwm1cA3O8-FDOhMksfdsKYU3Vp8DdWC-mGaPnD1J0WCnqbpWzgIHs6g/s320/Screenshot_20180728-114615_Instagram_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Turkey Day with Evening Stars 2013<br />(Thursday nights were the best with Joanna, Janet, Jenny, Janny, & Benson ^^)</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9u-PGldM8vpjwruPc-cTa60G1QuxeCI0WjJpEAubv1QU4xCkPFwsUvIhAXKLSjMF4-3VqgDo69PKoNcov83w3oIJOeJ7NjlYWQfzL73Q7szC0lY7guHJOVmE_jNc7Eacm4akGQ3BPQ1/s320/5mom.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">BEST of all....WE ARE SUPPORTED by the parents! </span></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOklhhSh-ajHV1EwANb7Yv6I7pGI4Rz8zDRZ9S_ecKcdVVk0Vi2V_uT1-BKUCyYWFmXvYtmb42wKLv6vyfRkIZNF79pe1YpGScGV3Jl__hn3FKgTF85YKoCgdZI4jTg0ZLBSugP-ghqKw3/s320/5td.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">This<b> </b>is what it all comes down to. What makes these kids just so darn amazing? <b>T</b><b>he parents</b>! What makes night and day in a child’s (and a teacher’s) life? The parents and their involvement in their child’s life. This is not only my opinion after working 5 years in Taiwan (at a private school), and 5 years in public school systems in the USA, this is also the opinion of countless teachers in the surveys they've filled out over the years. Taiwan's 'parent picture' goes hand in hand with why these children are so unforgettable. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQoNFF0SHdwTfNlOUjMigxIkHqB4WI_hBRHnhRB7oG7sfs4Te5S-94GfCHGU7ijJ9ZyaXc-uNxYqyNlCy9cU7Bff3C032BFxh9GQPG0r0GpHjp4cpo6NS3UkSDG8MjPjYgIWxKv2INfGI/s320/5rea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Arts and Crafts always a blast!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheIkU1-Og1ECE3Esze3fROIlAE37ParMAo3afQgzfA2nwR6xdGY827QfjhEF4QA1a5jFiCZysoacoO3OMArQxj76PKkCZEqgAGfsiogDVWC3rNNdn6pcE4XXpqWmvOP5eyeqRvM_NlPX_/s400/IMG_1895.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Subbing Jungban Little Critters July 2013 </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Subbing Jungban Happy Hippos July 2018</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTTIvlztRsxGQ2_9MbNFwLTjsrRegiqgyINjCUNZeFbIQhS6cayCnzNR3MF0euYMEkM7oDM0OMNz-Q93Ie2GRboo8GRdSdrUnYTxNhedICeD_1FzMQIXbUxtEfJFdG-FWn0vYJ6zxLfw5/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTTIvlztRsxGQ2_9MbNFwLTjsrRegiqgyINjCUNZeFbIQhS6cayCnzNR3MF0euYMEkM7oDM0OMNz-Q93Ie2GRboo8GRdSdrUnYTxNhedICeD_1FzMQIXbUxtEfJFdG-FWn0vYJ6zxLfw5/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nan Men Campus Cornel Crew 2014-2015</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif;">In every school I've worked in, (Taiwan and USA) working with incredible people who've dedicated their lives to children is always a huge bonus! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dvnBktQBdbxv2hrVPv20iM8eYx4x39mrao9Aknmio_iKk6wF562LUYpuHN6hdhZ58GR8AZnOKUVZRjFVpi8Q5M7xa1fn-ESBQLcirffpDH4MlpyT31LhVAnNaAmq7dM2X4mXzj8CGMeU/s640/6hallow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shang-An Campus - Cornel Crew 2017-2018</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love teaching the children of Taiwan because they are eager to learn, they are creative, kind, and curious with an amazing drive to reach exceptional goals (if you’re willing to challenge them). My students in Taiwan have made me more confident in my teaching. They have made becoming a great teacher with high standards easy. The cherry on top, I've spent the past five years with some of the most adorable children!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM_C8lS6D0d0SGaBDNtNq3MeOv5iQgAxsq5k_N0qj7rGxBYj1qmrxh6s_SuWLa8e-Q_iIxXc0XHzs98oze6fvHo8Ges7VjXZSOjtCuykx1YB8zm1KRJfD-O3sukjU7TtLgc94vPVBsjVu/s400/20180724_202010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kindy Kiddos on Tuesday Nights </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIknv8pVJTDOTlcrUldSLCFJzFZfbavxug_BUTsDhomh35wVoQyt98JiAZy56X77mkisPFlPgqCr8x8ErxhacuOzgzloaHzIkqQkXXQ1xz9mbJQQt6PiNFOPhBZsEqrKQh0dLLPtI0Lx7/s400/20180728_144317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Knew these boys when they came to school at 2 years old. Now they're off to 1st grade! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last Day of School with Yoyoban Koalas 2017!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Taiwan's children top off my final five of what I'll miss most about living in Taiwan. They (along with the other top five) have become so closely tied with my daily life and my daily happiness that it's going to be quite an adjustment for me to get used to the standards, practices, and in general LIFE anywhere else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Wo Ai Ni, Taiwan. You and your children will always have a piece of my heart. </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-1117178172121610042018-07-25T11:59:00.000+08:002018-07-25T22:58:58.503+08:00#6 Universal Health Care<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfZvth_x7iLGK8hAlAg3FUDQXeaKAk5zLRffVMUBRzsr0GtZyjpxvi2lmd34myEjPL5aaOjuMn5xoqlAqQlvgYbXj3pIUq3apGiOGK8KmAwLRL1eWjmk2J6K1C30LLXuUDpscP0aRZPWs/s1600/ROC_National_Health_Insurance_Emblem.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfZvth_x7iLGK8hAlAg3FUDQXeaKAk5zLRffVMUBRzsr0GtZyjpxvi2lmd34myEjPL5aaOjuMn5xoqlAqQlvgYbXj3pIUq3apGiOGK8KmAwLRL1eWjmk2J6K1C30LLXuUDpscP0aRZPWs/s1600/ROC_National_Health_Insurance_Emblem.svg.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#6 <a href="https://www.nhi.gov.tw/english/" target="_blank">National Health Insurance of Taiwan</a></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">If the subject of why I stayed in Taiwan for five years ever comes up, having Universal Health Care has always been a first answer. Fortunately, not because I have needed it too often, but the peace of mind that comes with having full inexpensive(!) coverage sure gives one a different sense of freedom. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to say, (and I still do), that Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) System is the one thing, that if I could, I would take with me wherever I go. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Health checks at <a href="https://www.medicaltravel.org.tw/Hospital-Content.aspx?l=2&id=51&position=0&p=2&name=" target="_blank">China Medical Hospital</a> on the week of arrival. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.9991px;">"Taiwan established a system of universal National Health Insurance (NHI) in March, 1995, <u><i>replacing</i> </u>13 occupational funds that had covered only about 60% of the population (including military health services), largely covering the population at working age. Coverage was 14%, 77%, and 57% for those aged under 20, 20-64 and 65 year and over respectively. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.9991px;">Today, the <u>NHI covers more than 98% of Taiwan's 23 million population </u>and enrollees enjoy almost free access to healthcare, except for a small co-payment, plus some registration fees that, although not mandatory, are required by most clinics and hospitals."</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A working checks and balances.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">I was never one to go to the doctor's unless it was absolutely needed, (I was also dreading having to figure out how to explain myself with no skill in the language). So, not until I could barely breath and snot was oozing from my nose, did I finally go through the process of a first appointment.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">After checking in, give your NHI card to the nurse and wait for your number to be called. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">My first hospital experience was at </span><a href="https://www.medicaltravel.org.tw/Hospital-Content.aspx?l=2&id=17&position=2&p=1&name=" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Jen-Ai Hospital</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">.</span> After getting in contact with a man named Mark Chen, (recommended by my school) it wasn't so daunting. We made an appointment online, which is the advised way to make most appointments. Once online, pick out your health concern department, if you want to pick the doctor as well that is an option, or go for a time that fits your schedule. Include a small description of your pain, illness, discomfort, etc. and submit. You receive a confirmation with a number and an approximate time you should arrive for your appointment. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;"> Of course only dates and times available are shown. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfYnIxBr2yS9n5sQ4PB0-LMnItz0oXxAgIKQZC9dtWNfZ5iPHQ4PkUJhpZUBwF0IO4PRIaPIfXde2ea_5qit2adknlAcllV0T_Z_GZyVDTHy8aFC1z9_mKyNvU2rlMPjKpnn6dMJ8nL6v/s1600/20180722_222519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfYnIxBr2yS9n5sQ4PB0-LMnItz0oXxAgIKQZC9dtWNfZ5iPHQ4PkUJhpZUBwF0IO4PRIaPIfXde2ea_5qit2adknlAcllV0T_Z_GZyVDTHy8aFC1z9_mKyNvU2rlMPjKpnn6dMJ8nL6v/s320/20180722_222519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">While we waited, Mr. Chen answered my twenty-one questions about how the healthcare system worked. A part I hadn't realized was that doctors and physicians agree to not be paid absurdly high salaries (compared to USA). Their lower salaries offsets where the money coming in goes to. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598464/" target="_blank">Here's a study I found on it.</a> Knowing this, it's easy to see (another reason) why a transition to universal healthcare in the USA would be so difficult. Getting anyone to agree to pay cuts for the benefit of all is just unheard of. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">When it was my turn, I went into the doctor's office, had my visit, then came out to wait for my prescription. Once it's handed over by the nurse, you fill and claim your prescription right there in the hospital. Many times the medicine is covered by NHI completely, other times you'll pay $1-12USD. I have yet to hear of a prescription costing more, unless someone did not have the NHI card. Then I have heard of emergency visits costing just $30-$90USD! As an American, that seems unreal.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Note on Prescription Medication: Instead of one hefty strong pharmaceutical drug, you get a combination of 3-6 lighter dosages of Chinese Medicine. However, it is more difficult to know what you're taking. ^^ The description are usually in Chinese, and many of the ones I've looked up are not sold in the USA. That seems very odd to me. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1gBYSU20fBGQyDdndRScGXinHjvEGLXIRsmXLUAWDrqtp3ZSezFgmEHR-QV70YpC03sEdfrmNrqzEfp7BKp6Eb-VkeRClw7RcRKkT-AarLgashkA6-5rWSwTnEUuKDmtgSeC5leQhsHS/s400/6ch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Established in 1980, China Medical University Hospital was the first hospital in Taiwan to integrate Chinese and Western medicine. JCI-accredited since 2010, China Medical offers eight comprehensive medical specialty centers, including a Stroke Center, Cancer Center, Trauma and Emergency Center, Heart and Vascular Center, Organ Transplantation Center, Neuropsychiatry Center, Kidney Institute, and Preventive Medicine Center."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv3CqAT1_hEF24SvY1J0OLKynKgHZ9q4IWzGEGaHJtstkcuYmX0Gomvc0veZ5oGlYrDa0ciNLRBWxUPtHvjmqvzV6vfRF6YoC8zAgfd03vQUUgjeBoJQyCwRmc8FrYOqL_qDa19LDUvAS/s400/20180723_201245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">P H A R M A C I E S<br />Here, there, everywhere.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdPxcgRAFKqYjhYH0yMOsaqkrm9hmIIlOYDSXIC-erPgJneVBDmPCfRbT-DXykSgLPldzx_qI2SZdC8GOA20av3uknjNxo5gGvVknNuyMVZ7jkuACn35FPh9o1yn_lI01Jlay1fm4rFcE/s400/20180717_210759.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Full of all the supplies you could need for your own first aid kit. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It is mandatory for all citizens in Taiwan to join NHI except for prisoners or people who have moved out of Taiwan. The coverage rate is around 99%. Taiwanese citizens living overseas who maintain the residence registration in Taiwan are also covered by NHI and are required to pay the preimium. Those who live in other countries often come back to Taiwan for major surgery or annual health checkups. Foreign nationals with legal residence in Taiwan may join NHI through their employers."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPFkUCWHAbRXJ6QN6h_wQefvFKVBIirzBVjCApR2nrt_new8PbRn2GsvN__O28KvUaBcO7bsVysRcCJn5umdLGKJCw06dKY3adk_kiO94bLl3Pfz5dT20xWSl5CQRfhC6GKwqdlWeUYV-/s400/20180717_210449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can find more pharmacies in Taiwan than you can find gas stations. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwFpVstkengjK9YxHnzEwNdZNLz65ObESq3zSz8KAHSywAWOzy_PG_KvcqoLkePL4NmonrOy9EWEPk7gtyRdL0TwOXkWwWH7YwhZTVEbE8bucEexSt4Gfew57W_EzXoMTT8LgaAGfhKsP/s320/20180717_210500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pharmacies packed full of things good for your<br /> health and body, most of it under $10-15USD. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Owing to the single insurer system, Taiwan's NHI has one of the lowest administrative costs in the world, typically under 2% of total healthcare spending. Every year the Department of Health negotiates with physicians and hospitals to set the global budget, and this helps keep the cost of the NHI down."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.9991px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Information taken from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank">National Center of Biotechnology Information</a>. </span></span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRMUJRrQ8Ccdww5chpewkI5OQKGRPGtrEAKah5kHsEZZaG1hBLVKUSOJ6a4RsLbF0wMrfSIXcQDk4cN4opHscT2aPeSEHPcUvpG7dTqaGVB5gDDvfFcToCM6Ns1LNRnbQbYNc_LXFUDHv/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My first broken bone and the one time I really needed affordable health insurance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi905HjrKKQSWu8c837vR71rMh8KdY_dQ4KqAJQQMk8bDHe-tEACBOzk9UJZpDKNdDcOLfju25jFfH8p1NExN7AFQZQokZMWOvVnXrBZRBakiclNyB7wa5p4XS1VDzwpA-zbMYLxuaq2JSf/s1600/6h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi905HjrKKQSWu8c837vR71rMh8KdY_dQ4KqAJQQMk8bDHe-tEACBOzk9UJZpDKNdDcOLfju25jFfH8p1NExN7AFQZQokZMWOvVnXrBZRBakiclNyB7wa5p4XS1VDzwpA-zbMYLxuaq2JSf/s320/6h.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently learned that <a href="http://www.lshosp.com.tw/en/our-hospitals/" target="_blank">Lin Shin </a>Hospital, where I had my surgery (just hours after my scooter accident) is a non-profit organization! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFhRbToiMnnbn1yK7PuHA8k4AE5Hf1-eFcntwAO8qmhyvbJwyIQJINdwolNWMrWpzy1FquMCOxY0Xxss7B_3KsOdFgXCd2i_lA1EaMmv3EMNtaFlhl2MKEChQJcuKUEVBf8N-5O1syfqB/s320/20180723_175516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small clinic. This one is much more shiny, bright, and white than the usual. I will admit, the cleanliness of health clinics are at a lower standard than what you'd find in the USA, especially so at the dentist offices. <br />
Inexpensive health coverage > Old buildings with dingy colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgcwM0CzQ_thHPTdwR9P1AIAn4WTsicj0nP_u-Jt3TERjt-6ebQ5F0sqbMTQfrKpBDkqM5fr21V-A6t35TRPnTXljx2Ymr_AvimUwXChtUj9czeY2vQk9ftG1itkYARcXQjbZK2Ol6_QB/s320/20180723_174613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether dentistry, therapy or optometry is needed, their offices are never too far away. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVGQzMtw38lWYoszk_e8xbkbeN_R5ISRJuJgz3Aa8d7jLHOM66wR8sCKwOWujzk_IACbCkgUTfscfcns50_qml52ctlffjeX3WAFdqrOebBcHIdjUt6dvadB6aEr4xo8AgkbCzEsrh8gt/s320/dentist.jpg" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once a year, dentists and their team come to the school to check kids teeth.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQNpJ9Ih7H2kXJy1ad7_3hj5GGKpNOTo0GQNENNRoUKU58p8tZ1S1GIDtcyndRLtbKLPx7Ow4z-1YJcqUW94CdHB5xaYa5EU308N4CWxELS2hziuqwIHMGZUgCcGqIeDLt8G6hAK2KqDn/s1600/20180723_180352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQNpJ9Ih7H2kXJy1ad7_3hj5GGKpNOTo0GQNENNRoUKU58p8tZ1S1GIDtcyndRLtbKLPx7Ow4z-1YJcqUW94CdHB5xaYa5EU308N4CWxELS2hziuqwIHMGZUgCcGqIeDLt8G6hAK2KqDn/s400/20180723_180352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Postpartum Care Center<br />I'm not a mother, but I've heard the tales. To be frank, postpartum issues are much more common than we are led to believe. When I drove past this clinic many months back, with its big shiny windows and hot pink sign, I was so impressed, again, with Taiwan's caring nature towards each other. The common decency they have to take care of themselves without shame or judgment. It shouldn't be so surprising to me, yet it is. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ76UDpJ5bvVF5cf8ZMg3ImxjcouiYxr2PidV3nxL7z1QCFHvLUpKzX-fBgjWWSIiP6FJEo-8HtF-uDy6NayvlqDzGd8NpvuMfTengOe48LC394HdsLkJZhk5f4W8Pg4hT1x6XJlD68Kjv/s320/20180723_182037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ladies, going to the OBGYN is a tad bit different here. You meet with a doctor separately in an office for any questions, concerns, etc. Then you're asked to undress and a curtain separates you from the doc for the duration. You return to the office afterwards to speak again. I did find quite shocking at first to see them take patient's blood right there at the front desk, or have urine samples brought out by hand by the patient, straight from the stall to counter. However, I did find it darling to see so many boyfriends coming with their girlfriends to the gynecologist. ^^ Full blood work, tests, and all the jazz can be done at request. If there is a needed reason, it's covered by health insurance 100%. If you are requesting for tests for your own sake, you pay around $15-20 USD. Contraceptives are 1/5th the price paid for in the USA, and the cost of having a baby is probably 1/10th the cost of what it is in the USA. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vsUL170p9fhF-WY8tUFHCHH7s7WnH8eTsdQACTE22FLBl4Vh9cByqn8NDupRNTovlZe-XC0yadhPC-oiVaXbXRn1LecSncm1wisK1ZmCDGMPTboa4AG5rjsOduJgJwbTk189AStTvsQi/s320/20180723_175651.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You know there's gotta be some good skin doctors around. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MqwDbUXyFq1GhUi5IabV0_hv2qHb6or0x56pGFE7BzufXIrjRmyWTx8vVFyedGjb2nM04o00XCqcxGr085bNgmlHEuz-CDH-lGRi_CVlRFUzTtFVu4Xhx8MGDxbbAYRrqdcQyyVAwwgf/s400/IMG_9882.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't forget to take care of the smallest ones in your home. ^^ </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My last apartment had cat hotels and dog groomers on the building's main floor. Along with half a dozen pet shops. I apprently lived in the pet lovers and Thai food lovers nook of Taichung. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw3qUnjnOzqQd13fPbNpV7B3bpm2MENpQkP8aiVaOpRJpv-U_hhWORgtPmwUh6nNzIDmXLiLJuzVzNeF_0wQTZgNJ8i-7JgrvX2zXb-gaEPBQvYM_9cc_4PP8c8Uxg5fvvqDhOYdCYtHU/s400/6lib.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's encouraged to keep a healthy brain, too! ^^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This post is throwing some heat at my home country's health care system rather than solely praising Taiwan's. But as many of us know, it is a real problem in the USA and it doesn't seem to be looking up anytime soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Having affordable healthcare <b>IS</b> possible. Wanting people, even strangers to be taken care of, to not live in pain, disease or illness should be the normal. Drowning in debt, losing a job, skipping out on a much needed doctor's visit simply because of the cost should <u>not</u> be acceptable, not in a first world country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The Taiwanese NHI card is mandatory for it's citizens, just like a license is in the USA. The Taiwanese have it whether they are employed or not. Old or young, pre-existing conditions, or none, does not matter. I will truly miss Taiwan's <b>hospital</b>ity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">To end on a positive note for my home country, here's an <a href="http://www.messengernews.net/news/local-news/2018/05/for-me-its-a-sense-of-freedom-and-i-feel-health-care-is-a-right/" target="_blank">IOWA man</a> who believes in health care for all. </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Thanks for reading! ^-^ </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-11087300119486457972018-07-15T00:00:00.000+08:002018-08-09T16:30:14.779+08:00#7 Transportation <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBww9Pdrp0rwfDFJhT-wNrlRIAiCm_KoDvJ2hS250M8j1OZEmDLDPGRbd4PebN__cRYKzHLGlyt-6KdAIUbLBm4aJ1cQk0DEr3pkXurDMDaI_5xRCfPasbQB8HInbMu1uF05yy4YqcDz7/s640/7518838288_IMG_3844.JPG" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bike rides through a beautiful city. Taipei Dec. 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfklL3DUKho3mbCBt40fJ2x_0ZiQhe9JDXnXBDz5aobxzh3D9y77ZyR-qTM7tHxSkc7nldp9-H59kHizUl4pq5plaq50NjzEfYcoeAioCWh0wjdhQUX5bdqgD3IK5qpPoH4bM8HLQCGDf9/s640/7h.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">First experience as a scooter gang. Kenting August 2013.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">In Taichung city,
much like any city that hosts millions of people, you can easily flag down a
taxi to get you anywhere you need to go. Starting the meter at $3USD (this hasn't changed in five years by more than half a dollar), a longer
journey of 7km / 25 min will run you about $10-12 USD. Most people seem to have
scooters, or take the city buses which also include the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line, now known as the blue line and runs as bus #300. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetkUU817MjFEm0omlr_JNd_LYe6_nL_Y0iLGC5hkVBr1nW9W26oOfmM2tkVSkdWorWQdCQKBxl9JgqReFzeG8SKFVFw2c0AOx4kAhfWv3GzNVIRbpUEZjtaDCEIQ1-zPUywywBQU5UMh-/s640/20180709_181250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The BRT coming into Taichung train station. </span>The now Blue Line has it's own lane which runs from Taichung Main Station out to Providence University 17.1K (10.6M)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">With an 'Easy' card riding the BRT or a bus is free for the first 12* kilometers! </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoztFkk-X0f7cs2KhGfk01eHa20jXhlPwAJn_HXdFlCAyVOAv39WlHauE1ZnWSgPhVfvdls55wuu7OwTA4o_dV6t_NNqNluQlK6HPmeKMlm5T6Ti1E-YLNvYO3FZbWI3gWmaZsYmydkhp/s400/777.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The new train station built behind the old one. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu00Q787ZrM2yii6LcXicJmeb53HmaI7wyhdNg3qme87EvpD02OxfM7VTlIf3BiY1DIshPM2HNq9Zsg-iJzQTetEWNW94sDaXGtuid-QXKT4xxt6sgpSvhvaRVRZHgHb-OjaNORPXL6xoz/s640/20180709_181117.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">Taichung, now
the second largest city in Taiwan as of July 2017, will also soon have an MRT
(subway metro) consisting of one line. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSIsxlngg_gGrDHTxnUaDOo9KXJQ9iVLvMU23uK1-ij-XikJJHIC1XG6kKDk9uYJ3bA1vohTtJTiYKBQ9Fq3ZyUokVsJtkNzWnofDdLrr5AgAxOt1DpytBFwGZLaoVMSs40ctPN36E8y3/s640/20180709_180455.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An intersections before Taichung Main Station. You can see the train line and the soon to be MRT line above it. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">We also have UBikes in the city. Once your easy card is registered you can also ride and use these bikes for free up to a certain amount of time. I see these in use quiet a lot, and I have enjoyed getting them with friends in these years. ^^ </span><span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHjtMDCk5xBu4W4sgEkKvfyu2RzvTCl5glGKgAsSzOQvNtMdc7JInyoBeDqb8Eq0hlqpz43Q8_K4ntpN2i0G34j2sgwnBGmUJ-OHz1VoIYhPUHbPMDb9vdfgMoX4t8ak6YlQXF40XhHxL/s640/20180709_183359.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">Scooters</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scooters are one of the highlights to living in Taiwan for nearly every foreigner I've met. Hop on, hop off, take it up the mountains, ride it across the city, weave in between traffic, get lost, find someplace new, or enjoy the open air of a coastal town or an impromtu ride through the city as a passenger is always a good choice too! But </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BE CAREFUL! </u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plenty of people, including myself have been in scooter accidents. (Plenty have not at well.) So take your time, (but don't hesitate), know your surroundings, be alert, and never forget your helmet! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Another tip, don't get off on the left side of a scooter to avoid giving yourself a 'Taiwan tattoo.'</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="275" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucVhM0e3RZbmS07hA8qDoD2jRNjQLgtcb-TepLBA5Iy1UczYAizTWCpTnayaE0HQTUIlUBvl-hyLwWujmDE3WNcAEs4gudr5fbyXp5e25tr5iTU4x2ys0_DYWl2KG_SKsgtvlptrYgEFY/s320/scooter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My mentee giving me my first scooter ride, end of June 2013.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of the time used scooters can be bought for around 300-500USD. Regular maintenance is needed of course, but scooter shops are always within walking distance in the city and the costs are always incredibly low compared to home countries. "Labor costs" don't really seem to be a thing here as far as I've experienced. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQsyQVYS2TYywiVQEQKD95o-Zqtsio80LGRSQH3-CnWuZ9q4n3MP13tZP93VI_j0TrpeJZiDYDZhgVgAgQ4Z_ogYz-4Tx-SyEXjaZV_gtV8885sg98DvX4ZmWK1S6LgvhCDu8lFe9mAQK/s320/drice.jpg" style="font-family: gulim, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="234" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Taiwan does drive on the same side of the road as in the United States. However, when driving in the city, do not make a right on red. To turn left you must do what we call "boxing." (See above image). Cars have a left turning lane, but for scooters, you must cross the intersections and wait in a 'box' for the next green light, then proceed forward. </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcb1PoImRBK1pvsbF-ijPrwWA0Aq7hcfAnRdZ4F8C3g_gPeuSaC2Qyeu-YsZS5DIbgh6yQMJdZ4mOkxwtGT3zyYkYSBFEmp_8j_bI-K5sijZz9Ypc7upDj8ywj_sMxQfwkyoa1UxWXgGG/s320/Screenshot_20180714-183616_Instagram_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="309" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Very common for families, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends to be seen scooting around the city. It's also common to see babies, multiple children, and even dogs on for a scooter ride. I once saw five grown boys on one scooter! </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbA9AUvkBUOCtEfsvyVqjyb-5NQuIAJ7JW7V8EnSCMGzeCVw22fIRP8WMNajK6VdeZfLliTUFKeacHLQEk12rVReHYVmpuwE0Ua0r75qAmkFhX3jEaxZeUzwWCwocO3XH0ziXrSimPDbI/s320/20180709_180945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not sure if this is a good idea. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><h3>
Buses</h3>
<img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="640" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNzmEEOoTMnCvner-dMnm_rAEgpYjE26IiouNnjtl6nRe_VHtZ7CAykyvmFOda9jy6OvNMFKCjNNSR9YRloUijE0s2LkGDYXcMHLGLYxP9R3kTMIsq9pvjT_OHaSsZg3aEItckoJbYzqi/s400/IMG_3244.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Taking a bus costs nickels and dimes for those with the time. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px;">Photo cred: Jessie Y</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVy-WyJoox4xqHnCx-eTCualEJJPIQQaafApmPZ0E8R8VU42OmsiotmPGTuFxlvy0deDWHdWL4JEzywmbDEpazLQwhufQS1UZ0cdtK1kbqgg0C5wuKYO1AVCcHby3KehoRluwwGUbIupq/s1600/20180709_181436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVy-WyJoox4xqHnCx-eTCualEJJPIQQaafApmPZ0E8R8VU42OmsiotmPGTuFxlvy0deDWHdWL4JEzywmbDEpazLQwhufQS1UZ0cdtK1kbqgg0C5wuKYO1AVCcHby3KehoRluwwGUbIupq/s320/20180709_181436.jpg" width="240" /></a>In my first couple of years, taking the bus to nearby cities for day trips seemed to go hand in hand with a good weekend. Ranging from $2-12USD you can get anywhere up and down the west coast of Taiwan and into the mountains by bus. </span><span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">The cost is inexpensive, however, travelling by bus does take a larger chuck of your time than using the HSR or paying for your own taxi. But, unless the distance is quite far, the extra time isn't so bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif;">In the city, I had never used the local buses much (always my scooter) until my accident this past March, which led to a broken arm. Since then I have taken local buses to school daily, as well as many other places. If you have the patience and you've planned the time, the buses are CLEAN, convenient, FREE, and much safer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuwuS3_7WdEO-tQ3OVpYNxCYmrcqHoAIg8kpIZb6bLdj5QwZqikcvZNRNhQnAg8-4G5t65vRWroeLjG70bCYxEwJghyphenhyphenfLmB7_668aVZj3JJvuXs6ZEgXL8LBCpDgW5bBgeIy4GVjHs1vp/s1600/IMG_4988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuwuS3_7WdEO-tQ3OVpYNxCYmrcqHoAIg8kpIZb6bLdj5QwZqikcvZNRNhQnAg8-4G5t65vRWroeLjG70bCYxEwJghyphenhyphenfLmB7_668aVZj3JJvuXs6ZEgXL8LBCpDgW5bBgeIy4GVjHs1vp/s400/IMG_4988.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Trips on the School Bus!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9zWX2b5okSLF9_DPrD02t_OWvCzPBVgtYSA-o5eodr2X1RrE3LqtMnzQT6Z7Dca-Z3GBVgNHs8xOomVt_mXpBsw5vAXsTx0aTGuAHEN_vVqUFJdcn8YejwlKJBFgOPGTZvsE-TOokdy2/s400/6176655328_IMG_3466.JPG" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Buses in front of Kaohsiung's Zuoying (HSR) Station.<br />To get any further south than Kaohsiung, one must bus.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSjw4s8sNrmHL8vq3olbLl57Q0NBE_0OECYhm6xGakVetReTCXP45uGIHQ7N2k2kSu0VPx5ffuYaNBFt0Ty6nkacvaXg28XkiF8p2vPPF9CTq-gJUl0A5WwudLiKgbP-FoQ2Y4Ud-XSS6/s400/20180709_183256.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taichung Traffic in Harmony</span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">TRA </span></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="476" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq0BaKHcMducbHfataYdc_KqbiWmwF0kbHyTj-V71nsHviyJ6-xLvMDASLMNfz981ZzbcULKcV_BDvBAhPxgK79D8FmX76huZzbJY43jX8G9pSUdu7QWjmq4OH533MrbJ8PMdhB2l9u4P/s400/tra.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="247" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Also true for the</span> <a href="http://twtraffic.tra.gov.tw/twrail/EN_QuickSearch.aspx" style="font-family: gulim, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">TRA</a><span style="font-family: "gulim" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">, </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taiwan Railways Administration, costs dollars to travel the circumfreance of Taiwan. Train lines do not cross through the mighty mountains of isla formosa. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">High Speed Rail</span></span></h3>
<img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="370" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqNcC7FHicRr4p7auLo-actBR2hskSnJUa3ZWf43l8FGpzYmIrN8AJByrnRd7yqUyy6Vg2vsFH0LH9qHKnptMWVNQxoaFhm_gS0WKU42VF0y5m-Z4hXJBxY2KY7qtPsjPpp7vXfDq0tTE/s400/hsr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the most recent years, opting for the HSR (<a href="https://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/Home/Index" target="_blank">high speed rail</a>) for weekend travels is usually the go-to. </span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<a href="https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0024039" target="_blank">Photo Cred</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZRh574pWfkC-knoUcFiaK7tBeFa5REejATpYb9Kc4fb7G3gaeoNH8ZY0f5l1NmPfWf05TvBh4KM3B91Ni0G6NnThgZhxngaedxqUVsKZlMqUBfX2UmkGUB-YqlOvz1Ljeo6kTQo3LHaQ/s640/78.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Taiwan's bullet train is world class traveling for around $15-$30 USD. Having used Japan's JR bullet train in Feb. 2016, it is easy to see where Taiwan had based their own system from. However, the price for a trip across Japan is quadruple what is paid for on a trip across Taiwan. The Taiwan HSR has just 12 stations running along Taiwan's west coast from Taipei in the North to Kaohsiung in the South. </span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Electric Scooters</span></span></h3>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1400" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4FT9IK8pcvJso9VY-I8v_YXw02IAwoF1ZNCf5KJQ1NJtUgTXrNHXCLuzkqO2jmCyTdZpHylKU-eoW1h2JHUwAesKd-5EhKWtNhHSIZm9n1f0qZWVq3p4hehNtUedQJHr1tCG8lMsL97A/s400/gogogro.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.gogoro.com/" target="_blank">G O G O R O S </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Founded in 2011; <span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> "GOGORO is a Taiwan- based venture-backed company that develops and sells electric scooters and battery swapping infrastructure." Taiwan's innovative character is, again, spectacular and makes me proud to call this island my home. Companies are often thinking to the future, and how to do better. I've seen a good amount of GOGOROS taking to the roads. I was so excited when I saw a battery charging station recently, and knew more were to come! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> <a href="http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201801030022.aspx" target="_blank">Here's an article about Taiwan's plan to set up 3,310 stations by 2022!</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjPmcNu3xchMe-63NRSetfWiFUHHAiTzj6UdUHOWMAz3rcjcceEfBMXyLhAT3RktnB3AQgeTGvUgapQ4McoFH3Kp79CFJzXsdfmkOw2_NtbZf8sjGoIh-ngwx1RnYRfuEnMy5xPgR_27I/s400/scoot.jpg" style="font-family: gulim, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Electric scooter on Green Island. CNY 2014. </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Garabage and Recycling Trucks</span></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHIU1SARLskH3tqgmC8MAotl-Hu73mF5NKNRhYhymVDRLQ2Z4TEw9ONRWEXwt8Ro4NVrrtE39aaHLT-JmIk6v_v314ZZSWCgmLjPq05-bquxP1LJpvP295BLZkrpQFjmxva_aqrFzu-hE/s320/76.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Taiwan's garbage trucks take to the streets <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHAJ7f0HyjM" target="_blank">playing </a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHAJ7f0HyjM" target="_blank">Beethoven's</a> Fur Elise. </span><br />
Photo cred: Chris W.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XP9UimgbEuT6HrV-DESSjHEBZaLBnWmqnUb_5saDRj2VSyHyxKhyBFAwhgKiVo87x5WjKkekjA7TV8BpBki14prX0MNB6hVsEPXdoZODBtDwjmDwgsDS3skMpnWz24linfwX-VAHSvLT/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XP9UimgbEuT6HrV-DESSjHEBZaLBnWmqnUb_5saDRj2VSyHyxKhyBFAwhgKiVo87x5WjKkekjA7TV8BpBki14prX0MNB6hVsEPXdoZODBtDwjmDwgsDS3skMpnWz24linfwX-VAHSvLT/s320/IMG_5528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The less seen, but just as important, compost trucks!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Almost unbelieveable to me, Taiwan once was nicknamed 'Garbage Island.' No longer true, Taiwan now has one of the most </span><a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/taiwan-musical-garbage-trucks-recycling/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">efficient recycling</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> systems in place. Wo Ai Ni, Taiwan! </span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">E-Gate, B****es</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqfl45nndbSXXDqtbiW2b1Si_XbyOKiMC15lHQmEy2XF6m3w-oTH0_brR0XyydhUxq5NyUxzx3hCPmUWVfmAQYT2rwWTtuAuMOlgSE7BcZY2yZjNNqmXjTkyLP54QldUrdriuj7kLRU7K/s400/IMG_3276.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Once a legal 'alien' resident, you can get registered with E-Gate at the airport.<br />From there on, while traveling in and out of the country, your ID card is scanned, your photo is taken, and BAM! You're through. Truly one of the greatest feelings while traveling has been walking right past hundreds of people waiting in line and walking right through those clear glass doors. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Not to mention how insanely nice everyone is at the airports.)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gisbEbVHMta12zB6-DOofkri-m_P5SfU5gZHWcbCC69_mTGnyMMrqwiSNP3Jl4DAAhn1AKtELDMoEVW52BqmAGofMN2ILNHxmiwr4etIV6Jl_uZdkMHbJed9rDJlRJaTGHD74HfXnM3/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gisbEbVHMta12zB6-DOofkri-m_P5SfU5gZHWcbCC69_mTGnyMMrqwiSNP3Jl4DAAhn1AKtELDMoEVW52BqmAGofMN2ILNHxmiwr4etIV6Jl_uZdkMHbJed9rDJlRJaTGHD74HfXnM3/s320/7.jpg" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The affordably accessible, pricise, and sanitary public transportation of Taiwan is top notch. Not to mention the joys of riding a scooter, and the excitement of future electric scooters (and cars) taking over Taiwan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I didn't mention much on cars, there are plenty of them. I am always surprised with the amount of high-quality, name-brand cars I see in the city, (considering the roads are always conjested) even seeing a Tesla on the road. Having said that, all of the people and required transportation to get us from point A to B to C, does cause for an awful amount of air pollution. This (is usually why we're wearing masks) is the number one thing I won't miss about Taiwan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! - K </span><br />
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-9462354016401210392018-07-08T23:00:00.000+08:002018-07-08T22:10:21.603+08:00#8 Cultural Festivals & Traditions <div class="MsoNormal">
<img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0nn8lJQqo7hAOXaQUipCTHbYnfsIHN7S9pvFoh_5d6HS7ZpplX_OAIBDKrs4wtJXSinDlat4Q8_aFuS1gv4KbXZDNkCBsMr2RmXuTvWJUtWAOlHfp3MnXR1xiAm81MxAtuHkzJtUEluf/s640/7518838288_IMG_3918+%25281%2529.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAgpWud0WTkwDDeQyDjBHbZvrv7Lb-OO3-mCewD4mlzCJfGWISaGfAO2SbmF0SdVX9fhiEqvJRC4YtSM1Ed8trcb2YTCGXh8C-ZZtKT3nDlcXm73YCByv7ZX2ZQNVlwhA-91xDHC6ovVV/s1600/snak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAgpWud0WTkwDDeQyDjBHbZvrv7Lb-OO3-mCewD4mlzCJfGWISaGfAO2SbmF0SdVX9fhiEqvJRC4YtSM1Ed8trcb2YTCGXh8C-ZZtKT3nDlcXm73YCByv7ZX2ZQNVlwhA-91xDHC6ovVV/s320/snak.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Born in the Year of the <a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/snake.htm" target="_blank">Snake</a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">It is easily recognizable that the culture of Taiwan has not been forgotten. Its ties to China and Japan (having ruled from 1895-1945) is still very much a part of the island's traditions. And wonderfully still, their roots to aboriginal tribes are still existing. </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Temples can be found seemingly around every corner and their beauty has never faltered. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDssAZm2jYTI1xKWWul7G2LsrP7TajYGrrqqnao46p24CSCImfEcY9h9otWd7eTpQALTrJ12wZ6dM16OKOIk0NPbVLCigMSdqoZqxYN0dxneyTwNNXghZ-BnrHMI49BUDzAoHFNZwpK_29/s320/8ab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Visit to an area still flourishing in aboriginal tribes and traditions. January 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsGwH9s8rUHGwnGEmmu7e3tX_oTjPKM02y39Apev7QR41WdXTrkANOQP28TklQiBvTq_zzzErQvpVtoQjYw3dWOyYAYKY1t1z1hMjPBkf3MvamlT25Ine2xsaIbY84PbTgjFC_0JmXgAH/s640/78.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Temple in Changhua</span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-dchPdvXPPlHFbIXdIbTmPhWw3s7NCXzWFEheHvB4tfHG16mh81IhLyJxXlkKwNAw0FdPrOnbHLI8CYqbLtGmhAP1Z8kszuQQBMiWTnTsxS5b_kOxfgc9JQjqELf44hdg5VHD1nfgeyv/s640/8tu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Guishan or Turtle Island is the only active volcanic island part of Taiwan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7hFIxjHfCerU1N0M_cjh3hq_tG_OVhRMq0qGgD4u4X-E-KTZx4LlUyrW2pP9jlgmhrKFsR3vaIOWlXcEL6f2blMYyTrnuN9b8dA0zpQFJjWQr0galDa62OON8v4jfme0Vtv5UFT9JQig/s640/77.jpg" style="font-size: medium;" width="640" /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>Taoism and Buddhism is the majority belief system in Taiwan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimClP89oLVpc3tdo14EdJRgdRG-miUgRWi_FtxsDmPP1Z9R8CqxXD1elsOqms5BuQcIrc6tz1OkQKWHwdYH1Ht7BTCKPmPjKYM4AFbYd2zxKsnAKBO7I0TvhxzeWU-aBHQJRNLkBLlGEAk/s640/8t.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
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A B O R I G I N A L T R I B E S </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">L U K A N G </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepBeFrSeylNrKxTV5R7kD3QGATNjsJNgu8C3XhGoJxri9-Bw4aJ3WKX5cB-xuMmdVz0fzqjaaIBbpIPGPASK6HlQEFCc8KaAzHnsCS4dNHSVINgEQFjppVCB8fmnBZgWF9zPWV3SNSmL4/s640/899.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
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<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Chinese New Year </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NQlCDl7MrZZmA3598L_Am1b4RSSzmbjP4S9pwvsszbkT1v9kc-gLdRaoFj2pYhwyqQISIPSmje7QkiUwUjRWZ27FXx8csCQ6MnxB5NO3o_WWuVSzAB7-vgFk8dH4_EBCq-EzBT0awDFW/s1600/8cny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NQlCDl7MrZZmA3598L_Am1b4RSSzmbjP4S9pwvsszbkT1v9kc-gLdRaoFj2pYhwyqQISIPSmje7QkiUwUjRWZ27FXx8csCQ6MnxB5NO3o_WWuVSzAB7-vgFk8dH4_EBCq-EzBT0awDFW/s400/8cny.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">What I enjoy most about the culture of Taiwan are the</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> <a href="https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0000204" target="_blank">festivals</a> celebrated for the holidays throughout the entire island, and much of Asia, all based on the calendar of the moon. With these holidays comes old folk tales, beliefs, superstitions, and stories prevalently yet subtlely passed down the generations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The new year begins with the first day of the new moon, somewhere between January 20- February 20. It lasts for 16 days ending with the Lantern Festival. Red envelopes are given to children by their elders, as well as they are often given by companies to employees. Each day has a special purpose, such as a day to visit temples, relatives, and friends, to stay home, to worship Gods or to drive away ghosts. Dragon and lion dances are often in the streets, as well as burning of incense, candles, or firecrackers lit off. The seventh day translates to 'Human Day' and is considered to be the birthday of ordinary men. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">When I moved to Taiwan in 2013, it was the Year of the Snake, but my first Chinese New Year celebration was for the Year of the Horse. It was spent with five friends in a mini van around the southern part of the island, enjoying island music and true Taiwanese home-stays. I have now lived here during the Year of the Goat, Monkey, Rooster, and I will leave during the Year of the Dog. 2019 will be the Year of the Pig, the 12th animal in the 12-year cycle. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOx3qUkzlledZIrz1C8g80ZVy0l6cTDpBd4x8EDAHKObNjGLCraahEZnlK_sM8d8qxGBBqTHfUV6GMO2AVKxXPPssoYrtKKT9k81L9eOlyZtxrn5pWyd7MI7c4BpyUZslIkkrPAbmtqrr/s400/8999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year of the Goat!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">In 2015, the Year of the Goat, Taiching was the host city for the large lantern festival that takes place every year. While you can still find celebrations in nearly every city, one is chosen for the featured celebrations. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-wfsopnhIrHBS9iEDUM3l44A0xhgtfqVwx31LVL1ggs3xnoyg3M4JjddJTUUSFxTiveqHmu_l8PinjeaoYoXr1jDTg0hZXiFm_nJZRnsY0FWnZ_yFfWIqYfjzOhDjz3llptwdfep4d0H/s400/monk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boracay, Philippines CNY 2016</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">As this is our biggest break of the school year, I, along with most of the other English teachers here, fly out of the country during CNY. More than likely the country we are going to is also celebrating. </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">I've been in Japan, Philippines, even Australia, all who celebrated Chinese New Year during this time.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYdIrSHLwLo6mVBRv064MoZ8cCgqclubJmW0p488NLjOhIJZSRbNLy_EmlhCtHwv45j_PaNa2cASUPefFvcH_-u0fGyEaQBvEnKzBYAdhyG9eUA_AXJj9QiUJMwKLNIwDKShu_1wMVwoG/s320/dog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Somewhere in Australia. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-t1K2nGjDU9ZjFvLrrmNY-JY5WpgCwT_fdiSvmLzoFYy446zS9DDmB42qUUAEYd0P1GKaoYJcgD-jykUi0MShqG9Eyz9O7e4I2aRgYp6GTRVsybgoaYvWEa1CvOIww1FA0rATmHOfYZs/s1600/nian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-t1K2nGjDU9ZjFvLrrmNY-JY5WpgCwT_fdiSvmLzoFYy446zS9DDmB42qUUAEYd0P1GKaoYJcgD-jykUi0MShqG9Eyz9O7e4I2aRgYp6GTRVsybgoaYvWEa1CvOIww1FA0rATmHOfYZs/s320/nian.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why set off firecrackers during CNY? <a href="http://www.chinesenewyearfestival.org/culture/19-the-story-of-chinese-new-year-" target="_blank">The Legend of Nian</a></span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Lantern Festival </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIjtU3rg8F_tQMP8FEvXMzCvUVXVQhdjSvpbepKKKbX-4W1kdErqB0cdzuHbCZL56bIPooQJoIskWOOUAk0AokR2ysy_MWYZUa2uhlDe6QwWiyv8SD7WE-5hoQbnyKOPb0IRaw0H6QZeG/s640/8lant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pingxi Lantern Festival 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9F0lCbTMWhEBv1E2C1QUxiP-3NE3XYAKqfvErQU8MW4QIbb0mIn5Ckd5VKARgcNvw03pNBDCy1a4TN1TwJMspHEkCtQnTueKxiG33vkVxWMhxh4NOs37Zw5mUUd3cvYlnFt1r2_BmZGe/s640/8hk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gina & I in Hong Kong for birthday weekend & Lantern Festival (end of CNY). Feb. 2014</span>. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The Lantern Festival lands on the 15th day of the first lunar month, essentially the night of a full moon. This festival is usually in </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">February or early March. During my first year it happened to land on the 14th, Valentine's Day. My 25th was on the 15th, so I was in Hong Kong instead of Taiwan. It wasn't until 2017 when I finally went to see the REAL lantern festival, like the ones seen in Thailand or Tangled. This unforgettable lantern liftoff can be found near Shifen and Juifen known as </span><a href="http://taiwan-itinerary.blogspot.com/2016/12/pingxi-sky-lantern-festival.html" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif;" target="_blank">Pingxi Lantern Festival</a><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm1xzLzwPVr_yK9jeJPG8btrNCBzv_m7bcfanWh2L-_M0oAvgRepLb9PlU5WnGzRXCEyc40ItlaoZ7WinfcZzlRD8V2ovrVVdtabS9UlCrWVrhFI-1s3n6yiJoU1AQ4v4UF-cg0gqFAgM/s640/8kmbh.jpg" width="640" /></span></h3>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6brKYqgxH9j3rco5bFNyDPdqwy4zXmjUOFlWsibAFIgLtl72bGgcHHoxCMzob_45oXfjg4CWO77FzFHHKS8WValnCIV4-PoGCULrwwyY7i5j1_oy-2k-Ol2y_r8-KbZr88E4SSwckLqbU/s400/8uuu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During the day, before facing the drowning crowds, we joined the hundreds, if not thousands of others, who were painting and lifting off our own lanterns. Each color represent a different kind of luck to bring to your life. Red for good health, yellow for wealth, orange for good luck, pink for love, purple for intelligence, peach for a happy marriage, white for a bright future, green for a good promotion, light blue for work/career. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIet3sBKoaoZ1AHmpJO5E5X9OERwuJpBYHYbnmRvmEzhpljROiB-vTCqfruL9VWaTXk3JrX_19Vm5qqemNaR0MbK80mtKdo0dpJ7Ba0vsBhg6m-2f4XlP_K_fKAr8g5hm7Oj-460hpBSy/s640/8jui.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">J U I F E N<br />The prettiest little town in Taiwan. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPoLhgV-3pK_zrHUkFYfrM9Hqm_rdpUH2OM6OzZZ2GQJ4QDdn7wTkyc5LE9MOS785wQf0g33rhLl32Mj0OFFDndeHONoiyRgBKiQIHWJwaDiFsXiRWFctQsmf-QgEsXlKQOGfxuh0qCIn/s400/8maz.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif;" width="400" /></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Mazu Festivals in Dajia and Chiayi</span></h3>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiH4sJbYhvzYo0LxLMVZTteChJn7FbAeaF9_AqlZpUm_OEJlUQ0nZxe-znJLaYVDNEz5mvfFygASspSw9oonLJtQw8dd8cQoojzSp8AO18N-8A9vmZ5rPlYv1kjpV-wNZEGaNhDaUXxsK/s640/uu.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; text-align: start;">Here in Taiwan there are some notable </span><a href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-asia/mazu-legendary-guardian-chinese-seas-003094" target="_blank">festivals</a> <span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; text-align: start;">for Mazu that take place in Dajia, Miaoli, and many other parts of Taiwan</span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; text-align: start;">. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvAJhCb2bSghH5W8rVjdO7ah_toQjvlVlVGqpvCkYHb30E5D9jZCVCR7v34fzkVarjEEYDNat38BJ-1iariMCorrjg3e3AVsZFjR9ODRzSyHVmFl9xb1sLRNPcRu4eiurx6D7duUv0ChM/s640/76.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong style="font-size: 14.4px; orphans: 3; text-align: justify; widows: 3;">Mazu is the indigenous goddess of the sea, said to protect fishermen and sailors.</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspwHoZLD9enWbtmhxxcgsiAkzbsnMDRKJoPUhyqnMXALTnOTJ1yqkp72ONx3sxe92RGa1CvrA7iBcJHH_ElInao6X7aq0db51vOKszGEtXjRPnjHKZSrQYYdvwVtfsKw22Rg-ocEigeqw/s400/8io.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="orphans: 3; text-align: justify; widows: 3;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Mazu is usually seen with two guardian generals known as "With-the-Wind Ear" and "Thousand-Miles Eyes." These protectors are usually represented as fierce demons, Eyes as green with one horn and Ears red with two horns. The story says that Mazu conquered and subdued these two, turning them into her own loyal guardians. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fpu25xRNjJUCAI08qbXodcyZKSqzde0tuG1eOjEGw4XFV8L0E7pR7HtIo-EmMTygUuEUEwGsAednRA5tRqqaOdOwlnjOsFKnYBHpbFE0BLoo9yXMgoA2PAZRPRZvpoI6LHkbznvEkC2M/s400/8kj.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="297" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly and I at Mazu festival- 2013</td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfZ8mbXUosPjIroRz6VsPhNKACQb7nHQuaTxj-BdQU4_t9B7xSwKHLd2LFnAizCG5bqaHpITUwNFFhiVrt2LtC7LTWgex4u3B8MP_b_3abLmbhCeMPBtCoH5oJ2ma5vYK0W3syg3mkbLT/s640/8us.jpg" width="473" /></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhottbxf6rKC_WoYfw1s99YPHUapa4c8Cn-e1EvNux8Nri6_ebDL5WeKmMdhSKahCtG87jP0uWg7Uod8pzxySg2v68WElp-NA-WKOUOCiIp8vV5yq2t01JrakBx7vWJq9uPiA3zX1iCnfNE/s320/8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Young men painted and dressed as <a href="http://www.godsoftaiwan.com/Ba-Jia-Jiang.html" target="_blank">Ba Jia Jiang </a>(eight generals).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4wCgrhYeRVKFaAwcKa8trZ_lMJWLFpyIibrOxSFTjsER7y3r0tYhLfOtg3h7Uvf7Kfkr6ETSQKMjfzbeQwzE4lDUQuqas7dXvAF4_xdU7CEo9F0-loS5YTNN6CnOUY6MLtopus26K0kV/s400/8p.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ghost money burnt for Gods at peak of religious ritual. <br />Other times burnt for ancestors in the afterlife and to return good fortune.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWD8anut1d58K7qLv_xI2t3k5n8IOUf3hjGwgkhBB9bxGbnKGlbaxIcuclXhntep9NtftdbY6YSmhz3izwCcB780MQDmSVB7HPqn8pLZDj_CePNVo_ZJdEz6h4cXeYkA3lX6bvJHSez7z/s1600/8m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWD8anut1d58K7qLv_xI2t3k5n8IOUf3hjGwgkhBB9bxGbnKGlbaxIcuclXhntep9NtftdbY6YSmhz3izwCcB780MQDmSVB7HPqn8pLZDj_CePNVo_ZJdEz6h4cXeYkA3lX6bvJHSez7z/s400/8m.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fireworks and dances between guardians to scare off bad spirits following believers. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttNHwiFgEp_6CcuI4966QEjqONPKyskI1nfyIyopTxNRojuHWql8SydtwM81vYDPKue8yfCXVgcXNe14veSWTNGEWwh4mm62E4hBFmtx-QyydbNuk6TfGkw6LAuZikxAiGHXCfye4fk9c/s400/8l.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Fun Fact: Woman are not to enter any temples when on their period. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was also true in Indonesia and Myanmar where woman were not even allowed into some holy areas.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg5zUktmEpYrfe6Ymg7TJ8-CyyrnfjzmO4sa6wVbiggARUjTtC7dwtgzh3AMyKy95jdKVUQt2ajQapgOX_wzuary1WE4iVgfNv78KdvfiD6VwS37IF-h7_LdCotfc5vj9DeDU4VaLxPVu/s640/8pp.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Randomly came across while traveling through Chiayi.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E8IZJTBhVqKxCUeJpIFhDtTMCuIQ0Uh0AR99JlloO8O27Pj58-uYmNDh8Wx6GK13obnCrH4xDTKflxHeYIOI7an5pHjJPl84XJ1YY2sw2G17vxQnd0Zk07VTwJidSk-DYRUKz479mCNc/s400/8kk.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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> <a href="https://www.taiwangods.com/html/landscape_en/1_0011.aspx?i=90" target="_blank">Wang Yeh </a>Boat <a href="http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20121011-taiwans-boat-burning-festival" target="_blank">Burning Festival</a> in Donggong <<br />Happens every three years, a very unique Taoist Tradition in Taiwan. </h3>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1278" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifil1jp8J1LGg_1miItOOM7ZCga-QUfuG72bjVAOPstICzPuiROj1bDS546p_FL9lOVgXi19_GHkwdbUL4p9jgdkycPgNvvHQYRwXNAlzuHMzWAUe9Q-2DAkSh8_n_FAERx644NpCcwu9x/s640/IMG_0587.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Tomb Sweeping Day / Children's Day<br /><span style="font-size: small;">15th day after Spring Equinox </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk1XUqq3a6wm8cufV6WX3ZzyDkt4HhlHO1vkoeMMyqceWpJchNFdcFYWM_2sP_PrcBD4g16eDpofUe62J0Ol7gj1RDXqy2mtwAxmTS5aOVjUWLNsRs7J0yV0KZn5-groF13f6yjaJrI8b/s1600/8child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk1XUqq3a6wm8cufV6WX3ZzyDkt4HhlHO1vkoeMMyqceWpJchNFdcFYWM_2sP_PrcBD4g16eDpofUe62J0Ol7gj1RDXqy2mtwAxmTS5aOVjUWLNsRs7J0yV0KZn5-groF13f6yjaJrI8b/s320/8child.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The cutest little man enjoying cotton candy.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">T<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">omb Sweeping Day is the resemblance of a Chinese Memorial Day. A day to visit the tombs of your ancestors to clean the grave site, pray, and more than likely burn ghost money, also known as joss paper. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The date for International Children's Day varies in countries all over the world. In Taiwan, it is designated on April 4. It was canceled as a public holiday in 2000, but reinstated in 2011. The US does not have an assigned Children's Day such as we do with Mother's Day or Father's Day. However, Taiwan does not have it's own Mother's Day and has adopted the date we use in the US. Father's day is 8/8. 'Ba' is 8, 'baba' is father, therefore you have the date 8/8. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsIS_eMjjrLvb56cjIX0jYzCe7MWUk-0kug-Oe-8qi1TLfBTfs2aWzdMjhRhA5BVhiMuGz-2xifxWlzGkuhZdBujHOEzptrxr8iejVXTF4yjctZfXjfZJvft6JyJl9vu0DU-dj783QvBj/s640/8chlin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Yoyoban Koala's Class after whipping up some cotton candy. Children's Day 2017<br />Every year students get a gift from the school and we all get a four day weekend. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhhgS0pX2SoRyxGEiVy1xUTceWWBXmjViKUtp7VvTzR2_nVrlHi__R8aVuj_tlvWDCobZ7IdIT074ofoXgD5rS10i2XsttgsXOCwL0fwEbaA40XBiSfZ5WPR5ixBkR3V-N6ctMgUmz_jc/s400/8mss.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spring Break on the Beach 2014<br />The biggest beach party in Taiwan happens over this long weekend the first week in April. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88_9Ba1KaK5v-HMiT4O0HG1RAFXuUDaMgQU73GgBt_T9-h0hcAcjqd3EHWW-lPdDvCQRy_d2DFDl7qPL9BySNrX-nvPzd3sxsEcREQP_6V1zRuuX3c24UBSUJymeP2t6Bb3CIIDZlmMEr/s1600/112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88_9Ba1KaK5v-HMiT4O0HG1RAFXuUDaMgQU73GgBt_T9-h0hcAcjqd3EHWW-lPdDvCQRy_d2DFDl7qPL9BySNrX-nvPzd3sxsEcREQP_6V1zRuuX3c24UBSUJymeP2t6Bb3CIIDZlmMEr/s320/112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Spring Break- April 2017</td></tr>
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Dragon Boat Festival<br /><span style="font-size: small;">5th day of the 5th lunar month</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJXHoCONV0rO_58RWVprenTzqR7r4J8uxSC6tIhvQFbCmMjiWrvXHn1q51UdWIn1qhfbgavaHJ94Z6S1IwRUYhOy77WPy-mm2Mk-XZhBwtMnU373A7JeDaN1X6hJXzsT6g1BSm1xjun0N/s640/8lanyu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fishing boat of Lanyu's (<a href="http://indigenousboats.blogspot.com/2017/05/fishing-boats-of-orchid-islands-tao.html" target="_blank">Orchid Island)</a> Tao people. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I spent 2015 and 2016 Dragon Boat weekends in Lanyu diving, more on that beautiful island later. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-xG1UgOaQIUN2HFYq1vy69MHBDGbM8ejzFk1VZ1_WOz2qRwPRQTKjPApBU2STjAIL3h4YLDLvDnfXNPEjRxgOjooKS03DRxFc_ZDfFOJdTFlTCWAEafb5GE_bKDfC-3WUaR8Y5QAfMRn/s640/polar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Xiaoban Polar Bears getting ready to make <a href="https://www.afoodieworld.com/celia-hu/6766-why-we-eat-zongzi-on-dragon-boat-festival-how-to-make-them" target="_blank">zongzi</a>, a special<a href="https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-05-30/what-do-sticky-rice-dumplings-have-do-dragon-boat-races" target="_blank"> sticky rice </a>wrapped in bamboo leaves. June 2018</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="950" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqIZtyz-iXTp2JmmpXhqGLtHEGwffQ_wWucRpUu9dtGvlFzhx8f0RYzK4TSdSwPvdfB3QN_8l16w-do0DQqdFuVJgxvtBbeAyCGAHp7vba-GViCO36IUPgWk4wx1YTaKKpaMVST38LfOY/s400/dragon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">NOT MY PHOTO<br />While I have gone to watch the dragon boat races in the hot summer solstice sun in Kaohsiung once. I usually spend this long weekend in June doing my own favorite hobby in the water, scuba diving. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinV8c7hsHInDsYLI5HMautmn8jJuN8yZrmUSbhczYfRtsSMuL9NNi0dlR6JORQtEFqSyFgKsk4k0XsvSxMNcH2wKCRt6yEg7ysQQ92RY1oOqJiMclXRUXtM2lbGpHIHQgi-OuDlpFzZNbv/s400/scuba.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Ghost Festival <br /><span style="font-size: small;">15th day of the seventh lunar month</span></h3>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="1176" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaPZs2OZYtby71__7oP0N66YtDalEgcxWAelCaxBMnSBEScz7tbCFpQp1bQw5ERbiEa-Z3M7gLpvFIQnmzBQqpIjgcUKBbLBZW9ezoUhn-_XzULr2lhKh__CRGhg_qLsJ6lvtHCt43lUQ/s640/8ghoss.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The biggest restriction during Ghost Month is to NOT go swimming. So on the last weekend before Ghost Month the beaches are packed with all those getting their last bit of fun in the ocean. Ghost Month runs for the entire seventh lunar month and is believed to be when ghosts and spirits of ancestors can visit the living. The 'hungry ghosts are released to the world in search of food, money, entertainment, etc.' Other beliefs, or superstitions, that I have heard and seen during Ghost Month; Don't whistle at night; Don't turn your head around if someone pats you on the shoulder; Don't kill insects in your home; and Don't hang clothes outside to dry. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMyFY0WU_7a9mi_itmX_y3jkaA43VMt2eABNfECqWZ4RphfKd6SxMgopf0SH_SXeUakok4kYNXnx_OFYIDH8a_VIgMy08hpOMGmWstFqufxKtIMkDldksRU0y1SG5e3Lnpvgn2JcIvNrS/s400/8taia.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">A great group of Taiwanese teachers took half the English teachers <br />down to Kenting before Ghost Month, early August 2013. </span></div>
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Mid- Autumn Festival <br /><span style="font-size: small;">15th day of the eighth lunar month</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZUhZ6J76Pcj-PG65GdYx9YowkZ4NL2SVJVL8geL0tAOwa1cRPiIXI1IfkTDc5YGPgSWGd_g44ey8H7JQkw4t54ABRg9mCG5wnd2gQZj-xjlQtwGgNeIrABir2DSg-7firGSRFsFP3oCO/s400/8moonn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pomelo, the huge citrus fruit of the <a href="http://www.visiontimes.com/2018/02/25/goddess-change-of-the-moon.html" target="_blank">Mid-Autumn Festival</a>. Considered to be the <a href="http://www.china-expats.com/Holidays_Cn_MAF_Chang-e.htm" target="_blank">Moon Goddess Chang'e</a>'s favorite fruit. In Chinese the name for Pomelo, 'you zi,' also has the meaning of 'prayer for a son.' Therefore putting the pomelo peelings on your head signifies a prayer for the youth in your family. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_9rLS6kiH7Vn-hNbSMZqrczrE10TBaH11MZ2vbsIb-PuDYjhsUAp45-V9MdImS0oFl_7Ta2AiN9wNxqo-lK5i4pJhM0jLUK7UZTrGWNOjeloQDILP1176-9WZ7vB9BAL0ZFvEO_8V9VQ/s640/8sing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Singapore during the <a href="https://www.taiwanese-secrets.com/chinese-moon-festival/" target="_blank">Mid-Autumn Festival</a> in September 2016</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwBPgSD4WR1omZtW25egQqTWcN0nCmIcUy65Teyc7QawCfxtEy_DkSoh1p22vclEtVkpMjIwvNcXX7JMI1ZDmU5xATm-OiTSveOqDHAqARoRaeiVj6rNijA4LUZ2x2LePJSoSjbZ0GQKe/s320/8moon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Mid-Autumn Festival wouldn't be the same <br />without days-long <a href="http://www.frnci.com/taiwaninsideout/blog-article26.html" target="_blank">BBQ</a>s and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?biw=1351&bih=567&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=dBdCW_rRCJvahwOm6bIg&q=taiwan+mooncakes&oq=taiwan+mooncakes&gs_l=img.3...2188.3081.0.3204.7.5.0.2.2.0.101.392.4j1.5.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.6.339...0j0i30k1j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.Uxg-w_M4PxA#imgrc=_" target="_blank">Moon Cakes</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.chineseamericanfamily.com/double-ninth-festival/" target="_blank">Double 9th Day</a> </h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Los2yEAhpV6CPgFDobixR93T8Vd-Y-LAr7DCTlpCb5MDhx40O1Z_l3Ur0bZYKQkL547Cysx7TNaCksURvwxRhPfDJU-sXu6mcUqXsBmpzFwdo8Z5xyqnRQAYALlMMCjSMMWUu2aSpHiQ/s640/8jiji.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wuchang Temple in Jiji that collapsed after the 9/21/99 earthquake, the strongest one of the century.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMi3wAgiIZFRkwJfBKRCPQImlXPsNqjc3BnVC7NQzB3YRHSxOLzHH0p0zksCn1CnrJUxPYnmyFETl62_Wzk_BrEhwAEf8Vyqwf3FYBDFABvqHK6YqLa6zs7AQjRkpKZK_akmgOXbpmGnp/s640/8kmn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Largest Buddhist Memorial in Taiwan - Fo Guang Shan</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A0xTFOcvSxOW1gdQX9vzhST1iwxT4R4YP4_7ct_mloFYZLsTdMhpawRxTbWFnd0-9MlOzLXFMcBtcMFodlKMFwQGoMect89dToWMJij-SplkV6C2l7yn6DDHT4SdTou20c7m4fVxy9BL/s640/7518838288_IMG_3896.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christmas in Taipei 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X5luoT1UzXmSf3RvH0juDmwTC-9OgNgIN9QWB20cZXQRsgRDutRK0L1kI3mq_aJpWhn4EIDJOv_dCdqE6HvPet6Oh7fc4nbvIOiGkD_EhoWoqiAYIT_w56QqmLnhbsv61n61uGWurmMr/s1600/8lkohgvf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X5luoT1UzXmSf3RvH0juDmwTC-9OgNgIN9QWB20cZXQRsgRDutRK0L1kI3mq_aJpWhn4EIDJOv_dCdqE6HvPet6Oh7fc4nbvIOiGkD_EhoWoqiAYIT_w56QqmLnhbsv61n61uGWurmMr/s640/8lkohgvf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung with my cousin Jessica; May 2018</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Other well known superstitions in Taiwan:<br />Don't write another persons name in red; wishes them severe injury or even death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Don't point at the moon; disrespectful to Moon Goddess and your ear will be cut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Don't pick up red envelope on the street; a man who does this will need to take a ghost bride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Four is an unlucky number as it's name in Mandarin sounds like the word for death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Mole hair is a sign of luck and longevity; I've often seen this on men.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't stick your chopsticks into bowl, lay them across, resembles incense in prayer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Knock on a hotel door before entering so the ghosts will know to leave. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And my favorite, was hearing a story of a mother-in-law who put a shovel under the bed of her daughter-in-law, in hopes she would become pregnant with a boy, and she did!</span></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFyyH4wIIfq77o61AFSQ0VOEnh8mF-KcTQrZTg28W8rb9OzG0czIX7uiBBoRfBLV1dna9t6EsxbIgdQMDSTJnLQwCXyyV1CfYgCxPtLLymt9WjKoQN1J7if7eJIhRcvWxeWEMINiP8egD/s640/7518838288_IMG_3740.JPG" width="425" /></div>
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Thank for reading! - K</div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-58451145836260809302018-07-06T11:57:00.000+08:002018-08-18T17:21:26.055+08:00#9 Taiwan Markets<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq58CT8RQ07hFmSEBpGO_VGGjqMZih7f-4r80youKIgMfh_8CxyLJfB85tV3QResBO8p3r-6hc-RQ9LU0FxftBKHRSm5Zm26XWnIgyleX6YAJw3w-YwDfFWbDj6ebzdvmO30HYoQYkPpsa/s640/nmss.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Night Markets in Taiwan</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">One of the greatest fascinations of most anywhere in Southeast Asia is the night markets. The amount of stimulation your senses take in while walking through a night market</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;"> would make for quite a tale. So instead I will use less words and more photos to show what you've may have been missing. ^^</span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGOPc70Arm4POt5UEI2Hcqbnl8wrQ4rA2vjv2qBTUP2oeFUs9NNV12OxbKTKRpjkvMRZW70QFtfLm__AsDJQIz4tYhXnnOPnZM1Ftzv4Qu54289dIyoMDGOs7G08nmLQP6EbWREqvmju5/s400/nm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First week in Taiwan, First trip to the Night Market!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Night Market in Kenting, Taiwan August 2013.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Along with the crowded and chaotic streets of inexpensive merchandise, there’s quite a few other hidden specialties to find in the markets. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0Y3sqss-LoyZ9LB2IPg__aPgSGqM5-2iE_Me3oioQ1K7jCpkcrZjLpGq6giDXV3gDmX8IIHEgPbOmofVZA9HISFQia7h2i3USiPeQ1N9lmlMYZKr_bwtsSsYrFmuMRtHLMZy6FOmhhoC/s640/20171218205359_IMG_3706.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
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F E N G C H I A N I G H T M A R K E T</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QHy3KNG9s875uj3yyKz4pkDzKIGDvfzAnkfW0haMkg7o4V7e4fLl_aLai1tnShvynWSgOyS7W-yek2YyXvJjLNdZjUr8sN84pS2M3cbLlfH-kUtnc1hY8-0yA_S34x-jQgK4g4uMWa9u/s640/20171218205821_IMG_3711.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Night Market traffic for scooters and cars can range from non-existent to a few making in through the road. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOs81GP3QCK4D-xOIjK9TD2CzbwpcafFkdPf2fhFxEFavj_BrSzkGuZos5cxlBl0sONvOVZhoW8ZHnWgugtUrhpJbmWlVG9eZY6m8YbQpAWOHnHfbAc8Spj80oIEv0TY0L0MTKZ4I87U5/s1600/7516836656_IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOs81GP3QCK4D-xOIjK9TD2CzbwpcafFkdPf2fhFxEFavj_BrSzkGuZos5cxlBl0sONvOVZhoW8ZHnWgugtUrhpJbmWlVG9eZY6m8YbQpAWOHnHfbAc8Spj80oIEv0TY0L0MTKZ4I87U5/s400/7516836656_IMG_3515.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOs81GP3QCK4D-xOIjK9TD2CzbwpcafFkdPf2fhFxEFavj_BrSzkGuZos5cxlBl0sONvOVZhoW8ZHnWgugtUrhpJbmWlVG9eZY6m8YbQpAWOHnHfbAc8Spj80oIEv0TY0L0MTKZ4I87U5/s1600/7516836656_IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">For the night markets in Taiwan, v</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">endors and shops open the earliest around 2 pm </span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">with the heaviest traffic coming through around dinner time, and usually closing around 11-11:30. The two largest in Taichung are Feng Chia Night Market and E </span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Chung Night Market, both named after nearby universities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">I remember as a teenager hanging out and spending hours at the mall or the biggest department store my friends and I could get to. The night markets seem to be just that for the young Taiwanese. They are</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;"> full of friends snagging a cheap (often fried) dinner, or patiently maneuvering the often crammed lanes, or on occasion, purchasing an inexpensive new hair piece, assorted sized bag, or dependably-cheap yet adorable pair of shoes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Quick.<br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEr3WSyAigzpfMT7qrcgZ4U0aWYL28nCXdvlqhEkIbM-ey7pNOHeRlYty6jhqgd9jJVymbR03CDwk9DM20eALh-GgPmuj7DjHJDXr7QSZYs9JR24agAWU69J9MCSm45KXAhalOa0M80l9/s400/20171218200732_IMG_3700.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">And Easy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSv0rwn0RNlAhOcwaHClQxbVLm3SPOiSxgOo5gVnF1AufkdmapOIr29OKQ36xgEmf5S7Z_sua8YPT0nEglWGWG4Nlm9FIdfaZ5tjLKANn0TlrVERYqwxa9xZkLLUxQTVThg2d0alq1Mc0/s640/7516746576_IMG_0171.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Spy Mango Shaved Ice ^^</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G5eiFbnK0cY46IcZjgmo1KYbZGeamkFGucXnsQDdhsg4dNtiTgo6-hzm3WbK_8d4k-loWRzGADNqMPhXCMgFPp7e30kFrhEiZx8Q-IW_YsxWiYQ8UMusVUboFvXYr3TYi9j1sYZJsKca/s320/20171218195943_IMG_3692.JPG" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Before having Lasik in Taiwan, I would often pick out $2-5 USD frames and get them filled for under $20. So many styles to choose from, and with that cost, how could you not? I could even get my contacts for $7 a pair at the nearby night market! Yes, the same brand as I used in the States. Want a</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;"> stylish or sporty watch, or just need a quick battery changed? Done, for dollars. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW6LlR8YFgKjHXpRa6PdaiSozxYP32uNKnvEsfIrjzn8BgsJg_JxegAQU0Wt_WmuiH9Yz1OjCaRwS01eXiPjDvDHv4pmU6eBxU3n57DR_R08K2LqYlqX1QBrFd8KT3Ze4YLcASGMLe0IC/s1600/nmear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmW6LlR8YFgKjHXpRa6PdaiSozxYP32uNKnvEsfIrjzn8BgsJg_JxegAQU0Wt_WmuiH9Yz1OjCaRwS01eXiPjDvDHv4pmU6eBxU3n57DR_R08K2LqYlqX1QBrFd8KT3Ze4YLcASGMLe0IC/s320/nmear.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">One of my absolute favorite things to buy (anywhere) is earrings. Personally I love the more antique-like ones that are found in Malaysia or Cambodia, but Taiwan offers nearly every cartoon character you could think of as a stud. Among other endless styles and designs. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyY0P2YeT4E74nwTbJEiJAyEg1UFmD8MWXvyLlSdxC7yhNXMFC3rMsMpSR4VqDiRSfJELbzwW9t5UHRYi_03oItV_qfTcLcLYDjDGNMp8mZuSPKDOmAMrvtyLEVhkdKtJ09lE8627otHZ/s400/20171218191908_IMG_3679.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">carves, socks, and shoes are another easy weakness for ladies browsing in the night markets! Shoes range from $7-15 USD, however, since the average Taiwanese woman has very small feet all you will really find in the night markets are under size 9. These shoes are great for a night out or a quick but cute summer shoe. But, don't get too attached, as they won't last long and have been known to bust on a night out. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kid shoes too. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E N D L E S S S O C K S</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YuwcIpDRq5bgnI7HxaILqazLWkew63HUx2TbX-GkaE4-2J8Ls9dj_53gwRD-_v-jTjWj8T8H5BA0ycGjMWBJK1qF2OAdAmqX3ZnwjkHCtZ6O7trMUNNOuDEM5r3u0TYa5RhLMt1OIHbZ/s320/IMG_5761.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="314" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A must from the night market, is your own<br />Chinglish shirt. I really should have found more.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QMFsBoTeI2d8kuQMxPdRBk5LOlWzaoxnzsP7bE5dV-VeAK8xG6UxJlOk7BD-a1t6GOLGOaFLfhdFX9UFxTugAirDJAlAiJ8DsUON7Ft0dL6mN_8eaCgck2BMwVmNiCigQMGr9u3ASmPG/s400/20171218192145_IMG_3683.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nothing can stop the claw. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cousin Jessica and her Fiance Nick on their visit to Taiwan. May 2018</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Personalized
stamps (and stickers) are another popular item, especially around us teachers who have to daily or weekly sign every student's assignment or report book. They’re perfect for
teachers and cute for anyone with a name. ^^ Get a favorite emblem, symbol, or often in our case, a class name sigil. Students, as well, often have these to label their school bowls, bags, and supplies. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYZxfj0E3qXm3hmTeh7HqwgEcqMZdmCodlQPWnZO34l__M89yMHpdXYmaXMbRnPDW4mbVOKDYovZbjZ6WtqI41uRrZZ463_s3tQ8AQKEhO83oV4hqaHAGOn7BNuomuGTXE1TmUhwUZ1oo/s640/20171218192310_IMG_3684.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Games in the night.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TRuljHcojuMYndUlILN4RUplYjcttTgHnCfO7PO4kYeFwNijz-st_3Y_NmOSwvroyfTA5c5AbtYk7wysbDQ9KHZKaEkeXqgDrxwplbbUjo6ydvw2RdN7XaRzDO1fPe4OqjUd6hQPJMSQ/s400/day1.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Games in the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetipUA2SuNORAyQdz4d-e96r2i_6hbtCN2m-UwX6pkX-7sxAtHc8Q0xd8VC-olXv8GRL_2ZTW0uVeLshtybxtIUYJxc9f2JlrTPaY5_1ZfMSg9TyEHGkHSlt7VHRjjeA6yVv8UNBu5ta_/s640/20171218192123_IMG_3682.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">This is full of alleys full of treasures. Sometimes d</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">own the smallest alleys you’ll find dolled up young-ish Taiwanese woman with fake eyelashes and multi-colored irises. They’re supermodel-like thin with unreasonable sizes displayed of the most adorable wardrobes that no girl with hips would ever fit into. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: food" height="266" src="https://scontent.ftpe7-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16939494_10154371422723017_1980854360544744744_n.jpg?_nc_fx=ftpe7-4&_nc_cat=0&oh=d215c039eb8b117e436acca8a3058ecf&oe=5B9C4DE1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Is it because these are miniature eggs it feels sad to try them?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZIYvqQGw8eoENPWOzZeETvunOstxESB1lqnaLRs8jSAcdNKD8drEVhcZj1teljqm1qmHLib5enhnzop96ohA_DOUbc-S7vV9MgCP9nT3cDb-4Tlt5G8lVPERoR8gzr2IY5t9SRAiR-WO/s1600/20171218205514_IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZIYvqQGw8eoENPWOzZeETvunOstxESB1lqnaLRs8jSAcdNKD8drEVhcZj1teljqm1qmHLib5enhnzop96ohA_DOUbc-S7vV9MgCP9nT3cDb-4Tlt5G8lVPERoR8gzr2IY5t9SRAiR-WO/s320/20171218205514_IMG_3707.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Get some fresh fruit juice at any night market, any time! ^^</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
Day Markets in Taiwan</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the first day trips with Uncle Michael and teachers of 2013-2014 school year. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Disney, Pixar, Hello Kitty, Peanuts, Spongebob, My Melody<br />and other popular cartoons can always be found in Taiwan markets.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Day markets usually pop up in the parks every weekend. Vintage clothes, small hand-made crafted cards, jewels, key chains, and home decor. Nothing you'd really need, but it's nice to support local's business, and of course, surprise someone you adore with a simple, cute, yet thoughtful gift. ^^</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Scooter mask is a must.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Day and Night Markets are a guarantee for strange smells, inexpensive fashion, and an assortment of cute gifts.</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">As I’ve been here five years, I rarely make purchases anymore, h</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">owever, the night market <i>is </i>the most vibrant, dynamic, and culturally different setting you can instantly put yourself into on arrival. </span><br />
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<h3>
The Jade Market</h3>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7OgCrwM0xcEfaDE_WD3c41upbAoxY-dpUM-Ic5lOTSj_1mH6fxJpS3YZ-cu0Ac5Qqi1TtuHInIz5nGF3vrYR3PrL6zoui9Uu0wpDvUDvfwJFLceL4YWZ7ssunOC6JDOK_JvyWcp42AmD/s640/jade2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">J A D E </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv5xsFG8uuVBoPJh1qwMJTGEF0_yzedSs40iICT8rF-T1Ya-9EAXWnVFP2L9zejjnEG-1d2YqcMz02FImaIGqoexNOCHsvBlvpiFmTh8E1X7gLPARq20yf6F7QnY50cuBl8mMUjK_FDZJ/s400/jade133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browsing the aisles of the Jade Market, July 2013. The original jade market was on Wenxin Road. <br />
Two years ago it moved into a more secure, three story building, out a far stretch from the center of Taichung. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21zGDFcOhBpuFr_cPteiX8fo_t7CKh6OliKiwWjjU_NJPnnXJsFRWa2GNRUFnSvVZDoXk_8cNxQUqlHYCsU9NypU4ZyKiNEjnuWcIxCJk8sP2ogvc-uR8KY018AE9atQntfSBF8XJdmnw/s400/jade7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not sure what this instrument is, <br />but its sound was pure peace and beauty.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ArUWoxnEdrZV5VLm0Qk2Kli2kyablAPZSUTc9bwg9qPNXieQycRJuXTFUXA5PBkyDpUmmU2oLFv2IeuO_DJujsP1dm3BvyepullVZDLIdphFiqQDHcefpm88uPUlhdmQOD1v1qNgjwKN/s640/jade8.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Of course getting real jade and authentic statues from Asia can cost a pretty penny. However, you are still able to find some nice quality things for a good price. The Jade Market is the only place in Taiwan where I do some bargaining on prices. It's where I can use my favorite phrase in Chinese, 'tai guile (guay-luh)' which means, 'too expensive.' ^^</span></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DUZPCGaeOcbq0jqhx2ppFcbg52F_wcU5GbDD9IibSCPQ88nin3c4G-qtKsOqktNv3pi4lfbgLAqyPxkvHCWTG65X77VhDomvOQVNEenPj3eVALZH-EP2gbvLT3CvA1-U5St96LVVh3mR/s640/jade12.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz4rqdJAMQEjQH82Eh31h4RHgtC-h-PXKHW6Fg1YbG32hhVVDUx1Yo_5-qmWiaWWWx0HSx6ugs6-y6IZsrVVTLgnt6HJKW1yiZ1IzSOUI0VqzNd8rbT0NEDj2YIXVX7XjjwOaDGzId9cF/s400/jade5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside the new location.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xur1Nqow-VLatzYBaVC1_xgblnQ0BMcy7FNk_LL1bmnU9DQfV0TNAwzIqxJcuA42H7NCc70oGQrlvVaqS7J3e-bhAbEiGoTCdTyZ6G9I5pthjP-Yylr_GBOPwU9zB1NOnJfDLVaVzQ4W/s400/jade1.jpg" width="225" /><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKGtFXvVhthIMPYt44zm7x2HjGAn5zn0k1mMeMtW34aIQSSh96RYiVFsskYeqirUHJ4MyqNc3O5JkEpm1UtoZ5KCdnv18UH-b2ojIdLD-JPmiftnwk007fqNBKuAv-B8TwL8Kr_4jk7qc/s400/jade.jpg" width="225" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFndFxVe5xI6wDYhg_1okOz5E-zgLbox0d9qKJvhpyf7hxvolq04pQhyphenhypheniWgcdn0ClGVCd17fTpAcBDxXS4E-B10vps58wr2VY0qjj-emnFhk8V4ZnhT1gmuhjj2B5U0EOCrznlJ8B7qZ4Q/s400/jadetea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I brought back a tea set for my grandma after my second year in Taiwan. It was a deep blue with golden trim and dragon paintings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6G6V9RqIJRCXj7E_l3Dh1QRCWhJWrQKB_nSZm0SQliuiodI1JuUA74AtX7eDK6Cof-yNqH6t5oPFgBOM7Tc2IvuQ6c3EbYVsex8FXn5sFnKsGkTRQ0Mq28zd_u_S3rNzY0faon_BjS2N/s400/jade9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coral is another very popular and expensive stone found in Taiwan.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfBC_yEKwHMH8r2BC_4ejEE_nwJ065byM9hwTBJ9FtCShIu8xKXssVAVj_gML7sO844_HMp4eYcY-6i3NEErryRyt_tLF-BFqCAdDuxaF5GZY7kqgEcGTzVkZjc9R4WpRlV7oDEYFSBp9/s640/jaded.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi5I33zyJVq5-GGCmf0evSC1aqdacNeumNH4Fz4K_2rBtRHZ4ccpJZM7bRJsNU3Ug2_HOnycLLWRFDx5ba24v25KnY_wWE_u0Mvg9ULkmMHv6qcJTkeipc7evqKh4r3yroqmi_v6qVCfN/s400/jade13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have not been able to find painted scrolls such as these since the location moved. <br />However, I did get a pair for family members in my first year before I knew how to haggle like pro. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kalinga" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">A quick comparison of Taiwan's markets to others. In other </span></span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">Southeast Asian country's markets</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif;">, knock off sunglasses, perfumes, and purses overcrowd the lanes. Instead of small shops, loads and loads of often unorganized shipments are sprawled out over tables. There is <i>always </i>haggling involved in these other countries, where as in Taiwan the prices are already low and already set. (With the exception of the jade market.) Taiwan is quite a bit cleaner as well. Although it is just as crowded and just the same, you won't find a bathroom nearby.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kalinga" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markets in Jiufen Old Street are a bit more clustered. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kalinga" , "sans-serif";"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBxy6n9jVC1wRSFk6xqzISWggGsLkb76r1_GGwdr972MSnu0VoDnVSEGJ4ikt_yTN2W7TK-2X5JG0SuEWjlhA_aX0R3u0jYfQELXf13AgI7BT_EAmNE1nDeHVWSLclP_lvJEb9_2Ygh36/s640/day6.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><i><b>Ode to the Night Markets of Taiwan</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Colorful signs, rain or shine, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">f</span><span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">riendly people, manicure shops </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">endless fashion and beauty stops</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "kalinga" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">-K </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-10864015118500432562018-06-24T11:56:00.000+08:002018-09-02T15:03:19.243+08:00#10 The Fruit, the Food & the Dining Experience <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#10 The Fruit, the Food, and the Dining Experience</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yVUdXX8OF9RD-RDb34ti5rtBAf6BT2cGo1Q0t5Y-ONf8msLseOULEmX2VaKtuXxe3K6TtuTJaup2tc8uEfGSq5KEZ5h710CgT0TWABMwOCdUIck6BoP1YYhm57W3mfb8T1D-cwgdq1tr/s640/IMG_9880.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">The abundance, freshness, and the variety of fruit here in Taiwan is indescribable.
It’s seemingly one of the most incredible places to find and devour fruit.
Being an island with mountains and tropical weather, more fruit is grown here
than I could have dreamt existed. Taiwan even exports fruit to places you would
already think have exceptional fruit, such as Japan. Fresh fruit markets and
juice shops can be found every few kilometers in most areas of Taiwan. They
have apples (even waxed apples!), oranges, grapes, and kiwi, enormous to
miniature bananas, the sweetest strawberries (winter season) and the juiciest
pineapples. They also have mango *, lychee, pomelo, guava, star fruit, papaya,
dragonfruit, and newly discovered to me this year, passion fruit! I could go on,
but I think you get the point. This video does a great job showing the
excitement of Taiwan’s fruit and food markets. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://jetsettimes.com/2013/10/21/20-must-trys-fruits-taiwan/">http://jetsettimes.com/2013/10/21/20-must-trys-fruits-taiwan/</a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Passion fruit. Tangy and sweet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvBVdV37D_95qaFltQ78dsibUPm2JbayNwV0ArWIaG_eMQOCQOZkhgf-o8Do1frKjbVKNepK323_e7rfuEX1li5h5dY9GkJsC9bx-SGM_Ih7Ry6eDWw9mlLgRqPrRvKwnub9wWnVLrT8d/s400/IMG_5511.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Golden Mango</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspAQ-cIYFYbQQ9dtRwFJdgD6Mo3yIJ0wYEv1ZZWqXX_iJ6dqSRXO8y6XEhVWxX22rcelzKjBxYxQGApDSnc4_yjbUBT-v0EK10n_Yph7myUTKf9_OG_UPZPBrsoHQP055usP3CswbVnOb/s400/IMG_5512.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yu Win Mangoes, Wuxiang Mangoes, Awin Mangoes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabvWFtERXAxzw16RDuspnrQpCLXjTRL66oMyIyOpVDvq8bPIvJWmX6UI0DPu1WcK86CmOtTM_GUJ-rFgWiZ-KOlwv_Ica_sQaPQ7C7HB0y7Egr7TcAbYhaxDoju6gcZ7k9LC2yutSD4cQ/s320/IMG_5513.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bigger is sometimes better. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLVzgGztY8FOikdlUM6KS5MI_cj7aOLglK-3o-Rvu8_vzvkDHrIV1pJF_qt8HoYN6wdUH0CZIYKLM_mCQSuJPsoVuFMkhUoDSL74sJeL8rS_74UMqehxqD-9Ti6K5jyR7rDM2gFhJGiiw/s640/bbm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> M A N G O S H A V E D I C E </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrtQ48ZrVaosuMDzZPVcPHNIsiFSatxzuEfeoHxwieRDnTR3t0Mc7S474qMOIGghahQP8WAB72uaQWM7V2LUI7La1LkHNCvrBU3dYj9N_Dy8AHeCGfYjwCcPfDcexSnInQgpFcfsdaW7X/s1600/7518838288_IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrtQ48ZrVaosuMDzZPVcPHNIsiFSatxzuEfeoHxwieRDnTR3t0Mc7S474qMOIGghahQP8WAB72uaQWM7V2LUI7La1LkHNCvrBU3dYj9N_Dy8AHeCGfYjwCcPfDcexSnInQgpFcfsdaW7X/s400/7518838288_IMG_3717.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I should admit right away, that food has never been a huge passion of mine to chase. While there are articles, videos, and photos all over the world wide web of just how great Taiwanese food is, (and it is!) I never desired to be the trailblazer of discovering the most unique, delicious or disturbing entrees out there. However, I have tried nearly everything that I have been presented with, minus shark fin soup and chicken feet, and I’ve enjoyed much of it. But let’s move on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYjun9am6MBhM7FQUxnZ1fleH4nuc4tGq913rVWj90uWMd6QPoUZPsGFxB8GAIXKgdqB4SFJ1y1QtQ2uHWdbrTgsbivSgJkCAadQcg1J9NgOB6kwLuExvwGSK2840qT8kRoLywLY1BiBY/s320/7518838288_IMG_3719.JPG" width="213" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLEi-m_TkL8AOs8bkUhCjsjMOkowhqfEYfdVHBPKmMnFT_cHNHCi20zTX4nViv2koeDBqepXYkK_hmqUnMuXfwA2atMlfZdEl_YzrbyJBF8x1q8TVYmvBMNwzFqa0bLD18k60fBXws4Tu/s1600/aas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLEi-m_TkL8AOs8bkUhCjsjMOkowhqfEYfdVHBPKmMnFT_cHNHCi20zTX4nViv2koeDBqepXYkK_hmqUnMuXfwA2atMlfZdEl_YzrbyJBF8x1q8TVYmvBMNwzFqa0bLD18k60fBXws4Tu/s320/aas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-_WSoYbZAPoU5Zhyphenhyphen6lRaFcskJ596ZUdAql586lWy0IgrWPfUm65sEAYckxSYfgkCFffBCHLcSrexe-5ZAWWhSBlA7esdzT4hn-Xou8YQiH9s1hVg7Kmpz0FE_1spUB-Gh0mYOkVk2PKt/s400/food.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A popular late night snack, sausages.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNQtI71C7InbrNFeyVFrY-F3IqnJFrXMlchYigdz9WbVadmA_XxuOdjpxgPoBIatXilABl0XEcTowe1GqXva6u_dDcWRKIegkgUHDye3raoAErq2wzVoxg5hMEzSFaGEtaIfTZyA_2JZT/s1600/bbno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNQtI71C7InbrNFeyVFrY-F3IqnJFrXMlchYigdz9WbVadmA_XxuOdjpxgPoBIatXilABl0XEcTowe1GqXva6u_dDcWRKIegkgUHDye3raoAErq2wzVoxg5hMEzSFaGEtaIfTZyA_2JZT/s320/bbno.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Love me some noodles. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Food
comes in a variety here as well, yet different than what you might imagine. While
you can easily find restaurants and shops of all internationalities, Taiwanese ‘traditional’
food is much simpler, with more than a few great specialties. The food here is
simple in that is usually consists of a base of rice or noodles. This is often
enjoyed with meat of some kind and an assortment of vegetables (often leek or
cabbage). Here in Taiwan pig and chicken are most often ate, but duck, goat,
and cow are also easy to find. Seafood, often squid, is also very popular among Taiwanese. </span><span style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqQen04K7PgAo8MD053_VBvLDPcNpaGrVv2iWaIQu2IDOU2NRp8xu9i08uuIZos6YpV3zfEDXV96l8MdE82xw2YtKGePpJmkgwUq7ppBrI4EI9Q9eZoaswUVM4eTyZ_KB4Wk1yUc_xfXV/s400/bbsq.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Squid at night market in Kenting. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Side
Bar: As I’ve come to learn many things- and not just about the inhumane
slaughterhouses in the USA-, I try my best to eat as little meat as possible.
You should (more than considerate it) too!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SP5hyphenhyphenzVVwPDCrUB9tPplvRu0IAvRrBINxaJpS3ezFJimlohSfQygz0AaFeOgSeSabqVN24_phiYLY1nmnR5-g_0HUC87yEUstQweqngxQOhyphenhyphenNPi-ssB9Tqg1G_58FgiT9hLwS16JjU02/s640/IMG_9883.JPG" width="640" /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JUu70N08-JbSgxMnodrESdfL0jIPjb-zNjLpW4kJnE6jeiRks8j2ZHkERfWfrjxjdGMsb9v2Cd4ZSFbQ-9gOt4940oKBpSYHEmYzDTmmo92bbU0VoYeF2Dn0ylP2BoK14-g53p8g3lHY/s1600/milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="466" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JUu70N08-JbSgxMnodrESdfL0jIPjb-zNjLpW4kJnE6jeiRks8j2ZHkERfWfrjxjdGMsb9v2Cd4ZSFbQ-9gOt4940oKBpSYHEmYzDTmmo92bbU0VoYeF2Dn0ylP2BoK14-g53p8g3lHY/s320/milk.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Milk Tea (not my own photo)</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s
also worth mentioning all the unique foods, desserts, and teas that you can get
here. The most popular tea that came from Taiwan was 'boba' or bubble milk tea. This isn’t a
drink fit for someone wanting a refreshing drink. Each slurp your mouth becomes
full of marble sized tapioca balls that you can chew up. They don’t really have a
flavor, nor have I found a purpose, but it’s a cute drink that’s grown very
popular even outside of Taiwan. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I enjoy milk tea often, the tapioca pearls never grew on me. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite tea is honey green tea. Passion
fruit and mango green tea are also spectacular. Some of my absolute favorite
soups are MISO* soup, beef noodle soup, sweet red bean soup, and ginger soup. Dumplings and Dim Sum
are a must try. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, fillings, and flavors,
often in an assortment of each.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLhbaUFtG2KVqVanJrVdCiqKSxiWWgfpMnlYAAXYHWtfkcwTSJNoajgbzw5N0OYqk7gV3NqvKGv4l8rsRJW5buvfjrbd9k1L0Di9qrZKP6i7gaezOs-l6ScK7iEK7RTYIMy0V-wF83v4A/s400/bbt.jpg" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes we have to laugh. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMXDNO2aTDNvT2vpbP5s0MBFqGg_JT7sYWneN_kL9uThjzetECYWCAf9BStoXbR0CGrdOCOQfd3d9xgyD7Ci-yt0UPMeESy627jJ68aUoWMTKjUPdpHH38KMyKlcx0Gs5zlPbxji6ri9A/s400/bbbf.jpg" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Beef Noodles</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11_GEllsDljL3rnwtv4-lofZrvubxJ1G_0BCw-Cwc7jvvsCkelSBzW3OllWxifm5DSg_2CrGrx1Q9J4ZBjea6NfH6H3tq_OvN26-hX2AMhmwEHiAfysojFuOYj55RECWUe9oOCqt8WEgN/s640/bbd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dim Sum</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="704" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe-Rk8MO0jh1GXBKVTvTNnl4YEy9Zh3xIpsPOsIqZDMwrdFfBk-oRdzOV25bXALxSQuzbcgUNaj7DHEJlyDdAv9i-ZsxPtB53ppeIPD_f3OW7l9lbIDPp9rlCOL6VwwJhFrEHym_qN48V/s320/bbdd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="234" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This guy loved the dumplings. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4J7XlsJudIZR_ZZkaXC2jX0X9S3cmVRKUKXXI3y7d_JP-x0n_IvHm1uwud_opNtnT_nEYI6V5OCQUwk0bHHbZ9ysMDw1IqoBHJ6hDOaDgHvOBDES68NzV7BCXeDkyGlYOEHbErLjpwIh/s400/7516746576_IMG_0174.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Taiwan's quick and easy. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei5DjyXbOgl_u7XA1aWoXRNaWJ34RegQ6F4ebL7rt7jHJRqSx7RnfCzgSc9h1SPgKUqiFoc9OK95_LPPem3_L_H6s5liisgyftZzI4aOAhCmy_1MfKIZmoSRsA65frDkjf7v-IA1lDU4T/s1600/bbjb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei5DjyXbOgl_u7XA1aWoXRNaWJ34RegQ6F4ebL7rt7jHJRqSx7RnfCzgSc9h1SPgKUqiFoc9OK95_LPPem3_L_H6s5liisgyftZzI4aOAhCmy_1MfKIZmoSRsA65frDkjf7v-IA1lDU4T/s400/bbjb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve
also always enjoyed the BBQ, especially over a long weekend and near the ocean.
In Taichung, Joe John’s BBQ is my favorite. They serve meat on a stick wrapped
in or around tomatoes, greens veggies, or some scrumptious enoki mushrooms.</span><span style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNSbEP8xECNePjhFs0qvOLXBNe6axgtcJ-HfBpk3z2CkdYzgNATjIrbr4U8OgfeDc6L9z53gumhPHzU0ZQMrhgQ3jrEBGD89Dp0nYanNEGQgFEG570VtI2laPfXBVNJNXDPSmfYTwdaJN/s640/bbbbb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -7.33333px;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always a great time for a BBQ, even more so after a day in the ocean! ^^</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwOb_AsC1f6JGCXPTdpP0A7-gIDBPOPAAe7wWdQR-BFquyoSWO6vuFwquC8UklUon0GZaMrR_3sJfnAqJfo-jtIzhEbYvjT3oFMI9zNBm99FgIaRTyISqvhoY9pXo_QWpELncnUOwZcdM/s640/bbb.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -7.33333px;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dive Buddy BBQs are the best.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gc-0TmrLDTROFm8khQjQX-u1V0_Jq080-TANvYt4qKyT5h5MDYouPW_Rd_GFEZDtn1qdhB1_VJ2NYoCS4ySy2lxvHJeweiqtUD10ehM_3I4at-JSdqs9l83NwfNfLcY8_AEG5oBvsOTT/s320/bbq.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baby octopus or squid, not sure, but chewy. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi814OrrPGDNaUIHoCwkB9wL001WJtQ_F6gDNkLX_YmYWhRlYYWGCR4FKX1EIHvA-KrTOkR47CJvTCSvt5ED92C4tJWhG2tUakbPDfCJtOZ9Ew-jMm2tNmNTT6-Omi2mt1KfEgDYOkD4Oyt/s1600/IMG_5352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi814OrrPGDNaUIHoCwkB9wL001WJtQ_F6gDNkLX_YmYWhRlYYWGCR4FKX1EIHvA-KrTOkR47CJvTCSvt5ED92C4tJWhG2tUakbPDfCJtOZ9Ew-jMm2tNmNTT6-Omi2mt1KfEgDYOkD4Oyt/s400/IMG_5352.JPG" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l", sans-serif;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For breakfast, radish (lo bogaow) cakes are soft and delicious. <br />
Add on your favorite meat or cheese to an egg pancake (danbing) for the classic favorite of many.</td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AuQUyrbPHYCzjogBnY9GjrfX4RrcdberSctGIfyVkEhKzQZpz_yWmco91hvvBIDLjIXNVYMYVWwHUit4rNi8GWAlIZZxpoFvGhvz8rNljmvm-cOhxkmzs2s4uz8i0eP33phX2H7Ueaop/s640/bbhp.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiFgfB0M4cjC64cWD-33KWE7XSSAmdXlc11CI0Jee1-UKLhlUz-sRBMHD2-z88Kmdyk-7FdzpW4tLwJAGfR9v_oV0TIx9qkOfTAnU1hwwKWzolKuiqRiAKTDph8mJHt6uE9zgDsF6m4nO/s320/aahp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="238" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My first Hot Pot 2013</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
trip to Taiwan wouldn’t be complete without trying Hot Pot. Hot Pot is just
that, a pot of hot ‘soup’ placed over an individual fire just for you. Included on the side are self-serve-able vegetables and meat you place into the boiling pot. The
meal usually comes with a bowl of rice, sauces, and a tea as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can also order hot pot for two, like many spicy hot pot shops nearby, or for the entire table, which is exciting, but often one person is stuck keeping eyes on the continuation of food being cooked and served.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtamD_v4N7eDmdZyHB6-4AqnhkGuNTrNNUrLSySwwTCCRTSQbYuUTAZMl1LkNLdHtX7RCfIrlIGO2AsNK6WK_kKE_cCm0ixPc8YuC3HGki13rzhWVm1d_bLzhe3MzsLLaAO6i5aZ3Y3g24/s400/bbhpp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant called 'Modern Toilet' where everything reflects a bathroom and its utilities. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE53ShnHewQeojp8ju_BPCwt7YIl9r-xOI3W3kwb4juZNbSXP94V0rzTm0zMVUxQ9G2r8DthztHiRBNmHDeTTB4ajiHbavnssnv9ybm6FQUdmoP_7coyFr5f7vetrkZ5fMtXJkn7fHmm6/s400/aan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taiwanese families are always so excited to invite and share food with foreigners. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most meals are served and enjoyed 'family style with Taiwanese families and friends sitting around a large round table, often with a rotating 'lazy susan' in the middle. One person orders for
the entire family, plates and bowls of dishes and soups are brought out as they are finished
and everyone is encouraged to share and enjoy the food. For Westerners, this is
a foreign concept in many ways (and admittedly took me some time to adjust to), but I’ll continue. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggV94OPHeQ96tOncJ8c1JUHZKkjObLHQPLzHisYGEOlSUggi-FgWm7vZkRgufFCt4vnsE7WezPhyphenhyphenmikjjN30mgI6-2weoAI21kKF7ShJ9gEYquw64LV4641wRfgjckCQAgzuM4IRUB761/s320/dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sharing a duck soup with work mates, the WHOLE duck! ^^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfwQfM09-YNJElE4X1A9mno_OyMvJQI_8IAZnsE8pFHiTbMqjT6aK_oangyo_a4LrZI8D4xnWew1wIvARi4rSc0NBh4DhwnwkiSVZuRFDtP2RMxtf9Zz-6OjOyr2EgMrMvdWVD5sOFWvo/s320/gina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Family style meal with best Taiwanese friend Gina - Winter 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwGoIHSGS5lCp0wqH7P6yW9GUdBeABi9FNl-juM_fFHYeiSBM_WIeywf1Ric3wpAnG5Meiw9gwilLNOiay3_JNo-CnDJm1uMC2z-ifCC1yjH7tcGYKCjG24dy0-BX30os9V6N3E-7-PkT/s400/bbab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having a meal in the mountains with an aboriginal tribe southeast Taiwan Feb 2014. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksXB_W2zmLZxQ1Qo8hpX2xOrfm28iCYZV-lqp-MMWLrZIGjQM6YXklFYffkP9zHhMfQpesOmLb8HfouwGKBcWZ39mCsmkB7pZi0RaMsDA_kxjBvYyO-vGEqdzaqh-CtWh8RVjSXTvpoS9/s640/bbnm2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Endless options in the night markets. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNZmwdB4ONi-xHIHNDlr6VwB56OuZaI7OflyhYxWkb7thcGd7YK3_fs4r4L5WyW8-c656lBrjtPBZV67Q07BAd0mIm_khDJRadjsCdpMACrQnVid-RReuECTFEc5xkYUZPFSvS2zGfXGt/s400/bbnm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grab some to go.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -5.5pt;">There are other options for
getting food in Taiwan, as the cost is so low, very few families keep
refrigerators full of food here. More so, a run to the store is to pick up a
few items for tonight’s meal. At the markets (fast food) or small 'mom and pop' shop meals will
run you about $3 to $6 USD per meal. At an international family restaurant you’ll
pay between $5 to $15 USD, and if you want a nice full set meal in a gorgeous
restaurant on the top of a department store you’ll pay around $15- $40 USD per
meal. The more Western restaurants, and ones that provide more of a service to
larger parties, will add on 8-10% gratuity for the table’s bill, otherwise there
is literally NO tipping at all!!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdBxC8ALb91BC1W8BvLGKBvfEn3SVg-edNHVT4OyE4hX3zMX79D_euoExj1gJqvyDf6ax0zcQGPx-fsSy7kEyvaQKnqJmMS1xhetHaVXd24s5SoFB5D1pprsyI8plto3Mh1mBqvdTe1Ud/s640/bbjn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Din Tai Fong with Cousin Jessica and Nick - May 2018. (This was their favorite meal of their trip to Taiwan! ^^)</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> While it still seems to blow minds, it works
easily with a few well known standards. First, order and pay at the front
counter before or after you have found your seat, that way when your meal is
finished; <i>You </i>get up and leave whenever <i>You </i>wish! Second, water is usually
dropped off at your table in a pitcher with cups or you can self-serve. The rest
of your drinks will arrive with your meal, rarely ever before. Third, food
arrives as it is ready, not when the entire table’s order is ready. While these
last two may seem as an annoyance at first, you’d soon realize you don’t need
three drinks in one sitting. And an early arrival of one’s entrée doesn’t mean
they have to share, but it does provide for more of an appreciation,
discussion, and excitement over the food arrived and arriving. Best case
scenario, you get to try more than one dish, and relieve some pressure from the wait staff. (Having been a waitress in the states, I know the arrival of early drinks
is only meant to sell more products, plain and simple.) Also think of the food
that could be saved if we started sharing some dishes!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB422ZQmRkWBpdWkvbZG1y9jJBFaSUdrsdrcg1EdrYfusOpHixAvhH7rn30QoOSg2EsTj3bY07baW3JaVTYQExDH7b4XxDWMria6RgtjE6vfzAu5fzBdMODBN1NfBB2Ly8T2J4zdlcBIa/s400/bbs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It'll be hard to enjoy sushi in the Midwest again. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another
standard in place and understood is portion size or more simply put, not
wasting food! In Taiwan you finish your meal, usually because it's delicious and the right amount, but also because leaving half eaten bowls or unfinished plates in not acceptable. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -7.33333px;">It's not acceptable when you are 2, 22, 52 or 102.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -5.5pt;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcomFQjxDlfEBIuh9Ecd5uisFBetpR9kPET20d66uiu_yaZsfUTC_TA2CCBMa2pzpjUcUzwT7OHolUn7iI6iT6e2ahdLtbjt16Ubdg1GnuhtYjsEqvQd1hZHIL0rnDL6lP4IbcepA-LtM/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcomFQjxDlfEBIuh9Ecd5uisFBetpR9kPET20d66uiu_yaZsfUTC_TA2CCBMa2pzpjUcUzwT7OHolUn7iI6iT6e2ahdLtbjt16Ubdg1GnuhtYjsEqvQd1hZHIL0rnDL6lP4IbcepA-LtM/s320/IMG_5279.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even McDonald's costumers recycle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -5.5pt;">Also the majority of Taiwanese take the extra minute to separate compost from recyclable material when disposing. Throwing out half-eaten meals, even throwing food away with recyclable papers and plastics is not the usual option here. I hope one day, we, in the USA, rid ourselves of this careless behavior. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe5mHHLGQiXKcQghdgDslbT4TseDRQlhekYB7HTBM_FiW8XJVCL1X4cYOXvRvmtY1DD0Y-tVwpqsLXTCYG3nsPUfzKjsPtQhw9yyHUubk8K1w4z97KxNOKEQrEpASnzthI2P8n9mxDDsJ/s400/IMG_5528.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In addition to recycling paper, glass, and plastic, Taiwan compost trucks. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WdneTJ4q7QqDP9lJwvSLMT3eraTt0MDlrfmYVC1YwFv8u1NqyVOM6Ni9kl3N91mdHur6V6vfe-vojsSND19HdkBuVJRzoCpR6yd10OuAoY4pnGMB5-nftku34va8eyaFTS_Gl7VdRf9/s400/bbbq.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-indent: -7.33333px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peijo with some pengyous before making some BBQ together. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -5.5pt;">Overall, the experience at restaurants, (even with the language gap!) is much friendlier
and stress-free for servers and customers alike in Taiwan. Plus, food is incredibly
fresh! You know in Taiwan that the food you are eating is some of the best in
quality and locally grown. Daily, I am grateful for being blessed to live in a
place that has provided me such healthy food to put into my body and sustain
me. Not only for the taste and variety, but for my long term health!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wMocq8z2aDQjYmrwCD4yOiqIBIRQcMWocfQ6fVqOcPdeURF3JfnFdgeUFu5awUAZOgl6O9MooFvujUD-29Azx5uo4MWqljT6UsGDJ3Oc0dC52UiABwPpX_rGE8-1Z9EC7W8YR-uCar7D/s1600/IMG_9879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wMocq8z2aDQjYmrwCD4yOiqIBIRQcMWocfQ6fVqOcPdeURF3JfnFdgeUFu5awUAZOgl6O9MooFvujUD-29Azx5uo4MWqljT6UsGDJ3Oc0dC52UiABwPpX_rGE8-1Z9EC7W8YR-uCar7D/s400/IMG_9879.JPG" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l", sans-serif; text-indent: -7.33333px;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grocery stores on the weekend are highly active. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "kozuka gothic pro l" , "sans-serif";"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Grocery stores are usually always within walking distance. Many times there are samples being given out and </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -7.33333px;">I've walked in a few times when bread had just been made. </span><span style="text-indent: -7.33333px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Less preservatives are used in the food here so fruits, veggies, and breads should be eaten within a week or two of buying them. Along with that, occasionally they run out of </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -7.33333px;">veggies and meats, but soon it's restocked, another way to tell of it's freshness. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before
I wrap up, I must mention that some of my favorite meals in Taiwan were not
necessarily Taiwanese food. They’ve come from family restaurants from all
around the world; India, Pakistan, Turkey. While I fell in love with many
dishes of Southeast Asia; Green Curry, Pad Thai, Pho, I couldn’t be
more thankful to be introduced to Indian food.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv7yWwCMEf_hTcyKVzZBcYeVh5u_PdWKiu4By0EABNR7JO30TvnhPxIo-dlHgvma239fUbolli1Qhhv9Fr5ymr90RpH4JBlhbhia1nZURihoZpQtChTI9aGCZ7I3e7JKHXLjnPtivFGOk/s320/aat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taro Balls</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkidnyTUdbbOmyBInBMR8Foa4hjMvNeTIegwxXvidgn1PnIC1u5KApP-zPEB7y2QXk3LLCuLH6U9AoZxHa3GQq7i-8JmIAAKnpAo3_JZMe-w-WRyVYGFQstFToOBvuLvDTBlDVfB1SRN2/s1600/bbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkidnyTUdbbOmyBInBMR8Foa4hjMvNeTIegwxXvidgn1PnIC1u5KApP-zPEB7y2QXk3LLCuLH6U9AoZxHa3GQq7i-8JmIAAKnpAo3_JZMe-w-WRyVYGFQstFToOBvuLvDTBlDVfB1SRN2/s400/bbc.jpg" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -7.33333px;" width="225" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dos & Donts:</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do lift bowls of rice, noodles, and small plates off the table to make eating with chopsticks easier. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't point at things with your chopsticks. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do use the oppostie end of your chopsticks to put food on your plate from a shared dish on the table. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't leave your chopsticks sticking up in rice or other food. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do fill the glasses of people around you. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't drink until everyone has been served and others around you raise their glasses for a toast. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do say cheers or "Kampai" when making a toast. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't finish what's in your glass if you don't want another one- someone will fill it up. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To end on a good note, here is a photo of one of the adorable cakes so common to have here in Taiwan. Also a<a href="https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/desserts-in-Taiwan" target="_blank"> link to the 13 must try desserts of Taiwan</a>. </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-29535457728636140942018-06-17T11:55:00.000+08:002018-08-09T17:01:19.238+08:00#11 Taiwan's Nightlife & Music Scene <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXggIa-mboT9Ox-osuxExsXdlAOYuv3SuS1KW_rRwpgeibBQFAhMJJDd8GsTymQBrG8k9QKlY1UVx0sDHFRy40un8ZcEo5kVrZQ5nUXZn7uHcEPXmCkscUWHkT39bz-wPa3NM2RFUVk59/s640/IMG_0594.JPG" width="640" /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HVIYKluOZubUQ4ytfWFYhtGjWeVFJqcn-8clh3xLz5DKBfZfIUBB_ofZtT-ZzSriQ3gHr3H5AAmZR-lrulP1ut_G9CLLM0d-gmb877IX5vK6fXrExlqtWOyOOj9MBBFY6ERJG5TILuxF/s1600/788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HVIYKluOZubUQ4ytfWFYhtGjWeVFJqcn-8clh3xLz5DKBfZfIUBB_ofZtT-ZzSriQ3gHr3H5AAmZR-lrulP1ut_G9CLLM0d-gmb877IX5vK6fXrExlqtWOyOOj9MBBFY6ERJG5TILuxF/s400/788.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On my third night in Taiwan we went to XCUBE, a former favorite club. </span></td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">#11 Music Scene & the Nightlife; inexpensive, safe and absolutely wild</span></h3>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In my first couple of years in Taiwan,
this could have been a top three addiction of mine. Easily. Due to the tropical weather,
the season is seemingly always ON for a beach event, BBQ, food festival, park
activities, and more. Not only are there continuous year round outdoor options, the
clubs in Taiwan resemble the types of clubs you would find in Las Vegas, or in
large cities in the USA. Smoke, lasers, dancing girls, incredible DJs,
accessible VIP lounges, bottle service, etc</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK1D8AsfqFc1pib9Z0tVww3q7D3QxN3MFLaVVhAcga6p18nJEbL5Jejru1wbUO9OZtlZLjQ2dtRJgC8bvC7H8JTO2_JlHkF8L80GOUkUQvo4upfSc02Sh57malvmH3iLNgmM2Pz4NCd1i/s400/dd.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First night at a Taiwan club, the theme happened to be Playboy. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="599" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi5DQyPMM2JrX_W2dks5lMqPjdvSTepu0oogcbvVzhc1EXzz37YOUpwz0rpHj8eXnIkt16P7nppkjnOT1QHzzj4Ou0hi2e7vTldiPuUH68_5iTOrLlTeogOtWCRFIRh6cioHR9Wo3jDa6/s400/IMG_5108.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The photo quality from the professional photographers hired for the club is exceptionally better. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">The best part, for young 20-some
things that aren’t making much money yet, nearly every weekend you could find a
club with a low cover fee and unlimited drinks. Yeah, you read that right,
unlimited alcoholic drinks. And yes, you can already assume it is often the
foreigners who use and abuse this iconic privilege. Not only are they allowing
us to get absolutely plastered and dance our hearts out to a set list that
could often be charged top dollar for, there is basically no crime, no robbery,
no theft, while you’re out on the town. (</span>However, no place is perfect.) You can check your coat and your bag
(for free) if you’d like, but often you can just leave it at a table or booth
and don’t need to worry about anyone snagging it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="599" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl3weu5Mrx7KN0ZZ6QOSu-WRph6AC-3y82rxfSs0VqT8QEOKkluvVh4rW1EMawZRuiRR3iKyX7noxe0j9guNojw-nImQhRrSu7Z7NqJ4O263djYWgwfzwEtr05hLtnsOaMhEAtdS5KBsy/s400/IMG_5107.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A picture is worth a thousand words. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oWvX2OIux21Zhup7epOQo9u9q8brh3JzzD1M7G5gkOyqP7Xb69XLD2yTW9sfcHS79znYobfzigPTfoc2TmMXBRYT0iD7jlJWZSLGSdcgg-7AhKcIzLVrr5jC-bwLM_Jx1YSSRAiRLLzE/s400/32.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Met two of the greatest Taiwanese friends while dancing at the club! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVodlF4mSdNtz8xH8o_BWCZIEXQcid9LtRN2732N3Q5ryMLuSEq_5EPwMvIPUBSgS_1UhizbCNOIlOVYM4PKwP7rzrdTFTnCuW-YVWAy00ICVrynZV2maLOH28Hd4GsJJjhU4EB4wO28vu/s640/9.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10/10/13 Taiwan's birthday. <br />Another great shot captured and edited by the club. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEc1QKeT0J8uhrkOKNseyi32SaNwqR6rK_PITtUDkDN6QRVzG1T1fRP9FxO2P-21ZiLHkfF6cqkNu8yM_gdH2elN8Jks-KTBVhERd7vtShNrmkWtWKp_E2n3F_jz2dDT4HkDrAbwHd2Sc/s640/6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rock Star Themed Party as the <b>S P I C E G I R L S </b> 6/15/14</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyzgIYooF9SU4OWJJrlLpWG9dHiJ_DBlM0pxmuxDWVB8Anqn6kVXm8aPFU8zNc0HTe06LFZMWy6uwf0zYA5s496K64a-f616ZNT9Uqq3_t6XzkaPPbyuofq0l5gPBDK9rb87m5F_VPYhX/s400/IMG_4706.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Captivating lights and music videos play throughout the DJ's set lists.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1080" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-iNCcxEk2xdHwCsMVazR-FjpUxIGsgHdTMChT9b0CBfD13tEibXdGMbHUjPmg7J7ZT35oKDYn_fb48RTK2f3PyCaeusodkno924yfBkVPq64Oe_pkqxzmiTLidZ3ewRqRbCu6hG0Knj7/s640/333.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdJanTmQkGS0ZEeqeqiKurUIupoMgWbWGgAg5Jtd5KU5NkCiTwVuTxu8PNuQ0H0ghi8e2HGAYKglqY_2vYIve2rJoVngLG-6-ZgMKHyTsN2wIhQS4CO_bNM1Lv7X_cIsj0sEFL7QmxIQr/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1224" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdJanTmQkGS0ZEeqeqiKurUIupoMgWbWGgAg5Jtd5KU5NkCiTwVuTxu8PNuQ0H0ghi8e2HGAYKglqY_2vYIve2rJoVngLG-6-ZgMKHyTsN2wIhQS4CO_bNM1Lv7X_cIsj0sEFL7QmxIQr/s320/IMG_0729.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Another fun tradition in Taiwan, (and many other places in SE Asia) is KTV or Karaoke Television. You can pre-book a room for X amount of hours, BYOB, and if you've got a big enough group you can get a VIP room with your own restroom, singing booth, and projector screens. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">KTV guarantees</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> for one of the best times to be had. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We usually did this 1-2 times per year with as many teachers who could make it. Other times, one might be asked by a random friendly family to join in their KTV room, or one </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">could even go on a whim with a group a friends and strangers at 5 in the morning when they just don't want to say goodbye to a good night. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBK4BvwZBX3O608cZHq5hv8U6hsvPqOcy9_e8v85zwjYR8dkDsZlN-ef6mqr7QK0Ge1MiHIk9AUzZj85n2w-dou3RgCbJSkQnxpoc7dHAFbudJXr9mijlLj3RfnKjRL8TVOsHFF-PAbiZ/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBK4BvwZBX3O608cZHq5hv8U6hsvPqOcy9_e8v85zwjYR8dkDsZlN-ef6mqr7QK0Ge1MiHIk9AUzZj85n2w-dou3RgCbJSkQnxpoc7dHAFbudJXr9mijlLj3RfnKjRL8TVOsHFF-PAbiZ/s640/22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">N O C H E L A T I N O</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My favorite city in Taiwan is Kaohsiung. I like that it is noticeable that the ocean is nearby due to the harbors. I also like that the roads are much wider. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In my favorite city, sits my favorite club, Brickyard, (at least during the time I was regular clubber ^^). I liked that it was underground. I also really enjoyed the closeness of the stage / performers to the dance floor, and that they regularly played sets of Latin music. ^^</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Halloween and making girl friends in the bathroom. <br />Two more late night favorites of mine. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tG4Cl6yPzkwKew5ywRALDfrSrxt4542kU4JdulfUntIb71Gji39NDv0T9EwI1__mWFjYCN2xC42JWrPyownSNs8KxCzTmWZDl8Q9NccgVN5C3fdLnanfHYafeuE6gsCPxDReC3LMFaD3/s1600/brit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tG4Cl6yPzkwKew5ywRALDfrSrxt4542kU4JdulfUntIb71Gji39NDv0T9EwI1__mWFjYCN2xC42JWrPyownSNs8KxCzTmWZDl8Q9NccgVN5C3fdLnanfHYafeuE6gsCPxDReC3LMFaD3/s400/brit.jpg" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Quite
a few big headliners have come to Taiwan as well, although sad to say, many
have canceled at the last minute. Some with no reason (T.Pain, then Pitbull)
and others due to unfortunate events (Ed Sheeran). We’ve also had Lady Gaga,
Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande and Coldplay (the Taiwanese went NUTS).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The summer before I arrived, Lady Gaga had performed in Wenxin Park, this outdoor public amphitheater. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">C O L O R P L A Y </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYUMuEVqBh7hzKmN_nNbTZT-b0D8NGYtFFQ5H5wh0sGxxSv7-kreUQDNs5HFeWzd9-jka7ZcQhSvruH0wlqBeeHnUJyRustfiw5PjB6SPEc6IzEZXZIQslR_OcuFFZphwzl9kFECbIC-T/s640/76.jpg" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sept. 2013 - The best last minute decision I was forced into making. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">C O L O R P L A Y </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The music festivals seem to grow in abundance and attendance every year. Yet the biggest event to happen as far as music and night life would be in the first week of April every year over the double holiday of Children’s Day and Tomb Sweeping Day. Always a four day weekend, sometimes five, Taiwanese and foreigners of (literally) all ages flee to the beaches of Kenting for three days of DJs, pool parties, beaches, volleyball, football (soccer), food, and more foreigners! It’s the only yearly event where I’ve met people who actually come to Taiwan for the event.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Free the Beach April 2014</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">DJ FAMOUS / / KENTING</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Parties</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool Parties</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRJfQ6dElnRW7-xKTPlXJx30y89IbM2sixQ8nAQn5FTWYk0q_bRAhN0ytIbSlq1qFmolHvZOckJYP24FgoK06XMc8c21uwE42VrpfXxYqPW3fgJSh7Zdwjxij6LkfU7GGwJw7LpkV57TF/s1600/777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRJfQ6dElnRW7-xKTPlXJx30y89IbM2sixQ8nAQn5FTWYk0q_bRAhN0ytIbSlq1qFmolHvZOckJYP24FgoK06XMc8c21uwE42VrpfXxYqPW3fgJSh7Zdwjxij6LkfU7GGwJw7LpkV57TF/s320/777.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">After Parties </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqigSlxXNCnxEVJ_f2J5iNu-JFLZPhpoeIK4GhwP53rdKgHqRH9rKwpzTSdeWDChBITrNrOmqvWapyKY7mzDAUAHQn2CmUrqKPkfJ7quSqZ3EVMdGoAh_f1AW1bgNkKMw7Fha87dhSrsv/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqigSlxXNCnxEVJ_f2J5iNu-JFLZPhpoeIK4GhwP53rdKgHqRH9rKwpzTSdeWDChBITrNrOmqvWapyKY7mzDAUAHQn2CmUrqKPkfJ7quSqZ3EVMdGoAh_f1AW1bgNkKMw7Fha87dhSrsv/s400/IMG_4694.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;" width="225" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Overall, the Taiwanese are night owls. It’s pretty regular to have a late dinner, a midnight
movie, and a three am night. Mornings aren’t so rushed either. Our school day begins at 9 am, many shops aren’t even open until 10. I partially wonder if it’s
the fact we are a half day ahead of the Western world, as far as time zone,
that leads to the lenient times, or the more likely reason, they've just kept a good tradition (like taking short naps mid-day). Nonetheless, in a city of nearly 3 million, if
you’re up at 7 am the streets are quiet. Waking up 5 or 6 am it looks like a
ghost town, and you’ll be making your own breakfast. It’s a great time to snag
a bus out of town and get a head start on traveling with significantly less
people.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- K</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"No one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep."</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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</span>kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-15264273632221064832018-06-10T09:20:00.000+08:002018-07-25T21:44:27.922+08:00#12 The Style of the Taiwanese <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">M</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">y TAIWANESE addiction #12 The Style (and the skincare) of the Taiwanese. </span><br />
<h2>
"Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality."</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BpQ0F5paMAftU7Zj4i6Jnf971mdMo4Pj-IXSMC8BuDt_eKuHwWNpPQ81h12HAam68P4WxFIlDv19M60e416J9x9ls3_3uGZbvZynq5o5CZuFSDp4SKaJDyy9cDQMxgPv0z9_NITi0RyL/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BpQ0F5paMAftU7Zj4i6Jnf971mdMo4Pj-IXSMC8BuDt_eKuHwWNpPQ81h12HAam68P4WxFIlDv19M60e416J9x9ls3_3uGZbvZynq5o5CZuFSDp4SKaJDyy9cDQMxgPv0z9_NITi0RyL/s320/IMG_4711.JPG" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The word ‘style’ can mean many different
things, even to one person. In a literal sense we often think of style as fashion,
clothing, accessories, but also just as importantly, how one carries themselves. To me, having style also refers to the manners and poise of a person.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Taiwan, the variation of clothing worn is immense and extremely diverse. What I love about the choice of style in clothing here is the <i>freedom </i>in it. Any fun, cute, unique, odd, interesting, colorful, obtuse, radiant, little thing you could imagine could be worn here and no one seems to mind. They are not offended by it, they are not eye-googling over it, and as a former teacher (Michael) once said, there’s no ‘slut shamming’ in Taiwan. A 60 year old woman can wear short shorts and four inch heels through the night market and no one bats an eye. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqawWFXY57F5mtNHAWCuPnez21gLqrXnP6XQtnefcLCTzn9IsbhrteWatHBPbF0V04Y0IEvkxlIdksfrQCFKdvqbRcKzOMAo7CoCaPLqkV0tCXWguLl_vzCYkbxFl4NAQKfnvDpI2s7g2/s320/IMG_4712.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif;" width="320" /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCozC_LtwCir2AABDYDa8-398OOJOeyi0kV0yELprjwuRh37cM2UZSlWUa4FnCyDOCG_fAY3aP1MoHNajrodkXOVizCQcaMonrudkE9pmZgVcxniLwzAH0UWidsV4e1cBcNjaPRzJKlPU/s1600/IMG_4710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCozC_LtwCir2AABDYDa8-398OOJOeyi0kV0yELprjwuRh37cM2UZSlWUa4FnCyDOCG_fAY3aP1MoHNajrodkXOVizCQcaMonrudkE9pmZgVcxniLwzAH0UWidsV4e1cBcNjaPRzJKlPU/s320/IMG_4710.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Apparel for Taiwanese can be simple and classic or wild and youthful. The young women typically show off their legs, long slender legs everywhere. But the upper half of their bodies remain fairly well covered. Midriff is acceptable, but due to their bodies types this doesn't present as a problem. I appreciate that the Taiwanese dress for comfort and true to themselves. Most students have a uniform and if you want to wear some fake bling on the city bus, grams- do your thang. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Get your glam on, granma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlfVqeaPfeGJi7VwfB_SBQ8xIrPSqfIP3E0B1XHcQqTp4sZcTA01KhtpwQkLHQeN_6y3lx1YoHgLCzwY-zgPBo_pCZHsYPIaOojmbhpBskt9f-TIQ9DSb4NNLe5JOBnjqZvKCAtc9AEKc/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlfVqeaPfeGJi7VwfB_SBQ8xIrPSqfIP3E0B1XHcQqTp4sZcTA01KhtpwQkLHQeN_6y3lx1YoHgLCzwY-zgPBo_pCZHsYPIaOojmbhpBskt9f-TIQ9DSb4NNLe5JOBnjqZvKCAtc9AEKc/s320/IMG_4714.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh3yzgov5cnDNtMq9PvjkqczC1LC1sjY7lfQzA9i0MZx0fJ9k21UzJP5HZ7yG-cUK57nd8thg-DGM1r0ItoEBTZHnFm_V7HC1fjHV5rz3gA4i_f5K8I0H8jSzKucgWVdpSWOT6dY66wpa/s1600/girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh3yzgov5cnDNtMq9PvjkqczC1LC1sjY7lfQzA9i0MZx0fJ9k21UzJP5HZ7yG-cUK57nd8thg-DGM1r0ItoEBTZHnFm_V7HC1fjHV5rz3gA4i_f5K8I0H8jSzKucgWVdpSWOT6dY66wpa/s320/girls.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">The Taiwanese enjoy </span><i>cute </i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">things also (an understatement). </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">If the clothing has a cute cat, rabbit, monkey, or bear to go along, it’s worn and adored by people of all ages. Stickers, pillows, cups, stationary, bags, earrings, and an endless amount of gifts- just slap on Cony & Bear, MyMelody, Hello Kitty, or a Power Puff Girl and you've got a hit. This isn't just the Taiwanese, Asians in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong as well, seem to lose their marbles for Disney characters and memorabilia. More so than Westerners it seems as of late. If you heard and wondered why Mulan will be the next real-life Disney Princess movie to be made... There's your answer. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmq8SIbGdwKx-QRSCFlrzhmhNJZFokq6VYADggA1KeeiWWqo0WzrZxtSpBRlCH4hPQ89T-mM_cUbl9DBUrGtfcfY9Da4IRtudKkZ99VttSCSwRbQszenLBsYAV55BpvDT1HnLJyFyVu4x/s400/7518864688_IMG_0094.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Owls and Bunnies ^^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSy0QQRdqtaFeInk5nWCoyEXVI1Ef7JQvue9qpmoj5MDhYduivG72V71_2XGVhsX-ZV3J92pmyYEQRqvK4J4v2a6RQ-xT4nATX-xZU77RBqBFzNZOKnGXYbXAyAdJhqhFKBFkGKUybAaF/s1600/lsdk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSy0QQRdqtaFeInk5nWCoyEXVI1Ef7JQvue9qpmoj5MDhYduivG72V71_2XGVhsX-ZV3J92pmyYEQRqvK4J4v2a6RQ-xT4nATX-xZU77RBqBFzNZOKnGXYbXAyAdJhqhFKBFkGKUybAaF/s400/lsdk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the winter, it's all about the layers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBSrE2Y-ribkVG512TIBsVk-eUTkQdy9Wu4RYJJ0xwzM-sesK1Xkszrn69yPXSZnDu54bptZ7oYJDwzdK9nr1RcJOQF10j-8BWfYxKmw_SDC2PW5b9FhsKMNEdOTGrLlE-QDNhdXFJg3l/s1600/7518864928_IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBSrE2Y-ribkVG512TIBsVk-eUTkQdy9Wu4RYJJ0xwzM-sesK1Xkszrn69yPXSZnDu54bptZ7oYJDwzdK9nr1RcJOQF10j-8BWfYxKmw_SDC2PW5b9FhsKMNEdOTGrLlE-QDNhdXFJg3l/s320/7518864928_IMG_1741.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> And the hats.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW57miuXX9lSpJDckeknrIQXtSftWh1RdhOg4aS0WWFIn1l8OuwH5t14sM8ASSm64gqBDUh1VYWvhyphenhyphenyf1qk-lra8zcqEU_Ilf1z7SROmqiXcyxDZihYCuefp5O_r6taQpQO9scelLe4owD/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW57miuXX9lSpJDckeknrIQXtSftWh1RdhOg4aS0WWFIn1l8OuwH5t14sM8ASSm64gqBDUh1VYWvhyphenhyphenyf1qk-lra8zcqEU_Ilf1z7SROmqiXcyxDZihYCuefp5O_r6taQpQO9scelLe4owD/s400/swim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Days in the pool require a swim cap, it'll usually match your suit too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: people standing" height="400" src="https://scontent.ftpe7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16996301_10154369219388017_7733460099363595448_n.jpg?_nc_fx=ftpe7-4&_nc_cat=0&oh=1c2a3e27a1dd75f25fbe3cd1977d5087&oe=5B5E9D23" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cuteness.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtpP1I8uuShZFky6bEMoSwIRG5tQ9r5BclMU4tMOcc1xIQmhSM38hBl-qZepNgkZ8G157sqDUYsgW7i1wuG44QER36ZFnDaaGPAd1S_N1i4NrXQvd_7NpHxbyNusMkZOChmcBwDOoUvTy/s320/IMG_4646.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A woman heading into work wearing tennis wedges<br /> (silver with the bling on top) and a short flare skirt. <br />There is no way this would be acceptable in a workplace in USA. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"> I've also noticed many women who've comfortably chosen to express a “butchy” or “tomboy” look, at any age-it's very common, that me even mentioning it now seems odd. J</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">ust the same, young guys are not turning necks if they want to wear something ‘less’ or ‘feminine.’ </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;">Having said that, to begin describing what I've seen in Taiwanese men and woman being accepted and thriving as their own 'gender identity' would venture into a whole other post. In summary, Taiwan is above the times as far as the large scale acceptance of people being true to who they are. (Also the f<a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2017/06/22/one-country-in-asia-has-embraced-same-sex-marriage.-wheres-next" target="_blank">irst country in Asia</a> to embrace same sex marriage.) The young men and woman here have impeccable style. Often staying well groomed, sharp, and not to mention perfect skin.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYgo6p5iDvrZ454mMDrT2uetQb89tWpB3H9fnR2zjFsGzDzwSB0aisNYWGU7q30SkibUUrcSYr8iD_50SFt7x7sU5uZSvVuulg-Q8puL2BwXmJY82JabZLM3WmuiYj9VAK7nf-_Psph3I/s400/IMG_9570.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While there is a huge promotion to fake contact lenses and lashes, <br />what they do really well is their market in skincare.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEmmoSg-3uc_ipn0kf_R9LkkUNQ6ylm7GPqeOQUs6GxznfA5GvzFlOddpaZWDqTti2P4diiaybwew0CLQA0cAF-h5VSsqQzJsSsDAEg04DpoTo84ZhRaGYkyxdQPe6N1S3l8L9Zkkv0Hr/s400/7518865568_IMG_3691.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Night Markets provide for inexpensive fashion and even more unique looks. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRGzTeM6iSlV2spkz8LNlw7HVIs4sst6JuFmBOaG1pUwK2XrUl6Ykph0ow-a6CuNTiACqMgfM_-TWsInkDceXvMI9fTc0NrkIKz5hjv6gNaPV628ZW-YV-2B-eahFBag1npB2lrxcaB7j/s400/7583906160_IMG_3679.JPG" style="font-family: "book antiqua", serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shoe boutiques usually out pour with top club hits. Shoes can start from just $5USD.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrI59cGJW9hjlF9zK0pwomIP3Q4QfJF0ZWv4K_sZv0lCjBalvoOfMEEzSGXUGDlThUZl0UW00p1sCcp4AAeqxlxh8jzHGq4NT4qB_B-b8_g07ZgOQSzPj5EFpv9_J_G1E7kadBJ4PyYkJ/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrI59cGJW9hjlF9zK0pwomIP3Q4QfJF0ZWv4K_sZv0lCjBalvoOfMEEzSGXUGDlThUZl0UW00p1sCcp4AAeqxlxh8jzHGq4NT4qB_B-b8_g07ZgOQSzPj5EFpv9_J_G1E7kadBJ4PyYkJ/s400/IMG_4025.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Obsession with socks in Taiwan <br />should not be taken lightly.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it helps that the Taiwanese are much less aggressive- or maybe it's their seemingly pore-less skin – but t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hey are truly beautiful people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">pending the last five years in a culture where a majority of the people feel free to express themselves without judgement-to just be, has made a huge (positive) impact on my own outlook and style.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO770_XpPSe5Jzzs4M0tPcU0FVsf8-RoplPB2YiCVPv-32WsAkAB4SQ4wtIC5xm5JqlWYpcRL0dCC_FZX_s0o2qaIPkq2PRuOSKdQ75uHstwXqqzaDzcrqMUfOtY5S9kT4hPh5nuHzgIJJ/s400/cloth.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="292" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The brutal honesty of shirts in Taiwan.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZSPqpKOKm5vRyM-NCBiDKsznQJkBEmGzPz6GxXc0E9VPustUIxqVOR3xv4cWXoZPa5cDifawnjrP-4HoGAaI0LipYtQZdDDnidpjtWIybS-VMk67Mq1zUOTdicWJiVbHA6sbUFOCw4MK/s1600/IMG_4719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZSPqpKOKm5vRyM-NCBiDKsznQJkBEmGzPz6GxXc0E9VPustUIxqVOR3xv4cWXoZPa5cDifawnjrP-4HoGAaI0LipYtQZdDDnidpjtWIybS-VMk67Mq1zUOTdicWJiVbHA6sbUFOCw4MK/s400/IMG_4719.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Or a random bar order printed on the back of a jean jacket. <br />Cause Why Not?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="716" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicztCtU9_7eIhQm53yVFYUFvGhPESV8EiQ4Owrw1oS6BALbw7JTaC32CKtIubp4c-BVVjM9AYtntyjijFbRN6uwA3T3FbGq1iKDeD39WxMMdhEoTUF71aNLNP-3EhLSngbIjJvc43HhtgZ/s400/pic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="297" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You're guaranteed to find some inspiration. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8eUhe6VWwvrwX7rNZKijrq5EEufvG7HuZy07Lz0PXbkBLyGuGxyWFU0-ToRVXE6EGAPnmURJ-16i6__4pJEKkJNndHSfbfYPRPodpfwvNcnJcM-AU2EThQBJZZ2oLGm9uDq5de2VDT3X/s400/IMG_4477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my absolute favorite cuties at work. ^^<br />
Sabrina was my co-op teacher my first year, (and since then has also risen to an admin.).<br />
Her adorable style and manner is a perfect example of why style in Taiwan made this #top12 list.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIH-NtMn3p9Q9JoLdu2qhP3bqVjcA70xzjPnBXUckOA_lHsUXeR8iwQ7ld1lDWJs25mldGJO7JTR4_YGm-JQlMhbTG2ET1rZKIP7j-LbpzSFL92iVCAgul6nbsKveptrQvY5EKF9WutUZ/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIH-NtMn3p9Q9JoLdu2qhP3bqVjcA70xzjPnBXUckOA_lHsUXeR8iwQ7ld1lDWJs25mldGJO7JTR4_YGm-JQlMhbTG2ET1rZKIP7j-LbpzSFL92iVCAgul6nbsKveptrQvY5EKF9WutUZ/s400/IMG_3192.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs can be stylish too. ^^<br />
This photo was taken from a foreigner who also enjoys Taiwan's cuteness. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lTrLJ51_nlqO7uHmtgG2nL9eYuv5QzIA69943DVqOkySpWiGVlbu1zOg-fMj8RaQkY2CXZbZzlkmB7sxELT5avuqD_mLsUSeA-NVWY2PhUn85nABh64V-KmpG-biUnw-0UaAn9rSIwzO/s400/IMG_9738.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dogs deserve fancy haircuts, <br />and sometimes pushed in strollers.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few other things to mention; <br />-Taiwanese never go out with wet hair. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Protecting your skin from the sun can often seem more important than brushing your teeth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- You'll always find more independent boutiques and shops versus chain shopping centers, whether in the night market or department stores. (I love this since it means the outfit I'm buying is usually not going to be made in large quantities.) *Also supporting locals ^^ </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3rihn_5-q1fCnq-TRXirndTrFQSId7ELzi_zWjNXsT6gCISGXgtrwsxW7Y0XV0NJQ51AqhpWFCy4zjc73YAxXTJkv9NeN4Fdq3I4bJJrx_lPvp3cf-kSYNQidvKObA9IgLp6TI0eF8j9/s400/7518865568_IMG_3705.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What would you name your boutique?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoD3Quv-n9gqLlXzO2poGXtp_tkEQfCOCXJYYtXYlOR8XNMCGm1dA48sLjbtaF-T571V1q1nZmoktHn8DxGLSp9otfRU0CZZVMe9RlXYun6YHrL5KweJpSVsVfo6VXKJg7Koz4C3gBWGw/s400/IMG_4756.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I could have easily put skincare in a post itself with how much I have learned, how often I use it, and just how prevalent it is in this country. One of the biggest perks is that it is affordable to the average person. Every weekend at department stores you can learn something new or participate in some skin treatment if you like. When you enter a department store, or a shop, they are full of people at counters having discussions. Back in the USA, these areas were either ignored, avoided, too expensive, or frankly, the people were just rude. Not only will the clerks patiently spend their time to answer your questions, you learn the proper routines to take care of your skin daily without feeling ignorant to what it takes to do it on your own. This is essential. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xwu3xsB_MiyGcF8Iq5FcXvnCsu5K_jLOhd2puUNJbviW-G8cprNIj3bd-n3usiuOevHKHDNpker4EEVpOnoNBni_lCX7PuLQH8WGa76m5VQ97zSTmgFaLZ_ZnAqAowFb8cFEKOAfQ96F/s1600/7518865968_IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xwu3xsB_MiyGcF8Iq5FcXvnCsu5K_jLOhd2puUNJbviW-G8cprNIj3bd-n3usiuOevHKHDNpker4EEVpOnoNBni_lCX7PuLQH8WGa76m5VQ97zSTmgFaLZ_ZnAqAowFb8cFEKOAfQ96F/s400/7518865968_IMG_0665.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tutus, rainbow tights, & high tops. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for me personally, the range I've been able to express with, and encouraged to try, has led me to bloom in confidence of my own personal style. I am not claiming to be the Next Top Model by any means, but I can assure you I'm no longer afraid experiment, mismatch, or wear a piece that may look like it time traveled to my closet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whatever style entails, the Taiwanese have got it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-K</span><br />
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-23157058951477825572018-05-28T17:30:00.000+08:002018-05-31T22:55:58.596+08:00Endless Beauty in Bali <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylxar8v9P-68YpECKieQ08XAncdGDc8CccgSo5mKHO1Awek4znE25gAupW68k_TdxmTrZSztpuBBBZ3wlBG5jEZHfd3KAyGKpvkKH9obSNvuAIc8mYRnC5brXrWhwkjodZ-q6GO3CmLZT/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylxar8v9P-68YpECKieQ08XAncdGDc8CccgSo5mKHO1Awek4znE25gAupW68k_TdxmTrZSztpuBBBZ3wlBG5jEZHfd3KAyGKpvkKH9obSNvuAIc8mYRnC5brXrWhwkjodZ-q6GO3CmLZT/s640/IMG_0787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In a wonderful surprise I was upgraded to business class on my direct flight to the incredible Indonesian island of <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/attractions/top-ten.htm" target="_blank">Bali</a>. On my way to my seat, I grabbed a newspaper with an even bigger surprise on the front page; North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in were meeting for the first time in over a decade and exchanging footprints over 'their' borders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once at my spacious, fully-reclining seat with unlimited champagne, better food, and newly released movies, I was unexpectedly living the high-life. You can bet I arrived to Bali in an impressively good mood. However, traveling is never picture perfect, and there was plenty of time to lose my high-life buzz while waiting in line for nearly two hours to get through immigration.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmNeKKP0_NabnuzQnBnsD9xi-phLX48DAcVn7i0jEcz06Rto79-IyY2QJLLpd03wC6v4ceYzCZsrW0xj050iCXTfTS82tYm2xRJ8uAfJdPY2q_7RmBZdDd8rDPPBFvTORZMhMYgg_BfpC/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmNeKKP0_NabnuzQnBnsD9xi-phLX48DAcVn7i0jEcz06Rto79-IyY2QJLLpd03wC6v4ceYzCZsrW0xj050iCXTfTS82tYm2xRJ8uAfJdPY2q_7RmBZdDd8rDPPBFvTORZMhMYgg_BfpC/s640/IMG_3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the airport to look for my driver (who had left already). We eventually found each other after video chatting.<br />
She was standing in between a building and a wall, in a spot fit for one, I was walking up and down this array of names. ^^</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rightly so, my booked driver had left the airport thinking I was a no show, but luckily she wasn't more than 30 minutes away. <i>Tip #1: Don't buy internet (wifi) at the airport, buy locally on the streets for a much better price.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVHfXJZJ2oWHMo6mKA83iM03rjvsVzMW9YThcEJbhexqoTUnWk2w3rYL6iOTt9YyJQW7Dkqid70iXOT0SgsTbNPfQiA7DZa9Uq3A5ALefB9mP9kYp_mkPx-EXRmh85oYuIE0jUYEx9wQF/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVHfXJZJ2oWHMo6mKA83iM03rjvsVzMW9YThcEJbhexqoTUnWk2w3rYL6iOTt9YyJQW7Dkqid70iXOT0SgsTbNPfQiA7DZa9Uq3A5ALefB9mP9kYp_mkPx-EXRmh85oYuIE0jUYEx9wQF/s400/IMG_1352.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken on one of the last days of the trip at Tanah Lot.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the airport you can see huge structures they've not moved even when building the airport. The sky was bright blue and green was everywhere to be seen. Large white and gold horse sculptures were nearby and a few round abouts featured impressively large sculptures of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama" target="_blank">Rama </a>(a major Hindu deity) with his bow and arrows and many warrior-like monkeys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The drive from the airport in Denpasar to Ubud took just over a hour and a half. We were driving through my first sunset in Bali, even with just a glimpse from the car window, I could tell it was a beautiful sunset. The sky turned from blues to pinks, teals to purples to golden oranges. And the moon was ENORMOUS! I was arriving just days before the full moon, but being so close to the equator puts you at an undeniable perfect spot to peer at the moon.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwEiYhabfYNe1RYTh6sCgdzZKdP4oNdYZLOUydUfjdGiKM7yc-vHpprWAsWpQYTSJF7ok1MxqKs9aFg5bINE38DyxWH_MGt9DzX3Bi7lLkHGKgXN2YM2KnsR-a_y4ekXuBV1go5_wyvaw/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwEiYhabfYNe1RYTh6sCgdzZKdP4oNdYZLOUydUfjdGiKM7yc-vHpprWAsWpQYTSJF7ok1MxqKs9aFg5bINE38DyxWH_MGt9DzX3Bi7lLkHGKgXN2YM2KnsR-a_y4ekXuBV1go5_wyvaw/s640/IMG_0731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">T H E P A L M S</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Religious_map_of_Indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for religion in indonesia" border="0" height="220" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Religious_map_of_Indonesia.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had a great chat with my lady driver. We talked about her family, and how it is common to have small families with one child. She told me a little bit about Hinduism, as 80% of Bali is Hindu. She mentioned another 10% are Muslim which is the majority of the rest of Indonesia. We talked about the rainy season, although I cant be sure what is true or not as each person I asked throughout my time gave me a different time frame. And then, of course, she requested to be my driver for any and all tours I wanted to do around the island. I really enjoyed her company so I did plan to use her for my first full day. But the prices were much more than using a driver app service called <a href="https://www.grab.com/ph/download/" target="_blank">GRAB </a>which I was luckily recommended to use before arriving, so I told her no for the remainder of my time in Ubud. <i>Tip #2: Use Grab and don't let them trick you by adding in their own 0's.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxt7fq7rkaWU8F9z2VSBLcPoGjS480-5tBJpdlWRgWjPqPo8OuY5RUZeIHulWvlYzYvXoCDUEiP73o0-8CfYftAdst_WIhXYsDwK1fYhgK_LdJ582zlUjQQ9VapUs9cM-0vjFLB8ZYhiQ/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxt7fq7rkaWU8F9z2VSBLcPoGjS480-5tBJpdlWRgWjPqPo8OuY5RUZeIHulWvlYzYvXoCDUEiP73o0-8CfYftAdst_WIhXYsDwK1fYhgK_LdJ582zlUjQQ9VapUs9cM-0vjFLB8ZYhiQ/s640/IMG_3483.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qWrXD9HUJ5ybGjB9KVQ3pjUnAby3U0hK1NjFfKvgFlZ1mRq2kXD8-ZOlbm_OV4ngkIzDkmuQWf-sBPeh-SIG1fHvouZvJjLsKmec-Ukc6LVIhGhcZEZRBId5LALyoE7RrKx6zEWSBfOU/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qWrXD9HUJ5ybGjB9KVQ3pjUnAby3U0hK1NjFfKvgFlZ1mRq2kXD8-ZOlbm_OV4ngkIzDkmuQWf-sBPeh-SIG1fHvouZvJjLsKmec-Ukc6LVIhGhcZEZRBId5LALyoE7RrKx6zEWSBfOU/s320/IMG_3411.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the time I arrived at Tukad Mas Bungalows it was dark out. They put me in a room overlooking the pool but said I'd be switching the next day. It was a well hidden, beautiful place to stay, with locals working and there to help any time needed. I was happy when one of them said he could take my up the road to a more popular area for restaurants and shopping.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG-EuL8ZpMf_5KTC_6zGXUEVdcSuInEjqxzGh8ihvmJwOG2UaSIPaanfuQzyoQhv3gHyz-FL9v4jqD0rG2zAnJo4OmYH92WbDFj2f0vIlgpmH6SOXFJEu7iYFGgl5Am6ol0kCIztTlmmH/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG-EuL8ZpMf_5KTC_6zGXUEVdcSuInEjqxzGh8ihvmJwOG2UaSIPaanfuQzyoQhv3gHyz-FL9v4jqD0rG2zAnJo4OmYH92WbDFj2f0vIlgpmH6SOXFJEu7iYFGgl5Am6ol0kCIztTlmmH/s400/IMG_3307.JPG" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I shared a table on the first level floor at <a href="http://clearcafebali.com/open/" target="_blank">Clear Cafe</a>. A popular spot for its 'clean' healthy food with ingredients from local Balinese farmers. I tried a traditional Bali dish, Nasi Campur with seafood. Nasi means rice, campur means 'a mix.' I couldn't believe the flavors all on one plate. While at the table I read about an <a href="http://clearworldresorts.com/benefits/" target="_blank">Oasis </a>with Clear Cafe. An opportunity to invest in land right there in Bali. 100 plots, already 88 sold at that time...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the time I finished up dinner it was just after 9 and much of the area was quite. I was pleasantly surprised that Ubud was not a party area. I'd expected with it's recent popularity from "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/sep/25/elizabeth-gilbert-rachel-cusk-rereading" target="_blank">Eat Pray Love</a>" for it to be lively. It was nice to see it kept it's peacefulness. At least for a small island with over 4 million people on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Sunday, April 29th </b>was my first full day in Bali. As a brief reminder, I had broken my arm exactly one month before, and I had only gotten the cast off two days before going to Bali. Because of this, the activities I was able to do, and should only do, changed a bit. Mostly anything in the ocean was out, and hiking up Mt. Batur, or any other sunrise hikes, was out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fLMPMGkLFsy66RemgqlsIp-osErIDcDEDHJSwq4xYEePSC5Z9MOlyyh3H5pynK3WJUeICz3PbpN824fgMwzT_U7SWY8ZIjTNmka1AYg3xd2tUs-QxE2fLzGpIw37aho5A7UvjsZR_Ynf/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fLMPMGkLFsy66RemgqlsIp-osErIDcDEDHJSwq4xYEePSC5Z9MOlyyh3H5pynK3WJUeICz3PbpN824fgMwzT_U7SWY8ZIjTNmka1AYg3xd2tUs-QxE2fLzGpIw37aho5A7UvjsZR_Ynf/s400/IMG_3319.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had some delicious banana pancakes with Balianese coffee <br />
offered by the guesthouse before switching rooms. </td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc5Nf6AdPaEpQj6U-ejMwX2MFDOjLFCeJ1fjy5IfXONnOcQrYEdbnk3wHkVm4AMBn0yaM88CTG62R1UhxArG3L3pKh47n80xwXeKGmv2ds2gubOhtjFqVlJc6dIRNmPDqZzz949rGF5gH/s640/IMG_0738.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My first stop for the day was at a </span><a href="http://www.most-expensive.coffee/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Kopi Luwak</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Coffee Plantation. Also known as 'cat poop coffee.' It is</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the most expensive coffee in the world (!) for it's unusual methods. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLpEB3NTqyfeD-b9sT3encZ_5Eo_rtFU1WkdjxSPjGatZ2S6BmaL9XNolQASS55mbQzbgJtyRrum_nojhiHGx-bc2Wh_K10_a5QLxXZmr0WksQ2OqNZpVBHMLdkbxY0KLI0QcdMV67nBB/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLpEB3NTqyfeD-b9sT3encZ_5Eo_rtFU1WkdjxSPjGatZ2S6BmaL9XNolQASS55mbQzbgJtyRrum_nojhiHGx-bc2Wh_K10_a5QLxXZmr0WksQ2OqNZpVBHMLdkbxY0KLI0QcdMV67nBB/s400/IMG_0727.JPG" width="266" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY6R_PSM9vfVeja2YNGYQlR8NPZtSXsGpAYOBjt0UjxNJO-5Y527ZpFdtWAb8VTLNZBQ2BPHaCXclBSP_2ntlD-NGEJ6cgrANa6ZKTMDx4YYR8hoqUBdSjimIY4jwaWGyKOInWLUhr_UD/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Above on the left is ground up coffee beans after they've been digested and exited the palm <a href="http://www.most-expensive.coffee/palm-civet-cats-luwaks/" target="_blank">civet cat</a>, known in Bali as the luwak (right). </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62sXUeO4z9ke9aaiKh5MGRT9Yd20-X-R_ktVI2Xnw59BykWGHHVwA5NVv5azN6fSnwrFo2G8GJYt8TTmrwrhfg1Ppmte3gGzcR9wA5XsyTMWxEdQCm3Rtl4Gw68y8f90Mko_rsOfzl7_7/s1600/IMG_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62sXUeO4z9ke9aaiKh5MGRT9Yd20-X-R_ktVI2Xnw59BykWGHHVwA5NVv5azN6fSnwrFo2G8GJYt8TTmrwrhfg1Ppmte3gGzcR9wA5XsyTMWxEdQCm3Rtl4Gw68y8f90Mko_rsOfzl7_7/s640/IMG_0747.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since I was flying solo in Bali I had my own tour guide who brought me 14 different teas and coffees to try, for free! I also tried the luwak coffee. When in Bali. </span></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiJkI82xHGTUcgBp5E8nTsKA2JaWyVdCalvpalMu3B5MMl75iQ7auWQmsUhQuzBzxctgen0oZBog0m09tuFv76s0uvwwyH3wqgpZiycdHefYM9jeDhtReu0h3jCMqT06kCMxeu9h-0CYc/s640/IMG_0757.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Around the plantation you could begin to see the rice fields, but the biggest attraction was the </span><a href="http://baliswing.com/activities/swing" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Bali Swings.</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>I thought the price seemed a bit ridiculous, so I used my arm as an easy excuse to not be bothered to swing. It worked, I was only asked half a dozen times. ^^ </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCbVonj58FavECwkhzyfm9ze22B5hofBlZgFzO9cfZezgKPTZa8e7qS4b2iqOLtZ1sNzUGw7Jx2qaFfQ-ujX1Ynd63rO7hfpO9wMSJHAv-EjaI1gVTf3YUAHB6bmgEoB07hPVUVINS5a2/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCbVonj58FavECwkhzyfm9ze22B5hofBlZgFzO9cfZezgKPTZa8e7qS4b2iqOLtZ1sNzUGw7Jx2qaFfQ-ujX1Ynd63rO7hfpO9wMSJHAv-EjaI1gVTf3YUAHB6bmgEoB07hPVUVINS5a2/s400/IMG_0765.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Instead I crawled into the few 'bird's nests' that were also a popular photo opt. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJM-jhLfhDIdDE1mFk58pVyGwkwJmZQJMqBuSTXZC0vukmSUiVujtR1o50RcqVpEo6BTmA4yhB1KNCrvZGUBtiT4RzmQEOYN0_1y9wmgQ-F65EE-MiTsgBnYYfdgN0BKRR_T8KfYQC3Ls/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJM-jhLfhDIdDE1mFk58pVyGwkwJmZQJMqBuSTXZC0vukmSUiVujtR1o50RcqVpEo6BTmA4yhB1KNCrvZGUBtiT4RzmQEOYN0_1y9wmgQ-F65EE-MiTsgBnYYfdgN0BKRR_T8KfYQC3Ls/s640/IMG_0753.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was here I began to notice just how many couples, <br />fresh off the love boat couples, were everywhere in Bali.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGkEle2U-xg9S9aLQmgk7iWIhqwS2izQm82MiL4l3C8-qAM293lty-7_axb7-mRArv5tZs6rZaM4sZe5wjXRK1d2ag4zF9RyMrkJCWQ0A-4KpaAMzvHFI7z1vE5vl4bp2paowdwIUp7gn/s640/IMG_0769.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next my driver (the one from the airport pickup) took me to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/ubud/tegallalang-rice-terraces.htm" target="_blank">Tegallalong </a>Rice Fields. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURvQFQPOg1CwIrA2Jjbmk9keCRn1uVa9KR52vRCZxTUxicyh-_Espf-CBSujziDgdxKC1f8_Ll6N86V6r7FmYKDWyOpPaaWjrfDN_RKvv4UqD9iUAMgkVj2YuVRSXazR7FL30h7qbzCMi/s640/IMG_0808.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Probably the biggest attraction in Ubud area next to Monkey Forest. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8qgNOGE957JkdtmeLX_sa-7YvsmimdkILVfgN1_rbznhutnUhtW0YMZUlR8UooHUS4nlheZIN4lCpGeW5_2vY517YdYBx5lF14pNVVl0UWebLi-eSeri-L25uCAWjgo2Pi7Z_KpojRre/s1600/IMG_0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8qgNOGE957JkdtmeLX_sa-7YvsmimdkILVfgN1_rbznhutnUhtW0YMZUlR8UooHUS4nlheZIN4lCpGeW5_2vY517YdYBx5lF14pNVVl0UWebLi-eSeri-L25uCAWjgo2Pi7Z_KpojRre/s640/IMG_0803.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The richest shades of green layered into the land were the background to an endless street of coffee shops, artwork, and market peddlers and vendors. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEOY3yk0L6Ulq8P29FeXPP05iCheyWpjY9fvdIP0gLiphbg7hGw0kV9UuTC9QjC9KY4derYk5JGcz0zccSgv3LJs_unX7R-2TvnXaF6FXsQrjas8ulvIHUix5knZRQe7tpukWNUJQz0qb/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEOY3yk0L6Ulq8P29FeXPP05iCheyWpjY9fvdIP0gLiphbg7hGw0kV9UuTC9QjC9KY4derYk5JGcz0zccSgv3LJs_unX7R-2TvnXaF6FXsQrjas8ulvIHUix5knZRQe7tpukWNUJQz0qb/s640/IMG_0774.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqivi6YVRiQ_SJrJAZosJTrKERv2Ge8hyGnFUHnXJeAmMe-HCF-2vWjeG4wPLOW9oth_WJ_893wTu5QLAAWg6ZtJcehYjqXWbWWkZYb0yP4zlRfZDoNAYkahYgd2VJoxjYTzw-VoiNb_lb/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqivi6YVRiQ_SJrJAZosJTrKERv2Ge8hyGnFUHnXJeAmMe-HCF-2vWjeG4wPLOW9oth_WJ_893wTu5QLAAWg6ZtJcehYjqXWbWWkZYb0yP4zlRfZDoNAYkahYgd2VJoxjYTzw-VoiNb_lb/s640/IMG_0827.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had to be careful again walking through the often steep, and sometimes muddy fields, but the views were breathtaking so I made a maze out of my own chosen path and before leaving the area had a late lunch at a gorgeous corner spot at the edge of Tegallalong. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvWPfSMN9uYy5iVa9TYzGrv9_ZlysE9rLVa3b03CsZmK8e1xSL-xGWns8n2N9Tm0MujnqGJO3FrSlcFsYcj_F-cTyGfUS9yhknwDla7mcjNhhqgZoOkx3pRoe1h9FHeQK86tbGcFRTeFX/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvWPfSMN9uYy5iVa9TYzGrv9_ZlysE9rLVa3b03CsZmK8e1xSL-xGWns8n2N9Tm0MujnqGJO3FrSlcFsYcj_F-cTyGfUS9yhknwDla7mcjNhhqgZoOkx3pRoe1h9FHeQK86tbGcFRTeFX/s640/IMG_0843.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B A L I L O V E </span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeJmGK6SRUPnwClw8LBViWKoLyHjfvQ4S6XQolXec4jK_VBqTOzb19NHjRBx44mjedLzUWohuozfDCyvWmrG2eDApWmxtJFYRFKg4R6frXTSI3ndBqcUMXUvS5UywxZhbk9e1kLGR1cE2/s1600/IMG_0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeJmGK6SRUPnwClw8LBViWKoLyHjfvQ4S6XQolXec4jK_VBqTOzb19NHjRBx44mjedLzUWohuozfDCyvWmrG2eDApWmxtJFYRFKg4R6frXTSI3ndBqcUMXUvS5UywxZhbk9e1kLGR1cE2/s640/IMG_0852.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE BIGGEST PALM TREES</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH87ogzIOPDlyncdTeFcNzEaMChj7P3XDxpBjV1M3TCUn3gSZWk4WYcrFprxqcVBVLdiZChq2MDGvVBDz70fAXQ6mI6hX-Ggd26Dv59j0ChoBW-LihaSlmeaNk7q5dlIevE1iFNIu4QIw-/s400/IMG_0817.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjxFTw7Mz4CtKA_hY2Db7X1wAOKVhw_lt5rnyu09JEqQfSZuKdz1MtY0fo2lCa2exTClZvpnKb0IMQ3sz1_Xq7yqxGXr3DyBBOzJr5TNYF4XBtt3hfU2LBemDXE8Ky26Ac0MmcFXXJdem/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjxFTw7Mz4CtKA_hY2Db7X1wAOKVhw_lt5rnyu09JEqQfSZuKdz1MtY0fo2lCa2exTClZvpnKb0IMQ3sz1_Xq7yqxGXr3DyBBOzJr5TNYF4XBtt3hfU2LBemDXE8Ky26Ac0MmcFXXJdem/s640/IMG_0786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFdGFybGKQdtadI7_POkdq0wL3V5QSkNjWObiCIOxKd4ZH9X8GPJ4YcgNIriS6RmQo8pTM-aM4U5GAWe8WfdVTbW_EMHtalLzqtfO1d4Dyap_IMEcuMy1E-Jvp_mTw0EVkqdgBdi5MUml/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFdGFybGKQdtadI7_POkdq0wL3V5QSkNjWObiCIOxKd4ZH9X8GPJ4YcgNIriS6RmQo8pTM-aM4U5GAWe8WfdVTbW_EMHtalLzqtfO1d4Dyap_IMEcuMy1E-Jvp_mTw0EVkqdgBdi5MUml/s400/IMG_0821.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shot I wanted?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> T E G A L L A L A N G </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIEpn08tjWjYLdTmE6lQHA6q-c-qKV275C_Tloy0zT3g8zL_cKZXlLepOc09o1FkIL2RZ3SgYGRzaP8DqmwyBJwPzO7kLmNNRuoaFYm3M-8rfzdhfsE73fljIqEwHcIv7oavVcAdUO8WV/s400/IMG_0835.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJ1Ykp6Mr2xIUZN258LeLVT3sQVjgGRK4_CLPmrqnp7lQ6Q0ImBYRTvUZCCwuZ6xI4tYfgqRM7pb4U1KmuFZQCX_Lr3oIM1ttPbqo7VQYZ8KLjw87ZdLLxAYCXn5hfVvL05vF4KWqssbr/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJ1Ykp6Mr2xIUZN258LeLVT3sQVjgGRK4_CLPmrqnp7lQ6Q0ImBYRTvUZCCwuZ6xI4tYfgqRM7pb4U1KmuFZQCX_Lr3oIM1ttPbqo7VQYZ8KLjw87ZdLLxAYCXn5hfVvL05vF4KWqssbr/s640/IMG_0840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8Jsbflq6Tt3nKS64Jo4zqzI1JMxmNHPJJ1OBNyHXRyMzQ6QaQDpa6cvfaIhBcni5ToYzDCGRmaSWmUe_zu52Hb4iKV2Jsxmh1m6Z_Uf84VYLgtKx6byarZKUCps06G3yC7sfFi_K-r1a/s400/IMG_0837.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdX6GK83HWwNkoPWJ7WKs6XKu0_pD28MJxKwt-C05iAF39WT04_WBHGnNbg1z7OTjYxuzxFPJgbXM1Xj8BwvHUlCdVQWnnoEn_8sRkJa-51KdjeOPa_fzEjqKfcO5_QYQg1n7ibYxLeQ7r/s400/IMG_0846.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted to stop e v e r y w h e r e along the way.<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusqjnkJLRPpeZpsC5JSZ2qIYYw70WQMNrXgtKbRJjOky4AciRxaJTo0ry7XicZMrU3mW9zwUCWVncfjgcOkQE9em8ry-VWkQsVRvlkmnWYpUuVHPrJvjz6m3mRqv_92EoLIlsQhslGtdO/s400/IMG_0858.JPG" width="400" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">& I did. Too much souveniring for my first day outing. ^^</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZypk2WOBABbhwSPPAH5AAMPgmEFj8zWFr1m4J6CtVOubv0wjFuldlkSz2A2vlRrH9goUNGE-XY0KQmop0d_a-Km83qEfeJ0tYZnHU_hXZ-vN51718xhEcLVLd1xnr3Ty2eF7mHS_905k/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZypk2WOBABbhwSPPAH5AAMPgmEFj8zWFr1m4J6CtVOubv0wjFuldlkSz2A2vlRrH9goUNGE-XY0KQmop0d_a-Km83qEfeJ0tYZnHU_hXZ-vN51718xhEcLVLd1xnr3Ty2eF7mHS_905k/s640/IMG_0864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm0TJ9k0pw4zDveCPrSS-4cIMlTfu_HoduT0q44NygQ7BE_N9EeP3TXa_tGRVNUz5kzyoeH9TXjJbXGZYdg3a1inbqQE8qpI91QzQxpWeG8YTXl0I8riRdWwvrxZHl5gxG61xD7sk7qSG/s1600/IMG_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm0TJ9k0pw4zDveCPrSS-4cIMlTfu_HoduT0q44NygQ7BE_N9EeP3TXa_tGRVNUz5kzyoeH9TXjJbXGZYdg3a1inbqQE8qpI91QzQxpWeG8YTXl0I8riRdWwvrxZHl5gxG61xD7sk7qSG/s640/IMG_0866.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh5Cv6PryCCfjQ0Xat_jUS8Y48ObjTry2sNyill5Dx5_dptBETpR2ty57emPWOumXjOgnlcHBkGxM2TItSwDO5kLaZV2GVaKe6zH_35hqRjAzhIqBffKiSGiOMg6Qp_H03crewNU5TtYy/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlh5Cv6PryCCfjQ0Xat_jUS8Y48ObjTry2sNyill5Dx5_dptBETpR2ty57emPWOumXjOgnlcHBkGxM2TItSwDO5kLaZV2GVaKe6zH_35hqRjAzhIqBffKiSGiOMg6Qp_H03crewNU5TtYy/s400/IMG_0861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> G O A G A J A H </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOlZt0idt6trVlbaIkuyzLzZqYoor050Wzsbl-kfd_G_Lx0csG23neREPRbOyGt5IYBrok9H0gEO_SxF37mxBWc6wlF5ZpYURh93KJsppOFqvNN2ULYwoToJ8KrcdlmTxANZ3sQAOC0DR/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOlZt0idt6trVlbaIkuyzLzZqYoor050Wzsbl-kfd_G_Lx0csG23neREPRbOyGt5IYBrok9H0gEO_SxF37mxBWc6wlF5ZpYURh93KJsppOFqvNN2ULYwoToJ8KrcdlmTxANZ3sQAOC0DR/s640/IMG_0909.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last stop was <a href="http://discoveryourindonesia.com/goa-gajah-temple/" target="_blank">Goa Gajah</a> or Elephnat Cave, which was minutes from my home-stay. Goa Gajah is a</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Hindu temple built in the eleventh century B.C. This cave was used as a meditation place.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> The mouth of the cave was carved by hand and is called a bhoma. This bhoma is said to represent the Hindu Earth God, Bhumi. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKm8HWekos1U_ffAkwxElZ2cX4Fqix1Xv5lEWjtOtuBeGQiqZzGwznj07vxu-hRTzESV32WVPL1qz-mQ0MsWBXSGcBO2mvUG8NjCRtzaq5y7WsGKO9oRMaJOWsiZgt78WUw871VF2hIby/s640/IMG_0872.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> i spy, with my little eye, something white..</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdgbCngHLjlxeZYJuGdXOF_3iaS4lOrhnBmaZTvyvLmMO8x4DzugVTUBgDUk_rk_4_w5u5kDM0iImZt5RzfQImP1dAzjfsjbfpbxwDEsMPVNIlr3NceZxWPf6w_9xVIPzoEPtlzv-MIea/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdgbCngHLjlxeZYJuGdXOF_3iaS4lOrhnBmaZTvyvLmMO8x4DzugVTUBgDUk_rk_4_w5u5kDM0iImZt5RzfQImP1dAzjfsjbfpbxwDEsMPVNIlr3NceZxWPf6w_9xVIPzoEPtlzv-MIea/s640/IMG_0882.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Water fountain of Six <a href="http://balitour.net/view/goa-gajah-the-ancient-inheritances-of-hindu-and-buddha/" target="_blank">Hindu </a>Angels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "noto serif" , serif; font-size: 15px;">"In front of the cave, there is an ancient shower statue in a holy pool which until 1954 had been covered by dirt. At 1954 this place was excavated and six “Widyadhari” or female angels statues were found; three on the northern part and three on the southern part. These angels statues are placed on the “Padma” or lotus base. Lotus in Hinduism is a symbol of the universe. The six Wiyadhari statues shed water into the pool as the symbol of fertility."</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNrlH-fYJ0gwe_j20WB7GY11zmpDnaiEg7RuTi-qixCWjG3591yyXHnIqvm9PLG9vqdhVPR6P3bBjHVQ-vPMhg7RYjTO-ijHgkiuSie-4JjfYdB8wmHP7_L10qbnwPPUgGvkvq3WNMwE8/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNrlH-fYJ0gwe_j20WB7GY11zmpDnaiEg7RuTi-qixCWjG3591yyXHnIqvm9PLG9vqdhVPR6P3bBjHVQ-vPMhg7RYjTO-ijHgkiuSie-4JjfYdB8wmHP7_L10qbnwPPUgGvkvq3WNMwE8/s640/IMG_0877.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S T O N Y </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb2DbwVhMoNug_Vdmch_S1IeFmiXr2H1Coh02cVZCjRvg-7l8Zc2CdHCOmcKEfx3ESomfDlmU8frXuES3uwmHhagjToWWySAecMxmxC_E6KHXi55dU6SDGKD8YNHXY3S20NRrmLN9ci27/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb2DbwVhMoNug_Vdmch_S1IeFmiXr2H1Coh02cVZCjRvg-7l8Zc2CdHCOmcKEfx3ESomfDlmU8frXuES3uwmHhagjToWWySAecMxmxC_E6KHXi55dU6SDGKD8YNHXY3S20NRrmLN9ci27/s400/IMG_0873.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAahSEODlIEa6i6z29l2M8OpD9uthkTUl3fdEDpsB4HJ6FOejmOjwEYqP3lXfbTiowVXes38mDrYNw26AhhRzBIvl5L6jFdU_EztYMNYFSVPEMsoY2nGP35TCtTP3FfWSayVAw9G6f2ZR4/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAahSEODlIEa6i6z29l2M8OpD9uthkTUl3fdEDpsB4HJ6FOejmOjwEYqP3lXfbTiowVXes38mDrYNw26AhhRzBIvl5L6jFdU_EztYMNYFSVPEMsoY2nGP35TCtTP3FfWSayVAw9G6f2ZR4/s400/IMG_0889.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LrE_28MZkiroy5MONuCNjjeyo7zGPPgo97rt7S_JPg-CQEee0j4h56i89J47LSli6Sgx5ye0RBxdXyyKEXXqK17QfZc-IQfT84infmsgjvd2tfNQ7BoZ5RhsQhTyDq5aFxXopZTfYHTL/s640/IMG_0896.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Buddhist temples in the area were estimated to have been built in the eight century B.C. The Hindu temples around tenth century B.C. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlvDhpcpVXsnk7DJqERX-nB4ygCdFvjL0dV02V_sHcprvnFj87SA7ndM86Fplpdty81Llmhyphenhyphen1ShsEYImGFWeLu2jzHBkW78NlizPpjnidfiv8ltCdOEACKzMCab1Gk_Kx7cLQ7CjanLRP/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Offerings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">T U K A D M A S </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocIK-SJgrQK2TUsoWjT0-x_lKdjyRgxQWw7n3qL0nw7IDwX9P4xrmrBW6iH_fLpy8pIslGuxSpIW-82p8He9YquB3AZyotfSS21FItlQ_qmoU18aqeqLvUe2_9RgqVNhOINL69Weschsu/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocIK-SJgrQK2TUsoWjT0-x_lKdjyRgxQWw7n3qL0nw7IDwX9P4xrmrBW6iH_fLpy8pIslGuxSpIW-82p8He9YquB3AZyotfSS21FItlQ_qmoU18aqeqLvUe2_9RgqVNhOINL69Weschsu/s640/IMG_0925.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back for a rest and dinner at my home-stay. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RYQvS1lJlyN3t7nhL9OAKGdA005NYNjQQH_iWCFmQiE-601IvVFW5U-BnuxHk0UUJWO03J-KKJ8dEAOXXpks4bQz8ziDP80yTs_bCKlASlBv3y4NmvCrmnPpL10Iqd4bzSs_3P5ZrExL/s400/IMG_0926.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLovBlFQgoFxjFj2MuctUXSLKzn4lXlcY05n-J9ACvgz7wCkZVTDtEDwCPngMe2jlFtNL3uTvlf4rESo9xFdzIPdxmqHn8WcMRauAp7i1cbfgq8eiXqMn8AAA_IIQTi4imaYYGGO2kMDc/s1600/IMG_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLovBlFQgoFxjFj2MuctUXSLKzn4lXlcY05n-J9ACvgz7wCkZVTDtEDwCPngMe2jlFtNL3uTvlf4rESo9xFdzIPdxmqHn8WcMRauAp7i1cbfgq8eiXqMn8AAA_IIQTi4imaYYGGO2kMDc/s640/IMG_0934.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just before 7:30 I walked down the road to </span><a href="http://www.armabali.com/museum/performances/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Arma Rai </a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Museum of <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/ubud/agung-rai-museum-of-art.htm" target="_blank">Art </a>and Resort to watch their weekly Legong Dances. Before the performance, a group of older men came out and began to play instruments; bells, gongs, flutes, drums and wooden xylophones. The men were full of smiles which made the whole thing more fun to watch. The sounds were beautiful, and just one night before the full moon, the evening was set for the performers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpbK8BHt948JU3KCf62jO4Vn6szIjWY5Eg155fGroT-afRroAr2_YE2Vy1ov5hyphenhyphenvwcmJFzyros7cmHcj_HKKwj9MTRl8UToEL0xpOoqe-DMdUmJNNE_50PDP4Ag4mJhtTT_QldoYUsING/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpbK8BHt948JU3KCf62jO4Vn6szIjWY5Eg155fGroT-afRroAr2_YE2Vy1ov5hyphenhyphenvwcmJFzyros7cmHcj_HKKwj9MTRl8UToEL0xpOoqe-DMdUmJNNE_50PDP4Ag4mJhtTT_QldoYUsING/s640/IMG_3419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The headdresses and traditional dress for the men and the woman were beyond exquisite. So colorful, bright, and golden. They moved in such unique ways, even under the weight of their outfits. Their eyes and facial expressions seemed to be a large part of the dance's interpretation. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdMJguWMTKCNE3f4QZRKkGjKRfDkGyov9G6K0e3clyigbFz8T_bnsXIee4nxW_vPxpmLTEE8jLlDdgF_5SOHg2wnK9DUITv0FOO23shXe3zpddRCiCcPHV_PfARoW2108luvFWlLRrhxc/s1600/IMG_3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdMJguWMTKCNE3f4QZRKkGjKRfDkGyov9G6K0e3clyigbFz8T_bnsXIee4nxW_vPxpmLTEE8jLlDdgF_5SOHg2wnK9DUITv0FOO23shXe3zpddRCiCcPHV_PfARoW2108luvFWlLRrhxc/s640/IMG_3426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPYKFeYxwncKyFc8pwoksoAu2BONUdgv_FhrLP9hyErTisQmjoz2FvoJdlzbf3jY2GliI3xEK9mN8sm4dRKJ972mWum6dTy2OBytMrRGcOCL_xnjzgotGDAV3LkHtW0bH_A8JWSLijKgX/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPYKFeYxwncKyFc8pwoksoAu2BONUdgv_FhrLP9hyErTisQmjoz2FvoJdlzbf3jY2GliI3xEK9mN8sm4dRKJ972mWum6dTy2OBytMrRGcOCL_xnjzgotGDAV3LkHtW0bH_A8JWSLijKgX/s400/IMG_3444.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Legong Dances were originally royal court performances only seen within palace walls. The dance is done by young girls, possibly even originally young boys. The dance is still considered Bali's most classical performance and has been well-preserved throughout the generations.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfatYdGjycHql9VKq10JqElIS3IpQsyrcSYjhXyHzGDdL4YOPiuMvDPNLPgLFV5I0VgsPwXXDvaAiLN1FCbZVVkV2T6kdmuTLPCv8tHCQOKe1I1Eyb8NML5p3-dnGTziic6XbTlktr3bq/s400/IMG_3454.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are somewhere over a dozen different stories to be told through the Legong dances. The one I watched was a story about King Lasem's intention to marry Princess Rangkersari, but the princess refused. Her brother defeats the King in battle, and the princess is reunited with her lover. I'm not sure what the creature above is supposed to represent, but this beast with long nails, wild eyes, and long hair is featured in paintings and sculptures all over Bali.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmS8GbxlmMkd25Ay07gENvTXhAzX9s1nfbyySNAgbSRGnPodKYvI0IM1ev6GpZjoBkeu4-cCwWggMqJIZ-hNTJsoKZQQc_Y85ksFyMPV5NPxWsv_Qce_BzLd2URDTQyadlJuVgEC8HwAi/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmS8GbxlmMkd25Ay07gENvTXhAzX9s1nfbyySNAgbSRGnPodKYvI0IM1ev6GpZjoBkeu4-cCwWggMqJIZ-hNTJsoKZQQc_Y85ksFyMPV5NPxWsv_Qce_BzLd2URDTQyadlJuVgEC8HwAi/s400/IMG_3488.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday, April 30</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I woke up to banana pancakes and Bali coffee again. I could have eaten it every morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I took my first Grab bike (scooter) to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/campuhan-ridge-walk-bali.htm" target="_blank">Campuhan</a> Ridge Walk. It was an extremely sunny day, but it was nice to get out the constant flow of traffic and into some fresh air. I didn't bring enough water to complete the trail, so I headed back to the Ubud Art Market in central Ubud afterwards.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"If you wish to enter the temple you must be dressed properly in respect for the Balinese Hindu religion." </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoN6sBSXMgFtgod0ivlsbUed2vKdW-B1KkECw9th8YE7GkN62cgT60CrTYM2p-TWdHgVVIDiJ6sE-aOjY2m43F46TrQcfGG7_8wFUCNsAKp5bytEEdoNI-WyCgTP-XysfyALuYzRlvT7x/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoN6sBSXMgFtgod0ivlsbUed2vKdW-B1KkECw9th8YE7GkN62cgT60CrTYM2p-TWdHgVVIDiJ6sE-aOjY2m43F46TrQcfGG7_8wFUCNsAKp5bytEEdoNI-WyCgTP-XysfyALuYzRlvT7x/s400/IMG_0977.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I could easily spend days walking around the streets of the <a href="http://nowbali.co.id/exploring-ubud-art-market/" target="_blank">Ubud Art Market</a>. I wasn't to thrilled about the constant shouting out for you to buy something, but it is all easily manageable once you're used to the pestering that is typical of outdoor day and night markets. Since I had already purchased dresses and paintings, I was pulling the reigns back on purchases. But the walk alone was exceptional.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFagCqhHdLeQP7IQYWlv8HQfxCYDPRKLUjn710RZBj0q2HTBOUahK7UrgOovpdcKwDdcNk0MbIojUelBr6I2ZVYit5xSplu_B3easQiXBLJJGlu18v204Chl9qVvJxDxqraema4j4-Rd9n/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFagCqhHdLeQP7IQYWlv8HQfxCYDPRKLUjn710RZBj0q2HTBOUahK7UrgOovpdcKwDdcNk0MbIojUelBr6I2ZVYit5xSplu_B3easQiXBLJJGlu18v204Chl9qVvJxDxqraema4j4-Rd9n/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I walked to <a href="http://www.earthcafebali.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Earth Cafe</a>; "One peaceful world through nutrition." In the area were dozens of nutrition, vegan friendly, recyclable, Earth lovin' shops, restaurants, you name it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also came across a large group of foreigners, at first glance many would them call 'hippies' or 'hipsters,' singing a beautiful song, almost as if in church together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: start;">S E B A T U , T E G A L A L A N G </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a late lunch I waited for a friend of a friend, Endra, who picked me up on her scooter and drove me to her family's designated temple, <a href="https://baliislandsurf.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/sebatu-purification-bathing-ceremony/" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Sebatu</a><span style="text-align: start;">, Tegalalang. It was quite a drive up to the temple. Endra let me borrow a sarong, and the 'belt' to tie around my waist which is required of all people entering a temple in Bali.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn0XRVcA1__nzARGlOOq7rTz7Cx6jp0c1psCVbfcHLdKyZv_9ul2VIeRhB_1_2H7ekYqXRl8fe73aa3PZ13nzQw138yPRqAg7ZZ1yrwxoteIAkNlj6Cu2XWKv27BbcvoG34Ov-qLmSmco/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn0XRVcA1__nzARGlOOq7rTz7Cx6jp0c1psCVbfcHLdKyZv_9ul2VIeRhB_1_2H7ekYqXRl8fe73aa3PZ13nzQw138yPRqAg7ZZ1yrwxoteIAkNlj6Cu2XWKv27BbcvoG34Ov-qLmSmco/s400/IMG_1001.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedCebWvGCLTQXjDcxcTHAKZfIuYhhChev-bxpqZVgBIJZbMa3B0rJH72SSfOPGTUVGc574wBV1fqN-mR7KZhXzIiWztupqgBTm5eQZi30Tethvj8BGDjXj2wvhTxmIYa5F-z0KURU2qTx/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedCebWvGCLTQXjDcxcTHAKZfIuYhhChev-bxpqZVgBIJZbMa3B0rJH72SSfOPGTUVGc574wBV1fqN-mR7KZhXzIiWztupqgBTm5eQZi30Tethvj8BGDjXj2wvhTxmIYa5F-z0KURU2qTx/s320/IMG_1006.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once a year Endra and her family come here to take a holy bath and pray. This was the first time she was doing it without her family and bringing a guest with her. At the entrance she, among many others before her, left offerings consisting of flowers, candy, and also incense.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIb-0BauhS_6ziyi0KIp6Vh_dakcJYPKrO2MNBgzp5Jfl5WDaDFRUNdpvMNp_oZYTMyiGCxh-ogDOjH08jDwxbImOL6YAnyTGuVH82BpkwZdN6NOIK5xmMfmv_b-Rn1mvlAkCpgGyfXSc/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIb-0BauhS_6ziyi0KIp6Vh_dakcJYPKrO2MNBgzp5Jfl5WDaDFRUNdpvMNp_oZYTMyiGCxh-ogDOjH08jDwxbImOL6YAnyTGuVH82BpkwZdN6NOIK5xmMfmv_b-Rn1mvlAkCpgGyfXSc/s640/IMG_1008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pber4bb8NDLPgFnAVo36ajQrpNJsu9MF-Y39RxCiN0QqItCu9GEf2Ycqdd60vFUlzolr_Mcn2EOb9MdSufZra7YtoimZDbNgxGGGV-JXM-ycjCz_sDgiJr3g2y2iZPHJM5LYFOJYfugc/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pber4bb8NDLPgFnAVo36ajQrpNJsu9MF-Y39RxCiN0QqItCu9GEf2Ycqdd60vFUlzolr_Mcn2EOb9MdSufZra7YtoimZDbNgxGGGV-JXM-ycjCz_sDgiJr3g2y2iZPHJM5LYFOJYfugc/s400/IMG_1010.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We began taking the enormous steps down to the holy bath. She would share with me what I needed to do and I followed the actions while saying my own prayers in my head and pushing out any negativity left in my mind. This was such a unique experience, I kept my mind flowing with positive thoughts and dreams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once at the bottom, we joined others, young and old in the water. We prayed, bathed, prayed again, kneeled, and finished the ceremony after changing out of our wet clothes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bath consisted of submerging yourself in the three different 'waterfalls' for the allocated time you wished. Facing forward, and then back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe it was the build up, or the coolness of the rushing water, but it truly felt powerful. Endra and I had wished to stay longer, but there were many people as it was the day of the full moon.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The holy bath is on the left. On the right is where the ceremony and final prayers take place.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the evening, I had the most amazing meal for dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hongalia-Ubud/1841014199465553" target="_blank">Hongalia</a>, also within walking distance from my home-stay. It was a Chinese restaurant serving homemade curry noodles and delicious smoothies. Along with the couples, and I was also beginning to notice a trend of pregnant (foreign) woman in Ubud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P U R A B E S A K I H T E M P L E </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>May 1,</b> International Workers' Day, or Labor Day, for most countries in the world, landed on a Tuesday this year. Because of this holiday, it was an extra busy day. I arranged for a Grab Car to take me up to <a href="http://www.baligoldentour.com/besakih-temple.php" target="_blank">Besakih </a><a href="https://www.bali.com/temple_Karangasem_Pura-Besakih_83.html" target="_blank">Temple</a>, the mother temple of Bali. A nearly two hour drive, the Grab price was 280rp round trip, tourist price 500rp. Not to mention I got to meet a friendly local! My driver joined me at the temple since he had not been in 10 years.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0xOZ22SrehMF1ydqctQR0nI_e76aVmlh65iil01DFjw-7P6M2oWCarxRkS0FO4vRKIxxNJMFVvMSrNhjA8TiVDXJyDnBiEe9iXunQrF6H4knhM6Gh1ELzWlXQ5gt8OTMXmoYGlW9K3e_/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0xOZ22SrehMF1ydqctQR0nI_e76aVmlh65iil01DFjw-7P6M2oWCarxRkS0FO4vRKIxxNJMFVvMSrNhjA8TiVDXJyDnBiEe9iXunQrF6H4knhM6Gh1ELzWlXQ5gt8OTMXmoYGlW9K3e_/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mc1VbgM3iVJruxuIO-T1ZtcfFhqpq7uCFNYdjqaYr6hjhAY1Ika-FplXjcOQiB41w-hI48uxKG8gGkwRCg6VQFctU7LBi15doM4D3GEAmbCS1JyLji7G7d7b-OCjy79npXFGpILYXZbg/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mc1VbgM3iVJruxuIO-T1ZtcfFhqpq7uCFNYdjqaYr6hjhAY1Ika-FplXjcOQiB41w-hI48uxKG8gGkwRCg6VQFctU7LBi15doM4D3GEAmbCS1JyLji7G7d7b-OCjy79npXFGpILYXZbg/s400/IMG_1029.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Again, a sarong was needed and we explored and hiked up the steep stairs you find everywhere in Bali. There were lots of leftover donations from the days previous full moon celebrations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The temple sits in the slopes of Mt. Agung </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(the recently active volcano)</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. As we spent nearly two hours there, we caught Mt. Agung peering through the clouds.</span><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE62PU8JajPWt3hUodkSqt5mYfuitzEQwLute45WY0mmxixSbohU9qbY_MwULT8KTpP2JO96yHk65K1jQ045YiLraoMkslHc1KKyx07xiE6WLZo2we-X8lUAiqBppzuYW52jKo_D8uRrS/s640/IMG_3564.jpg" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; font-size: 13.3px; text-align: justify;">"The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription that dates from 1007 A.D. Since the Gelgel dynasty of the fifteenth century it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island."</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stairway to the largest Hindu temple in Bali. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSM6oDUQ8MAGqEa7N8I5h2GK_pM7ijmMpukoFBFjwiLa4mDMD4qL5WCCmqlv9Qw5C5Wc0pfYOYe52EFw_pn-tlwcPym5HlC2shDmCsea6uodWVhsnKunfBZ4PYxaHlMdhnoCJWfIFvh3-/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSM6oDUQ8MAGqEa7N8I5h2GK_pM7ijmMpukoFBFjwiLa4mDMD4qL5WCCmqlv9Qw5C5Wc0pfYOYe52EFw_pn-tlwcPym5HlC2shDmCsea6uodWVhsnKunfBZ4PYxaHlMdhnoCJWfIFvh3-/s640/IMG_1066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In a Bali state of mind. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back in Ubud by mid afternoon, I took a Grab bike to M</span><a href="https://www.monkeyforestubud.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">onkey Forest</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> which completely lived up to it's hype. Before even walking inside, monkeys lined the entry way. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDulUwRHxVxQ8ncjz8MjRZoGMzII0VWMvcauRhvSgo0iSSFhMzjnlMPUhynkMBWrTXvSceGCbUAfScD5Fk9raLdmb6JomGhDmkrUPV7_nCK9w2rnqX_Yw9xUJ6OZGaqT9ZhA1dHCJ0EBW/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Fi0tQ7W3m_HYCIl-yjGY9p0dr0rO4dCrrG-RdUP5uwRRZneLbF0t2-MnwoQkFdYXtxyYi7PWlWYNr_41eOyq6F3JrSQlLOYQUl3ORBeXyjQAc7kK1wZWtQNeaFPuhq4HBmJbic-BVDK/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Fi0tQ7W3m_HYCIl-yjGY9p0dr0rO4dCrrG-RdUP5uwRRZneLbF0t2-MnwoQkFdYXtxyYi7PWlWYNr_41eOyq6F3JrSQlLOYQUl3ORBeXyjQAc7kK1wZWtQNeaFPuhq4HBmJbic-BVDK/s320/IMG_1076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A strict rule to not feed them is enforced with good reason. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3Qg-voXz48LZMuc7n8UQKkqjkMOtJHnIdUgS2Vs2HsDXsr8m2l2UT_338OcDmyqOz8UETpz9ILCPPQaEKIWElGEb6te-iWEKsc4eWlRDjJbgZ7PJTryd_wSIJNukEqfXbtpl-eZFEyyW/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3Qg-voXz48LZMuc7n8UQKkqjkMOtJHnIdUgS2Vs2HsDXsr8m2l2UT_338OcDmyqOz8UETpz9ILCPPQaEKIWElGEb6te-iWEKsc4eWlRDjJbgZ7PJTryd_wSIJNukEqfXbtpl-eZFEyyW/s320/IMG_1088.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were mothers and babies, young males wrestling around, older males fighting for territory of trees (or females I couldn't be sure). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fights and screeches for coconuts or water bottles stolen from tourists. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course random monkey lovin' and pickin' each other's fleas was also in the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just before I was leaving, one little rascal grabbed my arm and climbed up it. I wasn't sure if that was allowed but somehow I maneuvered him off of me without any damage or confrontation.</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tPEaj9iGrFb-UqJMIxuoW5x9aDrratsYQJHeXjJRDeADaLOeOmWwhF4PLIPfvILLJZA_mwZeZE838clhaER_eeysYyVZc_wrAu8XRwSLdRouGVODgY43CNfliffoq3ZFZk_tTqcYwAaJ/s320/IMG_1092.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_40Orlw79kUHrBrKmfbfpX_YzcYHqgQLiPFds9Jh_lUw9uPoY-2Hnxi7ognsquMY2rjWpCrybcfgCPTcfIfcspGwwg6pg2Fc59rarFhyphenhyphen8hlNAsDXOAMurRJHO8T_fRi5Equd4H1EWPfJ/s320/IMG_1106.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My favorite shot at Monkey Forest.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXcWq6YPD8NST2CVSD-s41kDVn8GLaum7tNNoD4jo2-evXOfg1jaUuG8QS1Mic1behTJEkHTI1_EUnkXpdISyq33PBzlubNoEvOtz2LxcqlI3Efwr-oeBivjCNa-8iuMLq9MzjL2VNloj/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXcWq6YPD8NST2CVSD-s41kDVn8GLaum7tNNoD4jo2-evXOfg1jaUuG8QS1Mic1behTJEkHTI1_EUnkXpdISyq33PBzlubNoEvOtz2LxcqlI3Efwr-oeBivjCNa-8iuMLq9MzjL2VNloj/s640/IMG_1078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil..........Yeah, whatever. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-PMwl5IU0HEgKU__eAYpArLZFid2hnjyEmRuhXIPN6z2TN8FRn-_00mlCuUeY4F2zoHmHlsblDzQ0AaQLlwOrDiSwb2U9Jw9eDCwDP92tMOTNQs3DSxeWoGDMya3NN-reo3da2jpGtpe/s640/IMG_1118.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is that creature from the traditional dances again, from this painting he's not a welcome visitor. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdINg85gp2OMC4TUCI1rGtd3u6HV9m2_IcNkEBsIOjaYya9eWSPIOJ139LRy5h49fAHiYlSTFrjIMl3iB-tWp3xsNMLcU_2edtCPPXPrXgQUThshERw70UNnhN-kixsi_WofDSypIPQZT/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdINg85gp2OMC4TUCI1rGtd3u6HV9m2_IcNkEBsIOjaYya9eWSPIOJ139LRy5h49fAHiYlSTFrjIMl3iB-tWp3xsNMLcU_2edtCPPXPrXgQUThshERw70UNnhN-kixsi_WofDSypIPQZT/s400/IMG_1122.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">On Monkey Forest Road I found some enchiladas and iced lattes to cool down with. Then I ventured into a few of the </span><a href="https://utamaspicebali.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">shops</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">I had read about along the way before hearing some live music and deciding it was time to have my first Bali beer. Behind a small restaurant called No Mas, was a hidden gem of a place, </span><a href="https://www.folkubud.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Folks Pool and Garden</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">. With a swim up bar, day beds, and even a poolside cinema, this place was a perfect example of the hidden treasures that can be found right under your nose nearly everywhere in Bali. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I met a couple from South Africa fairly quickly. It was my third full day in Bali solo, and I was looking to socialize. Some chats and some drinks later another friend of theirs (Italian) joined us. Once we were all fit to eat, we took a short ride down to <a href="http://halalubudburgerbali.business.site/" target="_blank">Ubud Burger</a>, where we devoured our meals at one of the few places you can find beef. The night ended with me trying to keep my composure on the back of a motorcycle (again- broken arm was fresh) and then enjoying the full moon from the gorgeous balcony completely alone. ^^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also decided that night to check out of Ubud a day early and head to the islands. I wasn't getting any sunsets or o<a href="https://santorinidave.com/best-beaches-bali" target="_blank">cean views </a>from Ubud, as wonderful as it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">N U S A L E M B O N G A N </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH4-x-wcXacRK7It2O4dRZS3V-tLLGKv1nWuIR_S3v7QdI0PNG8vK9C2hh5U2ZLThb9MUFSK9Ia5bvVxJppUd8OXnXAx60HAibruy0DrlQGHSn8jhyMDuM9UKDEBk6jgXzQnjysi4rU63/s640/IMG_1125.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday morning, May 2</b>, I grabbed a Grab and made it to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/sanur/" target="_blank">Sanur</a>, a seaside town, also a docking station for those wishing to go to <a href="https://www.journeyera.com/things-to-do-on-nusa-lembongan-island/" target="_blank">Nusa Lembongan</a>, Nusa Ceningan, or Nusa Penida.</span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhi0m3pFzNI2TDuRK78jH1goJAREVpHcoa4lKuReeELj8tp-xhZ9pZWaDnupa6NuXHwFrWd4Ntc0MD_hd-RBdoNp40QZH-v9zvuBN7Q5ZOi6fEF9R6d8UKMtfc0JPuUdIRRa6oGT1wAt7/s640/IMG_1131.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A last minute booking of $14USD got me and O-M-G ocean view place to stay for the night on <a href="http://2driftingcoconuts.com/2017/09/21/a-complete-guide-to-nusa-lembongan-and-nusa-ceningan/" target="_blank">Nusa </a>Lembongan. I checked in by noon, settled, arranged some things, and then got right to the beach. Mt. Aguang was also visible from my room's deck.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsFJN85Tdnz8Cauz-RaVMC9hDiKot5CTZ8xYBeZ6BoEnPW6XIcI7-vHn95XOjujVrmgIQGo-6jyq8XHxPTAoLH_ALQsFogeuszl9UqIPwrhkckNMpe3OVa_lisFoZ4vK0Z7DecHmU9CZT/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsFJN85Tdnz8Cauz-RaVMC9hDiKot5CTZ8xYBeZ6BoEnPW6XIcI7-vHn95XOjujVrmgIQGo-6jyq8XHxPTAoLH_ALQsFogeuszl9UqIPwrhkckNMpe3OVa_lisFoZ4vK0Z7DecHmU9CZT/s640/IMG_1253.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJCfHWf4gyN7G4EfHLSCcizLss4jtjML1bgMAf2mmmnLhK-J4pCemDtafI-sPD5QylKFtHQ7fZw-IZCE6n-XmD1mFmcskDceudTnP_ly5ezNDyJl2YVLrMj8VBtX2TLbjlj3U8w5ALWyn/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJCfHWf4gyN7G4EfHLSCcizLss4jtjML1bgMAf2mmmnLhK-J4pCemDtafI-sPD5QylKFtHQ7fZw-IZCE6n-XmD1mFmcskDceudTnP_ly5ezNDyJl2YVLrMj8VBtX2TLbjlj3U8w5ALWyn/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I got a ride down to <a href="http://www.dreambeachlembongan.com/" target="_blank">Dream Beach</a> where Dream Beach Huts and restaurant was beautifully located. I had my first fresh coconut of the trip and grilled tuna.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tide was high, but I still managed to walk along the beach and dip into the water before continuing on. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi7ZwTR0ggjovdHbMNmNgr4SBjpnHS6THAn1o9yfHDaCU257Vp4Mcd2edC10hAYHhC7cbdcnafs1Fxbk_4_wYtHGdcAPGndTQNJfVqxpJJtVIMlrrx7dSQEyoZDtE6KBidIRCsjz5oUHl/s640/IMG_1146.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I walked next door to Devil's Tear, which has a unique shape, and when the ocean's high waves come rushing in, they leave behind a trail of mist and rainbows every few minutes. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB3PW4eAPO7USg6imYDUS_t9kOyYVz2Y_jiBq4BaY4Mhy4oM8Q97YNqucFhROp0sgeCfl4lNWzvVmuwXvNnv_1WvoaA5nPGysSyAR7uY2yUJLpAFxZommMAXnEgurR-RAzp9hmI644vnn/s640/IMG_1161.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafxELQPPWRzS3CpDGj28B3w5NVF0MluClsJXc4iSXdmwaJMQSL248bLE0jqG5XYPv3iiOkn79QRxlfZstg6oCBuU6vYdXwTVIHSwRrFKva8RImvU2AbKSWSb7Fo_XZnXBhQUZg1NMucC3/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafxELQPPWRzS3CpDGj28B3w5NVF0MluClsJXc4iSXdmwaJMQSL248bLE0jqG5XYPv3iiOkn79QRxlfZstg6oCBuU6vYdXwTVIHSwRrFKva8RImvU2AbKSWSb7Fo_XZnXBhQUZg1NMucC3/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This was the first time I was surrounded by tourists. I was told that something like 500 Chinese tourists were also visiting this island today. Yay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I carefully continued over the sharp edged rocks to the natural infinity pools also popular on Lembongan. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKn8L1FFN-TtJObmZqfWOaUju8pMSHRtVkuCaZb3Vhn2kCwtuQtrX8ZpLkAxdj_8POrQcivzAXq8Mk_tsRLHAhrWZoHlLInyT2F8suvXCRtHLt0LVjlvqfiuQ4XVpsEqxXF2ti_XbYFDy/s640/IMG_1191.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two older Chinese women rushed up (as fast as they could over the rocks) to ask for a photo with me and told me how beautiful I was. I asked if they could take one of me solo afterwards, and then a full on photo shoot on the rocks began. ^^ </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A couple hours before sunset, I dreamt up and found the perfect spot-for-one at </span><a href="http://www.sandybaylembongan.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sandy Bay Beach Club</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Couldn't be happier to soak up the sun and a couple of Moscow Mules in poolside peace.</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZVmxpleyn3usjf03rLEDPYIFlnACp7vtHs-qdvgtWKFZI48foqWoSABsrdqBgTugSezbqHk4j5qbEbOKs7VHrArQmmdAPVxQEH1DJp02iew04cHdNk0NInqq21l6-upaonaLEdd91d5L/s640/IMG_1205.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I asked around for a good spot to watch the sunset and was offered to be shown a place on Nusa Ceningan, T</span><a href="https://www.thebalibible.com/details/the-sands-ceningan-17398" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">he Sands</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. We crossed over the 'yellow bridge' which connects the two small islands and made it before nearly anyone else was there. </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHl8tkNKqNsTuKWgAB7v8PJVaD0fNYYHoLevBfPjgpmz7YMFzgS7KOaiFbebelsb9VOCo6BRDC8wYeIPSrIpWwwm_Pj7Vt4MjTTvepoCBXZNH0Q9U7_8x40uP1a-ktZ6wDUhm2MqJJoqY/s640/IMG_1211.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXNXqZbZnfZ2F50yXkix4OKbGoQOZVN7DG-6kBtr7BnT7VGievqfeTjAD3e_dwST_OiSSLD4RxmTbXy4ZGFvs6Icr3FM6vh8xmapYnkD0oENWWCxk1346BHabr0C8SdkIuCqBjBJRIFUh/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXNXqZbZnfZ2F50yXkix4OKbGoQOZVN7DG-6kBtr7BnT7VGievqfeTjAD3e_dwST_OiSSLD4RxmTbXy4ZGFvs6Icr3FM6vh8xmapYnkD0oENWWCxk1346BHabr0C8SdkIuCqBjBJRIFUh/s320/IMG_1220.JPG" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet again, another hidden gem with incredible beauty just waiting to be enjoyed. The water between the islands rises and falls every evening. Against the clay colored sand and pools of water left behind, the sunsets vibrant colors were multiplied.</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzNRKcryyaPfc8xvZb5VS92nglRKeZc5WYqH3iGe22t4jc2vWIl5U7uUrALewcmxZag70n1QkkQEorn1Hn_Swo8kiMKF2fGHsCdM6i0CG_2XVrzdcWwFLZ-MKA9hNw5rXV3xV4HsgC5gn/s640/IMG_1226.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I'd take a photo of a sunset with blues, oranges, and yellows, then in another ten minutes that same sunset would be shades of pinks and purples, deeper blues, until finally the sun was down and the stars came out of hiding. If you've ever seen the night sky from a remote island in the middle of the ocean, you know how breathtaking it is. And it was.</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7VKvvwXgVfa2_R1RV-Eoro-jMLIWrvlHexNL_giyrR0lSzR_jcxoah0vOCjXIa4CrCKQngapnrhVb9vwNr5HMvgGrIw4Q4-Abz7y4zDU7OO13rU0exNgvfMADN_3MLNvR326ci90TcBh/s640/IMG_1232.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, my incredible night of iced drinks led to a bad hangover. Whether it was ice cubes from local water, or just an unfortunate hangover, I was not feeling well when I boarded the tuk-tuk to the next island in the morning. <i>Tip #3 Don't use tap water! Not as ice, not even for brushing your teeth. </i></span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBNJBu9NPeY1RiI8wAShfLW7Ol-nGZowoLDKoJOGYQr-W5A6_eO2eKquICsIN5jbvBKHTok0QnkuvKSP8gXRgsed8sfuaEIgAlPJGgEQqGCffPTXLNLJIss5ws8d7WOXHdY55An-53EyX/s640/IMG_1235.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>May 3,</b> I boarded a lug boat with 44 others (plus luggage) to meet up with a bigger fast boat out in the sea. Just on that ride alone, I couldn't believe how clear the water was. Clear to such a deep depth. Teals as far as your eyes could see. Again Volcano Mt. Agung was within sight.</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5G-Uf1OL9w2cW3ChxwznnV60h7AJcFdBC5hwcRdY0f6XN5GCDHi9cKIvDH8tkACeVdG8dmpDf1vEDF8JNR7n1gZlZxQTz-Xe2g1MFhpNu3gLzqoohgq__d9akn5xYcgn5NEhaiEFA-zn/s640/IMG_1260.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://www.baliferry.com/images/ferrymap/lang/en/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Related image" border="0" src="https://www.baliferry.com/images/ferrymap/lang/en/1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I arrived on Gili Trawangan (Gili T) around 2 o'clock. Much further from Bali than the triple Nusa islands, the Gili islands; Trawangan, Meno and Gili Air are dotted off the northeastern corner of Lombok, Indonesia.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh647K8ntMRlzXLWqW679mI3wbsYnhez8HTp9uBih0uFC56yt3h4LTuaOfSQPfouRwgumW6W41KDxq9QHYm39KKxVpaDaAJhxE860iG-ws_nf8MXh2qkCUYPKL67wXQzrv8cFcjLhr_ZGeM/s1600/IMG_3713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh647K8ntMRlzXLWqW679mI3wbsYnhez8HTp9uBih0uFC56yt3h4LTuaOfSQPfouRwgumW6W41KDxq9QHYm39KKxVpaDaAJhxE860iG-ws_nf8MXh2qkCUYPKL67wXQzrv8cFcjLhr_ZGeM/s400/IMG_3713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gili T is known as the 'party island' and where, at this time of year, many Australians come up to "party, party, party." However, I was staying on the opposite side of the parties. I had forked a little extra out to stay at a resort on this island, </span><a href="http://ombaksunset.com/html/hotel-ombak-sunset-gili-trawangan-beachfront-fun-rooms.html#deluxe-terrace" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Ombak Sunset</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and was planning to enjoy every ounce of luxury that came with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G I L I T R A W A N G A N </span></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc6xpABm2w6o-ALXBPbVXGH9pL4J3A4H3Jzg8SkLHdpFMJDsCAa_gyCJwC5trffdjtnbqnjkiuKGFZV5ihoXxoy0bFT0WS0FyWl2Yw_qHuljjErkShNdqirbC7puyn8VtTo9ey32422_t/s640/IMG_1275.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4fwxfgD9wgGKrplkSmiJIACK2X92myWCzKzdylbm9VRnr_YsDfQBndUsklX7GEW5nJ9F6jsk5PAIx4rTw7xFRQAKoIQNcn_9J7ZnKZVk0cgqg41qveH-FQKOUW4Sh2C5sRHYgMOzMFn6/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4fwxfgD9wgGKrplkSmiJIACK2X92myWCzKzdylbm9VRnr_YsDfQBndUsklX7GEW5nJ9F6jsk5PAIx4rTw7xFRQAKoIQNcn_9J7ZnKZVk0cgqg41qveH-FQKOUW4Sh2C5sRHYgMOzMFn6/s320/IMG_1291.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To get anywhere on the Gili islands your choice is bicycle or <a href="https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=aTEOW5eLN4Sr0gSu6ZyoAQ&q=gili+t+horse+and+cart&oq=gili+t+horse+and+&gs_l=img.3.0.0.235604.238017.0.238994.17.12.0.5.5.0.111.823.11j1.12.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.17.838...35i39k1j0i67k1j0i30k1j0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.06UzObMLUCA" target="_blank">horse </a>and cart. I got in and set off to Ombak. I spent the next several hours at the pool. Soaking up as much sun left in the day, as well as eating a few things off the menu. Just before sunset, I found a spot on the beach to watch another amazing Bali sunset. I think the guarantee of a perfect rainbow-like sunset every night is one of the reasons this place is so dang magical.</span><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGWPV9mCXR3lqkNOpci_7jduAwixurMZgUN_rVhoNgBtxU6kWcf17TanpN9ZasO9vs1BrvTE1fyDipmxAf0QdEhF_kBkqth5MHqDdCLSn2Ij14WQbXwYUc-368miukguGOH9JKepbYhtF/s640/IMG_3693.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z9xIK-15c-ic4U8WtsXEEwybuthN17O6q3Dc1X0-nM70RD_wwtFjG3mPsV6Q9RpzJojBf1Zox4QwST-nXJooq1rJf1nPy9uY2Rq1TzRtc8__cC-WbaYKXVGiioCFPmUrL_9sEDES4XwG/s640/IMG_1306.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2R-04e0uTEQdNiS12F9e61LiXXeZHDeS_rQuZsrNk3pnQgG8ACPqXMRKOq_x3GjBr5bp8e86CbtgfFZ9kIqDUoZzW1dZUwFdzfcFvuY9EG_q0gEML-xACOeQU1B0bAMl1_jcB9VNx601/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2R-04e0uTEQdNiS12F9e61LiXXeZHDeS_rQuZsrNk3pnQgG8ACPqXMRKOq_x3GjBr5bp8e86CbtgfFZ9kIqDUoZzW1dZUwFdzfcFvuY9EG_q0gEML-xACOeQU1B0bAMl1_jcB9VNx601/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">May the fourth. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQU03P7iOwl5m4TLrxpXOwpCs-P3qzpnDW00_sqKyT6_RP0zPW0JNrQcRBXBOEPRD-99D4CnTkI68k5nexmLR7IPnUSkSI4Ye5uPf3PFKA8HIf_G-jCCrYsYXJAFR5ggHl47Qa4TmWz1m/s1600/IMG_3710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQU03P7iOwl5m4TLrxpXOwpCs-P3qzpnDW00_sqKyT6_RP0zPW0JNrQcRBXBOEPRD-99D4CnTkI68k5nexmLR7IPnUSkSI4Ye5uPf3PFKA8HIf_G-jCCrYsYXJAFR5ggHl47Qa4TmWz1m/s320/IMG_3710.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Friday, May 4</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Started out with an exceptional buffet breakfast, a morning at the pool, and then a brief walk along the beach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 o'clock I took another horse-cart ride up the main road to the boat docking area. Once there I spent an hour or so walking through the shops. (For anyone concerned with safety + solo female travelling in Bali - t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">he islands were the only place I was ever asked if I was alone by a handful of suggestive men. Throughout the rest of Bali I felt very safe and I was not bother at all...besides for taxis, bikes, and regular market vendors. Haha. ^^) </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislac8U80NIMyCzWv-ZXr1QTtFkBMC-gxvW6j9epH3Kc_skrLD9Uby9R8zO6Za6U7QcU_HivVCyqgpLOltf8yYEqIhIsrX4iqBiRCf7uU6r_IM74LE9fF6OoLMguGyBNGRG7ob-nb1tCj4/s640/IMG_1314.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had a decent Indian meal and enjoyed</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the picture perfect views of Gili T, deciding then that I would have to come back one day. My assigned boat was a 3 o'clock fast boat back to Bali (Padang Bay). The boat was eventually so late, they put us on a smaller boat to switch at another dock, where we finally took off around 5 o'clock getting to mainland around 7 o'clock. Another two hours in van to North Kuta and then finally getting a Grab to my new </span><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/s/Bali--Indonesia?neighborhoods%5B%5D=Seminyak" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">home-stay</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> in North Kuta- Seminyak, arriving after 10 o'clock. A day well wasted on travel.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MgvuLWzilO92DHG0kZtIMFIWMq0ZV0tDnFcE26S5RyYjNk-tkk_q0cXqF9v7a3XGnD_Dkqsricvi1KRY2NwQPb_GDh4LWcqXZaPEPH2mG1y1CKlOkjXGZqlYamnmWJDLOnmjS_-4X7-P/s400/IMG_1312.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Get a free coffee when you collect a bucket of rubbish off of the beach."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My charming steed. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CwDW2gBfc3U0U-eCe_IM3l4fg0VcSgABjfNTqh0CCELLo5dU7Rnb_qyQupw199ihti0SAUFONvlHKK1O8wLWSpdpIpF7EA_Z7cqkpxy5zoVSnW8udl0DrocvmzPaM8zLUS2IxBnlV2BV/s640/IMG_1282.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie95UNd2mDVfQPsOjECQwnavfuW0rVz9reEafdPXqdsBEDhtI5sfCbPoH0wjOzQ7Rkr89YShZVJ-4GP2YCLxMpH710T2CNdpRbbXaC8niI4ZZAtVJGTCsfb-J8dQKX8SCbSZvEZH0L9DDV/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie95UNd2mDVfQPsOjECQwnavfuW0rVz9reEafdPXqdsBEDhtI5sfCbPoH0wjOzQ7Rkr89YShZVJ-4GP2YCLxMpH710T2CNdpRbbXaC8niI4ZZAtVJGTCsfb-J8dQKX8SCbSZvEZH0L9DDV/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For once, I didn't have my days planned once I got to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/seminyak/" target="_blank">Seminyak </a>/ Kuta area. For my first day I turned to the net for some recommended hot spots. I first went to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/motel-mexicola.htm" target="_blank">Motel Mexicola</a>, but unfortunately, they were closed for the day as it was <a href="https://www.motelmexicola.info/events/cinco-de-mayo-2018" target="_blank">Cinco De Mayo</a> and they were preparing for one of the biggest parties happening that evening.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi2s26kS5esPchZPKzEF5RmD_FcQhWBG7xBWwVZ6MtFNCFNR4yM4tEtHHdDE1fXPDSWwUfFWWmS3XY52-MhMZE35mDlgAE96Cj7BiFa2PLx5j7WPoE66IBOoZigrWeDsDZNvsLJJEYl3c/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqi2s26kS5esPchZPKzEF5RmD_FcQhWBG7xBWwVZ6MtFNCFNR4yM4tEtHHdDE1fXPDSWwUfFWWmS3XY52-MhMZE35mDlgAE96Cj7BiFa2PLx5j7WPoE66IBOoZigrWeDsDZNvsLJJEYl3c/s320/IMG_1334.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Luckily, <a href="https://seacircus-bali.com/" target="_blank">The Sea Circus</a> was just around the corner. An adorable spot with a delicious brunch menu and even more scrumptious smoothies. I got my one and only massage of the trip shortly after and then headed back to my villa for some time by the pool.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNurDf0RfVCSeIuneUwF0EsPX-9AvXDQmLVjq-iknqypsod_cXv-r0titRH_0IoLzk7qtBeGvtUYLX6C6r4vQnNvAPmTBf6PwIMxYvA6Vblbp9txFfCacw5q1mHKzRPGxF-cBVEyoSaRIH/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNurDf0RfVCSeIuneUwF0EsPX-9AvXDQmLVjq-iknqypsod_cXv-r0titRH_0IoLzk7qtBeGvtUYLX6C6r4vQnNvAPmTBf6PwIMxYvA6Vblbp9txFfCacw5q1mHKzRPGxF-cBVEyoSaRIH/s320/IMG_1331.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are only about six villas for the entire place, yet I still met two young girls from the UK and later in the evening we decided to get dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/707batubelig/" target="_blank">707 </a>Beach Berm and catch the tail end of the sunset. As much as I wanted to return to Motel Mexicola for the Cinco De Mayo Reggaeton Party, the gals were not feeling the crowd, nor any of us feeling the price in drinks. So instead after dinner and a mango margarita at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cabinabali/?hl=en" target="_blank">Cabina Bali</a>, we headed to <a href="https://www.seavuplaybali.com/" target="_blank">Sea Vu Play</a> for delicious but difficult to drink 'wasted watermelons' and a Mezze Feast consisting of hummus, baba ghanoush, zaalouk, tatziki, mohomara, marinated bell pepper, olive, and house made pita bread.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYaz2lwHMSZGnHjAPh1XxYgLs4QkstQKQBP5vachZxxR2QYvYAzFBa3LMV3cYEgF4poPkPXZvS03yKq8UoYYJETSTJBlNMF32jfEhN3sRJGSfzR7Z5FZu5vcCEUQ1SeBOjezvtto0fpbH/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYaz2lwHMSZGnHjAPh1XxYgLs4QkstQKQBP5vachZxxR2QYvYAzFBa3LMV3cYEgF4poPkPXZvS03yKq8UoYYJETSTJBlNMF32jfEhN3sRJGSfzR7Z5FZu5vcCEUQ1SeBOjezvtto0fpbH/s400/IMG_3817.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In another happy coincidence, as the girls wanted to leave, the couple I met in Ubud showed up with some friends. I stuck around for another round and some dancing. Again, drinks with ice led to tortuous hangovers, so any further alcohol beverages on the trip would have to be a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bintang_Beer" target="_blank">Bintang</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEYx66Og89tRJAX7PRXWlUnYWdFtMtW9ahTGokntu0ozLJ_ReNHkI1LERe6KqIUncnSliW-m5uP4bEnUY9ee6hAH5mdOK7PU5laswV-zf4AJsHcqbytHPIeZmaNKrTIhr9auz_pPVzKh8/s1600/IMG_3821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEYx66Og89tRJAX7PRXWlUnYWdFtMtW9ahTGokntu0ozLJ_ReNHkI1LERe6KqIUncnSliW-m5uP4bEnUY9ee6hAH5mdOK7PU5laswV-zf4AJsHcqbytHPIeZmaNKrTIhr9auz_pPVzKh8/s320/IMG_3821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They called it Paradise Pancakes.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Sunday, May 6</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Running down the checklist of most <a href="http://www.jetsetchristina.com/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-bali/" target="_blank">Instagrammable </a>places in Bali, I had brunch at <a href="https://www.kyndcommunity.com/" target="_blank">KYND </a>Community, a plant based cafe. After that I spent then entire mid-day soaking up the sun at the villa's pool. I was loving my Bali tan.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p_iZtaMNpRBlxS28IijOmMaC3SAtXREREByc5BaxlRtMnoVyc2aSaD8edVpFifF_Ee0097rff7SUZZ05k1zmI6iAc4ES_RB10Ukj8bUuix89qmfLO0a6dGP7uha0fVPzQenGAQH7FcUP/s1600/IMG_3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p_iZtaMNpRBlxS28IijOmMaC3SAtXREREByc5BaxlRtMnoVyc2aSaD8edVpFifF_Ee0097rff7SUZZ05k1zmI6iAc4ES_RB10Ukj8bUuix89qmfLO0a6dGP7uha0fVPzQenGAQH7FcUP/s320/IMG_3783.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjK8q6Tq0OXMPxRqZKMFYfyeeu_5w65dj-g6PfBOxkG6ezId9S9JKkdVCTwnwLebHH1PXf8A6YZwi7oWKOfIHtSKgWDLeKhBx11oIg80lxJS_tIPOnpfKLWDaVQ8K_kw9WnQxui158F_H/s400/IMG_1337.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T A N A H L O T T E M P L E </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8oBlpliuAxkEfa4G3JGOHEteqcKGbHEyoxu-Wg9RHd_Gr4HknbCwn86TrH4yeBa8u5H8zv4__Xkeir20rsyU_-segb9nA-KeYqR2EU7XX0i09DsR0G-KGcj5qGJv5tP9wuTBqpEqeAZo/s640/IMG_1363.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lAYnItIY4L9ELScj1zACmEvZpE6OeWVbgYNPpqzcxjznWeoeXO1DLwlSBc2dgY7OUeXIBgO51sEXPpNDFMgwS0pu1tSZ_r11xIWz86cfrbdrdAGYcnTIZNVkrJ0pg3N5ILIcGAxCs1Dp/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lAYnItIY4L9ELScj1zACmEvZpE6OeWVbgYNPpqzcxjznWeoeXO1DLwlSBc2dgY7OUeXIBgO51sEXPpNDFMgwS0pu1tSZ_r11xIWz86cfrbdrdAGYcnTIZNVkrJ0pg3N5ILIcGAxCs1Dp/s400/IMG_1359.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just before sunset I went to <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/tanah-lot.htm" target="_blank">Tanah Lot</a> Temple. The walk inside was lined with artwork, clothing, and all sorts of hand made pieces. There was quite a crowd at this site as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At this temple, on the rocks in the sea, you could be blessed with holy water and receive the pieces of rice across your forehead, similar to my holy bath I took on the full moon in Sebatu.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was far too crowded for me near the temple so I wondered off towards the path running along the edge of the island. The sunset was beautiful, and just as it was down, thousands of bats came soaring out of the caves beneath us.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF9AyT3lRYAn1yQ8fbiQIegVYJk3HUHHiqSodNMaWr5ECU4puJ6vXx5syPgeqpOEm6ES5UO0qDgmaVsk4IJhtDm4QWkXQYJTT_biqfhmeiEMa7_m56vOUp1WoD21kYsnppzEaY1_iYE1R/s1600/IMG_3893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF9AyT3lRYAn1yQ8fbiQIegVYJk3HUHHiqSodNMaWr5ECU4puJ6vXx5syPgeqpOEm6ES5UO0qDgmaVsk4IJhtDm4QWkXQYJTT_biqfhmeiEMa7_m56vOUp1WoD21kYsnppzEaY1_iYE1R/s400/IMG_3893.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday, May 7</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On my last full day in Bali, I had lunch at <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/magazine/la-laguna-in-canggu.htm" target="_blank">La Laguna</a>. This place was incredible! A "gypsy chic tapas bar and restaurant" just north of Seminyak in <a href="http://www.bali-indonesia.com/canggu/" target="_blank">Canggu</a>. The location was right on the beach and after a wonderful meal, latte, and smoothie, ^^ I walked along the beach, watched the surf lessons, and finally came upon <a href="https://www.finnsbeachclub.com/" target="_blank">Finn's Beach Club</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Somehow, going solo into Bali, I just knew that my last night would be the night I wouldn't want to let go of. And just as I predicted, it was. I stuck with the beer this time, and since I arrived just after the lunch hour, I kept my umbrella up through the high sun. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">L A S T S U N S E T I N B A L I .</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTttSMJ9LVHgveyD9U3Wel46trC_OE4NJFCURC3hAwCWe1TsWAJfqkYKXuuPSxvw8PmqiSn9XHB9ApR31c-BmpqYJ7d46Pzugese3CHx8w1nDjczYYacH7Tlrv__UDrhwP7VBfTsS9gMj/s1600/IMG_3867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTttSMJ9LVHgveyD9U3Wel46trC_OE4NJFCURC3hAwCWe1TsWAJfqkYKXuuPSxvw8PmqiSn9XHB9ApR31c-BmpqYJ7d46Pzugese3CHx8w1nDjczYYacH7Tlrv__UDrhwP7VBfTsS9gMj/s320/IMG_3867.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As you'd hope for, spending the day at a beach club anywhere tropical means being flourished with good looking people. Even my day bed was placed between two gorgeous couples. I'd been in Bali mode for over a week now. I was in heaven. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I began dipping in the pool closer to sunset. From there, the rest of the evening consisted of chatting up a gorgeous brown skinned man, too many dunk's in a pool full of untaken bathroom breaks, and running away from an embarrassing chant of "U-S-A" coming from a group of guys not even American (I was the only American in the vicinity.) To top off the night, we feasted on quite possibly the <a href="http://luigishotpizza.com/" target="_blank">best pizza</a> in all of Asia and of course, hit the outdoor dance floor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I left Bali on the <b>8th of May</b>, I was truly, madly, deeply <i>so<b> </b></i>sad. I even shed a tear in my final Grab ride to the airport. What a beautiful country, and what an experience I had had. This was now my third country I had traveled to completely on my own for over a weeks time. I'm so grateful to have had ten full days to explore Bali. For me, the places I travel to, and myself personally on the journey, only get better the longer I spend somewhere. This is one of the biggest reasons I will be leaving Taiwan at the end of summer 2018 to fulfill a dream I have dreamed while living abroad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bali is the last Southeast Asian country I will be visiting for the foreseeable future. However, it is definitely one place I hope to return to. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! - K </span><br />
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-78017307080855926302018-03-15T17:48:00.000+08:002018-04-05T17:49:26.151+08:00Sealing the Deal with Sydney<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Sydney by Friday </h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The main question I was asked before, during, and after my time in Australia was which city I preferred, Melbourne or Sydney? The two huge, invigorating cities seem to have an unspoken rivalry just as many close, but very similar cities, sports teams, or siblings would. Of course, one should always decide for themselves. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NaEEqixRxeKQIheNzzeBeXDOYeM_A1GHIvTTdw-nkFg2utseUVX11EfZ5fhwqPWh-VNGmFNtrSzLRb3bOmTvcoc5_CodpXxXUs1bt2zvvgMvFdMhq3qarWOC-U0zMPafxPOJmbceKemS/s640/IMG_0332.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXzb0yDS0Uz7fUNVtPKTL-FCfM2LS4rtkDdSTN2CSFxBYt48FlgrNzqT_XpsTAN0qKkFkKkS18_IBOqXEKgxVtbOd_9G-M4F7bVI2neYOpEsKBj0CbL3F9VsAC2NQL7S8t1w43yjz1zmr/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXzb0yDS0Uz7fUNVtPKTL-FCfM2LS4rtkDdSTN2CSFxBYt48FlgrNzqT_XpsTAN0qKkFkKkS18_IBOqXEKgxVtbOd_9G-M4F7bVI2neYOpEsKBj0CbL3F9VsAC2NQL7S8t1w43yjz1zmr/s400/IMG_0452.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the 23rd of February I arrived in <a href="https://www.ytravelblog.com/things-to-do-in-sydney-2/" target="_blank">Sydney </a>around 4PM and took a shuttle to Central Station where <a href="http://wakeup.com.au/" target="_blank">Wake Up! Sydney</a> was located. I'm quite certain it's the largest hostel I have ever stayed in (540 beds!). It was widely popular, due to it's location at the heart of Sydney's train stations, and the fact that it was one of Sydney's first hostels opening in 2002. The building is over a 100 years old, (see photo below). There are sister hostels in Melbourne and Byron Bay. The staff at Wake Up! were very helpful, and again something I was enjoying in Australia, there was enough help for multiple people. A disadvantage to popular hostels such as this, is that they're a lot less generous with things such as adapters and towels. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7z2jEeirkEeA8OZxCel9olnsjQWJocZw96_8oqa4wfrbFqWOcQnGyXyYz6pxDOXctVDK9qTHKibMwp_yNII0jgWq3w0FIvhCFOhJ7LFrsHknZ_oXTL0XHbFpY33EGQ8t8OYpNM5jQqXjs/s640/1910.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Railroad Square in 1910 <i><a href="http://millettgroup.com.au/" target="_blank">Sydney </a>Archives</i>. The historical building was purchased by the Millett Group from State Rail Authority of NSW. Then 'underwent a major internal renovation before reopening.' </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoynLCUyDxo0YX9UnRxGcV7SfAKDaXA7jhtiM6h39x0FbUr73bxPr5_WDwO3-U6Ep29kECHkkZTjgbZ394kFuk3mfBLuaJg_viW6VFRHX8tIOpf4eWYZQ-UM-EdcA7NBpdNFJKa3zr8H-/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At about 7:00-7:30 each night there were intercom announcements literally shouting, "Wake Up! Sydney, " + then continued on inviting you to the evening's festivities. They will even come knock on your door most nights to recruit! ^^ </td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpYyz5Cuhu-6lyg_CWanObx1_E6R6V4SI-j62sGxnEWKfRIJ40sGelZVxQkJ4L-bzB6x_D5vp6sV-lgeOk0-lA3p0Bvz2opIrtSabARnXIQCymhb2mt_cLpxJwlCOgIRHISRa5fum5ZUW/s640/IMG_0252.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4doHQJwXJSojyOW2Dr6j9HiDsJYQKOUKtearvG1bG2q9kKkdMliFmK8hhdV6Gzmf4U6aYNfdAtJdCsol7FPwI6k6kAuzWkowJvmvo68ID9BoFJXb8PIkspx5fU2bNcA6MCBCQ2D9t4qs/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4doHQJwXJSojyOW2Dr6j9HiDsJYQKOUKtearvG1bG2q9kKkdMliFmK8hhdV6Gzmf4U6aYNfdAtJdCsol7FPwI6k6kAuzWkowJvmvo68ID9BoFJXb8PIkspx5fU2bNcA6MCBCQ2D9t4qs/s400/IMG_0259.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn't stick around in the room long after check in. I met another soon-to-be friend, and chatty UK fellow in my room and then ventured out to China Gardens in <a href="https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour/attractions?expired-product=chinese-garden-of-friendship" target="_blank">Darling Harbour</a>. I was so happy to see some Chinese New Year Festivities, after all it was now the year </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the dog. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlrtdXNAqQr-f4P03NhsBS-yrsqEIOJR5SYnqaQMPbXTrVxIOvnRspV7alexJJS-Lyvg1jXYM04monhzdBydFDdKonandV7uypM4P3e2WLdIT6upwe6g9K6GwD1E178Dal9q6t41StEBE/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlrtdXNAqQr-f4P03NhsBS-yrsqEIOJR5SYnqaQMPbXTrVxIOvnRspV7alexJJS-Lyvg1jXYM04monhzdBydFDdKonandV7uypM4P3e2WLdIT6upwe6g9K6GwD1E178Dal9q6t41StEBE/s400/IMG_0217.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also checked out <a href="http://paddysmarket.com.au/" target="_blank">Paddy's Markets</a> but just for snooping and some photos. Opened only Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 6 PM. Great souvenirs. Towels with body prints on them were popular. Indian blankets, T shirts, and a lot of plastic junk. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just over a week into Australia all I was craving was some noodles and soup, something I have quite frequently. I found a little Malayan restaurant and went in, ordered a king prawn noodle soup. Sadly, worst meal of the trip. Strike one, Sydney against Melbourne. ^^</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entering China <a href="https://www.darlingharbour.com/things-to-do/chinese-garden-of-friendship/" target="_blank">Garden </a>of Friendship.<br />"Within the four seas all men are brothers.</span>"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_j6jI65GWehNexOAa5bGdLtGEA83bx2nlhdZKyWwQR9t1_jYL67UuURNBWDUfeOL5JBurZuJddlKu6N3AZpHC27bxjGZQjBGAGEZ0NKJaL1lnZ4iCm6Xa12yH93ItDPQsUnn5kiis3kVN/s640/IMG_0239.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To my pleasure there was an amazing array of earrings in this small market. It is quite fascinating to me that in every large city I have been in, there is always a Chinatown to be found. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Construction on the city of Sydney was more visible than in Melbourne. I noticed this in the trams and in the buildings</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> nea</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">r <a href="https://www.darlingharbour.com/" target="_blank">Darling Harbour</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. While Melbourne was quickly growing in high-rise buildings, on the ground, it had many more outdoor trams being used. This got people out on the streets together. Sydney had only one or two routes in use. However, they seemed to be adding in more tram railways throughout the streets. On one night I noticed large ceramic flower pots sitting atop the lines finished but not in use. Closer to central station you could see rails still being dug up and laid out. It was nice to see young construction workers with a pep in their step. I even saw two woman in neon orange jackets, something I have not seen before.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWLstrbMjxIbj4tcacFAoCofGbAQnYVOD6Cey3HW8pdAe3Q6B-_aXaNmObLz-YmXumfr7QRevXiei9rQ06ZVGSZTl69HJuDdXh-kSkCNokLo9eb0NuCdcfjKd6rN0LT-BhyphenhyphenCM5DKoVPiO/s640/IMG_0261.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my walk to Hyde park there were about half a dozen or so large portraits of elder native Australians. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPWsjf9mjIMII80AtnXah8g6U1hQcaU-GD2ogmeT5QiW4Fj2mbWoHQeu6bIePSDQus4I7yi4sqOOI0UuimGG42zduCPsP02lF_lkLNbtWQI1y-ZCWsxMtVc5VoQc6ddzMSIJLrirjpmC8/s400/IMG_0263.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't even go in here. I think I just like the flags hanging in unity.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y3PUTg_4g7Ph6o_HSNZwSkjf9EIhv7_w_-4rRcvQwosa_4kKKAg8Kbv3gKkWnT8TEryPl28Cxu5Jo3vOYlqmk3WJ7CmSYNvA4AHV2o32YjxvkJ19V-Dw_8M1ctV_Y2wz1w1eS1IVzp0o/s640/IMG_0265.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not the greatest shot, but so many of these gorgeous historical buildings have been turned into modern, everyday business and/or company shops. To someone from Europe, this wouldn't be anything special. But compared to architecture in USA and Asia, to me, it's quite grand.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZhg6vb3h_eWk26gCZhuruH5kdk_2GEvZY_hyphenhyphengMYNn9zIBxJePGjXY48hzP3U0JhfFdpMk8HV7sfRDnQt5NHt6R0b-Xm1FGrBoOB9JV5MVwu8MCRHA2iSPuE_EwOHbQO8MtiMl2VKpV3C/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZhg6vb3h_eWk26gCZhuruH5kdk_2GEvZY_hyphenhyphengMYNn9zIBxJePGjXY48hzP3U0JhfFdpMk8HV7sfRDnQt5NHt6R0b-Xm1FGrBoOB9JV5MVwu8MCRHA2iSPuE_EwOHbQO8MtiMl2VKpV3C/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the <a href="http://www.anzacmemorial.nsw.gov.au/explore-memorial" target="_blank">Hyde Park Memoria</a>l, the Anzac Memorial was made 'to remember the impact of the Great War (1914-1918).' The indoor memorial was temporarily closed, but the statue inside holds great significance to the war and those involved. Funding began in 1916 and it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">was finished in 1934. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgqh5X4qltVejKDxRfSjOKAmQocBh0ihD_CwzcBa2U9qgsnQ8rb8DTap-2Ijw6P0VIyey1sTHukoVZyv9PGJ2Xr1rn5PgjyECu5kYNxD9CRLwuTGMxgHLC8-yawf8y1lhhbGqJapiP7wW/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgqh5X4qltVejKDxRfSjOKAmQocBh0ihD_CwzcBa2U9qgsnQ8rb8DTap-2Ijw6P0VIyey1sTHukoVZyv9PGJ2Xr1rn5PgjyECu5kYNxD9CRLwuTGMxgHLC8-yawf8y1lhhbGqJapiP7wW/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" width="266" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"'</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sacrifice' which is at the heart of the Anzac Memorial, was made in plaster at the sculptor Rayner Hoff's studio....</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sculpture shows a dead warrior being borne on the shoulders of his mother, sister, wife and child." </span><br />Even without getting to stand before it, this image of the sculpture was so moving. The memorial is for the young men who died, and yet, at the heart of it, just as with many wars, is the strength of the women and girls who carried the burden of it all. Losing sons, fathers, brothers, and lovers, picking up the pieces, taking over the jobs of men now gone, c</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ontinuing on,</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> somehow, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pushing on. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How many times did we, will we, repeat this history?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsYar4Nrvo4ZqVnByZp-gAQIUbvwf_CDe8dPG-xfT4Lsiyl6z3lwgwaZ3TCw3z2FYcjnP149JXjvb4Cuq-tf9IHccHSKNQ9v3dS0YSmiSgbDb5Z8gyjR7X-e_2AXCAw1OCbgwqko9l7NF/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsYar4Nrvo4ZqVnByZp-gAQIUbvwf_CDe8dPG-xfT4Lsiyl6z3lwgwaZ3TCw3z2FYcjnP149JXjvb4Cuq-tf9IHccHSKNQ9v3dS0YSmiSgbDb5Z8gyjR7X-e_2AXCAw1OCbgwqko9l7NF/s400/IMG_1971.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back at the hostel, my UK bunk mate and I went for some drinks at Side Bar: </span><a href="http://sidebarsydney.com.au/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Mix up the World</a><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> w</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hich is attached to the hostel. At tonight's venue, a huge international party including a bikini contest. They had to keep removing tables for the dance floor, and just as in Melbourne, the dance floor was widely mixed with people and even wilder dance moves. For those wondering about the bikini contest, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Norway #1, USA #2, Australia #3.</span></div>
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<h3>
Saturday, February 24<br />Beaches that Make Your Heart Beat Faster</h3>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKuk9upK3cFAxWJ2prS2ICnHjcaCSGrH4r_wBzQRiS0wjNcpsk3ripHj_Y6BuSbkUsFw3G5690GQ9vS7ZUg2YGUFCbTG4ya8bpcOOicQbTR3kQjvlyEo0QuLYROWk5vRx0eWXax7S1KKw/s640/IMG_0314.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRPMEYiiXapxCbaP-0GsqFsUxRiqZz5BvcwV2Dykn_8e7CQUAF1rvYH9V9jibl5eOr6knJ-dvg60hpq9PFtsTgXSYAXHU1-qdRQ5kYrcE9qEr5mYt_6UsM8cQeF6iGT3DetnTrUW64mho/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRPMEYiiXapxCbaP-0GsqFsUxRiqZz5BvcwV2Dykn_8e7CQUAF1rvYH9V9jibl5eOr6knJ-dvg60hpq9PFtsTgXSYAXHU1-qdRQ5kYrcE9qEr5mYt_6UsM8cQeF6iGT3DetnTrUW64mho/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacation Brunch.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Easy access and easy directions from Wake Up! got UK and I en route to Coogee by bus for the Bondi to <a href="http://www.bonditocoogeewalk.com/" target="_blank">Coogee Costal Walk</a>. We had a filling and delicious brunch at <a href="http://www.thelittlekitchen.com.au/" target="_blank">The Little Kitchen</a> and began the 6km coastal hike. It was well under two hours, even with my frequent stops to take photos. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5iJT0Q_tUIjaPjV9l6xV2WRqg3CB7PkssEOvKzwWx718KZhCZOr-j6aRncf0Nxd_vi-tXOkHMT6QgG_A2DW7fcsMtCTRHpeqq2W_kbbXxqTnsq6RxN2aIg81SQhIio7ehG3XDtWIyoBO/s640/IMG_0287.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The start of the trail begins over an optional trail through sand colored cliffs. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSqwacoC0Co4WHPisDoWCBgOWwH8VPG0wJIxB-86q4wqyqs9-slkYMeWjLviI2Q7v3t8VjpOy7sM0teHuX9Gw93oxaxfrEKlNE86YunDCT3m-63-HFIkflHQExclikN61PYvEhqIhryoc/s640/IMG_0289.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The average adventurer might opt to sit on the edge for a photo. But by far too windy for those odds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygqSlsLhMMKw9oHzdua9U2uTkqLruloBAltt3cDJ9niR8NFKgcYzthW7uJGSlaHs7dJLwSEHLpWM4ChVJ1ZhIfxJg1H6EPG4_vbXoIBnIi5NM44l64dEgZ7ul1Z3C4VT9g-7yjX4aQiMM/s640/IMG_0298.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dozens of runners passed us both ways on this visually stimulating trail.<br />This was before I knew I was about to see 'the most six-packs in my life in one day.'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0QU3WKNU6L4QswYzYkS3YnVIU5TVHNRy4RyraQlbN5guX9uStoFNUMlhwybqTuRif7rmb8SaDX81914_MOHdOj2nChQOH6VpzzNr5SR5ieNNrudrqdeVaTiWK02gIODOIdwfY85T2uWy/s640/IMG_0303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unexpectedly, the trail runs through Waverley <a href="https://www.waverleycemetery.com/" target="_blank">cemetery </a>(est. 1877) with plots dating back to the 1800s!</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_7Mrss5bT2CVDiIbBmm14QvT9gHIDgNdxWeGzZON-uftqUGBYQyUCV9yfOTwKEmD8HMG246z1ztKe0T92zN_K33MzzllQvvjPXXcSqtWPfxQ7l53VCGwfZXw8ooaWdJOD1iTsTkz1Y2C/s640/IMG_0309.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36DNYb2azI00FCsTT9B6koweBsVjb48MDbFP_aszVZFVUPdTx8983kr4X0kqnUw-KO6ZQ1UExADlWSi8st_ez7r_KIXQjobRQ6PNgi9vkNsjL9ZD7fBC-Uwfs9-ocN59IabzaGLjSJavZ/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36DNYb2azI00FCsTT9B6koweBsVjb48MDbFP_aszVZFVUPdTx8983kr4X0kqnUw-KO6ZQ1UExADlWSi8st_ez7r_KIXQjobRQ6PNgi9vkNsjL9ZD7fBC-Uwfs9-ocN59IabzaGLjSJavZ/s400/IMG_0330.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'Stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays, and rock pools' line this coastal walk near Sydney's eastern suburbs. Other than enjoying the beaches or taking the hike, there are many places to rest, eat, and play along the way. There are even free electric barbecues in some of the parks, which I also saw being used in Melbourne's Birrarung Marr Park. </span></span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeRFFJu-2y1xjaOtTIjhDIzn22VuyeDwvC2uI06Uth5fMRDmq8gY0uLHeliYZ3owseE75AdMzDSL_tXbHg1yPMMzW4lS7Us-LLB3kTJbFkdw-DMvXFfbkgLFmwhFAajYAWpr4iR0zWmC-/s640/IMG_0316.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From Coogee, the hike goes on to Clovelly Beach, Bronte Beach, Tamarama Beach, and finally, when your not sure how another beach could possibly be any better than the ones you've just passed by on, you see Bondi. </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZmRI_Klp_mcY6Cn68feBKrNYjv6_v4NJW8Nk_YnrSmO9nL0Hy5Klc-LjSvtIli5kHIK0BZYCcem71hAIcMx5F8Y5YWSoDxRMeEnqn7Y8mVipGF_wvzBgYm28PLvjQWn-OPMnwjPMWLHv/s640/IMG_0324.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bondi Beach sits in a horseshoe style bay, and truly took my breath away when it was finally within sight. A picture could not capture it's beauty and magnitude. As you walked closer, small memoirs described the beach's exotic <a href="https://www.bondivillage.com/thennow.htm" target="_blank">history</a>. What I found most interesting was that this area was once called 'Wonderland City' with great acts like 'Princess <a href="http://circuszooanimals.blogspot.tw/2011/04/princess-alice-lady-of-wonderland-city.html" target="_blank">Alice</a>.' </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX8VMi91L5KzPNvEKvuK68ETb6xFn5J7nOm2Rsa76spwhVYbG3WXp2Dc51G8cY4cCj_2pY5I3HSu_193XA8iFnvach8jen0eWHJZbXqyqT6oXIt-Pk9p3Uh_rMdMLVkN5-o3D82Nhx1hH/s640/IMG_0335.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.bondivillage.com/history.htm" target="_blank">BONDI </a>: An aboriginal word meaning "water breaking over rocks."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Picked out a spot, lathered up on more SPF50 and went straight into the water. At first the water was shockingly cool. After a few waves rush over your body it feels like nothing but refreshing! (and clean!) I couldn't believe I could still see my feet at the bottom when the water came up to my chest. The waves coming in were perfect to play, dive, and ride. I was experiencing exactly why this beach had been so popular for centuries. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2M088YqKSYWSVGy3vMfCciAoajU2bLOAzIXovXrWg6doj9LAaJhkHFYYlTWVUVz-PXc3iYAXKCCSz8zNDpDNhBkHdnhNJfXsL4-2f5C7H1pgxm8mqwiluvCud1qS9dHxOLeXTrxzDG84/s640/IMG_0337.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The sky makes me dizzy. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqIetSeCoWFy3K_KCUqd4Ocm85NhoIzZ8pkHuiLjA9-TpGFwCjstzW6la0tSGVSIk5kNQeCKWQ4X_pQzxosAQZUuIVv_39MXHIMj5Vr0wv1p3-qx6Umb3eUyc8WSRVw86QSYziBY8Tcid/s640/IMG_0339.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Australia has well-established train and tram systems in its major cities that are used by locals and tourists alike. <i><b>Used everyday, efficiently, safely, and sanitaryily. </b></i>Wait, Europe also has well-established train, tram and metro systems in its major cities throughout its tightly knitted countries. Oh! <i><u>And</u></i>, many large Asian cities also have their own metro and train railways for locals and tourists to conveniently and cost- effectively use. Wow! Wouldn't it be pleasant if this was an option for citizens of, and tourists to, a first-world, 'leader of the free' country with so many of its own great cities and wonderful sights to see and share? </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2IkdmWlc9wRICLiDjgCYrbOGcTMqNOICLclJqsqpDviu1q9OTOMLl4cOMzynIfbYiqAJB2Z9u8LBraHEeYexK4b68v61qRuyGX3QxjMQHnvT_Twv7kVzW6Vz332Xgx9z1ykzEO6SsyPu/s320/IMG_2084.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---colonial/display/90236-john-whitton" target="_blank">Father of the New South Wales Railways. </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjWK8N5lK7VZcZ_6dEgiOd5fIQRGw0jj-cPJQhvVNS4cYx6I1_SEu-N0jBeefQn341j3yb4e9wuxjHJCdOZvnQocNgZzSG005GeUIArW4mmoJA-SVaypqVYr2kT4_igk97n8_5Pr-uJi0/s400/IMG_0447.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First time seeing a Double Decker metro system.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QYWIvw6McPd2yxfgcGzqbADdd-FvPaSdcwkJzP2CdXndnP7O9kmf8h3-vr3kBArESbXlDNSB_W9619ZmB2n8CPGIhXQjvjBCKqHa1XYHLzmda06Fd2O4MBwH5J54i_nzO1B-7fc7GqV4/s640/IMG_1931+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0hSg4XHjHHSsjAujnQ4y7I7Micqkpyak8XMJqugT2OuYgCbthDXYIdhtdLAOVE7d1FoXo9lZXigyV6qIf9ba-C1JvPg3q1UTOPqzDT5P_TBQ99Epjq7_BAynO92yP1NYsdEufxBNqtAX/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0hSg4XHjHHSsjAujnQ4y7I7Micqkpyak8XMJqugT2OuYgCbthDXYIdhtdLAOVE7d1FoXo9lZXigyV6qIf9ba-C1JvPg3q1UTOPqzDT5P_TBQ99Epjq7_BAynO92yP1NYsdEufxBNqtAX/s400/IMG_1924.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Saturday evening approached quickly after a full day at the beach. My plan to meet up with a Canadian friend I'd known from Taiwan, now living in Sydney, was pushed up a day as the next two days were supposed to rain. I took a train two stops to Wynard Station, and then an hour bus ride out near Manly. <br />On this sunset bus ride I crossed over the Sydney <a href="https://www.google.com.tw/search?q=Sydney+Harbour+bridge&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJ3aGB4IfaAhXEmZQKHen4CiAQ_AUICigB&biw=1517&bih=653" target="_blank">Harbour </a>Bridge and saw my first peek of the Sydney Opera House. The ride went along beautiful harbors and bays with hundreds of sailboats and luxurious houses built right into the coastal mountainsides.<br />We, along with her boyfriend, had some delicious drinks and tacos at <a href="http://www.chicabonita.com.au/" target="_blank">Chica Bonita</a> right along the Manly Beach walkway. After that we were out for a night of enormous <a href="https://www.timeout.com/sydney/bars/the-hotel-steyne" target="_blank">bars</a>, live music, expensive drinks, and, as Australia would have it, wild dancing. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS6a6Jk02oDwZkgp8nNBRPU8UI2NFdOtb7fXdOpRAK1P-14y9gq5xMAvIViNX2irXAd6mqjXn8N_bAqAuDcOAXaySEJJMAFBUvU-JpBj13ACBSyIZX230S2SjV3u04EnwcyftYOq1jyRz/s640/IMG_0428.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pubs we went to: <a href="https://hotelsteyne.com.au/" target="_blank">Hotel Steyne</a>. <br />
Photo was taken Tuesday when I spent my last afternoon at Manly Beach.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Sunday, A Day for Rest</h3>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGFiaP7gYECXKShyphenhyphen1Q02ZivgE7uMlBpKl2gnUhWe_6y7zfEXg7WIYyZ3otm7dyK1dRk9jMqfA2t2UuAXQg-cVVaQm8Wa6Ad93SdsmIyuO9WhbZOiU2EhYbbk7icODVRux75wLYn6JYX1w/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGFiaP7gYECXKShyphenhyphen1Q02ZivgE7uMlBpKl2gnUhWe_6y7zfEXg7WIYyZ3otm7dyK1dRk9jMqfA2t2UuAXQg-cVVaQm8Wa6Ad93SdsmIyuO9WhbZOiU2EhYbbk7icODVRux75wLYn6JYX1w/s320/IMG_0338.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As predicted the following day was a gloomy one. I slept in, had breakfast with the roommate, and enjoyed the comforts of a cozy house until late afternoon. With a 100% chance of rain by 3 o'clock, I got on the bus shortly before that. Unfortunately, I rode the bus over a half hour before realizing I was going the wrong way. In hindsight, it was actually lucky. At the stop I caught on and switched at, I was able to grab an express bus back to Wydant Station, then onto Central without all the stops of a city bus. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fortune tellers seemed to pop up all over Australia. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswHPJicnZ23i3jj_nMcBRMIi5yr1qsfkrSnwVoRIrmRc9Boeu9z1vp3aGjWiDZNTrQsU6WY4mrhSgz2NRHaG3yED2Iy14Pr6IrlISFc7DOLcmaS1CCTcBffmIsnuaefxS-XHg30RSE8fc/s1600/IMG_2905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswHPJicnZ23i3jj_nMcBRMIi5yr1qsfkrSnwVoRIrmRc9Boeu9z1vp3aGjWiDZNTrQsU6WY4mrhSgz2NRHaG3yED2Iy14Pr6IrlISFc7DOLcmaS1CCTcBffmIsnuaefxS-XHg30RSE8fc/s400/IMG_2905.JPG" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I dropped off my overnight bag and headed to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/places/Things-to-do-in-Surry-Hills-New-South-Wales-Australia/112891992064058/" target="_blank">Surry </a>Hills. I was craving one of my favorite dishes, seafood spaghetti marinara </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(more noodles </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">^^</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">). I planned to walk as long as it would take until I found, and I did, the perfect Italian restaurant for me to quietly indulged in this divine cuisine. It began to really pour by the time I finished. I made it back to Wake Up! in a hurry, showered and caught up on some much needed rest. </span><br />
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<h2>
</h2>
<h3>
Monday, February 26<br /><span style="font-size: small;">How many districts can you see in one day?</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZR3PMKapQ5_QDHv6wq7rRW4w6ySrJpZovJvRFaW1dH_vbLaraNW3wD7n5IBLamaFl16LbJXSGMqNTyOexGRamrPULmAnDPWUS6dedujf2PvB8U8vEILC22Nrd_FAsWUH2wDnJNBC-FQf/s640/IMG_1968.JPG" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although I firmly believe you should only drink soda maybe twice a year, I will always be a Coca-Cola girl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Breakfast in Chippendale after passing Broadway. Two stops northeast of central is </span><a href="https://www.kingscross.co.uk/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">Kingscross</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgBOC64ur5C-dp-kmbv4HSuwYjuupU6gKCCgO4CVxyFuxSysQqTiLN88VVN5Hvk6iqkduIotNt25_n5v25cSGfe1JXvcGkSGvIuGD0uU4fuCWWSXr7gIKn_UfMUWe9A95U2lmK9QeRQ_b/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every place you'd want to see in Sydney seemed to be within four stops of Central. Just two stops away was Kingscross. It was easy to tell that there was definitely some nightlife action near this station.</span></td></tr>
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</h2>
<h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW4pqsQOT3D-UacLiIeBGU5D1TH9w0BwT6ugup_A4Y6SpmSWWP61meS6b-0mFh7QJnmRem-uQ78AfnfhFUgBBxDK-2anUVhDPW44VKH85JBB-jQTXFRp6VsOJ54ixPV5Usp15XhDt6VTU/s640/IMG_1990.jpg" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/inner-sydney/paddington/attractions" target="_blank">Paddington</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The streets get unbelievable small and windy. I walked around in circles trying to get lost in the streets, in hopes to stumble upon some little secret. </span></span></td></tr>
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</h2>
</div>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZtD8YgcCoVM8B53rv3EbCFkx2lGjehrF-gIctQKf0CRO99AccQX-vlJAhlVqd7PDB1tYxsaDGia_pkmMC044OBj803YEGN65sTDjc6WqmSL3W4ND1kFUtqkqzub0ZTpGTZDQaz8ubURI/s400/IMG_1988.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees canopied over every street in Paddington. </td></tr>
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<h2>
</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABOS39zwuL6BCibn2bEjJZynPBmSxWpVfH3PQAuo8OWF25xyEzs33PiXBEukbIoQcpmgzbGlom9qV2CWsfVCWthfgHaP8ApP_nK03tfzXAn_u1gia6wTjhBPl3_xmGCUKOcmObnFawPQg/s640/IMG_2024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Circular Quay you meet the Sydney Opera House. The rain would start soon after this shot was taken. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrAOSZ0GEls4SyGvBARvYOn0mTy6JCNHqNtB64TBghyphenhyphenhNXap7A47_uSfw925cWxPCjbzHbmqVkjjOSZUbQDODCEeLOHX7WenGArDeVbN5h6cXJGtYTgzURoBo2U72K9Mg-KbmwTlafJWY/s640/IMG_2037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction on Sydney Opera House in 1960s.<br />
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth opened the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, October 20, 1973.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGG7M24r95vEZZ1fzbfxjXWDb_kuTwEJ5Ln3wTKRE9TTIzZyq1JLbQISByzXhJcl41LMsOFzDokmrsGdTrWtLjjZr_O0vbFLGZ-nlP2pTPfoRZqdHBxd1Dlh9EBJWi_d_baEftK_tGxTA/s640/IMG_2058.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Town Hall and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8CXv6Labak" target="_blank">Queen </a>Victoria <a href="https://www.qvb.com.au/store-directory/store-map" target="_blank">Building</a>.<br />
QVB was built in the 1890s and occupies an entire block on George Street. Originally built as a town marketplace on the scale of a cathedral, it was restored and reopened in 1986 and became "Sydney's most popular and prestigious shopping center" with over 180 fashion boutiques, jewelry shops, and home-ware remedies. As with most shopping centers, small cafes and restaurants are scattered throughout the building. I stopped at a German bakery and one of a dozen coffee shops. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpOmgDC_68qQSYMijPbQ-dD0EXpdCWzpjUUAYpbJxa1AXKsS6K2SBUTTw1TS7pCexOKrrbRPLmK8aIqDWjUF7-J2YiIkKex1nskmTfl9finRZhGNePuEvCZ4XMqY3_oFIyYCIL5bN7ULZ/s640/IMG_2067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The largest Australian flag I saw was posted up in </span> <a href="https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/darling-harbour" target="_blank">Darling Harbour</a>. Surrounded by the beauty of the boats and buildings. There was a huge amount of hotels, restaurants, and family-fun attractions in this area. The boardwalk was also full of runners. Made me think of those locals who call this world- famous city their home. It takes a different kind of city dweller to adapt and live so easily among the constant flow of tourists. People who come to your city to get something from it, more often than give back to it. However, Sydney is an easy city to be proud of. </td></tr>
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<h2>
Final Day, Final Say</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUq2CAPBSp6DBj3HXTI_putuz20qnGqkWu-MJVe0u6vFz5hwIaavWuJQhh44AHeqkeno-bxTOi-BxKFKK_axEi7c_wmdjaj9MtoY9iIPI5hldfRRQvX8AsLV2auXILCAmEmvNiW1ZnR72/s640/IMG_2125.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BEST WAY TO SEE SYDNEY HARBOUR: <a href="http://www.beyondthewharf.com.au/route/manly/" target="_blank">Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly</a> Wharf </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1_iG5499GCLKbwyPInrtqUi-DAM48MbZ0qRs6NeAVXpzw6GlDfA97ExO0GD-4XR5eXNSNwgrqk8qQseBarT6xk2UGrk1warl1guMlmLAzf37n6xi8-2nQ_3Eq2r2E1cS5RtOhgVkROo0/s640/IMG_0348.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Essentially the birthplace of modern Sydney: <a href="https://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-city/the-rocks" target="_blank">The Rocks</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKph_we9MlAxrOvaXysnnvMjTQtqh0oD6Iw7UblUbBA4QA76Mk5J-P78x0ulIFzJFsIr_-QkiJHRIzpppLVdRKvoD1ffWeJU9R6BYnjiJUlNhFCxO2f_mJwCKK7oYpP0yZLFvctnTBo6YT/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKph_we9MlAxrOvaXysnnvMjTQtqh0oD6Iw7UblUbBA4QA76Mk5J-P78x0ulIFzJFsIr_-QkiJHRIzpppLVdRKvoD1ffWeJU9R6BYnjiJUlNhFCxO2f_mJwCKK7oYpP0yZLFvctnTBo6YT/s320/IMG_0367.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My flight out of Sydney was a red eye flight on the 27th, this gave me one last chance to see the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge under a blue sky. Before I took the highly recommended ferry through the harbor I found a cozy nook for brunch in The <a href="https://www.australia.com/en-ie/places/nsw/sydney-the-rocks.html" target="_blank">Rocks</a>. I had wanted to visit this historical area after hearing it held Sydney's oldest pubs and seeing photos of it's small cobbled lanes and 1800s style buildings. The Rocks hides in the "shadows of the Harbour Bridge."</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKaJMV8llSb_B4EwA6Hly3dMwaRHPSjUPotQvuuX0tKz6aJiR6fs4MW81rrxORZmKCH7To5mad2SaRWp82jEgsjKt4j6MqUTTb1oc_5y8fpJ6LFEdhhcqrboOU3eUoTjXJQKHIJxff3ZZ/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Big Breaths of Beauty on the 45 minutes ferry ride to Manly. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Twice on the ride I was reminded of Disney's <i><a href="http://pirates.disney.com/" target="_blank">Pirates of the Caribbean </a></i>movies I like so much. First while watching the movement of the water from the boat, it almost seemed like it would flip over, flop us into a new world. The second was seeing fish peck at the clams and/or mussels that lined the dock. It was so lively, and I thought of how the dead grows as part of the ocean, just as they showed so well in the movies. My fascination and happiness about, of, and on the sea keeps growing as well. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"When you leave a beautiful place, you carry it with you where ever you go."</i></span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqEy_TWpbJPshuGrv5D8h694UCglN7mVqdT6a1-uH2mryQcYPr-n61v_uBYgwh7fxBSeBz5LQ30WdfM-PpPDBSN84roCGYsNaXYoPVS3_2dONB0HUMDzQhxcTcL8wTdEAu59UcfUkrcSP/s640/IMG_0404.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I spent a couple of hours at Manly Beach, which happened to be hosting a surfing event, watching surfers and children fearlessly running into squawking seagulls.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanna live where coastal walks like this are never too far away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/166" target="_blank">Sydney </a><a href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on.html" target="_blank">Opera </a><a href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/" target="_blank">House </a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After reflecting on my two weeks spent in Australia, my final thoughts on the Sydney vs. Melbourne argument is that they have much more in common than they do have in differences. A mix of old and new. History and hipsters can be found in both, it just depends on where you look. In both cities everything is a close walk or metro ride away, parks are in abundance, as well as wine shops, street art, memorials, markets, and beautiful people with bodies out of this world. If I had to pick, which city I'd like to spend a third week in, I'd pick Melbourne. I'd pick Melbourne for the people I met, the city's events, the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">vegetarian inspired food, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and the youthfulness that pumps through it's streets. However, if you'd ask me where I'd want to spend just one more day, there is no comparison to the beaches of Sydney. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIriZKwgG7SvnMCMDRz-CW090uAyFjJySu0YLJ8jnyZslyP9T-C06HEomLIGXKkpSFakPl7cOETO0nyYn6RsQVn8JGhi1-HyrmTVWEU2KS0s6nOv-Lfopu9E-JlGM2l-ew4jeT7zb-7Jz/s640/IMG_0444.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://www.bridgeclimb.com/" target="_blank">Harbour Bridge </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What thoughts really were left in my mind, after visiting what was later pointed out to me as my fourth continent on this miraculous planet, were the disadvantages that younger generations of Americans have, and will keep having, on their ability to travel far and wide. As well as the obstacles foreigners, who would love to work and/or travel, have to go through just to enjoy the beauty of the USA. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my chats with other visitors to the land down under, (visitors who wished it was just as easy to explore the USA) I was asked a few questions; <i>'Why is it so difficult to get health insurance in your country? Why would your government make it's own citizens pay so much for higher education? Why do Americans eat so much fast food?' </i>and the most embarrassing, '<i>Why was a TV celebrity elected to be president?</i>' Seemingly simple questions, yet I had no answer other than, 'We don't seem to know any different.' (<span style="font-size: x-small;">There is a reason for that!</span>) Which then led to the question of <i>'Wh</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>y don't we learn about other countries? Why do we learn a chopped up version of our own country's history?' </i>These are actually very loaded questions, that will lead you, in truth, down a very dismal and dark journey of corruption and ignorance in America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BUT, There is a quote; "A Wise Traveler Never Despises His Own Country." So without further misleading one to believe I despise my homeland, I'll say this. Well educated people know there is a change coming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading. -K</span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-82123221932219476372018-02-23T21:53:00.000+08:002018-07-08T23:05:29.055+08:00The Tropical North + The Great Barrier Reef <div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A brief intro: </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When I was 20 years old, still in university, I began seeking out a destination of where to study abroad for a semester. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>My goal was to make it to Australia.</b></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> This destination came into play as I became infatuated with the variety of animals that were in Australia over my years in university. I even created a web-design based solely on Australian animals for elementary students. In a science methods class we were each assigned an animal in the Great Barrier Reef to create a set of lessons on, including finding materials around the house that could construct a craft of that animal. I had the </span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/cuttlefish" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">cuttlefish</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> I couldn’t get enough of these strange creatures, the sea cucumber and sea slugs, sea urchins, anemones, sponges, corals, and so on. It became my dream to one day learn how to dive, and then to see the Great Barrier Reef for myself. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec68tGTaImU5-LdUoFc43WHiBv9CRDAOjSERbBvvDMt-tpr3xyG3-bVIIdnnnH63SflVAJEQO77NMQhmwL5BpcLoOYSPgtrOD7v-QVgGErlmXgdBGnVRIsQyfY5Q-qbf5gpZlFCsNIbah/s1600/P1240757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec68tGTaImU5-LdUoFc43WHiBv9CRDAOjSERbBvvDMt-tpr3xyG3-bVIIdnnnH63SflVAJEQO77NMQhmwL5BpcLoOYSPgtrOD7v-QVgGErlmXgdBGnVRIsQyfY5Q-qbf5gpZlFCsNIbah/s400/P1240757.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At the time, I did not realize Australia was out of the question for me. I was already too far along in my program for a live and study abroad. My only option was to student teach abroad or out-of-state. This requires paying full tuition to be in a classroom full time, not earning an income, as well as all housing and such expenses need to be provided on your own. This is what led me to St. Louis, MO and then back to Iowa before coming abroad to Taiwan in 2013. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In August 2014, I became an Open Water Certified Diver in Taiwan.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monday, February 19 </span></span>"Reefs and Rain forests, that what they come for."</h3>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oddly enough, there is a one hour time difference between Melbourne and Cairns. My flight was mid-day, but Australia is huge so it still took over 3 hours by plane to get there. I had pre-booked a shuttle for pick-up at 5:30 and was in my new abode within the hour.</span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvoyneH7cKgYpHAohplavkm-dSpuWf7CG1z2RFFutbrzZWW7PdyRFOZV6QC14hYGYdpc_Uv2oKrwP2i4oZpRDPzVDqMw4Yd61J21AP87lcKHgEO6sSD_V5BcaOY9XyrmCwcKQLe7uGK8i/s640/IMG_1562.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At this point in my trip I was hardly able to contain my excitement. Cairns is where I'd meet the sea, I was in my preferred climate of hot tropical weather, and after getting my big city and birthday celebrations underway, I felt vacation was really kicking in. Let's just say in Cairns, I was in my element.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_wexGsVHNTnQhYJm6wAOZ2vQPXGU77hYEWswCqg4RuEp5NJRHzvaAvRnen2ZSiuVdiYILhG5dKroo4yyZcpwceHDW-2XrhyphenhyphenDhuu9sSnPDJu1G0LO6PdqjVl6Sx1rl-ze9qXeSO84Bh6j/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_wexGsVHNTnQhYJm6wAOZ2vQPXGU77hYEWswCqg4RuEp5NJRHzvaAvRnen2ZSiuVdiYILhG5dKroo4yyZcpwceHDW-2XrhyphenhyphenDhuu9sSnPDJu1G0LO6PdqjVl6Sx1rl-ze9qXeSO84Bh6j/s640/IMG_1843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had three nights at <a href="https://www.dreamtimehostel.com/" target="_blank">Dreamtime Hostel </a>broken up by my one night on the reef. For this part of my trip I opted for the private rooms as I'm well aware of how exhausting days of diving can be. I wanted to be well rested beforehand and not bothered if I needed the rest after. Plus, I was packing extremely light so it was laundry day as well!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I immediately loved the hostel. Welcoming, colorful, open areas, kind staff, all you can eat pizza on my first night, pretty hard to beat. Situated right behind Cairns Central Railway Station, it was easy to get around without even much need of a map.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl46DbaRFOGkhJw0EmKRkDTkAtq8XQ9DvrOGuM3z7V62PLdZYxofLlN3HA8G5XTgRlY0Yh2rzNQHDeJbGqbejtTswIuy2kdXNv8C30zBjcMaL4pvhUVKI-QwhF7qGnxKiqnJKwt55fRAO/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl46DbaRFOGkhJw0EmKRkDTkAtq8XQ9DvrOGuM3z7V62PLdZYxofLlN3HA8G5XTgRlY0Yh2rzNQHDeJbGqbejtTswIuy2kdXNv8C30zBjcMaL4pvhUVKI-QwhF7qGnxKiqnJKwt55fRAO/s640/IMG_1570.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v-DZnGSu-ZVzmaNI99-iBjA6GqOK0PtpooSzZHIph-G4dznein7anEo_aMjTk-H4g5DliMJUxVNCd9Ly0452BqFuT4hugrQ31KH_MPtqlh6XW-EqXNkRcVDvwVDwuXr9_qwVQmT67oAw/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v-DZnGSu-ZVzmaNI99-iBjA6GqOK0PtpooSzZHIph-G4dznein7anEo_aMjTk-H4g5DliMJUxVNCd9Ly0452BqFuT4hugrQ31KH_MPtqlh6XW-EqXNkRcVDvwVDwuXr9_qwVQmT67oAw/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I walked to the<a href="http://nightmarkets.com.au/for-tourists" target="_blank"> night markets </a>of Cairns in my first evening. The streets were well lit up and enormous fruit bats screeched above and in the trees throughout the night. Doing my best to restrict any shopping, since I was almost through what I brought in cash, I moseyed along through the aisles sucking on another gelato cone. My attempts failed after chatting up with a local Aussie selling his wife's hand made crafts (they were beautiful, I'm not that much of a sucker) ... and then passing a pair of earrings I <i>really </i>liked ... and <i>then </i>convincing myself my poor feet deserved a 30 minute massage. Ha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I went to check out the <a href="https://www.google.com.tw/search?q=lagoon+cairns&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiT1NKpxPPZAhWGHpQKHQBHCRAQ_AUICigB&biw=1517&bih=653" target="_blank">Esplanade Lagoon</a> of Cairns, which is right along the harbor. It was night so I didn't take any photos. I imagine it's ideal for families. It is quite beautiful in photos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After just hours in this humid, beachy city I was already wishing I'd booked a later flight to Sydney.</span><br />
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Tuesday, February 20 on the Great Barrier Reef: Norman Reef </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My first early morning in Cairns, I was temporarily checking out of Dreamtime and getting off the mainland for my two day - one night stay with <a href="https://reefencounter.com.au/" target="_blank">Reef Encounter</a>, aboard a "35 meter catamaran with spacious ensuite cabins." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEUnt7lWkrCTiNWVSS9cR5KHvdFvzqrBOFfgkCDvt43oXWM970dnPbf2xPHNg_J4h_BZ9_Mg9tkB69x8-VYG2NfGUrVfa_gk0w_n77hSunEROHtWOHbCcFhcQ2A2zCVVRQbLizIwC0nr0/s640/IMG_1585.JPG" width="640" /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYA98tKrelBz9gfbv9vXzp4X0BP77IUs9zca1of3GQoFuz8L602eD8prVwVm2O9o-erLOTyFmjOIZXK4yIN3xkPMTnogsc2bkwhjunkzXwlwKg9FXKZg2PQNS-_640xpyH-nJ7vLUeodY/s1600/IMG_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYA98tKrelBz9gfbv9vXzp4X0BP77IUs9zca1of3GQoFuz8L602eD8prVwVm2O9o-erLOTyFmjOIZXK4yIN3xkPMTnogsc2bkwhjunkzXwlwKg9FXKZg2PQNS-_640xpyH-nJ7vLUeodY/s400/IMG_1725.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had been hunting for the perfect live-aboard and found one I could comfortably stay on. As well as, and maybe more importantly for me, I wanted an excellent guest to staff ratio. Staying on the sea, doing a thrilling yet unpredictable and often tiring excursion like scuba diving, I didn't want to worry about ample food, space, diving guides, having questions answered, too many people in the water, or any other worst case scenario in the sea.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This experience had all of that, and more! At the Carins <a href="https://www.portsnorth.com.au/cairns-marlin-marina/" target="_blank">Marlin </a>Marina, (which has 264 places for docking boats) we followed the directions of our pick-up guide down to the Reef Encounter's Catamaran. Once aboard the overnighters were asked to step onto the upper deck and the day-trippers were asked to find a place below, fruit, coffee and tea were there waiting for us. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What will you see in the GBR?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We filled out the needed emergency contacts and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">signed agreements </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">while the guides checked our certifications and any health conditions. We were then given a "debrief" on safety and signals used when diving off the catamaran. Before meeting up and switching to the overnight boat in the middle of the sea, a handsome marine biologist gave us the scope of what we'd most likely be interacting with in a matter of hours, and other useful </span><a href="http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">facts</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> and spoiled myths about the GBR and surrounding oceans including pictures for ohhs and ahhs. A quick reference to the movie <i>Finding Nemo</i>, he told us how the clownfish, or anemonefish, are actually hermaphrodites. "Had it been more realistic, when Nemo's mother died, Nemo most likely would have turned into a female and continued mating with his father. But that wouldn't make for quite as good of a children's movie." Haha! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was delighted to hear him discuss the huge amounts of <a href="https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/protecting-australias-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank">protection </a>that has been ongoing and growing since 2003. After his presentation, I cornered him to ask about all of the bleaching that's been in the news, how bad was it? What penalties were made for those who damaged the reef and were these vast tours of divers doing more harm than good? He first assured me that the majority of our 'ticket,' or money, spent on these tours went to funding for protection expansion. He also stopped me during my question on penalties and said it was better to sink a vessel than to knock off a reef. (I assume he meant the cost of losing a vessel compared to the fines for damaging the reef.) He said the bleaching was true, and described why it was happening, but that the majority was in the shallow waters closer to Australia. It wouldn't be anything we would catch a glimpse of. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking out tanks to the day trip divers.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG17GmZo9-GLwRywempZ9TbDgBG_s23k0BJyphSkTEVTbmjaavNhT0XTS6hyxMVD2OtSJrZWiKo_fg9rXYnsy_V9JaLrOK0e3fO29YG0eihbKocPEkOi6ieM3Icnr-Jhl_U7lFlWLfRO4/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG17GmZo9-GLwRywempZ9TbDgBG_s23k0BJyphSkTEVTbmjaavNhT0XTS6hyxMVD2OtSJrZWiKo_fg9rXYnsy_V9JaLrOK0e3fO29YG0eihbKocPEkOi6ieM3Icnr-Jhl_U7lFlWLfRO4/s400/IMG_1600.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the overnight boat we were greeted by yet another shaggy haired, blondie Aussie and debriefed on life on the live aboard. Next up was the professional photographer who told us of his job to take photos on four dives a day, upload them twice a day, match our faces into our own digital photo folders, and then be sure we check them out for possible purchase before we leave. I think he had one of the hardest jobs of all the crew. Then before our first venture of snorkeling at 10:30, we were put into our rooms. Most people were their in pairs, so I was happy to be placed with another young single traveler, Ester from Sweden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The first experience in the water is only a snorkel as it's dangerously close to lunch time. In the water, I was disappointed to realize the camera I had rented from Dreamtime was not only taking dull photos but was leaking water inside of it's case. I would try it again later, but for the most part I decided to just enjoy the experience of what I came for, I can always Google photos later, I don't know if I'd ever be here again. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The anchor line was used to guide snorkelers and divers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we enter the water from the back of the boat. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At lunch I sat with a young couple from Norway and straight after lunch was our diving review. Even though everyone diving is certified, it was nice to go around the group to hear everyone's name, where they're from, number of dives they've done, and their last dive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>ALL underwater photos were taken from a dull, often leaking water case- camera. They do nothing for the colors you really see underwater, + the pinkish blur in nearly every photo is from the case. But a glimpse is better than nothing. After a few shots, I put the camera away to be in awe and wonderment.</b></i> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a Mega City, Underwater! <br />
Many times I would be so distracted I had no idea what meter depth I was at until I checked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbSLZMlm0s9avpE9Yk1Fw1Dd5LgnANDTS2wdZOSGeB3Ab5kN-5oR6lj8o5VxYjFfkH41Y8eZSCC1NDLgaBv5vk0vmCq7d1inCsM_Jz_FltDYSpoAC3Tj7h90KUxq60r_SDPexdK7-Dhxs/s1600/IMG_1660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbSLZMlm0s9avpE9Yk1Fw1Dd5LgnANDTS2wdZOSGeB3Ab5kN-5oR6lj8o5VxYjFfkH41Y8eZSCC1NDLgaBv5vk0vmCq7d1inCsM_Jz_FltDYSpoAC3Tj7h90KUxq60r_SDPexdK7-Dhxs/s400/IMG_1660.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I was assigned as guest number one.<br />
This is my tank and BCD - the only one in this little corner of the boat. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I must have looked young, naive, not a regular diver- not sure what it was but a guide said I'd be going along with him and one other girl from China on the 1:30 dive. (Note: They later tried to charge me for this guide I had never asked for.) Contrary to every other time I've been diving my first dive was actually great. Usually I have problems with the borrowed mask or worst my ears won't equalize. Usually it just takes me a dive before I'm back into the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">swing </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">of things. But even the guide came to find me afterwards and said I did very well with my air, location in the water, and it seemed natural to me. Almost made me blush. ^^ Although this first dive was only 29 minutes, and the girl from China needed a lot more assistance, it was a great first dive. </span><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujfRufRyBLCt1OdzJDIYDwKeHl062NsDiSEvmQtji_jH4Z-_oNyNJTtvPkUPXBi0dPuPka9OduIISSYPeyU3ugStxRIebtBCH1ZTOqE5zHIEcswFtljZ2o3cBKHo1bhU_ChhCRhFZdL-W/s640/P1240888.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Norman Reef is 60km from Cairns 'on the outer edge of the continental shelf.' Saxon is 50km.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parrot Fish- Fun fact, parrot fish poop makes up the white sand beaches. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A short break out of out sting suit (lots of jellies in these waters) and the second dive was at 3:30. Besides swimming side by side to a sea turtle this was an awful dive. I was rushed to get in by the new guide and that's never a good thing. Water in my mask frequently, my ankles were getting rubbed raw by the flippers, I wasted too much time trying to get a decent photo (as I thought I finally got the camera fixed) and then worst of all, my ear was in a tremendous amount of pain on my way out. It was a long, painful dive, and I was looking forward to a bigger break and meeting some people who might be diving at more my speed. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLGQJN7-4lmyz1VhUafI3N8X2riyESg3b_DcJO-vWhQLqHZVGJA96a-mhUiwoPxWPSxPE-avnYs6wOIRtcdpA9S374-cZr_EWTNlrOxAIYs1GerthuKkTVam5095XhatPzOaKtqP9hg-4/s1600/P1240923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLGQJN7-4lmyz1VhUafI3N8X2riyESg3b_DcJO-vWhQLqHZVGJA96a-mhUiwoPxWPSxPE-avnYs6wOIRtcdpA9S374-cZr_EWTNlrOxAIYs1GerthuKkTVam5095XhatPzOaKtqP9hg-4/s400/P1240923.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ester and I </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dinner was at 6 and I slowly gravitated towards a pair of couples from Austin, Texas who were also diving with my cabin mate Ester. They asked if I wanted to join them for the night dive, and I was thrilled! There was a 30 minute /10 meter limit to the night dives, which was fine with everyone. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night dive diving debrief. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Adding a flashlight to your gear, you go in just as you would for any other dive off a boat. One hand holding your mask and regulator in position, the other holding everything else down so it doesn't smack you in the face, one big step forward and you're in. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> night dive makes getting lost in the ocean that much easier, so more than ever, stick with your buddy! My buddy just happened to enjoy wandering off from the group which gave me a minor panic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Instantly, before even lowering into the water there was a reef shark beneath us. In the short dive we saw at least 6 other reef sharks with their glowing green eyes. At one point, one was circling our group multiple times before continuing on its way. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sil0DSfNd_U8SRGtupo6AmiuQkTDjy1GYIvvEuFvzLR3FbcFQFOKd-GCX5fQjBL53rWE93s1RHIqF437L1IK6ARK6WtnGFg7zVqnA7DA72ypO_h4gf_SrzrwUrxvF7HGoAg7CtvZVhAy/s1600/P1240933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sil0DSfNd_U8SRGtupo6AmiuQkTDjy1GYIvvEuFvzLR3FbcFQFOKd-GCX5fQjBL53rWE93s1RHIqF437L1IK6ARK6WtnGFg7zVqnA7DA72ypO_h4gf_SrzrwUrxvF7HGoAg7CtvZVhAy/s400/P1240933.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enormous clam during the following morning dive! <br />While watching, its mouth openings open and close.<br />The colors were bright green and dark purples. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We came across an enormous clam. It was at least a meter long! I was fascinated. We also spotted a stingray, it's wing-like fins flowing likes waves over the corals. As we were just about to get out, we looked down to see hundreds of thousands of what I think were tiny teal colored fish, it was like a galaxy of fish, almost making you dizzy and pulling you in. We all lifted our heads above water and exclaimed, "What was that!?"</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjrYJkWdH_nlQDEgNqjV3PAWQ9YS2LMh4r61PSYOsi11jk9i-yoBaoSlnEzYyQIWWS1Ofd1YL7PZ3aYUOfAmIqSM5EFMdozdyRYPBuuekVZ-FRB4Ykd2avAu-bFR8LHxLQxIiYPfDk3yR/s640/IMG_1626.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTywSwcram2VvCqMk4vtU1RjuVAmR9wP6-o1pc3jbbin5XRsUTrIpQxcsry3YtYaBlLF7yuKDDQ6uol6fgnNXzcON6phfSo9_-nSdQVXiakrYSMebS1lQfg78L378yAzJo5YrOsFBoQEF/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTywSwcram2VvCqMk4vtU1RjuVAmR9wP6-o1pc3jbbin5XRsUTrIpQxcsry3YtYaBlLF7yuKDDQ6uol6fgnNXzcON6phfSo9_-nSdQVXiakrYSMebS1lQfg78L378yAzJo5YrOsFBoQEF/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">They advertise the helipad for helicopter tours, the 'heated spa tub,' licensed bar, ocean view rooms, and glass bottom boat tours, but I didn't see much of any of that being used. However, the on board chef was doing a hell of a job. The quality and quantity was better than expected. The room I was placed in was also much bigger than I'd imagined. The atmosphere was so relaxed and people just hung out in the lounge area when not diving or eating. (Although it felt like that was all we were doing was eating and diving.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wY-pPUVMO-EVHLnkeECbWXPufZ0VWbZ93338J-_AtQTAwGYwsoE28OeW9RTK3a4cEcN-F03zluEgsF7JRIM6NVGzAHQGfwCCQCXUIxtSVR3HekIr3OkwFUPYnsW1QZbKfIuFc0USm8zx/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wY-pPUVMO-EVHLnkeECbWXPufZ0VWbZ93338J-_AtQTAwGYwsoE28OeW9RTK3a4cEcN-F03zluEgsF7JRIM6NVGzAHQGfwCCQCXUIxtSVR3HekIr3OkwFUPYnsW1QZbKfIuFc0USm8zx/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Immediately after the third dive I had a real shower and some hot cocoa. Our little dive group met up to record our dive and sign each others log books, shared some photos, and hunted for the names of creatures we saw. After that by 9:30 I was in bed. The rocking of the boat while falling asleep was soothing and somehow comforting to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Day two: Saxon Reef, GBR</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The morning dive was to be at 630AM. About 45 minutes before that I was awoken to some heavy boat rocking and sounds of waves splashing. A tad thrown off, I went up to see why we were leaving Norman Reef. Apparently in the night the boat had move and the anchor was hitting a large coral. So they had to get us out of there. I wonder how often this happens...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We still dove at 630, this time at <a href="https://reeftrip.com/information/reef-locations/saxon-reef/" target="_blank">Saxon </a>Reef. Three of the Americans and I went in for 38 minutes of the most incredible dive of my life! <i>This was the Great Barrier Reef.</i> <i><u>This</u> </i>is what I had come for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zAfyH1cMpWAck4dufrpwM-rjv8pZ3z_QF6SAyL1YKOCS8JYVHEdXdx69sC94dXkLGf-3yXkDpSd1CK_bPIiMctRPQVHNjvGsQVbrOgy0iwa_Lel6MJKYWao5mDxyIZUov_ORou1d52OD/s1600/P1240905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zAfyH1cMpWAck4dufrpwM-rjv8pZ3z_QF6SAyL1YKOCS8JYVHEdXdx69sC94dXkLGf-3yXkDpSd1CK_bPIiMctRPQVHNjvGsQVbrOgy0iwa_Lel6MJKYWao5mDxyIZUov_ORou1d52OD/s640/P1240905.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLJnDnlY-BaC3yqxd5Tmrejdrz8za2R44tLoufgbbMmi2ZxDbumuYWSfsY0P1uG_3iZbLHbmjFaqqyY3Q_cJWoksw3iqBZ220k9rqryGVeCvuc1P7T0DYO3dsTWcNupXIf1vbwr7jIfRj/s1600/P1240920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLJnDnlY-BaC3yqxd5Tmrejdrz8za2R44tLoufgbbMmi2ZxDbumuYWSfsY0P1uG_3iZbLHbmjFaqqyY3Q_cJWoksw3iqBZ220k9rqryGVeCvuc1P7T0DYO3dsTWcNupXIf1vbwr7jIfRj/s320/P1240920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We initially dropped down over sand where sea cucumbers lined the ocean floor like land mines. Among the hundreds of coral fish I saw, some were the size of basketballs. Swimming further on, there wasn't just one magnitude of a school of fish, there were several. I remember not even knowing where to look, it was too much to take in from such a close perspective, I had to look past it all, above me and it was truly something I can hardly describe. They came in all sizes, color variations, and yet swam with, and against each other like a well run machine.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxIKn654Xx4A8HAXVRU0R8uS4OrdF8kveZS97NBHwQyymzNLQmNF8D7jPZjlg_O4UO3VdJCpIwMvpaPvbYclkp68LFRC5kCC9iqwWPvV29k03LZyR4jvKB2vdJ-KWI7xpTLpNmQQOap64/s1600/P1240876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxIKn654Xx4A8HAXVRU0R8uS4OrdF8kveZS97NBHwQyymzNLQmNF8D7jPZjlg_O4UO3VdJCpIwMvpaPvbYclkp68LFRC5kCC9iqwWPvV29k03LZyR4jvKB2vdJ-KWI7xpTLpNmQQOap64/s640/P1240876.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harlequin sweetlips and a dash of a school of fish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFuGOpgH2CjkpzI2IjNsZKM64Rc1PX2c6eL_iO1o7_rhXnUVfLXJ015XJ-TnkOCrJlRgP8T6V8GnwEsJ12b5JbDYqXGKbViEMTb70mBpWJLlKE5QMZtnHB7AgcVRkBb1q1DO92s14k4Sb/s1600/P1240901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFuGOpgH2CjkpzI2IjNsZKM64Rc1PX2c6eL_iO1o7_rhXnUVfLXJ015XJ-TnkOCrJlRgP8T6V8GnwEsJ12b5JbDYqXGKbViEMTb70mBpWJLlKE5QMZtnHB7AgcVRkBb1q1DO92s14k4Sb/s640/P1240901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite corals. I'm not sure if it's a toadstool coral, leather coral, or some other strange, but obvious name.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek0aurJxvayPEzinL62DveXTYV5xXFxRqlWoHl7dH64KKs5uNtK40TUaSmlohCZayKcdqJenANELwxJTN8112f821UORiQALGuOxnRpgHPsEt3J-Hj_AyhptJR-6z4Kox5tee073_eoup/s1600/P1240847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek0aurJxvayPEzinL62DveXTYV5xXFxRqlWoHl7dH64KKs5uNtK40TUaSmlohCZayKcdqJenANELwxJTN8112f821UORiQALGuOxnRpgHPsEt3J-Hj_AyhptJR-6z4Kox5tee073_eoup/s400/P1240847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can almost see the strength of the blues in this photo, <br />
yet underwater the blue seemed to be glowing.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was lucky to see another reef shark in the morning, barracudas, tuna, dozens of parrotfish (whose <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/where-does-sand-come-parrotfish-poop-makes-white-beaches-and-now-scientists-714024" target="_blank">feces </a>help make white sand beaches), </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">harlequin sweetlips</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">, and the most rare sighting was the ornate wobbegong. The </span><a href="https://www.google.com.tw/search?dcr=0&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=z6CiWs-DIYPI8wXGmYPIBw&q=coral&oq=coral&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i67k1l2j0j0i67k1l4j0j0i67k1j0.15703.16181.0.16313.5.5.0.0.0.0.77.346.5.5.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.5.343....0.0L2uwAOfM5w" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">corals </a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">were remarkable. I am a big fan of any soft corals as I love to watch them move with the underwater current. But just as beautiful was the staghorn coral with it's neon tips and the fan corals that spread open wide for whole armies of fish to dance across.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsu32pbtj5sCRIF8hM0KwHZk__z-sT4miP6dUvZTvnKwurjgsmKBq8ONqdPROPVCHY7is1yyja7FBQPcJoKUZ2IrTi7UfQ6iq25KXmR-xcTuUSWeYoUcNGtsd_dVbhPg45oWJK4fwpua2/s1600/P1240891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsu32pbtj5sCRIF8hM0KwHZk__z-sT4miP6dUvZTvnKwurjgsmKBq8ONqdPROPVCHY7is1yyja7FBQPcJoKUZ2IrTi7UfQ6iq25KXmR-xcTuUSWeYoUcNGtsd_dVbhPg45oWJK4fwpua2/s640/P1240891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blue spotted stingray!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We came in for breakfast at 730 and my next dive was at 830. This time I went with just two of the girls, none of us were that great at navigating so we didn't venture too far, nor very deep. However we did still spot a blue spotted stingray, a pufferfish, trumpetfish, and a couple of triggerfish. When we were coming in I noticed a jellyfish has managed to get swept up and stranded on the boat. One of the gals used her fin to flop it back in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWJSfllTNGRGMse4Ddvnw3Rx9OxxBEnXymMcxITaVgDA7HK-k-NRyTACDUKM8Jo5TYyhYYRQEBdQ953Z24-b61H35RS0PjD9INYGwOMlub4pTqG8jRGJY9t8MJhq1W-1rHUCvcRDDIS3C/s1600/P1240928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWJSfllTNGRGMse4Ddvnw3Rx9OxxBEnXymMcxITaVgDA7HK-k-NRyTACDUKM8Jo5TYyhYYRQEBdQ953Z24-b61H35RS0PjD9INYGwOMlub4pTqG8jRGJY9t8MJhq1W-1rHUCvcRDDIS3C/s640/P1240928.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvhKYRJuUqoSnTY2-utdmCbgFK98DFFFnWKk7IXONN_Jet2X7VSYFLJRdS2e0lbFhffqyUbzz7zOlKh32nd5m2sSzNq9T2aSExc_zcjwMO9xDfHN_eL3EPSePESwnpWR2K083Qo01YyRR/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvhKYRJuUqoSnTY2-utdmCbgFK98DFFFnWKk7IXONN_Jet2X7VSYFLJRdS2e0lbFhffqyUbzz7zOlKh32nd5m2sSzNq9T2aSExc_zcjwMO9xDfHN_eL3EPSePESwnpWR2K083Qo01YyRR/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rise and repeat.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My last dive of the day was at 1030AM just as the new arrivals were coming on board. By this time my body was so sore from the weights strapped around my waist each dive, the suctioning mask across my upper jaw, my ankles had continued to lose skin from the fins, and well, 6 dives in 24 hours was quite an extreme sport for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In my last hour or so on the boat I checked out my photo file from the photographer. They were charging 10 photos for $150AUD! Unbelievable prices for <i>unbelievable </i>photos. Luckily, and unluckily, he didn't capture any of me worth buying. My favorite photo was one he took of a sea turtle about to eat a jellyfish. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After that, I just enjoyed the views from deck, even seeing a hawksbill sea turtle come up for air.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv4HiRMlmAQ-Hp736N0kQX7RS-jRpFdXH6f6VYCJbkbS1_fKSAmGvWddB7I0KbGRUHMTBs0S1cSpw_0MtZdCr9Vkmfw39bXUaeT-coArKs6eVFt3EuAlbskasVRcarC43q2B7ZHomAJeL/s1600/IMG_1701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgv4HiRMlmAQ-Hp736N0kQX7RS-jRpFdXH6f6VYCJbkbS1_fKSAmGvWddB7I0KbGRUHMTBs0S1cSpw_0MtZdCr9Vkmfw39bXUaeT-coArKs6eVFt3EuAlbskasVRcarC43q2B7ZHomAJeL/s320/IMG_1701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As far as the Reef Encounter experience, I was very impressed with it's staff. They were young, but they were well trained, energetic, helpful, and truly seemed like they wanted us to have the best time. It was also great that there were so many of them, all passengers (max. of 42) felt taken care of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I switched back onto the day boat around 3:30PM, had a couple of glasses of free wine and a great chat with a fellow Aussie gal before relaxing in the sun. Land was soon in sight, and so were enormous gray clouds. In Cairns, life was much better out at sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free." </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">-Jacques-Yves Cousteau</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWoaj7XmyJXuq59RtAh9eliP6gmNYMZFfjkmq3Ynh_vbQErcNhWzN3VC1JYu61lS1525aJnKaesWCiD0cDhyphenhyphenNSWwpTYmW9LVh3KFWEWMNOt8S36_-EaP62ucU7bwjbooch74IVH3uhy3w/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="902" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWoaj7XmyJXuq59RtAh9eliP6gmNYMZFfjkmq3Ynh_vbQErcNhWzN3VC1JYu61lS1525aJnKaesWCiD0cDhyphenhyphenNSWwpTYmW9LVh3KFWEWMNOt8S36_-EaP62ucU7bwjbooch74IVH3uhy3w/s320/IMG_1729.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Back at Dreamtime I was in a new private room and so grateful to have a full size bed. I threw in my laundry, picked up a cider and had a good chat with JJ the hostel host. In between washer and dryer I found myself sitting amongst a quite diverse group. From 19 to 32, a guy from U.K., a young Aussie who sold everything to live his dream out on the road, another Aussie there to learn to dive, a modelesque girl from the Netherlands, and a guy from Brussels I could tell knew how to have a good time if the mood striked. The band of us went out to P.J's Pub for some drinks. Sitting outdoors we saw a few fights almost break out among some local aboriginals. Quite interesting. Later we checked out a club, and ended the night with taking a bike style tuk-tuk back to the hostel. </span></div>
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Thursday, February 22 : KURANDA; Village in the Rainforest</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuttXTjHv03Rs6aIFdsiOgdx_Btar0GJa-LO1tnq3egxCMiapUIHZZsWQ8ev-8192GAvO9WWqXC5eHu9f4yz3NloKwDTKhKFlLmL7CuShCaByg6tELSsB8klLl33yiK01VqGgyZLQ_wx5/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1278" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuttXTjHv03Rs6aIFdsiOgdx_Btar0GJa-LO1tnq3egxCMiapUIHZZsWQ8ev-8192GAvO9WWqXC5eHu9f4yz3NloKwDTKhKFlLmL7CuShCaByg6tELSsB8klLl33yiK01VqGgyZLQ_wx5/s400/IMG_1767.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With the convenient location of being right across from Cairns Railway Station. I was picked up at 9:30 and taken to <a href="http://www.tjapukai.com.au/" target="_blank">Tjapukai</a>: <i>Where Australia Begins. </i>This was the entrance for <a href="https://www.skyrail.com.au/cairnstours" target="_blank">Skyrail</a>, a 7.5 km gondola journey into 'the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on earth.</span><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXopdhR4hWenMKL0A7ssx7ybfrNCayqd3owPkgjEEAAn0Gzyy_2uL1-HLjektVbHlCp8rJgC4BEtn-WzC6VEKqsafNXaMORAfTMuKHlPhcfd9XhuK6PpPqFOOFnpDY7ZJB46HJ_tPXomoZ/s640/IMG_0037.JPG" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are a two stops along they way before reaching the final destination of <a href="http://www.kuranda.org/" target="_blank">Kuranda</a>: <i>Village of the Rainforest. </i>However, I would stop at those on the way back since my scheduled time at the Koala Gardens was at 11:30. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kuranda Village is full of aboriginals and 'hippies' who moved in and began selling their crafts in the 1970s. I went straight away to the <a href="http://www.koalagardens.com/" target="_blank">Koala Garden</a>, which was not busy at all, most likely because people were still at the first or second stop. There were a few sleeping koalas in the exhibit. There was even an unamused kangaroo and a wallaby bouncing around. I was surprised they let you walk right next to these animals with literally no staff nearby. Even the pathway went right alongside them without any sort of fence, not even a rope. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassowary, smaller than the ostrich and emu but still quite large.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmZydysub41P8vwy_8x7aRaVv9dDnM8kshOi805snwgHPR3_180Z7fO6qp6krBY1B9S0ppINLzLzUO9ScEVYD_jV0EF5MxvLWpSr-au8DgStTqYpS-uKQHKKBvif1kP7KrFwhm674ZUHi/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmZydysub41P8vwy_8x7aRaVv9dDnM8kshOi805snwgHPR3_180Z7fO6qp6krBY1B9S0ppINLzLzUO9ScEVYD_jV0EF5MxvLWpSr-au8DgStTqYpS-uKQHKKBvif1kP7KrFwhm674ZUHi/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I went to see the koala that was up for hire to hold. I wanted to see how it was being treated, and whether it seemed scared or doped up. (I highly regret my Tiger Kingdom experience in Thailand.) I did think the poor thing looked confused, almost searching with its eyes as if it was blind. Maybe this is because they normally sleep 18-20 hours a day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6itxlvl_Ab-yWZ2oOFuVHT_LXBBWrDsVzmRiLNc-HtqXKDz2IzNRPAqOoC_qIfUL_ziLcjrO8qMKMpeP2ZKtS5iHOcQd1QlNuVCumuyJRtiTjuCkTkVVCYeh9tvQEqMNGWewf01s1oWQ/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6itxlvl_Ab-yWZ2oOFuVHT_LXBBWrDsVzmRiLNc-HtqXKDz2IzNRPAqOoC_qIfUL_ziLcjrO8qMKMpeP2ZKtS5iHOcQd1QlNuVCumuyJRtiTjuCkTkVVCYeh9tvQEqMNGWewf01s1oWQ/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the bird sanctuary there were dozens of native Australian exotic birds, as well as a handful of others from around the world. I stayed near the feeders as it seemed to attract the small colorful ones at this time. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two Major Mitchell Cockatoo's necking. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwFb5ZHxKGZwAvjMJ2UdDeULmf_s6vfO7UW4NJDqjoAmGlT-T4AM4IEQGRQBcjoVDa-cU-PIk9R3vnicOHUXuLiqtm1s05wdrs2AmR0o6C5RNcM4h_aoPqVnoTAI5jt6anOZhS3q-3qQJ/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwFb5ZHxKGZwAvjMJ2UdDeULmf_s6vfO7UW4NJDqjoAmGlT-T4AM4IEQGRQBcjoVDa-cU-PIk9R3vnicOHUXuLiqtm1s05wdrs2AmR0o6C5RNcM4h_aoPqVnoTAI5jt6anOZhS3q-3qQJ/s640/IMG_0100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Sun Conures, originally from Colombia </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Green-cheeked conure, from South America.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1138" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbraQQ8yj19stcdQ4VucqOLyEMDl9JQi9ElBkoEEHJdlK4mTkOA43nPW9dkp23bJLtX0OYtOWYkYTgBL5TybCaXTc0Ckpy5LOvS6yqW5eV6QX4Z0skIvC83Xhb0FUom5avbblYmt3U0D4m/s400/IMG_1796.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Indian Ringneck, from India.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I was being distracted by a bright yellow parrot on my head, a small green parrot was rummaging through my small bag of things and manages to get a hold of my chapstick! He almost flew off with it but luckily, for that bird, I snatched it back in time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvMnoeI-CJRdYEy63HotuyZ5xAKn0HeG_GUNd6IlIb2eQ6fvBp1ZyVejw2upxLI2tSbKBnTdORvgjFwvL_1WZ4akAjMZB2uUg1kQmvoQF4LeBp5mfhzjSes4WiY8uUW7hP6Ah1fcwSpoM/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvMnoeI-CJRdYEy63HotuyZ5xAKn0HeG_GUNd6IlIb2eQ6fvBp1ZyVejw2upxLI2tSbKBnTdORvgjFwvL_1WZ4akAjMZB2uUg1kQmvoQF4LeBp5mfhzjSes4WiY8uUW7hP6Ah1fcwSpoM/s400/IMG_0109.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I went to eat at <a href="http://www.frogsrestaurant.com.au/" target="_blank">Frogs</a> which sits next to a market full of artwork, leathers and furs, painted boomerangs and <a href="http://www.frogsrestaurant.com.au/" target="_blank">didgeridoos</a>. It was established in 1980s in Kurana, but I believe the location has changed. Now, you can sit basically in the rainforest. Large lizards would just seem to pop out of no where right next to someones seat, frozen, not moving an inch, appearing from nowhere. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf0zeuZt-L5aFgbB2TyWcXzMGJ8NMm2WPHzibO1fEwvW4K1_7NSglywuJDQfBbhs4WcZYcIhs7uJjbHWxkUSZSIoceeffbVs03srOa1IuT0PtmDjhZ6rF4zXY7zbE1wpecwwdZdXr9tlv/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf0zeuZt-L5aFgbB2TyWcXzMGJ8NMm2WPHzibO1fEwvW4K1_7NSglywuJDQfBbhs4WcZYcIhs7uJjbHWxkUSZSIoceeffbVs03srOa1IuT0PtmDjhZ6rF4zXY7zbE1wpecwwdZdXr9tlv/s640/IMG_0173.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A 14-yr old boy playing a didgeridoo. Next to him were two young boys sitting with a coke. <br />In this moment, the younger of the two boys had grabbed <br />a few coins from collection and ran off for something. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Butterfly Exhibit.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqq0xg1svZgbHR6TBU0JbZgWuUonNmKQ9B_CYo2S6gM2uJf1Sz4RwvVfr80UeEk-Y4rlHT2WXHdcHs-zItPsKbZi54Dvu2-nPHl3rek33XLfw7E7PwYgX7UQsw0stK2FjUu7dDESrwaTK/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqq0xg1svZgbHR6TBU0JbZgWuUonNmKQ9B_CYo2S6gM2uJf1Sz4RwvVfr80UeEk-Y4rlHT2WXHdcHs-zItPsKbZi54Dvu2-nPHl3rek33XLfw7E7PwYgX7UQsw0stK2FjUu7dDESrwaTK/s640/IMG_0149.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Nectar Sucker</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnz9WMTlNM1OEgOBZeCIuCVmFSdys5SWiczT0f8M4E9FgDAX7VGYN0hqjrb8j7V1NJvNlTe8RgPqSQoy5n6ihsMBEUBztQ82oOTXpCZ4IA-szaT7iModT4sVAdg1h2BjnyTw4eEK0Gvm0/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnz9WMTlNM1OEgOBZeCIuCVmFSdys5SWiczT0f8M4E9FgDAX7VGYN0hqjrb8j7V1NJvNlTe8RgPqSQoy5n6ihsMBEUBztQ82oOTXpCZ4IA-szaT7iModT4sVAdg1h2BjnyTw4eEK0Gvm0/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYwyj_uj8QXar4vF3MZMBfuATTDhDUoEBzFUeFZ669MukxLEtisrq2dbG_ejNlGmsbTGd1VQt7BnUKApNfoZbaw48wwG1A78pbSR_sHUoy6y3t-KnqKUHBWjVe-mO1Kq4Y6w1YzI3NUi-/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYwyj_uj8QXar4vF3MZMBfuATTDhDUoEBzFUeFZ669MukxLEtisrq2dbG_ejNlGmsbTGd1VQt7BnUKApNfoZbaw48wwG1A78pbSR_sHUoy6y3t-KnqKUHBWjVe-mO1Kq4Y6w1YzI3NUi-/s400/IMG_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was a historical hotel you could visit. The shops were endless and yes fascinating, but I was already past my expected spending amount (and I wasn't even to Sydney yet) so I decided no more (unnecessary) shopping. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRllJMyGhXEHodd_t8LNCIeEvwYQpJaMq7ACYlzvHBOsgeQdPunn6Tqtn_g0vb5nr0ltSsScO0Mu-pKmpGNKfbIO6bj-w43hA1MHkVCyMVdQJ-osFzl2urv5JxJd2f0f2EsJ7VYHj3-OjG/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRllJMyGhXEHodd_t8LNCIeEvwYQpJaMq7ACYlzvHBOsgeQdPunn6Tqtn_g0vb5nr0ltSsScO0Mu-pKmpGNKfbIO6bj-w43hA1MHkVCyMVdQJ-osFzl2urv5JxJd2f0f2EsJ7VYHj3-OjG/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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BARRON FALLS</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBi4HCwFE5sDYtMuBUgPyjaDrS8GtXKnI1_Ac62v1hFPSSKPYv3OU3mf9hoLpLH10Gupqs2dOd-_Cok1YaLo8VMQQMYN-r2uUEK9oCAzxHLy_TYWxG1Z5VMB9WsGK_ucR8hi0AGfpHv1_/s640/IMG_0196.JPG" width="640" /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I took the skyrail to the first stop at Barron Falls. Pictures don't do it justice, as with much of Australia. While I was here, you can see not much of a 'falls' is happening. But just two weeks later, <a href="https://globalnews.ca/video/4077771/record-torrential-rain-floods-australias-barron-falls" target="_blank">record breaking</a> torrential rain would flood Barron Falls. The next station, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Red Peak Station, had a small boardwalk with lookouts.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dedication to aboriginal ranger.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2i8MJUKpHKUwUTja8S6T8fbvRqbvKLPEaRJxCSv6OtkQMEzh5E_IM9Ac12_CJpKuSMauMJthtBDjc7JSW_oSu9ZW98aSNBtfI3IXjWlSc4xTxBUoweJW4MFCiHIKvNdfrXjGzkLFJ_sP/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2i8MJUKpHKUwUTja8S6T8fbvRqbvKLPEaRJxCSv6OtkQMEzh5E_IM9Ac12_CJpKuSMauMJthtBDjc7JSW_oSu9ZW98aSNBtfI3IXjWlSc4xTxBUoweJW4MFCiHIKvNdfrXjGzkLFJ_sP/s400/IMG_1839.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was back to Cairns and Dreamtime shortly after 5. Took a long nap, packed up for Sydney in the morning, and went out for one last night with the UK and Aussie friends I made. This time two young Japanese fellas joined us as well. They were easily talked into it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">First we went to <a href="https://thejack.com.au/the-pub/" target="_blank">The Jack</a>, or Union Jack, which was an enormous place with an indoor and outdoor area, huge dance floor, tables, TV screens, areas for games. It looked like a college party's dream. For some reason it was empty, so it looked like it was back to <a href="http://www.pjobriens.com.au/cairns/" target="_blank">PJ's</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6_M9XbNtoeBy4aj8GV-fUtrEuRLcKx9P7JfpeZjk3w8uBsCVrjY6NjvHB9QFHu-K5SVIaV3WQu46ufANPlNqI13Ldg5xQAAAgMglDsasmTRLm6G1dZjflaWNKYEfhFv7WDDZfl1Aw1FJ/s1600/IMG_1849+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6_M9XbNtoeBy4aj8GV-fUtrEuRLcKx9P7JfpeZjk3w8uBsCVrjY6NjvHB9QFHu-K5SVIaV3WQu46ufANPlNqI13Ldg5xQAAAgMglDsasmTRLm6G1dZjflaWNKYEfhFv7WDDZfl1Aw1FJ/s320/IMG_1849+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz1plQholJgoWvXhqc73eJ-Ocj55G-BTZWXwn1tkteJzLMJTUv8LRrAse1VYLxS7bLOt7SbCO6Rn_92QBEtdly7BmhM_K61uE7kJWymjEo2FNIUZz6Ag_9bDmCkZlNcZeEzXkrpbsiPA1/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I was e</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">x</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">tremely tired on this last night in Cairns, but got caught up in a conversation until nearly 4AM. UK and I began our debates on the future of the planet before even leaving the pub. When we got back we met an extremely level headed, sensible, and well-composed 20 year old who was on a brief break from working with aboriginal children in a remote village in northern Australia. He said it took months for the children and village to trust and accept him. Now it seemed to be the most rewarding, yet often heartbreaking, way to spend his days. The three of us got to talking more about the aboriginals, the</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><a href="https://www.australianstogether.org.au/discover/australian-history/stolen-generations" style="font-family: "times new roman";" target="_blank">stolen generations,</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> westernization, government, corruption, money, China, America, natives, fossil fuels, feminism, white male privilege and the blame they get, ancestors, the future of humanity, the top 1%, aliens, moving to Mars, the shift of it all in the next decades, slow progression, etc. Some very real, and some very scary stuff. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrwGslJhJVOJWBybUkG8R73KdSCH-1hIXTQBZDs9ibIiXtDgMF5ZdVjgqyNfSXenRclaoPr15052CoP9uYZ03JY_Lm9TSj63H9Mc0Md8-zbIYJX7PnLumRvBOtOL1-zZB7ZeeZTWh60Pk/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrwGslJhJVOJWBybUkG8R73KdSCH-1hIXTQBZDs9ibIiXtDgMF5ZdVjgqyNfSXenRclaoPr15052CoP9uYZ03JY_Lm9TSj63H9Mc0Md8-zbIYJX7PnLumRvBOtOL1-zZB7ZeeZTWh60Pk/s640/IMG_1841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1MKHahYp7U35VJ39_KdWP6ISMDtg8JeXyaPF5fEyyCRhZqjPhV3D85P0swNV8gpphWFpTJWe5dAU05hTL13z5PiaW_9wl4Pc58A-j30n6apXc6SfrxgC3daOY97ztFB1gj36OsV4qANY/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1MKHahYp7U35VJ39_KdWP6ISMDtg8JeXyaPF5fEyyCRhZqjPhV3D85P0swNV8gpphWFpTJWe5dAU05hTL13z5PiaW_9wl4Pc58A-j30n6apXc6SfrxgC3daOY97ztFB1gj36OsV4qANY/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had predicted my time in Cairns would be rainy, to the extent of everyday, as I had read February held their heaviest rainfall. Yet, it wasn't until the morning I left for Sydney that the rain came pouring down. This delayed my flight for about an hour, but I wasn't in any rush to leave. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Cairns gives a completely different side to Australia than what you'll get in the cities. A more rugged, native side to Australia. Although it still has the sense of being a very well developed city, it kept the beach-side vibe. Everything within a few blocks and the ocean never too far. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>My final Australian destination is their largest and most well-known city. Sealing the deal, that Australia truly is my <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Sxxibos-I" target="_blank">great white buffalo</a></i>. ^^</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Thanks for reading.- K </b></span><br />
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-70628553537730034152018-02-19T18:09:00.000+08:002018-03-18T01:43:29.601+08:00Australia's Stylish Second City <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In my two weeks in Australia, I would visit the iconic Opera
House, see koalas, explore multiple cities, get lost in the streets, drunk on
the food, meet incredible people, and of course, what I really came for, dive in the Great Barrier Reef. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Disclosure: This post is Melbourne only.) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I, fortunately, also have a
couple of friends who were previously in Taiwan now living in Australia. This was not only a perk of getting to visit old friends, but they were also able to give me a few recommendations and tips beforehand. Yet with all the preparation
and excitement it didn’t fail to have a small bump in the road on the way. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP1R0NwpTxDQapJJdz1qFdALQHxGo84nNOgYQ_uqJoV1JV1_Znoy9AAHbjgQwJSCZXWsZWjy4EEQZVTEgC76ASGB3s7H2lLwoMADIjmAA5z5c_duIs77x90LE6CDkNmgU81AOsgyBLVar/s1600/IMG_4256%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP1R0NwpTxDQapJJdz1qFdALQHxGo84nNOgYQ_uqJoV1JV1_Znoy9AAHbjgQwJSCZXWsZWjy4EEQZVTEgC76ASGB3s7H2lLwoMADIjmAA5z5c_duIs77x90LE6CDkNmgU81AOsgyBLVar/s320/IMG_4256%255B2%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Chinese New Year!<br />Year of the Dog</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">February 13th, I arrived at Taiwan’s international
airport and happily saw the short line, walked right up to weigh my bag and get
checked in when they asked for my Australian visa.....My what?! Yep. That’s
right, I didn’t have a visa allowing me into the country I had been aggressively
planning for for months, if not subconsciously, for years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The check-in assistants told me if I
could get the visa online in the next 20 minutes, I could still get on the
flight. Talk about panic. It took me over 10 minutes just to find the correct
site to use, but somehow, some way, I found it. And in an instant the visa was
emailed to me. (This would NEVER happen if you were trying to enter the USA or countless other countries!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBnkOyt588ohE97CephW5Meq87WsujJ1Mw7eH2YCerFyL8hnu14OHQP5ykJ6N5CbE6cdChBuB9Yf1HR4yrxMdwJeaq1A4vTRrtJdkf97CB1q-EJag037z4N7AnI86KUjIR8n1dGP7fNyc/s1600/IMG_4086%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBnkOyt588ohE97CephW5Meq87WsujJ1Mw7eH2YCerFyL8hnu14OHQP5ykJ6N5CbE6cdChBuB9Yf1HR4yrxMdwJeaq1A4vTRrtJdkf97CB1q-EJag037z4N7AnI86KUjIR8n1dGP7fNyc/s400/IMG_4086%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was on the flight-a quick stop in
Kuala Lumpur for some Nooodles and onto my overnight flight to Melbourne.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Arriving about 10 am on Wednesday, February 14<sup>th</sup></b>. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was very
surprised they didn’t even stamp passports (and admittedly a bit disappointed).
You placed your own passport on the screen, looked up for a photo, and you were
done. As you may have guessed, it is helpful to have a USA passport (among a few others)
for this quick process.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Melbourne is said to be the city of “four
seasons in one day”as its weather is unpredictably fluctuating. However, my
welcome couldn’t have been more delightful. Blue skies with not a cloud to be
seen, the air was so fresh and I was instantly dizzy from the accents and good looking men and woman. Admittedly, hearing an Australian accent coming out of an Asian man set off a
smile wide across my face. </span><span style="font-family: "adobe myungjo std m" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I got to <a href="http://nunnery.com.au/" target="_blank">The Nunnery </a>around 11, dropped off bags and walked around the corner to Brunswick Street. I picked out The Nunnery for two reasons. It's location, in <a href="https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/fitzroy-area-guide" target="_blank">Fitzroy</a>, was raved about not only online but by my friend who now lives in Melbourne. Also the history of the building is quite unique. Built in 1888 for a prominent physician, then in 1944 purchased for the Daughters of Charity and soon became a place for strict nuns and the sisters to live in as they worked in Fitzroy. In 1979 it was used as accommodation for woman from Vietnam and Cambodia and finally in the 1990s it was purchased and established as one of "Melbourne's first backpacker hostels for young international travelers." </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was so excited to see a bookstore across the street as I was eating my first lunch in Melbourne. <br />
I ended up picking a book by <a href="http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2014/04/the-reactionary-loyalties-of-john-lukacs.html" target="_blank">John Lukac</a>s, and later realized I'd have plenty of bookstores to peruse through.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbIaFlJA9t1oDhAMTmW6Gq-Xm-vkCbHcoYwUPBgM2GXiqAbhw8XiNZgRFRIwB5HkqTllhaV_UcAcO_tW8wWK-y6Yxoi_i34Ay4NTuroeU4X94gRLFvxBzbN9DyqglT_yPUVG2x-88F-04/s1600/IMG_4045%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbIaFlJA9t1oDhAMTmW6Gq-Xm-vkCbHcoYwUPBgM2GXiqAbhw8XiNZgRFRIwB5HkqTllhaV_UcAcO_tW8wWK-y6Yxoi_i34Ay4NTuroeU4X94gRLFvxBzbN9DyqglT_yPUVG2x-88F-04/s400/IMG_4045%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fitzroy was an incredible district of Melbourne to stay in, full
of a variety of restaurants to cure any cuisine craving, and <b><i>loads</i></b>
of vegan and gluten free hot spots, like the well-known <a href="https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/restaurants/vegie-bar" target="_blank">Vegie Bar</a> which was my
first stop on the strip.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All down Brunswick you will find quirky bars, wine shops, vintage clothing and book
shops, flower parlors (Valentine’s Day), and just as nearly everywhere in
Melbourne, street art. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Throughout the summer in Melbourne, the <a href="https://www.thenightmarket.com.au/" target="_blank">Queen Victoria Night Market</a> comes alive on Wednesday nights, which just so happened to be my first night in the city. I decided to walk there, this took about twenty minutes of trying not to trip while I gawked at the shiny purples, blues, and whites of Melbourne's skyline. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When you first enter the market your faced with the difficult decision of what you're going to eat. The best advice I could give, is try a little of a lot. The first tent was serving "Spanish" food and Sangria's. They were blasting Latin music with ladies dancing and welcoming you in. Tough to walk past, but I had to walk at least the first row before taking the first bite. </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;"></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM9tT9pqL73GYV_STa6gVqno7mh7aoW9f-L45Leu1H62y3ZMbbXOlJarrngPGwB3EiBrlrKRMmZ_FKD7pIML5z_vpBf-C9CtcWtAXdO56vaeQylWyfcJxPdmkvVEWjr2Xf6g3hXfvd4H6/s1600/IMG_4064%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM9tT9pqL73GYV_STa6gVqno7mh7aoW9f-L45Leu1H62y3ZMbbXOlJarrngPGwB3EiBrlrKRMmZ_FKD7pIML5z_vpBf-C9CtcWtAXdO56vaeQylWyfcJxPdmkvVEWjr2Xf6g3hXfvd4H6/s400/IMG_4064%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Passing tents of Brazilian BBQ, Sri Lankan dishes and Japanese sushi, I finally picked a French tent called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Frencheese-743653468986140/?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">Frencheese </a>which was serving raclette fondue over sauteed potatoes and ham. Divine. I also went back to the Latino ladies and got myself a sangria! ^^</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I spent over two hours walking the huge lots of handmade bohemian crafts, artifacts, soaps, clothing, posters, jewelry, hats, wallets, you name it. Things were quite pricey compared to the night markets of Taiwan, but I still managed to get a couple of paintings among other souvenirs I pick up along my travels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The clothing I saw in Melbourne </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">within my first hours </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(whether worn on Australians or foreigners I couldn't tell you), made me feel completely lost in fashion. I absolutely <i><b>loved </b></i>the style, they just did it SO well it made me want to go home and throw out my entire wardrobe. The mom jeans are back in a whole new way, cats. Tight waists and loose legs. Off the shoulder tops and anything that would show midriff is completely trending in this hip and youthful city. I should also mention, v</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">intage. Vintage. Vintage. Vintage.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Not to mention the Australian bods are now in the running for the best out there. ((In my latest opinion (sorry Brazil))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQUSuAn2arYeJ_mHmAX0WfATTUjOifFnocOGotqNQnQMHyOv8DeG1NrlDujfQJeX1yyth6h4o_4n_C5q5gUISTCL2iLsnK8GeicgYAOOHve2NdhADUQGKAGR1ASI5awzZLEJsRB8oisC/s1600/IMG_4088%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwQUSuAn2arYeJ_mHmAX0WfATTUjOifFnocOGotqNQnQMHyOv8DeG1NrlDujfQJeX1yyth6h4o_4n_C5q5gUISTCL2iLsnK8GeicgYAOOHve2NdhADUQGKAGR1ASI5awzZLEJsRB8oisC/s400/IMG_4088%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On my walk back I stopped for a chocolate gelato cone + walked through Carlton Gardens park. I wasn't entirely sure of the safety of this city at night. I sort of took the gamble to assume the Australia was safe everywhere. And luckily, that assumption turned out to be true. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Once I was moved into my four person room for my five night stay, I met my bunk-mates, two gals from Sweden and one from Denmark. All of these girls, as well as nearly everyone I met in Melbourne, were not traveling but working or studying in Australia. It was incredible. They'd come from the U.K., France, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany to spend a year or two working in Australia. Contributing so much to the country, as well as gaining so much in their own lives. I was perplexed with this obviously benefiting '</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">work-visa' system that was in place. It was working so wel</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">l to give so many 20-somethings a high-quality of life experiences while again, providing so much to Melbourne.</span><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlozaNcNUoqOGInaPMXvFkmFThFQt19UD3f2UrLq1HSNOZHZrHaDYlc7DvC-SreI5_7XUiFGbKRykxYFTj-Euh-_To0uH1NxZS1anlrFOBneq8uAzVTJyHzNmkfNVnHXxaaRHFCHuOC1aK/s640/7518875968_IMG_4049.JPG" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">February 15 on the <a href="https://www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/" target="_blank">Great Ocean Road</a></span></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">As I was traveling alone, I knew I wanted to do something special on the day of my 29th birthday. So I booked a tour with <a href="https://sightseeingtoursaustralia.com.au/australian-tours/melbourne/great-ocean-road/" target="_blank">Sightseeing Tours Australia</a> and woke up at 6am to see the Loch Ard Gorge, the 12 apostles, and other sights along the Great Ocean Road.</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Great Ocean Road was built by, and is <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Great-Ocean-Road/Things-to-do/History-and-heritage/Building-the-Great-Ocean-Road" target="_blank">dedicated to, the men </a>who served and returned from WWI. It was also inspired </span>by Highway 1 in California, USA when a former Australian governor saw it and decided they needed something similar. Planning and construction began in 1918 and was completed in 1932.<br />
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJij2WJxf8C6LKlNQJKvfvnIIaW_WPcjW8u0QaDQ6qIupHyQ4r6j0eljaavxoRBTX7JyrWJISB3i6vANHxORmdqfXuVe9T1bvCDMeRQV7DRqOWKDsSQ6h9Khhocqllh42q8-R9GtmLskF/s640/IMG_4103%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></b><br />
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I was the first picked up and chatted
happily with Terry, the tour guide and driver. Another pair of Canadians from my
hostel also joined, and then we went on to pick up nearly 20 others before
heading out of the city. Terry actually started the '<a href="https://sightseeingtoursaustralia.com.au/australian-tours/melbourne/great-ocean-road/" target="_blank">Sightseeing Tours</a>' business many many years ago, sold it and now occasionally works for the company in between surfing and traveling with his wife. I felt pretty lucky to have this Aussie as our guide for the day as he had lots of history to share and good stories along the way.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">We hopped on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Highway" target="_blank">Princes Highway</a> which is nearly 2,000 km and crossed the Princes Bridge. There was a discussion of how quickly Melbourne is growing, how it should do more to expand to further limits out of the city, and the false industrial growth of high rise buildings which are mostly empty. Lots of construction and new rail systems are being added to prepare for the peak in population still to come.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYI-dnxlRqV0XZXOCB4QzdIf0lvqEkM3dlZUxnZOLnbtsJanKVPYLhwFEXNQf4MPgzNrLAe-SF070H18YQiCM0vd1mGGs7EuLxdJ3ALazGANvbd9LieyhPrsjDyfwFyPnlBIv-AwvFuc0/s1600/IMG_4108%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYI-dnxlRqV0XZXOCB4QzdIf0lvqEkM3dlZUxnZOLnbtsJanKVPYLhwFEXNQf4MPgzNrLAe-SF070H18YQiCM0vd1mGGs7EuLxdJ3ALazGANvbd9LieyhPrsjDyfwFyPnlBIv-AwvFuc0/s320/IMG_4108%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">It took well over an hour to get to the windy roads which soon lead out to looking over the coast and the sea. </span><span lang="EN-US">A</span>s we were driving, signs for driving on the left side of the road were written in Japanese. Better late than never I guess. We stopped a few times for must-have photo opts and to admire the surfers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEiPYtdxqd2ZFRIjIHmTNl440RudLLZ8X2pdZ30GOtxVHWd1jIEGNVUhC174dOdto7CCNsvYWJzP9VV3AaKCplDCNHW8IO1ogfHtDbRoj62HHsz1onxzpjo4pFTiF4LYxmWqeqCHmESmb/s1600/IMG_4109%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEiPYtdxqd2ZFRIjIHmTNl440RudLLZ8X2pdZ30GOtxVHWd1jIEGNVUhC174dOdto7CCNsvYWJzP9VV3AaKCplDCNHW8IO1ogfHtDbRoj62HHsz1onxzpjo4pFTiF4LYxmWqeqCHmESmb/s400/IMG_4109%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a>The landscape was full of plants that needed extreme heat to survive, such as eucalyptus trees. Quite a lot of what we saw was burnt, as many wildfires happen in the area. Fun fact, there are over 400 types of eucalyptus trees, but Koalas only eat a dozen of those 400.<br />
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Along the way Terry told us of the awful fire on <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-26/great-ocean-road-fire-number-of-homes-lost-at-wye-river/7054840" target="_blank">Christmas Day in 2015</a> which led to more than 100 houses lost. Yet, as often and as dangerous as they are, aboriginals will be allowed to have fires again soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4eU10fvUwe4xcV5wVJYhSZ7ra-iBBqRQxgD1uOPfVf2-GEGFq1qmkU-v4yaTpAq9r04QsrXPNuK2AMRzVWN97DumMCU7fcTMd9O5GvhSvS3jfSmEH44lyPhqs7S_6ZohjzMdE7it1ohf/s640/IMG_4113%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I see this photo, I see the oceans waves as the Earth's heartbeat.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_PPHPA_rlFto2LIN_6KP-aL9kpTfBq4IZ0Xt9QUqfUlNXShpfgy7J0rU-bn-npPT07wZeMi6Zn-VQ4-kFT6D1C8fAulYBHxcHHLpIpusIxv8BFvjB3TwLXIeWpphTabG9iU9rGa0zynN/s1600/IMG_4129%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_PPHPA_rlFto2LIN_6KP-aL9kpTfBq4IZ0Xt9QUqfUlNXShpfgy7J0rU-bn-npPT07wZeMi6Zn-VQ4-kFT6D1C8fAulYBHxcHHLpIpusIxv8BFvjB3TwLXIeWpphTabG9iU9rGa0zynN/s400/IMG_4129%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">We covered three sections in our single-day journey, the first being <a href="http://maps.travelmate.com.au/Places/Featured_Regions.asp?RegionId=25" target="_blank">the surf coast</a>. Beginning around Anglesea, a once abundant fishing village (as many of these now tourist coastal towns once were), and continuing down to Apollo Bay. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">We briefly stopped in Lorne, a p</span>opular tourist town in Victoria and a koala community. Aboriginals say that the possum (not to be confused with the N. American opossum) split into two, the koalas went up the tree and the wombats went underground.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QDKAtGP6uj_3NhdmhoUbjg9m9zOlRSTUTD25estuifWI87ruLAxEucQz_QRuPHANOkH-qzvdl-wrbPzyWtH8Hu2EWe7r5tjJGHhWQAQbAlp76SmmU__Rq45r5jj7zgr7k7TpY_CJ-SAz/s1600/IMG_4138%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QDKAtGP6uj_3NhdmhoUbjg9m9zOlRSTUTD25estuifWI87ruLAxEucQz_QRuPHANOkH-qzvdl-wrbPzyWtH8Hu2EWe7r5tjJGHhWQAQbAlp76SmmU__Rq45r5jj7zgr7k7TpY_CJ-SAz/s400/IMG_4138%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
We stopped for a short hike, we fed some parrots crackers and kept an eye out for koalas. While the entire crowd was surrounding one sleepy koala, I found another high up in a tree. It got real quiet and I could hear the faint sound of him, or her, snoring. It was so cute. I was the last one back on the van though, oops!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk1oZ5JVG_oQp_BJXWPcdzryrd-9rixvtZg0Hx6B8Znk5duTeg7qi6gWaspC7rA-eWZUalGH1N9xO3yVX_2V_nu2RcHE56hwHpBOfQ5yGVeOFu4bqmkl5FnzMJFQuop-fO_QrHE2eBSap/s1600/IMG_4132%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk1oZ5JVG_oQp_BJXWPcdzryrd-9rixvtZg0Hx6B8Znk5duTeg7qi6gWaspC7rA-eWZUalGH1N9xO3yVX_2V_nu2RcHE56hwHpBOfQ5yGVeOFu4bqmkl5FnzMJFQuop-fO_QrHE2eBSap/s320/IMG_4132%255B1%255D.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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Apollo Bay was our lunch stop. It was raining at this point so instead of walking around I spent the lunch chatting with a girl from Colombia. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The second section was 'the green coast' which would consist of us going up and over the mountains, the peak being 1000 M above sea level. We also stopped in a marvelous temperate forest with trees 300-500 years old. It's hard to remember exact percentages, but I do recall learning Australia was once mostly forests and now it's quite the opposite. <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/forestsaustralia/fast-forest-facts" target="_blank">More facts here.</a> Also that there were ferns here also found in Antarctic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCdRHHu_MJlXUYeQvEbR5sOKD-JrbM1iT01rPTwauYvQId6DmhcfbSjZcSugiWBZ6RQLifoset80HbstPyxKJUslJP4u16GJ-fxpR4gNG-xUHI4fHVq2nQ5pSmKiLHPjdkL2PfFgY-HZV/s1600/IMG_4153%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCdRHHu_MJlXUYeQvEbR5sOKD-JrbM1iT01rPTwauYvQId6DmhcfbSjZcSugiWBZ6RQLifoset80HbstPyxKJUslJP4u16GJ-fxpR4gNG-xUHI4fHVq2nQ5pSmKiLHPjdkL2PfFgY-HZV/s640/IMG_4153%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luscious. </td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKtLGzUwtL2qi8xelzmIf5Aqu0hXKEselAI3ElBEhfDiZNqynPc1GoU2aiZJ0OsWnnzasxLowy61fWSosge0ejcQTmaq6Ns_nvNJouddyazYLkzTwJLe_bCEAWw5V6-uv01dnBvAnaeg9/s640/IMG_4191%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeBR_YL-7j0oVdowGPMvhddGSzASkgAAfCmfbTKq5BHISr_T5yfy6-LLRYyykFRTTnbwtkiM2lRONS9hcuJVh87WryiE7qdHh8eKdRxdcovXETvBozclXa5CI9PjhwkdBAL5mZgJa3_LH/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeBR_YL-7j0oVdowGPMvhddGSzASkgAAfCmfbTKq5BHISr_T5yfy6-LLRYyykFRTTnbwtkiM2lRONS9hcuJVh87WryiE7qdHh8eKdRxdcovXETvBozclXa5CI9PjhwkdBAL5mZgJa3_LH/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKtLGzUwtL2qi8xelzmIf5Aqu0hXKEselAI3ElBEhfDiZNqynPc1GoU2aiZJ0OsWnnzasxLowy61fWSosge0ejcQTmaq6Ns_nvNJouddyazYLkzTwJLe_bCEAWw5V6-uv01dnBvAnaeg9/s1600/IMG_4191%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span lang="EN-US">We continued on to the third section, "shipwreck coast" as there has been over 300 recorded shipwrecks along this coast. </span>The most famous shipwreck, most likely due to having two survivors live to tell the tale, was the <a href="http://www.the-great-ocean-road.com/loch-ard.html" target="_blank">Loch Ard Shipwreck</a>, which later became the name of the gorge. Sailing a ship in the Bass Strait became nicknamed as 'threading the needle' due to the difficulty of navigation.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0bbrJf6Q6ei40jEYI-O4tWPIPBNG2TcyuqEGC54mQ08YZ3GYkuPa-O9LeGf3idTxF6fl4D3ITyJlwtkpY1KQ1Dabgr0QoLvBIv4UfIwDB62XhDfi_V7j3DD7KM6zByB9XKVkkrs8Fql9/s640/IMG_4169%255B1%255D.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" />You could see the layers of the oceans sea levels in the Loch Ard Gorge. It consisted of bright, burnt-like colors. They had a trail and man-made stairs for visitors to easily get down to the small golden beach and put our feet in the water. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We made it to the 12 Apostles around 3. The gorge and apostles were originally called <a href="http://portcampbellhostel.com.au/why-are-they-called-the-twelve-apostles/" target="_blank">sow and piglets</a> but renamed before the building of the Great Ocean Road to, most likely, attract more people. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WEShqrf1X5vGZvR76m9ZUBTbSRaIav1nvKIncqo2OUicVFwiwIT4antJa91R5KtBweO2WTsaPtSNKgLKHcJIuz4MrsoiXni4jH_8W6kcvg456cY-_gIYNbxhh5TYDUt-rZ6r_gLZ5mcv/s400/IMG_4214%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a bit windy I'd say. ^^<br />
Not the ideal day as far as weather, but that still didn't halt my happiness. </td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPDJ66EGFkb5z7_NGEwQvxJg4ita-kVoVhR3x-Ix_DjocreZTNaP3LYwZ5eU9RY1_faGdV09ies9_ueq4-Hsl11PZdNUV4j8NDdvYavOOKT3IHe19UWMAn-M-Eqg8QJVh_isdJ5iQPyn0/s640/IMG_4218%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /><br />
We stopped for dinner in a very small town, Colac, and when I returned to the bus after some noodles and a good chat with a beautiful, newly married, young woman from India, Terry had spread the word it was my birthday and the entire van sang me "Happy Birthday." It was very thoughtful and definitely touched my heart.<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumoHfePStsp9-DDSJ7RSxzowuLlZIybYKVmYMGq2mR72Dlr0qV9o0d5k-F0dgCH5fbIeZQclkdJKntMKWMEBXYpuQdgdvM5FcO60ApExA7iD9r0Wgzq2fFhkHfLzUie1T4SL38QfTbwH2/s640/IMG_4206%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Even with the slight rain, the day was perfect. It was also nice to spend the whole day with the same group of people. I had several great conversations and learned a lot. It was specifically interesting to discuss the most recent mass shooting in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/us/parkland-school-shooting.html" target="_blank">Florida</a>, (which broke on the news at the beginning of our day) in a country-no, in a <u><i>continent</i></u>- that once had it's own devastating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)" target="_blank">massacre in 1996</a>, but then <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/02/20/australia-gun-control-success/" target="_blank">changed </a>it's laws and hasn't had a single shooting spree in 22 years! </span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVdpao4rvQVswYu7ZnTn-XU6ycmVT4xAeBZML8YQsxNrj27l1iIK4PKgyrtjRh7fdlXJA3dMtFcoUwdoniyjA3D4n-LNUlzzEg5c18v2KeTHCP7LbYiHJvX1usQZsfLgyCyV4u7R7Lbb9/s640/IMG_4445%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C53ECEv0G28BEuHLUSOxgQvn15S4-3rFTosu10W6OInJfvgCPx220vg6CycIJlhJNKKd3qKUzZfk68SXXRj9ocpXlkwZQsOwGYco2BD4jezQt6yfFA4H5n-xTuRQ1tJktcJ1QaxwI2pO/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C53ECEv0G28BEuHLUSOxgQvn15S4-3rFTosu10W6OInJfvgCPx220vg6CycIJlhJNKKd3qKUzZfk68SXXRj9ocpXlkwZQsOwGYco2BD4jezQt6yfFA4H5n-xTuRQ1tJktcJ1QaxwI2pO/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The night of my birthday, the two Canadians and I caught up with our hostel's pub crawl at <a href="http://evelynhotel.com.au/bar/" target="_blank">Evelyn Hotel</a>. There I met up with my Swedish dorm mates and a pair of French fellas I met my first evening. We moved on to <a href="http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/" target="_blank">Bimbo Deluxe</a> where <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DAWSplus/?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">DJ Daws</a> was killing it, throwing in favs from the 80s, 90s + early 2000s. The moves were <b>wild </b>in this club, but the night was young and so were we. So I e</span>njoyed the dance floor with a pesky, yet charming British lad then topped the night off with some greasy take away pizza. Why not? ^^<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Friday, February 16th</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I headed out to explore the 'CBD' or city central, with my Canon, on my first free day in Melbourne. I first did a little shopping near the <a href="http://royalarcade.com.au/" target="_blank">Royal Arcade</a> and then headed to Birrarung Marr Park. Cool for a rest, and showing off Melbourne's latest innovations, such as the new metro system, <a href="http://federationbells.com.au/" target="_blank">Federation Bells</a>, and plans to add X amount of trees to the city over X amount of years. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPGIGFGKBczTTz7uXiGMBLeq_sOt-1Lhc0BUUhZ3YR2pKHXJDNpDYAHoHFIy6u_jaT_q0nQaqv4-YBFTKoU2NZkcGAQATw39BP5eNeAk8A7bKQyZqwxJlo3kRW6vfbqtCUXcsI4-FwmCO/s640/IMG_4282%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Birrarung Marr Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5TGIV-jQkGvwxvUgjtHBzgEap9AljLLccPmcZo-9K7_-4dnp06U1VE-uKQPLrGUvzxvDMHKon5f903BG3vCHyXGjT0bOb6FYhHM00TCosm7yUtGM4pAWkvqNnbz1Q7sQCynbhj6HRJWW/s400/IMG_4279%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many actions Melbourne is taking in the fight to make cities more environmentally friendly.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">What are the benefits of increasing the city's tree canopy coverage?</span></b>Hard surfaces in the city trap heat,making the central city up to 5 degrees warmer than the outer suburbs. Trees and other plants help to cool the city by shading the hard surfaces, evaporative cooling, deflecting radiation, and by absorbing CO2.<br />
<b style="font-size: medium;">Why is tree diversity important?</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A lack of species diversity leaves the urban forest vulnerable to threats from pests, disease, and stress due to climate change. A greater range of species will provide a resilient urban forest in the future. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPRxX-ZFIBkx5oFdpPBw-agsRvIPHrzTsVttx085ZOdhpQ3k_Yfa26hPKrzIQimq_2IDjSV4DFDGkoVp4XfFhtm_FoIeirHri2PyKEmh6Y45s_bm_ZgfIVy9z11hmq8eup4KdH3cyoDUC/s1600/IMG_4241%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPRxX-ZFIBkx5oFdpPBw-agsRvIPHrzTsVttx085ZOdhpQ3k_Yfa26hPKrzIQimq_2IDjSV4DFDGkoVp4XfFhtm_FoIeirHri2PyKEmh6Y45s_bm_ZgfIVy9z11hmq8eup4KdH3cyoDUC/s640/IMG_4241%255B2%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">One of countless parks around the city. Simple, yet gorgeous. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfKbhfEdzPlumbEjEGOjJsa4_fT7ansxTz6jxxNidk_OASvfi9HxjOF5GAAjlyM1A3Jrg-g0CYDYB2KD2gC7-E05iBcnj4JtkhXQHBmeuelxIHvaDAfsW2dp_RjTUa0vmPBatOXMUH7WS/s1600/IMG_4273%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfKbhfEdzPlumbEjEGOjJsa4_fT7ansxTz6jxxNidk_OASvfi9HxjOF5GAAjlyM1A3Jrg-g0CYDYB2KD2gC7-E05iBcnj4JtkhXQHBmeuelxIHvaDAfsW2dp_RjTUa0vmPBatOXMUH7WS/s400/IMG_4273%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In November 2017 Australia voted or "says yes" to same-sex marriages!<br />
I witnessed an abundance of rainbow flags and continued celebrations throughout each city I visited. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNMMzIHK790EgsD5F2zAWDIOu2saD9O9WADkoCHxHyr9w_rQU-3UI9iikcla7jHWggbOpeJPuHl5f0EO05I9e9_m1JxGf-3XnP-FRltWYa1WyNVfFZoIdnX2yj7REna70ut2b8yFSbNqE/s400/IMG_4290%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another church I saw on the evening the previous night hung a large banner which said: "Let's Fully Welcome Refugees"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEmezcjDyeyF4SSZno_p6ZQVGxhtlr0FU_YDHQ9GqTlAb6qjg7_6eypP2stTAvcE1x8b6mY5BhMH38Vk7Pp8toHnqQt_fvNeAvgCyMWOK0VCipBjN6j5P9ZgvrPAOq587wUn2rGtYNcnw/s1600/IMG_4296%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEmezcjDyeyF4SSZno_p6ZQVGxhtlr0FU_YDHQ9GqTlAb6qjg7_6eypP2stTAvcE1x8b6mY5BhMH38Vk7Pp8toHnqQt_fvNeAvgCyMWOK0VCipBjN6j5P9ZgvrPAOq587wUn2rGtYNcnw/s640/IMG_4296%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens across from my hostel. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ETCUjxBkAqXPmydVNfkO_U27Qlr5zD6j2YMUHtco_H5unMRStJfkEKtpsc-S3Xi2qFmbAyxU3vZXUz7lwcWTQq1k9eTiIwXtIjVXJKGbF-OX_-cutTjo2JU8gB6H8Dbq-0JBLUf0vq2/s1600/IMG_4251%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ETCUjxBkAqXPmydVNfkO_U27Qlr5zD6j2YMUHtco_H5unMRStJfkEKtpsc-S3Xi2qFmbAyxU3vZXUz7lwcWTQq1k9eTiIwXtIjVXJKGbF-OX_-cutTjo2JU8gB6H8Dbq-0JBLUf0vq2/s400/IMG_4251%255B1%255D.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-US">If you know some basics on Australia, you probably know the Queen Elizabeth II of Britain is also the Queen of Australia (and of 13 others, including Canada!) You may also assume correctly that most of the streets and many of the buildings still have the British</span> influence, King St. Queen St. Victoria, Elizabeth, William, George, Philip on and on. Here on the left is Hotel Windsor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the evening, I met up with Kelly, an old friend from my first years in Taiwan. She was once my roommate, colleague, beer lovin' crowd-surfin', front row dancin'- yoga mate, so it was all too good getting to see her, catch up on life, and sip on more wine than we realized. After a nice dinner at Patee Thai (BYOW) we ran by a few dance spots before posting up at </span><a href="http://www.rumdiarybar.com.au/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">The Rum Diary Bar</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">. Somehow 10PM turned to 3AM and we'd hardly moved an inch. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ck11xCGXi_6oXwW72FTg0Js6G0L1PMigvK-Ti72RWWvs593tHWfQi5t5Dtk53eNwDGa686XFdv6ZVcnga8jkJx_TmBUjDawacd8yVxLy0ts3TjZijbbggH1QU5Z3-qrddh6mDEXlPSJC/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ck11xCGXi_6oXwW72FTg0Js6G0L1PMigvK-Ti72RWWvs593tHWfQi5t5Dtk53eNwDGa686XFdv6ZVcnga8jkJx_TmBUjDawacd8yVxLy0ts3TjZijbbggH1QU5Z3-qrddh6mDEXlPSJC/s320/IMG_1343.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday, February 17th </span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hostess at the hostel was nice enough to let me borrow a myki card, Melbourne's public transport pass, with a simple request that I refill what I use. I rode the train out to Middle Brighton where I had a phenomenal stuffed shell pasta and an Australian made cider at <a href="https://www.whiterabbitbrighton.com.au/" target="_blank">White Rabbit</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I walked the fifteen minutes to Brighton Beach through a modest, yet exquisite neighborhood. I had quite a fun daydream strolling through and imagining it being your own local neighborhood walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">I found my way to the beach where pods of people were scattered in their chosen places, many with their dogs enjoying the surf and seagulls. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Before I found my own spot I was determined to get some photos of the famous bath boxes. I walked all the way down to the 90th box, dipped in, and then relaxed somewhere near the 80s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Brighton Bathing Beach Boxes</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcU029S6q8Gvrl4o_eS_fLuCQCKxYcUu31DfiM4VGuqst6QhT6QLltC-RChNmoyLEB_ivW8-M3aNdH-r5TeoLmYclVW5FNATntM7V9n2S08BGgYzuGejjgP-ZOINE1WgALFyqck0R2LKW/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcU029S6q8Gvrl4o_eS_fLuCQCKxYcUu31DfiM4VGuqst6QhT6QLltC-RChNmoyLEB_ivW8-M3aNdH-r5TeoLmYclVW5FNATntM7V9n2S08BGgYzuGejjgP-ZOINE1WgALFyqck0R2LKW/s640/IMG_2184.JPG" width="640" /></a></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>The skyline of Melbourne in the distance of the beach and rainbow colored boxes was hypnotizing</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbNhG1AzP0GAL-GtRF297VXKCKcCnEDkHTnLvTk81sAK02O4NylqqrpL8HOXtLTgoJysDQI5-pBboIZ6H_olrE3JZEfa89E9w9P1jdOWhv_q16Q0uSpLNCXQQoVuFHhdhz_e1-yBjLpn0/s1600/IMG_4391%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbNhG1AzP0GAL-GtRF297VXKCKcCnEDkHTnLvTk81sAK02O4NylqqrpL8HOXtLTgoJysDQI5-pBboIZ6H_olrE3JZEfa89E9w9P1jdOWhv_q16Q0uSpLNCXQQoVuFHhdhz_e1-yBjLpn0/s320/IMG_4391%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the way back into the city I stopped off at Balaclava en route to <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Melbourne/Things-to-do/History-and-heritage/Heritage-buildings/St-Kilda-Pier.aspx" target="_blank">St. Kilda Pier</a>. This historical little area was full of activity. Before the pier there is an amusement park, Luna Park, and <a href="https://palaistheatre.com.au/" target="_blank">Palais Theatre</a>, with almost daily events. With the water in sight you could see hundreds out parasailing, dozens fishing off the pier, and countless more just there to enjoy a walk, photos, or the <a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Melbourne/Things-to-do/History-and-heritage/Heritage-buildings/St-Kilda-Pier.aspx" target="_blank">St. Kilda Pavilion and kiosk</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU2RCsR7tKK3-O83gM9QMQdNMyqAouHSw3i5MLRnG-PJY-f12Mkh02RqvCMDxBIngYwySh6lhuvSOloy1a-2wghrb0tyb3l0TypRM7YnCf-LnBhBGA9xS7zWWlk7MWPQLN1NmRMZ33n_H/s1600/IMG_4398%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU2RCsR7tKK3-O83gM9QMQdNMyqAouHSw3i5MLRnG-PJY-f12Mkh02RqvCMDxBIngYwySh6lhuvSOloy1a-2wghrb0tyb3l0TypRM7YnCf-LnBhBGA9xS7zWWlk7MWPQLN1NmRMZ33n_H/s400/IMG_4398%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LUNA PARK</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZvk9DFpGPkVrM7gwu7YLIXH8LThitrU4AwUpgMuEB_OOSxeMEQyVS-VU0V_aV94Q4G3Lo4_plECjO-wo1GKeAk55sHerxr3bIy6Q6Dz_5SQsoDD0bCkHXG3kCOmrtO_IJ_8cD2onAmNk/s1600/IMG_4415%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZvk9DFpGPkVrM7gwu7YLIXH8LThitrU4AwUpgMuEB_OOSxeMEQyVS-VU0V_aV94Q4G3Lo4_plECjO-wo1GKeAk55sHerxr3bIy6Q6Dz_5SQsoDD0bCkHXG3kCOmrtO_IJ_8cD2onAmNk/s640/IMG_4415%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There had to be over 500 people parasailing this way in St. Kilda's Port Pillip.<br />Beyond them was a undetectable amount of sailboats. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxBglFSnksXMhMSE43wosowvzI1-2ox9ohoovqBOueOi8OqAccyBcb69XLysE4YvmYo03octEwDG8dai_1x1D7QxHk_qBd_ylHGSWr9izgL5UnjDHkmjB62unAmu88XTx_eqwKG6qFy26/s1600/IMG_4437%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxBglFSnksXMhMSE43wosowvzI1-2ox9ohoovqBOueOi8OqAccyBcb69XLysE4YvmYo03octEwDG8dai_1x1D7QxHk_qBd_ylHGSWr9izgL5UnjDHkmjB62unAmu88XTx_eqwKG6qFy26/s320/IMG_4437%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fire on September 11, 2003 destroyed the St. Kilda Pier Kiosk originally built in 1904. Because of it's significance, it was reconstructed shortly after. The pier and kiosk have been enjoyed by many generations as a place for seaside fun, relaxation, and romance. There was a small penguin conservation area to walk through at the end of the pier as well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaXb5jp3TXSo1-9WnjDDQso5CGZ-xCgoMASUgQ-ffXSUdUDJEG0tXVSBXgAwufVtRmjmPo3JWmBB7o3pEszpvJ7KO5J2fFfLsWOQe-A2Y2mK9CFCpYs9bPV2HKpc48z0e71LpIMnOgyOn/s1600/IMG_4454%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaXb5jp3TXSo1-9WnjDDQso5CGZ-xCgoMASUgQ-ffXSUdUDJEG0tXVSBXgAwufVtRmjmPo3JWmBB7o3pEszpvJ7KO5J2fFfLsWOQe-A2Y2mK9CFCpYs9bPV2HKpc48z0e71LpIMnOgyOn/s400/IMG_4454%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As evening approached, I made it back to Parliament station, walked to Brunswick for a small bite to eat at <a href="https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/fitzroy/bars/little-hop" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Little Hop</a><span style="text-align: start;"> and was back at 8:30 in time to catch Sandra (Sweden) for a wine run.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L_IS8kKl-7R7UVBJtOJa4vMl2m03EGdAAPbX-Is0-enQHJW-QHOP9ZJxghcR6OTaGgafInwrY_4GoSoXbMizci7xjv0YW_tAwA0R-aLjLeIDDhINNa37y-FbP2A72cTSYuz40rYUEeUg/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L_IS8kKl-7R7UVBJtOJa4vMl2m03EGdAAPbX-Is0-enQHJW-QHOP9ZJxghcR6OTaGgafInwrY_4GoSoXbMizci7xjv0YW_tAwA0R-aLjLeIDDhINNa37y-FbP2A72cTSYuz40rYUEeUg/s400/IMG_1388.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until the week prior to my visit, I had no idea that my weekend in Melbourne with coincide with the city's <a href="https://whitenight.com.au/melbourne/" target="_blank">White Night.</a> </span> <span style="background-color: #020014; color: white; font-family: "replicapro" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"White Night Melbourne 2018 runs from 7pm on Saturday 17 February to 7am on Sunday 18 February. Now in its sixth year, it reimagines the city through installations, lighting, exhibitions, performance, film, music and more in Melbourne’s streets, laneways, parklands, public spaces and cultural institutions."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh2oVJ3VhcuxhwVpYZJQi9TqXUjbA0fOAD0v9qJPrZ6zZOBV3uY_CKSXTIvNAoKl1z99sYCMdMVP3-xto29tBtBTHf40YQctoOJ8wV8A8OMwKx8e5vOUNOvtz1MOoZjVYtEd46qVGXvqO/s1600/IMG_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh2oVJ3VhcuxhwVpYZJQi9TqXUjbA0fOAD0v9qJPrZ6zZOBV3uY_CKSXTIvNAoKl1z99sYCMdMVP3-xto29tBtBTHf40YQctoOJ8wV8A8OMwKx8e5vOUNOvtz1MOoZjVYtEd46qVGXvqO/s320/IMG_1527.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After many adventurous days and nights in Melbourne my last full day was very low-key. I visited Kelly one last time at her quaint little pad in Thornbury, watched the Olympics in the lobby with a crew of Nunnery dwellers, and let the nostalgia of Melbourne's impression on me settle in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Melbourne was my first stop in Australia. It was all I'd imagined and more. </b></span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's incredible food surprised me, it's safety, efficiency, style and growth all impressed me. </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>And I must admit, for the first time ever, I was intimidated by such an insanely cool city. </b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Already, I was so much in love with Australia and my time there. I couldn't tell you my excitement going into the second part of my trip where I would fulfill my #1 bucket list dream of diving in the Great Ba</b><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">rrier Reef! </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for reading! -K </b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq6jML_6oAad6BBdAQbmVWNg3tpXVE6zvWYbk3p6GxGFTUphGV4eSnNnYaCx1jx0Q8FtPLRSlLG_Jr1T6NLqcsONP9WxAKSVsa7zJKasrOO1tcd3JwD-VX-weqIeshDye_i-cTbYO2dwb/s1600/IMG_4443%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq6jML_6oAad6BBdAQbmVWNg3tpXVE6zvWYbk3p6GxGFTUphGV4eSnNnYaCx1jx0Q8FtPLRSlLG_Jr1T6NLqcsONP9WxAKSVsa7zJKasrOO1tcd3JwD-VX-weqIeshDye_i-cTbYO2dwb/s400/IMG_4443%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span>kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-43123635160949896082017-05-28T18:03:00.003+08:002017-07-22T21:15:30.481+08:00City of Freedom and The Capital of Europe<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.” - John Green</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="960" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO91xcaisqVJLRkj-CN_gMMmSZ2PZLIXAfgmAGmiMOxAab66UD8Aepcx9iivCQ5KOW08M5BFszFCQrgUr4_ulG2yYjXnej6hMK55Doc42Sx_DTOoEgyMg3ZILTs4RzmhGfCx4vvJFhrt6m/s640/iam.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "copperplate gothic bold" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Welkom to Amsterdam</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">; World famous for its
museums, art galleries, coffee shops, Red Light District, historical canals,
and the hiding place of diarist Anne Frank. -Though I am still unsure whether Amsterdam
is considered in Holland, as Dutch travelers I’ve met would say, or if
Netherlands is the correct term. Nonetheless- Welkom to this vibrantly youthful
yet historically daring city. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have gotten the question, ‘Why Amsterdam?’ quite a lot
since returning and beforehand, so I’m going to start with how we got there in
the first place. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My friend Brittany and I were having a discussion late
September of last year about the places we have been, the experiences we’ve
had, and what other destinations we could possibly go to while living abroad (insert eye roll here).
We were now in our fourth year of living in SE Asia and having been to a
dozen of the nearby countries, the conversation led to bigger, more out of
reach possibilities. During this one of
many balcony chats, she mentioned having a relative who, after travelling all
over the world, decided to reside two hours north of Amsterdam as it was one of
her favorite places. We continued on,
discussing stories we had heard of Amsterdam, and spouting out what-ifs,
neither of us really planning to say “hey, let’s go there.” For me there was
something so exciting, yet unknown and nerve-wrecking about the freedom and
history of that city. Not to mention I had never been to Europe, and all my
traveling in the USA and SE Asia hadn’t prepared me for what Europe could be
like.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Brittany finally did say we should go, the only thing
we could think of after that was “Of course, why didn’t we think of this
before,” and better yet, “Why not?!” So we booked our tickets nearly 8 months
in advance through a guy named Nick Chen from <a href="mailto:flights@whosetravel.com" target="_blank">Whose Trave</a>l, a wonderfully
helpful and quick-responding travel agent who I’ve used on a few other
occasions. Normally, I wouldn’t boast about prices, but we got a $520
round-trip ticket to Europe! I have yet to find another deal like it.</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz6WGEl3SsJw-3TD4UnAw2Ik5166dYv2E4tY9XghEyVZ9h5jprILwDBjwDfdAAAARVBG9AogKSK7j0QTYREveZcmsv9CotLZJDiMHwSdr9Hl8FWxCWY6QCHqtICQC1_7wYFrEUzVnwcu3/s640/bikea.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR79lWL9OT8cGf5VNNMfLt6t-N_PUHrJ5qlaiZm1eWeocl935vox0wQX96DdpNAweYPHitSFGOjVy7XnaFiT6u4D5EQNmWHytQHt5kTiOvWOPQI1WiwfRn-Qre4FRDH-zfq4A4W1OzMOE/s1600/kigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR79lWL9OT8cGf5VNNMfLt6t-N_PUHrJ5qlaiZm1eWeocl935vox0wQX96DdpNAweYPHitSFGOjVy7XnaFiT6u4D5EQNmWHytQHt5kTiOvWOPQI1WiwfRn-Qre4FRDH-zfq4A4W1OzMOE/s320/kigs.jpg" width="240" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fast-forward to mid-March when I began booking our hostels
and planning our daily activities based on the areas we would be staying in. It
was then I discovered two things; first that we would be landing just hours
after the country would be celebrating <a href="http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/whats-on/major-events-and-celebrations/kings-day/all-about-kings-day-in-amsterdam" target="_blank">King’s Day</a>, as well as we would be there
for the Memorial Day and Liberation Day celebrations, the King would be in the
city, and it was the one time of year where the tulips bloom. Second, because
of this, hostels were either fully booked or top-dollar, which gave a perfectly
good reason to visit another city during our nine night stay. This is where
Brussels, Belgium would come in to play.</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKr9xeBh8nPZp1foEXN-WvcyKyMIaebqf-r6IPbeLW4kxM2X0ee-mxcOofYjdMl4J3zGxcu9qzMRTvna93H7EqpCZQbQqMf78zTRDmI1Q4WZsE9DClF-XMDBI2KUH4LiECKaB3MbBE4aV/s640/centraal.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So let’s get there already. On Thursday, April 27th we took
an evening flight to Shang-Hai, and then overnight to Amsterdam, landing around
6 in the morning on Friday, April 28th. I had never seen a line for customs so
long, yet move so quickly. I was hardly even glanced at as my passport was
stamped and then we were on our way to get our bags within the hour. Now just a
few among the many, we picked a line that would get us on a train to Amsterdam
Central, boarded, and were finally in the heart of the city.</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0_0v5B_526epgsis3285fZZDKTFjAwaXt-FWNRH1iU5jTsETjhQJbsa1Mu6npRu6W-r3Gr-5o74mT8g9gFfMkRgoKcBXuGNL3dMGIAPNo6mb0HOmUuhBCru6GVeS3qZVz5qhxgtijxv9/s400/bull.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Usually, when in a new city I like to use a good old
fashioned map to get around. However, when you’ve got large suitcases, far few hours
of flight sleep, and in need of a shower, you’ll wait in those info lines to
find the exact location of where you need to go and the quickest route to get there.
No time for diddle daddling as my mom would say.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeWgmZi-SqnFsRBUDNI9Zqujm6_ribfpVTfYFeaxaeWGFcgYjGvRLs1TeHWGVTD9PceDB7esCALyRtPhEJS_HlsgnAkiBmK1GK6PwwsyOMXvO_Cy9j_z50R8NmkIis2mL979QhulzCIdV/s1600/princen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeWgmZi-SqnFsRBUDNI9Zqujm6_ribfpVTfYFeaxaeWGFcgYjGvRLs1TeHWGVTD9PceDB7esCALyRtPhEJS_HlsgnAkiBmK1GK6PwwsyOMXvO_Cy9j_z50R8NmkIis2mL979QhulzCIdV/s320/princen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We hopped on Tram 1, making our first mistake of only
buying the one-hour card not the 24-hour tram card, and got off on
Prinsengracht. We walked to our first of four hostels, Amsterdam Hostel Centre
on Leidsedwarsstraat. This hostel was not a typical low-budget hostel because
of its location in the museum and shopping district, as well as being along a
canal in an old historical Amsterdam building.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C6YYbRkCYq3o-LrebrZ3tzmgf6uBWx8xN-wcJ1yOSsAT7Xm28T7vn4JlxA6f99dBloherK_t4iy9PAycMJ6rFR9FpXyJtbIRKJl7Ap21cL0jzPiAKLV7zAUqo7WbarKC799YmlGpF6Uw/s1600/cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C6YYbRkCYq3o-LrebrZ3tzmgf6uBWx8xN-wcJ1yOSsAT7Xm28T7vn4JlxA6f99dBloherK_t4iy9PAycMJ6rFR9FpXyJtbIRKJl7Ap21cL0jzPiAKLV7zAUqo7WbarKC799YmlGpF6Uw/s400/cheese.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We left our bags and went out for our first meal and my
first discovery of the flavorful creamy cheese of Holland. We also each had a
Captain Morgan infused hot chocolate. Warm and delicious.</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6my_3aUDl5wxZXAehxKcZFnoCRz5ROCc5dyHD5weIGtuYKHgAnqtXACs6h7s7nTafMjMQtORl5nW370vX5L-seERhzrASUSSKvrBEGeNW2-KbxY6xvETWUGeCbcIjoirPzI0LJvyHQhly/s640/dock.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We got a bit lost walking back and forth, up and down,
behind, in front of, and next to the streets and trams and canals before really
looking at Maps. We then realized we were just a short walk along the canal to
get to the Heineken Brouwery, in today’s terms; the Heineken Experience. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh1RW1iBfVpLTAbiitJDd1DTSb-osbvKrBsNfAUI4Xk6Up0WW1C0IUvAFkTsBtGF01M7FpKbxIBQ1CvC2Ajn-UC9Km5iTmYPDuJnwC3EFLNL59jqQQarWXczEBtPKWyFx5XZeq2QU5Hln/s640/hein.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q3-_t_fekTQSe6HyBuB2fL0mzh9bOznYyFLMKIoWq9VqZez3sHGhjP4CXMp9UaU1_cpe16BLfJ1VMU_UJY0BWv_OVI2UAKL4RmolFPoHqo_MsDQCW6rj7nZ46Mn_zxK9wNkUWArLeS6B/s1600/tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q3-_t_fekTQSe6HyBuB2fL0mzh9bOznYyFLMKIoWq9VqZez3sHGhjP4CXMp9UaU1_cpe16BLfJ1VMU_UJY0BWv_OVI2UAKL4RmolFPoHqo_MsDQCW6rj7nZ46Mn_zxK9wNkUWArLeS6B/s320/tom.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I have been to a brewery once before, the Budweiser
Brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. Therefore I already knew the ingredients, the
equipment, and the simple yet tedious steps to make beer. I knew what we would
see in many of the rooms as well. What I did not know was the history of Heineken
(founded on the same day of my birthday!) and the international popularity of
this beer, a beer I would usually not drink unless someone had brought the limes on
a hot summer day.</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1yuk03yqeAYlqSeY7TuAzMTNnIgT3ArDIRuywuuLfWFtDu-781Luzti8BSmk8VmvX-PjjHqNdKBukb8gYayXYq1oX_-5rZ7sQSb11uJjVtb7JASQgW1S-pQGCyDCVSZQHHWfPVN7xQBH/s1600/feb151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1yuk03yqeAYlqSeY7TuAzMTNnIgT3ArDIRuywuuLfWFtDu-781Luzti8BSmk8VmvX-PjjHqNdKBukb8gYayXYq1oX_-5rZ7sQSb11uJjVtb7JASQgW1S-pQGCyDCVSZQHHWfPVN7xQBH/s320/feb151.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Founder of Heineken & Co. on Feb. 15,<br />
1864 at the age of 22. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my favorite parts of the Budweiser brewery in St.
Louis was the Clyesdale horses. When we saw the horses at Heineken, I was also
very excited, especially while in the stables where they kept them. The cool,
crispy air reminded me of a Midwest fall morning. Although they were a bit too
far away for a good look, they seemed to be just as large and majestic as a Clysdale.
Later, I read <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQDIJrF130" target="_blank">Clysdales </a>will pull barrels of Heineken beer during King’s Day
celebrations, (we happened to be there on the morning after) another good clue
they could have been. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bKc1McoafzKkiIIVYJETBcDt-B-0IQzEqLqrLSLDLVaMP2Xt9j5e-8BN4VHoU5gu-grHuN3QS02IpYMmpNllB5JimrHxJTwaZ_m35g1seMxwk7pOtJrDbFOXEk7L7R_E3tRRvIJ3pHBZ/s1600/fan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bKc1McoafzKkiIIVYJETBcDt-B-0IQzEqLqrLSLDLVaMP2Xt9j5e-8BN4VHoU5gu-grHuN3QS02IpYMmpNllB5JimrHxJTwaZ_m35g1seMxwk7pOtJrDbFOXEk7L7R_E3tRRvIJ3pHBZ/s400/fan4.jpg" width="400" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember feeling like this brewery seemed to be a fun place
to work, maybe this was just the atmosphere in Amsterdam, but everyone seemed
to be in good spirits. I was surprised right away at how comfortable the staff members
were with each other. The men were friendly, the women were confident in their
messy buns, and nobody was in a hurry. While standing in the room being
introduced to the magical four: water, barley, hops, and the secret Heineken
ingredient, the presenter looked at Brittany and I and said we must have also
had a good time / long night the night before by celebrating King’s Day, but we
unfortunately hadn’t. We laughed and I quickly corrected the assumption that
sadly we had just arrived. Really
kicking ourselves that we didn’t arrive just a half a day sooner!</span></b></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What I really enjoyed about Heineken was the ‘Experience.’
In the second half of the self-paced tour there were dozens of activities:
video games, music boxes, foosball matches, virtual goal keeping, free framed
photo and video shoots, pics with rugby players, you name it. After all the fun
you get two Heinekens in a vibrant room with large views of the Hong Kong
skyline (ironic). In a connecting room you could practice pouring your own
beer. Both rooms were very social places, with tall tables, people enjoying
themselves and dancing. The slow evolution and adaptations of the atmosphere as
people moved quickly in and out of the rooms gave a small thrill. Heineken did
well at selling their beer, we had a great time and I’ll always think of
Heineken as a good time beer with friends. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UeQg90j-UdsfWxNiJvgx-qxNK7sQ9-CjqkoHxa5Tg4PtQ8go7n5BLwxnCCKLmuPrW_dz8Dx8mRwUuFZUPuMaRt6jd9xZhv0LOz7OhXYLukGDirpoW44_Rm_EWnkuoQWThtE2gQ8OzMDo/s320/peace.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Amsterdam has more than 150 canals and 1.250 bridges, <br />but it never seems crowded nor bent and bitter from fleecing the tourists."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5v4IjZ3JClvQXU9CZQe4Dp1eQEo9yf3B0znmFBfePTEw9W9DtIwcClzS0QBdAin88QU6NgniF57yHguv-cW_bp7xvaScc5nVgPmV-JG6xU7tPXwfe2R5QShVJuXnv45Ud8Ri2ZdZZl7X/s400/meb1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8p7Zl4wLAs5t7wD5vL7loBKBv-Htmgc_n-xmy9gg5VTtveKwcyVprvB1cZoavnCEBYuY5xUk560lv3YpUtiiBT4m51SWQAJhR2OA8KsKrjURI8PlZV0ScoK19cz5_EsxICLCrWt8umrz/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8p7Zl4wLAs5t7wD5vL7loBKBv-Htmgc_n-xmy9gg5VTtveKwcyVprvB1cZoavnCEBYuY5xUk560lv3YpUtiiBT4m51SWQAJhR2OA8KsKrjURI8PlZV0ScoK19cz5_EsxICLCrWt8umrz/s320/ducks.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>It was around 1 PM when we left and we were having the
best time walking along the canals. We saw tulips blooming and families of
ducks near the water. We continued on through the streets and found ourselves
among dozens upon dozens of art galleries (we had been told early on that there are
over 200 art galleries in Amsterdam and over 50 museums!).<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGzbwOZTTRf70og65fgKe5d6mVbS2Dig0rx1uPgEnu7Rsk-wUWlocX6elpuPjx_mlvfuL3yvAGuMokxeBpar3lpN4ht31P10D3fQIuqUwKDNc7p8uoiUY9VGNzNc1YDRa4NdlzdTCBpqF/s400/print.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the shops I liked the most and stopped at every time it crossed our path <br />
was this little one of old antique prints. Landscapes to pin-up girls to famous Amsterdam streets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rp9HtuP0eVbG3-b7khFd1P_EsDLCC6SqCicHhwzkWa1vQSpw7ttdlr6JiotUVONUcnS3vFuusBIzhx9svPZfPnJVFEq65mtqhg3S6x7oqNULnJ5NzW-P5BWCSte80A5tJO1uvv1dy3Nj/s400/chess.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check Mate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGTeAl-XH_p4o_dU2jzrLvqOuPJUxEJ-0ExwSOtsS5OAZD36ufXu6o1BYaFPYX9sL_9ljSThCBQ9cw7eg204z_bieAn4uv3yw0HWheb21Rb6_hCs1d5tIv48uAYecKV4A8Pios4MddaDG/s400/tt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tulips in May in Amsterdam. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeeBlo0NeKj6eb_1uyRbSpsy501cK61Kl9Nl9UhM952eUjtFTiZoJTX0flDhSnbCOJKb3_bQZC2Q6f9-sI979J6vzcTg32o95SrweHsnD7v3lZljHB-UWm0iueXxz4gvvRFQIljYQJzlL/s1600/herring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeeBlo0NeKj6eb_1uyRbSpsy501cK61Kl9Nl9UhM952eUjtFTiZoJTX0flDhSnbCOJKb3_bQZC2Q6f9-sI979J6vzcTg32o95SrweHsnD7v3lZljHB-UWm0iueXxz4gvvRFQIljYQJzlL/s320/herring.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because it was on nearly every list of things to do in
Amsterdam, we shared a <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-dutch-haring-1128696" target="_blank">Haring </a>(Herring) sandwich. I do often like fish, but
this was not for me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that it was mid-day and the city had really awoken, we
were learning quickly to stay out of the way. I say we learned quickly, but
throughout the entire trip we had to constantly remind ourselves to stay out of
the way of the bicyclist, and most importantly their bike lanes. The trams were
much easier to watch out for, however there were many of them, and many
crossings, to be clear of. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVBrnlRDww618XAH9HagVCZYyT04-RN-G59HiwGABMXpoWK9gG2Mwj-84mGeR6_nYjLi38mW9yZ2BsFRnEWAqwienqxRDhsINx2HkIArZNSM706BIMP8lNQfZyhAGeGUkjnxE_iD7FQWV/s400/bike.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We stopped at #8 on a ‘best of 10 cafes in Amsterdam’ list,
Dutch Flowers. It was very small on a corner that would have been all too easy
not to notice unless you were like us, hunting for the exact address. Inside it
had miniature artwork on the wall, of the room you were already in, later we
saw this at few other shops. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the hostel we got ready for our dinner with Brittany’s
cousin (Chicago) and relatives who live in the North of Netherlands. I also
chatted with the helpful Dutch hostel host and he helped me to star, circle,
underline, and number my potential attack on the town over the course of the
next week using the assortment of notes and lists I had brought with me. His
lack of accent when speaking English was astounding after hearing him speak Dutch
just moments before. Dutch seems utterly complex. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrPOnzFPc8-Y1Nh1SdBhK1KRB_lkOkQ__q_bZQZ5K4vQYuUY3aUDEhozCalKmUsrev2E0Vy43rJg0IcxhvSTDZzbexwVQLuth4FB-G_yL4gE_hiE5OELT64chGdcE5mVV-utHrLt5DGuA/s640/trams.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJKNOeW_a8hq_qEBtHrjFA8aS3Ke3lrwB0Yh64xHxGGNEwwaIoe2X6jSVR6H4MD3DAu1OYH5JcXGlJpgy5Pt-t0jT09d85uWuRyT7ZWFeA3Tqib7-z94SNhQKjLiCw12o9OtAmklpUNHT/s1600/bitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJKNOeW_a8hq_qEBtHrjFA8aS3Ke3lrwB0Yh64xHxGGNEwwaIoe2X6jSVR6H4MD3DAu1OYH5JcXGlJpgy5Pt-t0jT09d85uWuRyT7ZWFeA3Tqib7-z94SNhQKjLiCw12o9OtAmklpUNHT/s400/bitter.jpg" width="225" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked the streets until we got nearby the restaurant,
<a href="http://debrabantseaap.nl/" target="_blank">De Brabantse Aap</a>, and made our second mistake of having appetizers and a beer
45 minutes before our 8 o’clock dinner. We ordered bitterballen, another
must-try (I liked this one, creamy, a bit sweet with mushrooms, just extremely
hot to bite in to). Needless to say after that I didn’t have the appetite fit
for a seafood feast. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a great time at dinner. Brittany’s first cousin
Jamie, and two relatives by marriage- Katie and Krissy were waiting as we
arrived promptly at 8:00. The conversations continued to rotate around the
table just as easily as the bottles of white wine. Krissy was a bit of a wine
connoisseur which helped.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A3kSxAyP0pZPj_edCAFnbGCTdCstEI93KDFB_tWf8kiHPcuf0AHySj6oPDewj_i7S4nevpBL86_0PZuT_KKKUyrJ_K7CXEjbJ8_Ymn7JwEIe1NWwM9BPYh9c0FN4n9z1qL96qFcF9mNz/s1600/seaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A3kSxAyP0pZPj_edCAFnbGCTdCstEI93KDFB_tWf8kiHPcuf0AHySj6oPDewj_i7S4nevpBL86_0PZuT_KKKUyrJ_K7CXEjbJ8_Ymn7JwEIe1NWwM9BPYh9c0FN4n9z1qL96qFcF9mNz/s400/seaf.jpg" width="225" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After ordering the enormous seafood platters, it takes an
hour or two to prepare and present the masterpiece. It was beautiful, and I was
a bit ashamed I had no appetite at the time. I still nibbled at a few things
and had a bowl of lobster soup I would later come to regret. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone got to wear bibs and I was astonished at the feast
I (mostly) watched be devoured. Afterwards, we ventured out for a few dark beers at the last
remaining bars still open. We met Katie’s boyfriend and checked
out the amazing Air BNB they were staying in before heading back. It was an
exhausting, exhilarating, awfully intoxicating first day in Amsterdam. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkQVMHSHLr_MY_QvwqV6X4sYM7KKxdK7ozmtmitPosPEeKeAOc9BNJvB24Qm2WrZVTWnJAfO1mP2tqZfcdhtY5GV4g3v-1qbU9nwDwIOt6x1g04g5Jb9kNRkkO234PV9Ov2YgXLSBnoiY/s400/nightout.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britt's family & I </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf38Qqfw2Um3_Gk9gxPHfPNpkhAhOECIFuRTCDF5WI-C0Ix5FwYig47dSRtdu8QJ3GyL_eFJGL4RAfv9wdHCbcvavklvkIv1JZ8ELC8cJOtnQg9U1rgZSlkFQNDJL8_dbuC9cDAdBJv0w/s640/welcome.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRgnrUyoz72F5uvH3yGcJbwTwm9du0nHmbKe_62otzn6zqOxidrAx3LkuicF7fsQ_dUakRJA2mjpm-ok-cf9n0ZCkd6J2C7b2-iu88tl5ceKkcuB-m9BnA-imO2f463ivajH-pzaCDi9l/s1600/pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRgnrUyoz72F5uvH3yGcJbwTwm9du0nHmbKe_62otzn6zqOxidrAx3LkuicF7fsQ_dUakRJA2mjpm-ok-cf9n0ZCkd6J2C7b2-iu88tl5ceKkcuB-m9BnA-imO2f463ivajH-pzaCDi9l/s400/pan.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday morning we woke up around 10 am, had some
strawberry..you said banana…no she didn’t…crepes, and then went to the
Rijksmuseum. We were at the museum for about 2-3 hours.</span></b></b></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieD_nTs0Id7cVQFJX-r4EwAnCnASX5TgbQZQj-Y2pextZkLZnFggz941La5z27cOppZf6sM-D7V4b1dTUyvRrEgyz-rNXhBkbKwWaARgQW3Zd8VbGTNRUzcluofkwlV_9Pd_CTbiNym5oP/s640/rjks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Famous Paintings at the <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">Rijksmuseum</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdXD-COQkXEdUkh8-nuQLKM4AIy4YXCkoAal67anRqmvSlT2eDRcs-KgeVEDb89MnKFOi-V_MCb5VP8tP5Dll5UPL1wExrFf5I-RkC6F_ADYGyPEuy9aNRCkngE_oaPAwAW1QvDnrDUm_/s640/famil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This painting has something to do with a father returning to his spoiled son after many years, and the ungrateful son turning his father away even though the father gave everything in his life up for his son to have his privileged life. Don't quote me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykDa_TeVB0BnjZY8_XNc5pJCRwQHgWcmY2vu-bpik2RNS9bF9LWyTOCes5L5k9NcOu3Yu4m-zUcwhx7paQiltbIGCjAnEL_C9OC1w25Iag1ea-J_4FKCpA2zWOWddLjOWAbKcBuqBKhki/s320/church.jpg" width="213" /> Inside & Outside <img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNNXhQwe0n3rdB-GceEoakHFZtGEOW8J-Puvu69ziff1IvcGSmBUqxGT8NWpiNxDxQyFTCAtD19UnzZcWQZS7OAug0wOIsVQz_ngNbPp-O5SvE7004hEwFpWwdHNTEOWvxRA8IVod3Chk/s320/love.jpg" width="213" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipIz5W5RFsrGGKisXTMaQq6qUYcZ6cjPGhRBcx5oYhAHseO5t1CxHZgvkr0-FghGyKiV5UPH6SU7kG4Rve1AHsWn0jg3uCYSlNWyNDPTTlaSL07HVWC72DWYP9DpvYLj-IHEyi-Qbzdx0/s640/library.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"I read. I travel. I become."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO5bF3QQb2kvkpPjDdxjQWdlSIjF5Gmg6KTcFzdBXEWL2PM8pJlL0t_4jSHEnH0DueHDAXlD6dWui3_ikFEf5NOrrz6K2_xwfHU5ji88RpXwLth6hPYPdxOosjqJH1OnPDZ0sgH2fN8dZ/s320/finechina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMg2GN_v0g7j-nyRHP5k97gZMnFqARUiWmphQuorZk_OI3ufVBplVnaMCvWeb5lXJoBFLtrawIMK7tZleZqxMmfgpvXGLG0HhrGSvLIcFwuGtm4_aYIZrCTuRIjFbNXNQhoLuKWkaNMcs/s400/dollhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whole room dedicated to miniature dollhouses. <br />
This would have been the golden ticket as a child. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jO3YKokoiCsnorzdblxtZHmDCRHvFuTxfAtlwi5Je5spy4qfAVfjVj3qvwjxagxDb0LBX_f-n8Yj4hpLaIfzKOFwHbKnLth3uLcvRMtenaqsv1Pw63bO8huyI_Y9VQTmVcm7w71nUgsL/s640/tupred.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQfal4KiAvJRNLzU4A4SiuGAfdooirM6Zjp-SN5CTppllPrqbvYcN0H8worz-L460W6L62o-SoeoLkikZKVDYInzVt-AR9IA6viB3yUrnx0cos7XlfypxgdHqZdcrmzknaxiti1dsaBLT/s1600/vondelpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQfal4KiAvJRNLzU4A4SiuGAfdooirM6Zjp-SN5CTppllPrqbvYcN0H8worz-L460W6L62o-SoeoLkikZKVDYInzVt-AR9IA6viB3yUrnx0cos7XlfypxgdHqZdcrmzknaxiti1dsaBLT/s400/vondelpark.jpg" width="266" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Afterwards, I got a hotdog on our way into <a href="https://www.amsterdam.info/parks/vondelpark/" target="_blank">Vondelpark</a>.
Thinking ahead, Brittany had snagged an airplane blanket that we could use in
the park. We enjoyed the tulips and people watching while sitting in the grass,
and then walked the entire park twice. <o:p></o:p></span></b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RgDv_hVdbfIfqiHUI_AHPgetPUuH2ynNpdmSdpA8TlTSAl1RipWzKaXC_q9lEEc8DTJg2tZcMwI0ktSwtC7eTTz7ZVryPM85AkemGnmJelUcTt-bSzwGjeIQ2SefNko2Wpxg1Hwnz6_g/s320/green.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="213" /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtvdfjZ15lLDxChUS5VqKaOcjqx4a4Q2OPk-RheEE98_p9W-9qvjs-0RqkGs434R30g7gPslS-V4ZVieyqeriGWahWLo9lTYKe25yY4VB_6jjF3zH8dAqwsUxR_wh0DyLt0Uemf1m1tQ/s640/tup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Besties </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKsyrTCFpUKjueyooRZtMuff9v6qAAo-7MQDf5a0Ty-D4-k_3fiFGkOjZcEYplANliqMFE-TKQ7u_t5ZB9Qok9lf-PM4Omvz_HEJX8xiPZHJepF6eeXyebt5qTnmvewqUiqj2naDWB5Ny/s1600/homemadefries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKsyrTCFpUKjueyooRZtMuff9v6qAAo-7MQDf5a0Ty-D4-k_3fiFGkOjZcEYplANliqMFE-TKQ7u_t5ZB9Qok9lf-PM4Omvz_HEJX8xiPZHJepF6eeXyebt5qTnmvewqUiqj2naDWB5Ny/s320/homemadefries.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On our way back we stopped into one of many cheese shops to
try a few samples. We also stopped at a cute little bakery / ice cream shop “the
best on the street.” I had chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone along with a
café mocha and tried a raspberry macaroon. Later we went to an Italian
restaurant and soon after called it a night. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfcpuK19c8TTZzTkc0v3tn8U_Zn3fdAHtVyC1G-GP01VzRO4E1LheRIyN-S1qMhbVoLjU-Kz_CTGAzQ29nsc_AaG3CrhAlI79eQWb5eHEyunBQEJWdfuvrf3NULvFEUcHgOq_7JV36oVG/s640/boat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can spot a group of friends/travelers on their own mini canal cruise. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Great example of why this city is an amazing place to come with a large group of friends.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdKKXDkXhgBxG2rRvRFuluw1b6z2xdlP_nGpkxWXopMMIWOgXtwLyhCOylUjhMgE9zJmPWgxWgXtqjNQKVT1ULEDue8lS0uPcnp-EGMdCxlE3NZ0Ujx2m0e0hC1D5N9N8Ktf5U8Uw4d2F/s1600/dr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdKKXDkXhgBxG2rRvRFuluw1b6z2xdlP_nGpkxWXopMMIWOgXtwLyhCOylUjhMgE9zJmPWgxWgXtqjNQKVT1ULEDue8lS0uPcnp-EGMdCxlE3NZ0Ujx2m0e0hC1D5N9N8Ktf5U8Uw4d2F/s320/dr.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday, April 30<sup>th</sup> we went to Dam Square to meet
an old friend of mine who I hadn’t seen in years and happened to be in
Amsterdam during the same week. It was nice to get to just hang out for a few
hours with an old friend before our mid day train to Brussels. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JaT0GoIRai8q4_wVAFtuvZ6GnWdcpIK2VmigcXs8erMJORKOtbZDpuyCWTSHm0_jSr82ghDHq4kJym6lilDhiGHUdpIdk3QHDwGfGQE8fCGy1i10sgXIOtRYjHxuXWSAiqLhyphenhyphen5Uruav-/s1600/train.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JaT0GoIRai8q4_wVAFtuvZ6GnWdcpIK2VmigcXs8erMJORKOtbZDpuyCWTSHm0_jSr82ghDHq4kJym6lilDhiGHUdpIdk3QHDwGfGQE8fCGy1i10sgXIOtRYjHxuXWSAiqLhyphenhyphen5Uruav-/s400/train.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Thalys high speed train can take you from Amsterdam to
Brussels in less than two hours. (It would take just over three to get to
Paris.) <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvDL3oN5lRvphgeGXcTu2rg2ahXjCfoSmk05nMuySJ_ISAXsWpOuXej8Vr0PIzrdjFO-x58KS3MsSUz-ACakXqEkVzw8YiMkQIKhnwLwPs1Ta8oMdk8ygnxI-LidLOOV79HpDmgvkIxEK/s400/anta.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside the lobby of our hostel. <br />Highly recommend this place if you're ever in Brussels! </span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Quite a lot of construction going on once we got there,
including at the Bruxelles Centraal, so we got off at the North station and
made it to our check-in location. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWeVzQjYQ_nrdlwRBXomGLAjPPM5bGx4aHL0dLfs03q5Cu7XlMQ-xfePWXfy33mFEEXOE1wk1-dmc6WV3QG10JVHntVNdK1FkFCvAPkeOj-zxWBMNze7kuucmO6BWYFfXwKgKmB7dpIH7/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWeVzQjYQ_nrdlwRBXomGLAjPPM5bGx4aHL0dLfs03q5Cu7XlMQ-xfePWXfy33mFEEXOE1wk1-dmc6WV3QG10JVHntVNdK1FkFCvAPkeOj-zxWBMNze7kuucmO6BWYFfXwKgKmB7dpIH7/s640/flag.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="360" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The check-in location was not our final destination; we would
be staying at <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Brussels-2GO4-Quality-Hostel-City-Centre/Brussels/14418" target="_blank">2G04 Hostel,</a> which was literally steps away from the Grand Place.
When you walked out the front of our hostel, you could see the towering beauties
of the Grand Place. With just a few steps more we were in this truly grand,
wide-open, brick-paved exquisite area of Brussels. We decided to really dress
up to be in this magical place. Then we took beautiful photos with and around every
grand building we could find. After walking along the entire place, we stopped
for a beverage, cheese, salami, and olives at <a href="http://roydespagne.be/en/index.php" target="_blank">Le Roy D’espagne</a>. We walked some
more and later shared some beef stew and an ice cream waffle. Oh My, it was
divine, pure bliss moment. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt5ZUzW5FL-8YsfTdEq4p94OLOw8z_tnADqlABefgi4QUoy5ExCmsBf_eTODTUlR3KWd2qsDd78hbddhCbH4k-XOD0Lw8RE7vvRTMP4TYWkT36iyY8MIdKW8dj6k19ZKDQzWeMSPnzTy5/s1600/mGP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt5ZUzW5FL-8YsfTdEq4p94OLOw8z_tnADqlABefgi4QUoy5ExCmsBf_eTODTUlR3KWd2qsDd78hbddhCbH4k-XOD0Lw8RE7vvRTMP4TYWkT36iyY8MIdKW8dj6k19ZKDQzWeMSPnzTy5/s400/mGP.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvi7wSqhbPhc5C0WlZq9yQwS_BH05j56JJ-cBjTE5FLjiopvBZabYvySMe_dW3JTsZCPEDYULmQbLwrD7UjJ7Q-8OvFXD1hqHUPyJ5XE9-MKHtN9f2K11jIbKIQkQZVc-aF8cFil676jG/s320/waf.jpg" width="180" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtklZt5ChCZ3NhJNT1RTaREHvP7qUtqLphQLdfaLGyTKiUvFwUf34U_zdohk1eYt2Eg1FQbgJAuC9Pns4tELPZU6IodRd8ssx5HGG95lsIhay3EuKnMUT7xqd28jGoI_ahI0AULQPZdSu/s640/gold.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B K in the G P </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_otSr6U9j2r_pciakxj9oDxNwMjwDfrK-M4_xQaRpw3l0lTIG8PzNIIonk15a5ImOsA8C0NTnIU-C-sr_pbG_AVGKfHqIQ2rIkGtxFd-JUvQOmaRnOJLAP-ddojVLvijbVQ8CQ-ndZJAc/s400/doorGP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Knock Knock </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh480KY8tmjRFB3r6sK1lIyvif4SwJhEdh-FIReLKbP02EIQtIjwQT9cVCRNI4OkgV_F1KOFu1EKR1jILIhr8Hxsn0CkQzph8faVZpqk0kAuWB31p6kmZTuf9j0Urd5R3Uk3D04-NIhLo-4/s320/touch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I will have to research why everyone was touching this man from head to toe.<br />
But I did it too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45e6v58zN63dfALAjuqaNMOcClBB9A6lN-4G5WZ8QPWO2TW6qvM6Ht3q-hxz2AyP5dh0B2pK5_4hQ20g5ypS0ldHwsOaYjE1J1_pWVrOPDwF9Cr6uq2U_rk63Z0bkMQu2anIwMWPINBbb/s640/past.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A photo of the<a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/857" target="_blank"> Grand Plac</a>e in it's original market days. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe2HtCpV0abVttklRIERu46MdMAyqFOBLBecSFeR03jAaYH5gsQ5j2YFs25d3ovu3fwCL9KEWsmr9CIcQ2yQidkz-_pR92Eas-L-vCg_OOy6k2tlE1C2Ar170tgY_4U5FD6Y4XvKy7kNG/s640/GPEAT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Grand Place market square today. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="960" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAeQKdIEpksISri637CYjFheEQr4L5Shhhq1H7-1AY_LruwoDDgriHh9jxDOM4HGtTc2_rGU3hENJwHOLU8rNTkhyEhI-X4mZlgTy6lgjwtKlOGQ_GkObtoH_Y0OzQyXWlFWUSxtfWUll/s320/live.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Band music all over this city! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXq9bSmQFyzk6CZrKATsB2b0zdTRmfb9x2C7xcbMvuV7Xc2pSZj_X2H_C3F-z09NWHtgydCcCjA6EIC29Cr2ktqDsLl5A8RFDJuw8h6s2EwDGl3XFqgVT9ey9jkWOeuTC2fpXzE74JdKL/s1600/mu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXq9bSmQFyzk6CZrKATsB2b0zdTRmfb9x2C7xcbMvuV7Xc2pSZj_X2H_C3F-z09NWHtgydCcCjA6EIC29Cr2ktqDsLl5A8RFDJuw8h6s2EwDGl3XFqgVT9ey9jkWOeuTC2fpXzE74JdKL/s320/mu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the hostel I met a guy named Muhammad from Morocco and
he joined us for one more beer at Delirium. One of the most popular bars in
Brussels. A strict rule in Brussels is to ‘never order the same beer twice’ due
to the 3,162 different beers. On the walk back we witnessed a man running
faster than a track star through the streets with a large black bag…you can
guess what that meant. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30CSUqXs_HibeGrcgzKATPPuMueUHhyyEsFeh_ZPBs_D9j3P8QumoHSqffiPc3ujzWGHkX-bDrFB_kH2TRnhQzCjBDuQkAqX_zcw2FAu01e7Al4QR8sZ3UWYC8oNdcLsHdUV9Y1UqLJsF/s400/delrium.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://seektheworld.com/brussels-delirium-cafe-biggest-beer-selection-in-the-world/" target="_blank">Delirium </a>Bar </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE6elyvpRabnXvy1TDxlm4A5iE6vHWdP_LGGJqfdVplSVUg_uDkQtlUxPNJW6JkDBNdrIIBmEpHiOeUQFACXFTyHuBtHgGjQ1gtLIijXpOjcwLaziRtcADSvfcnpoGWpc2NzdSfGgGPw5/s1600/fishch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE6elyvpRabnXvy1TDxlm4A5iE6vHWdP_LGGJqfdVplSVUg_uDkQtlUxPNJW6JkDBNdrIIBmEpHiOeUQFACXFTyHuBtHgGjQ1gtLIijXpOjcwLaziRtcADSvfcnpoGWpc2NzdSfGgGPw5/s320/fishch.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="180" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next morning, May 1<sup>st</sup>, Brittany and I headed
out just in time for lunch at Bia Mara for some amazingly perfect fish and
chips, (I had the Cuban tempura with a blonde beer). Around 1:30 we met up with
our new friend and joined a free walking tour around the city with about 30
others. Dora was our hysterical, raspy- voiced tour guide, with a witty sense
of humor and a love for the city and people of Belgium (she was originally from
Greece). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpyZeVm87H7tyz2H9gJHSN4h7RLsIvMikE_HypVqXB-1DHRCSQqCvpzL-NZSmZ_0pP3kr7bHGd9ihqCHeTpR_oOvTG0n4GvxwSfUA0QqGdwcXU56RqgMstvh3R2jNy5fnFgN1mzI6yvsM/s400/mann.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.brussels.be/manneken-pis" target="_blank">Manneken </a>Pis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We started in the Grand Place of course and went down the
famous “waffle street” stopping to see a famous cartoon painting(many comic
book characters came out of Belgium including the Smurfs) along the way before
reaching the #1 tourist spot in all of Brussels, the Manneken Pis. Dora told of
her annoyance with the popularity of this little pissing boy and the legend from
which it came. The legend says a young boy walked up to a stick of dynamite
that had been lit and did his business on the end, putting it out and saving
the city. He has somewhere over 900 custom made costumes for any and all
occasions, celebrities, and celebrations.</span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT10jMi1FTzZVtw3NM3ENNOWlmve75ael6_7QMOUNFpylkEVMgv3ZXukbSHqE9HYfcnegcF_FWbDrXVixqWHYjlp4w3-IseeGsj6WQhscPrAYHumf7zOTElEQoKc_lNIzuEMetfeph08qM/s400/chocomann.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Manneken Pis, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjEJQ86KO9-c_qQo9uYdQen_MTr762UhpR6vxyvzpFCf17G7LjapLTfl_tOHYyqnsEs4thSgKUemOc3fmVP4lVHOSfvUdDT2GQqu56e7I-b__5Q9_sxRwtRqHskX2jwPU2d1NwPi3FJ8s/s1600/squat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjEJQ86KO9-c_qQo9uYdQen_MTr762UhpR6vxyvzpFCf17G7LjapLTfl_tOHYyqnsEs4thSgKUemOc3fmVP4lVHOSfvUdDT2GQqu56e7I-b__5Q9_sxRwtRqHskX2jwPU2d1NwPi3FJ8s/s320/squat.jpg" width="180" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Afterwards Dora led us to the
“girlfriend” or “squatting sister” you could call her which was near the
Delirium bar and the famous Florish Bar known for its absinthe. This is when we
found out about the Guinness world record of beers and too often occurrence of
pit-pocketing in the city.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked by a cathedral, the original royal palace (now
half park – King Phillip 1<sup>st</sup>, Queen regent Elizabeth will be the
first queen to not have to marry to keep her crown), federal parliament, and
ended the tour near King Albert’s park.</span></b><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih48WnoqrcfM-1TeYgT_tlZWakNjDF3chD9AwV947fgkhzPDCT8OO_5gX1p2kzBiX9UauhyphenhyphenMH1en66S_G1b2F8qxUJV0zyKF4PR3I8zO1Spm0wfuZwmj4QVNJ_EdqJZY8TsyLW1oavCeTR/s400/palace.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We went back to try the famous frites
at a spot where the potatoes are never frozen and the line wraps around the
building from open to close. Then we tried an original waffle with no added
ingredients, as we were told this was the true way to try a Belgium waffle.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyPEZFK-x966lA0YlkJn3fP8KVEKck9-vrlGxuyPgrgz18__JXdW2xS-hao_fyWqIPjHjX4rbCgiXuMAifWiIXfovcP3lYhgu_M2DHfWbO-7KpaPRYghsFd24C0n2OBchcdK002AMDY17/s320/waff.jpg" width="180" /><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVC3Yr_h1g7vmm_HFqXICU3uvpDIV7Rhy-bl1FMiObMdVo0m1978T0FVuooY4Wd1jAFbarwNuzTeV_295QE46ATrOk2vIW8pzGiZpszlMqg6qEkYhK0143Co1GQp-w6xqchF4MMf2XI1I/s320/frites.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="180" /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sBN8rbBhg3RtaEWZ3Yhks7CnC74cvq-CNjF3q-gtSopcYjjpLryK7K5D3biXTqeJ9IFlXPYPag62XciWgVPs1VVNX2xCMS2bL1Nzb_fbq6duio0xhg9wPmNq_h3WlNAj-ZKG6EdYj3Ia/s640/shop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Once a place for high end shopping for the wealthy who did not want to be rained on.<br />
Now full of high end <a href="http://www.neuhauschocolate.com/index-en.htm" target="_blank">chocolate</a>, a huge industry in <a href="http://www.belgiansmaak.com/three-reasons-why-belgian-chocolate-is-so-good/" target="_blank">Belgium</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d_0WADP8twT3GjrT0SrboQwJFutBnRR6KDsWjBsI4dIspipTg0xmzVATaftw13_HWOGgEEe10QRlmHk5doN2UevaFuQlHkq7wxS-SgZePFiJ6i90a6Z7HYSPriIE2JpQJz5yuu3sgB9q/s400/choclove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Love, Chocolate, Brussels </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTenMyySR1RXlDZ5A7OcaYZnflltyl5iW2U0kCC2vC49CdIrZkPEABwqw7LjF5vOt8Vy9jBnpsGpAPMSTa3uFps6Mti-Szbk7xOEFWRcZ575KZi9ZFPKvqRBlvXOD4a6a_mPndo4bMiox/s640/tour.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzbSFmswGNlzeJCUMtsWrrsGNODgexc3tdihcSCAjN_fHdhzrUgqxZdMDfo-KMX2gdoaWIkf-5sKsMFUjbZWWEsINTN33Y6nXgkzfeBlA6jMBYRES8-OClogbvF7H0CETmf8U62BNXVZW/s1600/inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzbSFmswGNlzeJCUMtsWrrsGNODgexc3tdihcSCAjN_fHdhzrUgqxZdMDfo-KMX2gdoaWIkf-5sKsMFUjbZWWEsINTN33Y6nXgkzfeBlA6jMBYRES8-OClogbvF7H0CETmf8U62BNXVZW/s400/inside.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I went back into the stunning cathedral and took some
photos. Then we relaxed and listened to the street music on the steps of Bourse/Beurs
(Brussels stock exchange founded in 1801). That night we went back to Le Roy D’espagne
and had the best meal yet. First a Greek salad, then a chicken mushroom dish
with of course, frites (every meal in Brussels). Then back to our 25 Euro per
night hostel along the walls of the Grand Place. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhV_BCx47yMaAqTh1-YU3INAZG3OkdcFMdU9Gq-9f1w9fdCMg0b6R1oUSK_SpP8o8Uibuz9uUDqCkElDfPyxB13oQ_jZedhDkCnMF8VXym12PNIDZ6qsh8sVNTZQ7UweY8RwQ4t5R9QCc/s320/wallmem.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walls of <a href="https://visit.brussels/en/place/Bourse-de-Bruxelles" target="_blank">Bourse </a>stock exchange, now a memorial <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">after the 2016 Brussels bombing</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav13iilHt7rqY4J4Obn4zTdY_EzRPROozYbRjZol3B-H2gfdZqpbYbz9eQaT_RcXjRB3O5VNzflDx7m-dZIdQArpH_jE0WhklrbyJnnI-oJHxGWyyB9Gt0kVhf8-wa8ZyRF9cZYbrjzZz/s640/organ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Raleway; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">
“The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Raleway; font-size: 14px; text-align: right;">
able to praise him than the building of the church and all its decoration; it is the</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Raleway; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
Church’s greatest ornament.” <strong>– Igor Stravinsky</strong></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshuNLVG4M2MQQMJyBRe6XMo91YTfH7imDuKKIW6XXq4kAw_F7ddTYJkyqJYOq0iBUat-Jst-noon210S_MkyeMdQARiIDmnbhTYcogr6eUOGMZSD_At159ZFAA1MCiOt0EZrmnsIQ308V/s640/jesus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might not be my "religion" It's still beautiful. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfQwS8-DRWRYEQJ5RbEGjZvHXTtioeGZv3jfgevemJYVgZ897Ul88jCQ8fNoiW20TplXoL3PhzikYlOGF2qx2FIpvCHbejH53RF8z0DI2uRM4Hrdmge23ru4iRY-VC_mT3zm2YtPDp6wS/s400/jesus2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Gxpd5KESIf3E0qLDlA4-xBFgcs5sdUkwvsIULnFcqnhEhuTISxnkJhQVNZxFS_px7Yu3jFBggmb5cdBpl4eThFd3OW2Q2ATj2W1vdOiefjgy0TAqb1YAZ0VE0RIAIO15FO8lWRFIx4b6/s320/pickpock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="180" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I love this city, but it will rob you blind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMbGGVMAcBN9OCEHEfSERbX0hOykRP3PH7ttuD9b7GaJeKw9l4Wr4Bnsn5Ill0CleAp8w3UxpfSThLU_5ye_fDN-3bM1O9OapHFiyuG89F1Y5Fm-HbcelbTCiNc9JvzDb755wl3oCKHUa/s400/streetart.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Art </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="Image may contain: people standing, night, sky and outdoor" height="195" src="https://scontent-tpe1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18451531_10154579014748017_4570462985430676602_o.jpg?oh=4e56857be413ad818cc5529bac9639d1&oe=59FABB09" width="640" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday the 2<sup>nd</sup>, we were up early, kebabs for
lunch, and on our way back to Amsterdam. The train we took back was a bit
longer and we arrived around 4 o’clock. Our newest destination was within
walking distance from Amsterdam Centraal. Hooray!</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU534GsYlq6w4EbR2Xi3UyliEnZOVc-EQUDycDEq99yw1IbQZN-DrIEbj6bz3Y4PjnBQD1ovj2p0uFpK1mo5NORw5qj9Mb2OMUCIrAEKhQxpWOKJ2qqWrE5GAhD8QHNLTFCsy_2o6f5TtF/s1600/xxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU534GsYlq6w4EbR2Xi3UyliEnZOVc-EQUDycDEq99yw1IbQZN-DrIEbj6bz3Y4PjnBQD1ovj2p0uFpK1mo5NORw5qj9Mb2OMUCIrAEKhQxpWOKJ2qqWrE5GAhD8QHNLTFCsy_2o6f5TtF/s320/xxx.jpg" width="240" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Flying Pig Hostel Downtown was getting a fresh new
paint job when we arrived. We quickly gathered the rules, collected the keys,
wifi codes, and towels, then headed upstairs and met a few of our new roommates
for the next three nights. A couple who were there for a John Mayer concert, a
solo traveler from Chicago, and one from the UK.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAJfM8MnppO5NdQhuC2eXpLgEUmKzE2HsAI1rRv9qZSbgrUnhlFb8uhAbtqO_PYXebsXYlmB__XkbPxrwJHglyC9_lq1m_MfaMAeVNM96j-L7EPtgaVHMnm5ZIVXFLUUc55qsVwRaJ14W/s320/lads.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lads Go Mad In Amsterdam </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEJbdfRvNqihmU5FZFKnGe9TrYESF2JJGUzO_aPvqCtxHCFuFbBU_ZFCe4it6-Xd1QQkJcIpj533FeMkGEoUm1qh_NKI91L2rB64m6o2ETtKfCbowZjkg33A73sHtjmsGNi1V398ti9Ud/s1600/ero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEJbdfRvNqihmU5FZFKnGe9TrYESF2JJGUzO_aPvqCtxHCFuFbBU_ZFCe4it6-Xd1QQkJcIpj533FeMkGEoUm1qh_NKI91L2rB64m6o2ETtKfCbowZjkg33A73sHtjmsGNi1V398ti9Ud/s400/ero.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Britt and I headed straight out, not to waste another
moment. First to Argentina’s Steakhouse, and then to the Red Light District. We
purchased tickets to an evening show and then went to the Erotic Museum. A
couple red wines, lots of shocking moments, and hours later we came out to a
rainy evening. There wouldn’t be much more looking around, but on our way back
we met a couple of guys from Wales, chatted with them for a bit and made it
back a bit late, but safe and sound. We had a nice laugh this night after
realizing neither one of us had any attraction to a white, especially blonde
men, in a business suit. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUSTj_CXSpyLG2pNnEIwy81meF_OsZO-xtEwdSPpHztqwOEe7hOVMPNnNPPLrq-jZqDnWbd1rItKMYBw-YZ0nWvAkmBIwD_zRbTl_dm64zYweyOWCNtRY0MVC6CIBnkXMiLHQ-CeH0hLA/s400/sex.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Rated XXX</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6NyiilX6OrnjgpLm6qUk-I8ex3a3V6ZxfosizAbvFbFP0VI8TlXXt3purJKexyc5XjSUajKgCk4XP26WTCV-xWplwYEW2cnx7tCgO7hlcmXrBQf-unK7YtsnzTnHN8DtDaZx7pxNgVO7/s320/ele.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="180" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XXX AMSTERDAM XXX</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJeKiXIiRYOaS_0SAsULJut4RKziVdA4_9BeevnYiLcA3VpsYuzsYBecTckgxV3C2YU3RXe3GaA2-bfr-QtlSMKKHXVkrZJlaSmtdkX9OVzGcvQlk5yQKdofvwC90d2CQ5HGFKZTNpgbr/s1600/anne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJeKiXIiRYOaS_0SAsULJut4RKziVdA4_9BeevnYiLcA3VpsYuzsYBecTckgxV3C2YU3RXe3GaA2-bfr-QtlSMKKHXVkrZJlaSmtdkX9OVzGcvQlk5yQKdofvwC90d2CQ5HGFKZTNpgbr/s400/anne.jpg" width="400" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday, May 3<sup>rd</sup> </span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">– We headed out around 10:30
grabbed a delicious Panini before heading to the pre-paid time slot of our Anne
Frank Huis tickets. The only thing we were advised to purchase beforehand, and
I am glad we did. You could spend a whole day waiting in line, and if you came
after 1PM, you may still not get it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaDk2zRcUprrzangwQHu0BKICw8Wy7wY3tvmgsgtgFLPC5LFHNjKLMAEEuhbwdPzNojnwsIjHw5AnnKKlGQOY7IyNKf5g9zZWr7TIzLLt325sa5eY5EMaU-BLMGOvBBk7blNe1u5UoRcH/s1600/annefrank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaDk2zRcUprrzangwQHu0BKICw8Wy7wY3tvmgsgtgFLPC5LFHNjKLMAEEuhbwdPzNojnwsIjHw5AnnKKlGQOY7IyNKf5g9zZWr7TIzLLt325sa5eY5EMaU-BLMGOvBBk7blNe1u5UoRcH/s320/annefrank.jpg" width="213" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No pictures are allowed inside, which is sometimes nice when we forget to experience the present. A few moments really stuck out as remarkable to me, although now that I have
actually read the book as an adult, I wish I could go see a few things again.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Much different from the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. or other places which focus on the Holocaust as a whole, this place was specific to Anne Frank, her life, hopes, ambitions, her journey through adolescence in hiding. It was fascinating to walk through Anne and her family's hideout huis, as well as it was interesting to experience walking around in the design of this type of European house, as you can well imagine nothing has been changed to the structure/layout since then. You walk through the rooms that were once used as the shop, the storage, and their hiding quarters. You can read bios on the </span><a href="http://www.annefrank.org/en/Anne-Frank/Not-outside-for-2-years/The-Helpers/" style="font-size: 18.6667px;" target="_blank">people who helped</a><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> to protect them, see a map of Jews in the area from 1941, hear the story of the neighbor girl who was the last known person to speak with Anne Frank at a concentration camp separated by a fence, and you can listen to her father's (only survivor from the house) testimonial after discovering Anne's diaries. </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: bold;">I remember one thing <a href="https://studentactivism.net/2015/01/02/otto-frank-on-not-knowing-his-daughter/" target="_blank">Otto Frank</a> said after reading Anne's words, he says: "And my conclusion is, as I had been in very, very, good terms with Anne, that most parents don't know, really, their children</span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.16px;">." </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKmIMkOMjQBVRlbA-PVf49Vt0usEjejQfOxxNa6SLQBxCHqSexfNxI-dCdEpno7sXdQ7HPmNIztLeBw8ZpYVL5CcDgQYpATgx7ESSEQ_B78KX3Zy4GCcAKNaIleOOPy6KWLqBjVx7dJE0/s1600/vase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKmIMkOMjQBVRlbA-PVf49Vt0usEjejQfOxxNa6SLQBxCHqSexfNxI-dCdEpno7sXdQ7HPmNIztLeBw8ZpYVL5CcDgQYpATgx7ESSEQ_B78KX3Zy4GCcAKNaIleOOPy6KWLqBjVx7dJE0/s320/vase.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">When you have seen and walked through nearly every room, you finally make it to the place of her dairies. One specific one was on display and gawked at the longest. It was very moving to see her real handwriting and marks of the pen on the actual diary. Yet my favorite, or the most moving part for me, was walking through Anne's old bedroom where still the walls are decorated with old magazine clippings that her father had given to her during hiding to help brighten up her room. She talks about this in her diary, and how grateful she was for them. Of course, I had read this after the visit, yet her words and details made me relive walking her bedroom. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The tour ends in a room full of decades worth of others reflections, reactions, and life changing perspectives on Anne and her story. The best reminder was:</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: x-large;">"Her would haves are our opportunities."</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSIUiJ4D0_-4SC0h_CDzxGRfdw74SZovTNxlQbDd1_jrej229J1JEOHkQQL6SyzpZTjDF7SkszExSqjEwZDRsN1jhwzwW5TohtRSrB_s8l9cj23k8JhoBmQKXIpuo1W_LCsWqL6LAbz5w/s640/painter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">He just finished signing the painting I bought from him <br />on the streets just outside of Anne Frank's Huis.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://scontent-tpe1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18739690_10154618486573017_8499411961331758093_n.jpg?oh=b7a3ee3c946ea29f2b037d288a1f1710&oe=5A0010A7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image may contain: outdoor" border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-tpe1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18739690_10154618486573017_8499411961331758093_n.jpg?oh=b7a3ee3c946ea29f2b037d288a1f1710&oe=5A0010A7" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPGEVyCJy3GYTLmVR7AHmBLFPruDlUokTRzu_9Fw8ykcfCSucTxVlX96WfYCVVf7pyFuDq7NLrYfOLvy2WdJiEUHBzsxjYoQwCj-VFgOLqVdd5kFsHRxnNuqPevuNQFR5o74Fwms9hY2C/s1600/bakemyday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">It was a pretty solemn mid-day after that, and I left feeling sadness, yet more hope than I had had in a long time. It was a place that afterwards, you wanted time to just be with your thoughts. So we bought a canal tour, boarded, and spent the next hour or so just viewing Amsterdam from one of the better seats in the city. The one down side to this was the guide was spitting out the most interesting facts I had yet to hear of the history of Amsterdam, from its houses, to tulips, to ice skating and bikes, and my mind was some place else. A few things I do remember learning, the houses on the canal streets are historical and not allowed to be changed at all, even in color. T</span></b></span><b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">here are furniture hooks above the windows since the houses were designed so deep and narrow that's how furniture would have to be brought inside. </span></b><b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The tax paid on your house back then was based off of how much street space the front of your building took. Brittany was patience enough with me to hunt down the house with the <i>most </i>and the <u>least </u>amount of street space in the city. </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYAmKadvWTvxYqN3uk-f_LRylGiAC9Accvjd6ZlwAeX5e5BvIuOG116F8Sj6BOrgtd3gVzc72uJ6n5f-VjH_2qFT0TWmvIrjVVlm70QxQf58Tw7JKuDJIGoRmE4zGVA5_VsdFfzLFLfRf/s1600/bulbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYAmKadvWTvxYqN3uk-f_LRylGiAC9Accvjd6ZlwAeX5e5BvIuOG116F8Sj6BOrgtd3gVzc72uJ6n5f-VjH_2qFT0TWmvIrjVVlm70QxQf58Tw7JKuDJIGoRmE4zGVA5_VsdFfzLFLfRf/s400/bulbs.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"></span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Holland is the largest distributor of their world famous tulips, yet they originally came from Turkey. </span></b></b><br />
<b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The popularity of bicycling came from Denmark and people used to ice skate in the winters in the frozen canals. </span></b></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPGEVyCJy3GYTLmVR7AHmBLFPruDlUokTRzu_9Fw8ykcfCSucTxVlX96WfYCVVf7pyFuDq7NLrYfOLvy2WdJiEUHBzsxjYoQwCj-VFgOLqVdd5kFsHRxnNuqPevuNQFR5o74Fwms9hY2C/s1600/bakemyday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPGEVyCJy3GYTLmVR7AHmBLFPruDlUokTRzu_9Fw8ykcfCSucTxVlX96WfYCVVf7pyFuDq7NLrYfOLvy2WdJiEUHBzsxjYoQwCj-VFgOLqVdd5kFsHRxnNuqPevuNQFR5o74Fwms9hY2C/s320/bakemyday.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="213" /></a> <span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>We ended the day at the <a href="http://www.pancake.nl/en/" target="_blank">Pancake </a>Bakery where we had some strawberry pancakes. Walked through the streets, stopping to window shop, and had our sixth of a dozen mint teas. </b></span></span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4u-RQZa4KhOe5rEDRHg1qbih_t7Th5UrB-24EA7VRDpV-n5Fl5LRO8vmBtEObNzQlYnMQlQ11o3dJz_hasKT1E2Hxqv4uiRWqRvfSn4NIFr6E3mQZiyAywLB-02P6dVYZ5FZ28PhkkUi/s400/mint.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="225" /><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjueL6M7qZzmHuwMl5okUMzGGUjd0lkf-Qz26SGAg2uETy_s9z9zudmAZWRz2ELlnMVO-k-Zqn7tW0PB6XMDiwDBNoXc2TQykYo63NtPLh82tiC9234ULEm-kHP8uoVX0iMZ6StB0SoJPk/s320/smok.jpg" width="179" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf8fmSJp2MXcvWOzHn_7GYRWZtupb02gn4sx2GaHtL1GqCDhKci_Tn_qN65osda4-OpixMMgTYfO9NuPQuxkFe-T2bwHnZbZldTEJDrQxDBHNoJ9lOl2ftM1jhRUwGBghMPVCYQYi5b6O/s1600/barney%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf8fmSJp2MXcvWOzHn_7GYRWZtupb02gn4sx2GaHtL1GqCDhKci_Tn_qN65osda4-OpixMMgTYfO9NuPQuxkFe-T2bwHnZbZldTEJDrQxDBHNoJ9lOl2ftM1jhRUwGBghMPVCYQYi5b6O/s320/barney%2527s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remembrance Day, Thursday, May 4, 2017</span></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm0gWiv3ojRzHt94zhSeHRo3vJfch-MsLLhF3w1ec7V1z7RMBX0bhr_UKTs-yaD6IoFuRqgGSXht34ZBsPZWv-qGU3Oqgx_gc-YMz31OhSdWekUfo6wKnAY6iNZ3-aV0jcje3M_CpzpBD/s640/IMG_8519.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Thursday, May 4th, </span><a href="http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/plan-your-holiday/events-in-holland/remembrance-day.htm" style="font-size: 18.6667px;" target="_blank">Remembrance Day</a><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">. </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">At 8PM the Dutch commemorate civilians and soldiers who have died both in war and peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of WWII with a two minute moment of silence. During the day, there are commemorative speeches and laying of wreaths at the National Monument at Dam Square.</span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1NdKumzH3JpzATT-Zm591d_aGFno4xwoxnj8zIp52NAUl7jgU59mjcedC3v3UFZQuhLA3U_-HilrLxyiPUUHRX6SzRZ0hFehSe6W-keGsfQrvoSDNcxgw_wlVLcCRZLTThhdSbC7x9WL/s400/van1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VAN GOGH </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjorcbc1tKHNb24KP5xVMMBMj838UxIlVlH8Ywhw21dqobhdEERE68yIOd7atOl3F-5vUO0nvf8eY_k-lmyQuxxzCu5VRO8hlmOzeitvNvSFHZXXrl-DCJ0WrsoJKyQn3Uppc0t1Z4sW0/s1600/vann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjorcbc1tKHNb24KP5xVMMBMj838UxIlVlH8Ywhw21dqobhdEERE68yIOd7atOl3F-5vUO0nvf8eY_k-lmyQuxxzCu5VRO8hlmOzeitvNvSFHZXXrl-DCJ0WrsoJKyQn3Uppc0t1Z4sW0/s320/vann.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">To start the day, we spent four hours at the Van Gogh Museum. I learned that he had </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">committed himself to an asylum earlier in life,</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> I read about his studies and works in Paris and the Netherlands, I learned that he didn't begin painting until 27 and killed himself at 37 with a shot to the chest. Although he didn't die until two days later at an inn nearby the field he shot himself in. In the museum y</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">ou could listen to letters he had written to his brother which showed his deep confusion on life and his love for painting fields, peasants, and nature, where the real meaning of life came through. I a</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">lso learned that his brother's wife and son were the main factors to why his work has been recognized worldwide. The Starry Night was not in this exhibit, (it's in NYC) but we did get to see the Sunflowers and many other famous pieces. No pictures, of course.</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lt5gsMwmoAb15TGwFwDvDujSMb1s-oj7L7X2Z5qMfMCD2nCzBSLDttY9GVXjZe80YdqpAVIxMxSRUy0Hdso7Y3in3ksCDANJ508v9t_tddxd8x0gPpLbD1RZ6A7j0PAmXpTvRKMCOpAx/s400/taiwa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had some amazing steak fajitas and<br /> met some Taiwanese friends during dinner! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzxJOSi7_Uam4ygARljPrcJNLoSZY24De2aVc5synnmn-vb3OYA0jmisBlLElS2WGEY7_xVGcR_c8rE3CuO2oVNGNfKPgbVsh5jeSgauKZQgyXBKP3jDutn8Lywtjm2eLGGrjzznKwr84/s400/damp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This 'Aladdin' style coffeeshop is where we were at during the two minute moment of silence. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivChyx54eiLsWHdCsdc6VhLoaqFma_Ubms8-9iS0WJ2x9B8g17UxHhEDwJG34jMEU4glO748BNeRbcyg418gyiH_nK9skOlmeJw_Y5DoMalAN_5F_nmJ5EmrP9YCusEv13AADZ_E7Wh91I/s640/graff.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">In the evening, we took our last chance to visit the streets of the Red Light District where we had now learned that the woman rent their rooms for 150 Euro a night, and charge 50 Euro minimum for 15 minutes. While walking through the alleyways of the red glowing lights, you'll hear the tapping on the windows and catcalling of stag parties or lone men in sweatpants. We also heard a few lines we'll never forget, watched negotiations happening in the stoops, and witness countless sly smiles of men leaving a red room. Some of the ladies were smoking or on their cell phones or both, seemingly disinterested in passersby. Any type of woman under the sun could probably be found in these windows; young, old, thick, thin, tall, or tiny, fake curves or real, voluminous hair or a messy bun. The choice was yours, literally. </span></b></span><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymsvtrJonnCDgtLW2AfMODBTM70zEInlWe79zQORn0B2uAxTgLbqdLYYSlVov78TGoCJovekIxsaMCcXofCvWl21UYH0Qryq7gHr3ga65d0aEtlXWCZ_T_S2khBBPLAAIl6FdWcMmXWib/s640/world.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;"><b>Friday, May 5th, <a href="http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/plan-your-holiday/events-in-holland/liberation-day.htm" target="_blank">Liberation Day!</a> </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFb5RsDaBQIOJ_0g5qBtAyJ4tQQbb3DNiu_mWXdxDvwEZqogAGrJu4XCNPZ3dfXVMKPjX4PxN5ITBaZN_qMFmpvq5bSyA_FqffAvqx9o5wu50l42VWQ6-qmVzSI7PkmY8tfm4P6vorMXB/s400/houseboat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: small;">We checked out and into our houseboat for the final two nights. <br />Such a peaceful, pain in the a** walk to this boat.</span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuqOUyb6_a0dkptapfOqpnnvGhGI-DooHLtU59M1drAhmSV5dMfI5L3fzVNJjOgFHFE9x55L2khG_zFnUVH-npdTJnkE9_38dSxez06j-wYJRe51pgrHEImhVHmJ8S5CGKHa_9lz7N4eN/s1600/bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUeZ619RL09qDy1DWaVYBCxNf3w9bDYftwzgV9oi7JErvA7JeHTsZTiLY1EVHkagyJ_UL7r2iuwCv4eRANRWbldyxOMdFTKr0BJW7wMW3Qq522OxsXdcxReCuCfAXO_TlegtpXlA__6Fd/s1600/rembrant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUeZ619RL09qDy1DWaVYBCxNf3w9bDYftwzgV9oi7JErvA7JeHTsZTiLY1EVHkagyJ_UL7r2iuwCv4eRANRWbldyxOMdFTKr0BJW7wMW3Qq522OxsXdcxReCuCfAXO_TlegtpXlA__6Fd/s400/rembrant.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Friday was one of my favorite days in Amsterdam. We had been here for a full week now, and I finally felt like I knew my way around (for the most part). We took the tram to the flower market to see the tulip bulbs and shop around. Stopped at another cheese shop for tasters and purchases, found the cutest little Christmas shop that I spent a mini fortune at, and then we found <a href="https://www.amsterdam.info/sights/rembrandtplein/" target="_blank">RembrandtPlein</a>. </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghM6KIZP9yn7Ymtb9MNXtDTVI1ITYEaVcQa68rUuJWMMmecPXqcH3pr6iQLSUSLMzfX9ub9JRavqpjmDNNZxsd2EUjywBzoubBlrQ5bilJ_BspH5N8hRsNXArlQyYu3qXRGGdpswen7NV/s400/puprem.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;"><b>Brittany & the Pup</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuqOUyb6_a0dkptapfOqpnnvGhGI-DooHLtU59M1drAhmSV5dMfI5L3fzVNJjOgFHFE9x55L2khG_zFnUVH-npdTJnkE9_38dSxez06j-wYJRe51pgrHEImhVHmJ8S5CGKHa_9lz7N4eN/s1600/bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuqOUyb6_a0dkptapfOqpnnvGhGI-DooHLtU59M1drAhmSV5dMfI5L3fzVNJjOgFHFE9x55L2khG_zFnUVH-npdTJnkE9_38dSxez06j-wYJRe51pgrHEImhVHmJ8S5CGKHa_9lz7N4eN/s320/bird.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;"><b>After, we crossed over to <a href="http://www.waterloopleinmarkt.nl/" target="_blank">Waterlooplein </a>flea market. I only got a recycled scarf here, but they had much to look at. Clothes, crafts, jewelry, and antique memorabilia.</b></span><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hAjlJRJQgSHLabIcJGj95mZtaJcCfgLKIXx5Bk5mANJA_BtOVyvcublmyXUMxjVhhiCyhMQlFLGbgJqeRbv6WA1TE7y96geEAuDoIRXyLrRxU3oO9EIZ3xzumYvFZe2Zz1wT-xrpQ26T/s640/mebb.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;"><b>We had (another) amazing meal at Braumburg <a href="http://www.eatingamsterdamtours.com/" target="_blank">Cafe</a>, -a touch of perfection in a cafe I swear- before heading to the <a href="https://www.thedungeons.com/amsterdam/en/" target="_blank">Amsterdam Dungeon</a>. After walking ALL over the city, this was the unexpected best way to end a Friday night. We had thought it would be more of a museum on the dark history of Amsterdam, back from its early port city days and pirates. But actually, they brought the stories to life with actors, scenery, sounds, and even individual participation from the group. I was elected 'poop girl' on the ship, and Brittany was 'burned at the stake' for being a witch. </b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUZ6HE6soPVqaJ-BsfH-A1OhXcmwDNP45CzSlh9EwXEl6VLqg32h4Oz4gYxvw6LmpR8IHinf8OXahOhu_2hG98hrSqhiUQtr0zXSZzSIh0cJbc3ylx0tcdrPsdJ1zAo9d8lQ9Cy5uEHXV/s1600/fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUZ6HE6soPVqaJ-BsfH-A1OhXcmwDNP45CzSlh9EwXEl6VLqg32h4Oz4gYxvw6LmpR8IHinf8OXahOhu_2hG98hrSqhiUQtr0zXSZzSIh0cJbc3ylx0tcdrPsdJ1zAo9d8lQ9Cy5uEHXV/s400/fear.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;"><b>In the last room they told a tale of two sisters who were in love with the same man. One sister killed the other, the living sister was haunted by her ghost, and eventually killed the man and herself. Again, Brittany and I were the best chance of a good scream so we were used as the target audience. When the lights flashed off and back on, in an instance a woman in a long white gown stood inches away from us. We jumped with a piercing scream as the entire group roared in laughter, and in the next flash she was gone. It was awesome! </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRzHwTk8js1oPbh0Q6S2EKUqBjNIOkRnrWFwjF_1TORyLmcAL0WjwzWv9lmtvxR5q0F7DkM-KIxRws8igk_rvKT1BUxQ0Q6lC2BOwD9q-LY87q9wRgoJnOHA64H1eKrvznnXQ_e14RwVo/s1600/viewfromboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRzHwTk8js1oPbh0Q6S2EKUqBjNIOkRnrWFwjF_1TORyLmcAL0WjwzWv9lmtvxR5q0F7DkM-KIxRws8igk_rvKT1BUxQ0Q6lC2BOwD9q-LY87q9wRgoJnOHA64H1eKrvznnXQ_e14RwVo/s320/viewfromboat.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: large;">Saturday, the final day, was the most beautiful blue sky, cool breeze, sunshiny day (or maybe I was just falling in love with the city). We started the day with an Amsterdam Omelette, fresh OJ, and a visit to <a href="http://www.netherlands-tourism.com/basilica-st-nicholas/" target="_blank">St. Nicholas Church</a>. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>We made our way to Dam Square, Magna Plaza, and Forever 21. ^^ </b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17DABM5r9mx5UMiHlTMpRaayoO5N3hbUcbCTXCArSL3OeueAsxuKV8L64aafx7WrWaulYA4llOEITClLBOQPL-QH_A4NxA6sBZt27mn-lUL1n9N-Hp3SCVgJhraWXlDS3QW33gjkIKet8/s400/magna.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chandelier inside the <a href="http://www.magnaplaza.nl/" target="_blank">Magna </a>Plaza, built in 1895-99, <br />formally the main post office in Amsterdam.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amsterdamforvisitors.com/meaning-of-xxx-in-amsterdam/" target="_blank">XXX</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Final sunset in Amsterdam</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">This trip was taken over two months ago (my last edit) and while much of it I wrote the week after returning, it has taken some time to finish it up and pick out the best pictures to capture my first trip to Europe. These two cities won me over, and I can't wait to return. Love to you & yours. x - K</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">" See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." </span></td></tr>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-65954463132633944932017-04-27T13:59:00.000+08:002017-04-27T12:20:12.276+08:00~Today was Good ~ Today was Fun ~ Tomorrow is Another One ~ Dr. Seuss~<div class="MsoNormal">
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Seuss week March 1-6</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP-Msxx6XHrpKsw23p-NrSsbKXB-tglA7mIqkNPvR947xkQW1fPCY59-c2fTpyZLKE5yXROVdDzIgDC3iJ_0AiHoE8fEfVzRgfYTvTyO89IExzpI2E-PoKaBA0Am2_bIy2015CWidDi-w/s640/IMG_6528.JPG" style="font-family: 'janda safe and sound'; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Yves classes celebrating Red and White Day with cake and a movie!<br />Don't our teachers look like so much fun?! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pajama Party!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_x_5fnKOYZDtGBYOtIT3iqEhsJVA0vR__uee6XcFX9pjAX5ooc5guu1n6V8HDGPndhsQZTq1g7gyGCTBYPI_u1ND-lvxFgIRAiIXR2YsoaIEuV_7hu8W107UkG9DV8qXNLISBW6-Zxjh/s400/IMG_6297.JPG" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>T. Daniel and T. Sofia with the Care Bears!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0fajcf-fYuaLaf-VNbaYFBuPDYeAva-hZVZhtadTG2ucBt-RcqR55PWuYMr0lqEpxJZsmugEwjq3OjwZQ18Kgk3KCG-fWZy4tuPv-tIQleLVnvY4izIkw1a6xL0XQdYARMIL9ss5bne1/s400/IMG_6294.JPG" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>T. Grace and T. Jacob with the Bananas!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxuUxh9EKHxvJ0K_hhsNh_0-pxEtTtPeD4kpXIq4yCHP9-4e4_NDF_5zZ5CukQ81Fu6M3Qw1nv05vQly3WOavoobF0FJ-DYtklQBHHZscN9d7hY3WhKWGIv5OunTcPwb-MU2P4IZPU05Y/s400/IMG_6293.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">T. Doris and T. Kyle with the Waves!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLCgv3Otb3JxnTS6F72Qf_BhPmCqcyBSmsQUYMMEgGZrKBKjYj0pZpdcvDPscy_Vuvm_xBZ-EVpmKkvbubRzEBwS5rpfBKKO9gQxDCbqGxWeMVn9uPjvG8WOn0pdCWii7NPqzA9Ggaby/s1600/IMG_6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLCgv3Otb3JxnTS6F72Qf_BhPmCqcyBSmsQUYMMEgGZrKBKjYj0pZpdcvDPscy_Vuvm_xBZ-EVpmKkvbubRzEBwS5rpfBKKO9gQxDCbqGxWeMVn9uPjvG8WOn0pdCWii7NPqzA9Ggaby/s400/IMG_6319.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To celebrate the brilliant and creative life and work of Theodor Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, our school spends a full week in celebration. This year it was split over two weeks, because there is a <a href="https://www.englishintaiwan.com/life-in-taiwan/traditional-holidays/the-2-28-taiwan-incident-228-massacre" target="_blank">memorial day</a> in Taiwan at the end of February leading us to have a three-day week. We kicked off the first day with a Pajama party in every classroom with teachers and students reading Dr. Seuss favorites in every classroom. In kindergarten we rotated teachers, in Yves they made a classroom fort and combined classrooms for a reading party. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIuMoYHnJnzcX1uTnvaVzRm0HOAnkXYj-z22qRRwWcyi8qQYgegAVaQv3Hc7G-soCyWnQSd9XHHoeF69YdAMGXlGuSrIVsm8W6s-_N2Of0-ah2Q8SqmZugiozlWGthCpxVvQ2mp0oa0ck/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>T. Jill and T. Josilin with the Illustrators!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEFZpuZRacLsvf3QpczIyohNmwnEL-TsbYNVs43B51XxSknxZWvPD9-sY5xtygRa7mDrh6kVjK9mQPXo89JMfQCxPZ2q90iUyFU6mhqg9AN5KtqIPwOko8A17eiaSVerPg1zGbOvchcQH/s400/IMG_6301.JPG" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><b>T. Charvala and T. Tyler with the Space Rangers!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOEYeyLRkCe8MLxf-CT6K9GN4V1zVRufEdTZlzty6tMY1kl7aCJ89nKzm8toqpKTNju8RSDoLU_wGVbjfl6zAx-uO6hyphenhyphenhBbdq5BttEYpUtgBhkTzAlqQtAEDa5I2-HhGNqd7ADBjdTa0_/s400/IMG_6305.JPG" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">T. Kristin and T. Marcie with the Unicorns!</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPlk4aYOOu1rnytQoIMwVPa_YI-8h68SuXzo9tpTtVKm-7NsjL98ktyPy0VtMYXcXsBJiIP9BOm9Y8A2XFSppxofpTQDqjJ-yrJ_iHF7Lfqj-qoaDie4r6msvSCHyCpeqfyd7dH17OsGn/s640/IMG_6329.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every day teachers would take a vote on the student in each class, and the teacher, they thought was best dressed for the day. On day two, we had crazy hat & crazy sock day for all grade levels and teachers. In the afternoon, everyone would get to try green eggs and ham for snack time! This was a very fun day. Besides the students looking adorable, I was also gladly surprised to see the students' and teachers' creativity was getting better each day! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_RC4Xb30SxQOSG4KUzXJ8UDSkmlMx6GRqu7Xnr7_RFsWH0D8qdNhUk8UOBO2G1zcx9P7Tm5Vl7-PBeGBWbIRCknDWspbqvZ7UlknmJnrdPwoVuw2bY9t003iK433lJYktJxwPaKuuDEj/s400/IMG_6331.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Koalas, T. Anita, and I making a circle with our silly socks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn2CPB7KzqqmL9TmyMKxsONMZ-UPp7asfvpVn4pQF33P8MFfRRw6YHuiB4SL9DO8bZK8YzEKVX6e0GX9cTCoJJgquj2mNR9bHIqPI4e4BttWPyz62AHjk-2CMey67motTUTwbWE5hMa3g/s320/IMG_6344.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Charvala and T. Tyler with their oh-so-happy grade 6 Rocketeers! ^ ^<br />
(I actually see some good smiles in there!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga05dXcvor54_998k53X2CxNrgDNjEZnoBYWzFIgIeXVGfoldB1xLOffb-HxtTrwaeHvIz22_vZrtgpHiHTtoKe-L372xA0NLyfTm7NqfnLkMvker7dQpDfFyRRuShVxFmuFghCcr7M0D8/s640/IMG_5465.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The wild Waves class in the wacky hats! </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVn9EV8MC6jF-dXD1aen-5bWU2Jiy_4p9SoEhXvwEzJNQhkiJ2esCmBZMtXAV7Xn5XO2yOY3zmfTnt8ZDx9jyoZoqAo8oGBjJFZyDP-UYlNJDFz89gU3uIa4kJsK6R67EBR_UN5hZSoIv/s640/IMG_6387.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnDorLTtzwyda1rCL59WQBdKQrXQIZLz1FbIHBkKeny9OBz565gUT39uFreicnxRLwdirKOlWFnIYvaxuV0E9xMcRg62QiEvxMtaAYCCsf2HZv_B4Ch4KvTK7TlsZcfoJZtENynPKk5CZ/s1600/gree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnDorLTtzwyda1rCL59WQBdKQrXQIZLz1FbIHBkKeny9OBz565gUT39uFreicnxRLwdirKOlWFnIYvaxuV0E9xMcRg62QiEvxMtaAYCCsf2HZv_B4Ch4KvTK7TlsZcfoJZtENynPKk5CZ/s320/gree.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the last day of the three day week we had CraZy HaiR DaY! In the afternoon, we had games and crafts for the classes to do. The younger students made their own colorful Cat in the Hat with T. Daniel and their own plate of Green Eggs and Ham with T. Jacob. With T. Kyle they played a red fish, blue fish, yellow fish fishing game in teams of two. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Grace won for crazy hair day! EEK!</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3BfEWztotbVfcLHReOCDM4_o6QVH3zRaTdaXpRmCyJyKLYBPCDWTQap_s9uGmSPljo_2RoO5epUyEZA9H2gKrm7qrKHWKsjKOI_XdVJbxTYDJMFbD78OPrLtyom-3oWYY_Xfg8ulvh5U/s400/IMG_6355.JPG" width="266" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjNiJG8KBW2P5aW9kVJbEYS79N6qIdshjcUb1Mk69fo0pZoCsJcNg8k-xuK8aaU9QgbCNbJ3l2fkDgIL1LgaiDuwpugy7c4eppjm53dHVpNTaZaQ4SJAqkkTMKDMtXTHJQmBUtNnhGN3v/s400/IMG_6367.JPG" style="font-family: 'janda safe and sound';" width="266" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">T. Josilin won as well by turning her hair into a doughnut! <br />She even let me sprinkle some cinnamon on top! ^ ^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Monday, we wrapped up our Dr. Seuss celebrations with an ALL Red and White Day! The classes watched a short film over one of the Dr. Seuss favorites and had cake together. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Listening Contest March 18th, 2017</span></h3>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "janda safe and sound";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Another grand event my school puts on in March is the Listening Contest! This contest is for our Daban to Grade 6 classes with a first, second, and third place winner! To get things started we had two wonderful hosts for the event, then to help pump up the energy in the crowd we had T. Abu and his team. </b></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSkt9Ni-Fq2kyN_fUzFFI5x0FFqj8SEnpPt75aQ9FrMZU0XYprXHSRNtIrYkqlWQDQwif1Lg0e45IfXzimAmViB-I9r64RXD75KoMiDg3DWJQgTUMeLzNglAFTJKzXrfN4qLscFynz3yL/s400/abu.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">T. Abu and his team got everyone up and dancing, and as the anticipation for the announcement of the contest winners grew, students, teachers, parents, and faculty played a racing game with giant soccer balls. Team Nan Men Vs. Team Shang An!!</span></b><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0enwmWBtMUAJ3LGS2wP53jerXbRaHx-6j1korXwtce6Qr2Q_ilVH2iG7AeODAdHkglQjGayOt4qLnZ0oypMjakH9kO6rsZQoI_0BjV17uWoZQEc2oXsvVNv7mO1IzE6mhva_F1d2bl3h/s320/org.jpg" style="font-family: 'janda safe and sound';" width="213" /> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><orange purple="" vs.=""></orange></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdjoOvro0y0E7HJolTccHr4RkL_RSreSYu7F-wmU7ol9DBqBC2XVg5M8i1TgzCISPECFFyKtoVLQMli0FCphD5gugckoJAyVLQ3963LqUGP9rzh6eV8QD9C7PYrE71T32uxnOF08nxrgj/s1600/pur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'janda safe and sound'; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdjoOvro0y0E7HJolTccHr4RkL_RSreSYu7F-wmU7ol9DBqBC2XVg5M8i1TgzCISPECFFyKtoVLQMli0FCphD5gugckoJAyVLQ3963LqUGP9rzh6eV8QD9C7PYrE71T32uxnOF08nxrgj/s320/pur.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Happy Children's Day! </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvlVpikMI4UipTkmoc6Ro8pze-RfqUqXpfrnHPEljv-ygmhaeDO5rXUJ5iIhDPU_MAaFRQtFA9M_w7kgycunHKYUxU23DrxET_tSSztjVCsr0StgolNJiuksh1q71T0tyDvOeRbmAWpno/s640/ccwave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Testimonials: "I have lived in Taiwan for over 10 years. I have found it to be a peaceful and laid back place to live. Furthermore the island boasts a stunningly beautiful landscape.... Moreover the people are fantastic." - T. Kyle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNYEZkKGPwH9qy7n88-2QNY1xYyEdbfPSQHifMBEu9m1ydcBT7uQtGGZCLUJXpNB91uVP-TCHYohU3M0Q_wc6QWATXylrWzSNcHb94d2HL8bbgxNNlIuD-UaHlwjIWnATNF2XcuPO2KnE/s1600/IMG_6466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNYEZkKGPwH9qy7n88-2QNY1xYyEdbfPSQHifMBEu9m1ydcBT7uQtGGZCLUJXpNB91uVP-TCHYohU3M0Q_wc6QWATXylrWzSNcHb94d2HL8bbgxNNlIuD-UaHlwjIWnATNF2XcuPO2KnE/s320/IMG_6466.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We would have another four day weekend in the beginning of April for Children's Day and Tomb Sweeping Day, so before then, we celebrated the children by having a cotton candy machine in the school! We also had class visitors in every classroom that would teach the students how to make a simple animal figure with colorful self- hardening clay. In the youngest classes they made caterpillars, then worked up to pandas and Spiderman. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">CARE BEARS AND THE COTTON CANDY MACHINE!! ^</span><br /><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">BANANAS AND THE COTTON CANDY MACHINE!! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">v</span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Testimonial: "One thing I enjoy about working at Cornel is its focus on music and the performing arts.... A highlight of my experience at Cornel has been using our own Rainbow Time recording studio to record an album of songs for my students." -T. Jacob.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoOQriLGlGXhhyphenhyphenK98kFnufsILHoO9X0aPIHh4Sqeeq1ESfjV54arRPzreHgWeIjzI9ciN-3JPCKGFFK0dqIFRW-d5294Q6QEAJ1NLGYf84zr06Y4T7Lqh9UXVsyZ_ppaysuJ6bCDr0-Pq/s400/ccwaves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watch the Waves make the cotton candy fly! <br />T. Cleo did so well with all the kids to make it exciting for them.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF6SMQsbJ9gWzM7P55B1-TWYdE6mieh36XvhUYcPgsMJMHrSPnOQOTp4vDxvyiP2vGFczFtYh3_-ZznWHskhKYGaNhotKlI-xoAompt4MqguoTEw7f79BRoqaFQE_X4igoY4m6L0Z1ZKL/s640/IMG_5966.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I love my cutie Koalas ^^</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4jY-psaGczucAdrUPQjJrXxoo6R5fLaSx8_6GvDdiKEfbP3jRLL2rPKpf6hsgowdezf0bBCSTTva5Lk5nBwkLfklorId-677ILCmQE9aqVmjZSW_zAoETju9tDbmi43c9rIrw798Qjs1/s400/IMG_5970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Seedlings!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeGXioWRfcMq3JsRf-mkvMsU_VXTusnBuKRAMJTcp7kQqUy-la7SEXgG_o6IF7p4nBVDXMMj69IthWYmAmNZav1EQqzmD-OGt0ml-J91QC5V9wOVjZUg8z3faiwiDs_fzFuglSljHDvm1/s400/IMG_5979.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Testimonials: "Even though Taiwan is a small island, there is still so much to do and see. There is something for everyone including beaches, mountains, markets, and historical temples......Through working together at Cornel, I have made some great friends. These friends are people who I can collaborate with professionally, spend time with outside of school, and travel with around Taiwan and Asia. " -T. Kristin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qkXS-S4aADi3Qas0Vn3YZPAJa7x2XmHjkJmVjE_STaRv2ilTgsyJyeLdMBkraHrap5PbFtVlC2kpNpo8e9_nbXj52V9rHdFuGcEswS-4Avvd89CouVi14W_AoFSt6LE3kWG6EcySeWB2/s1600/IMG_5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qkXS-S4aADi3Qas0Vn3YZPAJa7x2XmHjkJmVjE_STaRv2ilTgsyJyeLdMBkraHrap5PbFtVlC2kpNpo8e9_nbXj52V9rHdFuGcEswS-4Avvd89CouVi14W_AoFSt6LE3kWG6EcySeWB2/s400/IMG_5974.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Teacher Testimonial: "This small, beautiful country is a hidden treasure in Asia. It's developed yet inexpensive, progressive but steeped in tradition, and challenging while being very welcoming....No matter where you teach abroad, be prepared to be flexible and patient, but the people in this country make it a bit easier.....While one of the scariest parts of moving abroad can be leaving your family and friends behind, rest assured you will be receiving some new "family members" in the form of your colleagues at Cornel." - T. Tyler</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pCI8CnPYI_0ThhB6mAOBIv18EXYHc24xMfu4KIpp7H1DZGNR5NZwFPFP2DEOFsthS7aN_fy3Bi-2IxG9TlcHiThqA613GVEu6cZcf2AjbDupqmH41op55HNKEOvnt6E1bYprFzQsLceg/s400/hea.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know they give out government awards for students who healthy?!<br />
What a weird but wonderful idea!<br />
Our three healthy boys are all pretty meaty! Sean, Ian, and Raptor! </td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36vvfCzu_-zYSNoaFfCcEeE6OUeMZSxyat0iwxAtQrNOkaYXYyxNfKZhOML5KGi0_WzgyXkqeBoXI31c_74Bv6IcEVpKLMGAsMdO0nXwdsBwr3Htlv-zudA82l3gwmwsf83hOEcRu7A9l/s400/IMG_5993.JPG" width="225" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-mwtnm8373O5szJUfmz_T4gFPi1fWeregIWzKtvat_qsqcTvfJDcMEWN9up0_b_UauJ9QK4RmPURCl8K02QGGXX7e1aBH0heP2rd7BsxGEmNcW7glhMgfTS-PnS-7Vq75UYiDxAb2SIf/s400/IMG_5994.JPG" width="225" /></div>
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<b>The Waves went on a field trip to the strawberry fields just outside of the city. We were also joined by the Joeys and the Leopards classes from Nan Men Campus. When we arrived the students were given brief instructions on how to put on their strawberry pickin' boots, how to look for good strawberries that are worth eating, and how to properly cut a strawberry you've chosen to take home. Each student set out to find a dozen strawberries, while I and a few other teachers set out to fill up our basket. I was eating the most delicious strawberries everyday for the next week! </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWqVmkg1whx3gCNbdX5saIJstBw-utdFcwbwk4VGFH70J1KtgdGE4YHxEzRjvkOb46HBQolHNawpEczKsnd9VK-kZb9QRykttaV10ShIYEj99ueklpMZgpr5TomsjRjOCIH4hA5o3rhmC/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taiwan Birthday Cake continues to be eccentric and almost too cute to eat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96uC3c2dDqZRPYePNOHdqtKFewAvHnFiFJL8LruaC5OfeRXbnziAIw1MwSSzUtvum-ptEPf9OsldrtXfSNWarfSGYQQUV4DSvsNiLyFruZxHE4my9I9lYC5rGfKirUTvVPm8dwMRsZElk/s640/IMG_6385.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">The gorgeous Rainbow Village imitation made by T. Josilin , T. Kristin, and their classes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4Ot8qcEccnkvZXjgPrw71G8zd8S87od1p3BHbm5-OXnR-GkN30WUDjSEpSXwVlH6ajbZaEpUXa4fe74OtD3n5SIXgULWYifMRUOe4awEPiEazIrWzXAWn1s4zF_n577vlJKyAl5PIxZr/s320/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my favorite siblings! <br />
So sad to see them go in two months! </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shang An Annual
Class Performances April 18-21</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: purple; font-family: "janda safe and sound";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Care Bears to the Pet Shop- April 25, 2017</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Testimonials: " to those of you who are unsure of what to do with your careers after you finish, I highly recommend that you travel and see the world. Cornel is a great place to start." - T. Daniel </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZyNko9aiznSgNp4Ra84WqfJNMFsmZlV5ZJ3l2iuv9YqOm3FBdRMzRcch1IUETlyKk2k9WfY81vyXOKQdxGUo7e5ef8QCvkWxvGB-G89eHjRGarn4QsEn6EFUZbfb7dpJ-vE0j3jD7yL9/s400/IMG_6514.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was the second field trip to the Pet Shop for me, but the first with puppies!<br />A fourth of the shop is fish and other tank creatures. They also have kittens, birds, ferrets, chinchillas, bunnies, guinea pigs, mice, rats, turtles, snakes, spiders, iguanas, lizards, and the first time I went they had a piglet! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzrE4FkTt8EiJegrOk_RDdgjYlcRjSGM3DifTDPd7Enl6a7HuK9liuMLQiGlHehS18ehy94coFprcnNRIovbzjzZQZzqn2wdgZvQh_PNEd9eLP-s6aiHjDxIoxqMTmEiWpIFjIh4qCPFZ/s1600/koasl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzrE4FkTt8EiJegrOk_RDdgjYlcRjSGM3DifTDPd7Enl6a7HuK9liuMLQiGlHehS18ehy94coFprcnNRIovbzjzZQZzqn2wdgZvQh_PNEd9eLP-s6aiHjDxIoxqMTmEiWpIFjIh4qCPFZ/s320/koasl.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What an amazing year it has been as my first year as Head Teacher and Director of Shang-An. I have been blessed with great teachers, and a wonderful staff to work with. BUT I can still say, it's the students that keep my heart full and make me happy and proud to come to work everyday! </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Graduation season is upon us! - K</span></div>
kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-61766869921686638142017-03-20T20:45:00.000+08:002017-04-12T13:33:07.760+08:00Not So Lonely in Laos <div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKHXHv5QAC344VPy15ZhMrrjINPR5iW5Di0tPd20hkn4fqqlBQ6DWuzsI2NADbpv9lNRYPjj9bqdOYpg-xaeEnn3EtJMNrT4b_qIVGHtpQ0qaSnmJJfuGw98CSaffzoySR3UYX6jq6FnZ/s1600/IMG_5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKHXHv5QAC344VPy15ZhMrrjINPR5iW5Di0tPd20hkn4fqqlBQ6DWuzsI2NADbpv9lNRYPjj9bqdOYpg-xaeEnn3EtJMNrT4b_qIVGHtpQ0qaSnmJJfuGw98CSaffzoySR3UYX6jq6FnZ/s320/IMG_5818.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">When you</span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">’<span lang="EN-US">re traveling with someone else, you
share each discovery, but when you are alone you have to carry each experience
with you like a secret, something you have to write on your heart, because
there</span>’<span lang="EN-US">s no other way to preserve it.</span>”</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Luang Prabang, Laos </span><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyc2NhdIfh8DHbE4uXEkKldy4FeeKt5AbA5hof5PId-shEyKWx0eKPYtwenOIQYKmxOjjOebUOzQik_gSJs-OQFGMPFiyfIasRVrKm60CTZ2VCSuq59s0jrOrhLIz1j-9t4SuFdE_vbCG/s640/IMG_5685.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Monday, February 20, 2017</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The 4 am bus to Taoyuan airport is 2.5 hours,
the flight was at 7;35 am. First to Hanoi, Vietnam, and then to Luang Prabang,
Laos landing at 12;40 pm. Only a 40 minute flight from Hanoi to LPQ. While in
Hanoi I had to have some authentic Pho. Yummmm. On arrival you pay for a $35
visa (US citizen) into Laos, if you didn't bring a passport photo with you (I
hadn't) you will pay $2 for them to take one of you, for you. I had to change
my NTD to USD in Taiwan before leaving since Taiwan doesn't sell Lao Kip, nor
would the roles be reverse, nor would they change it in Vietnam, a country that
borders Laos. When I arrived in Luang Prabang I could change my USD to LAK. A
couple hundred in USD and you're a millionaire. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9c6YO2IkpgnOR-9aIlL6ShOd3ZxRybp5Cjq0ZeGMvqJUu4gy4jn8CVE5Z1scj1-Abva0UKZGKf8zNgqgNgW_HTAW86vgLRoFuUyKZslv74Z7d4p8H3zx9zdvatDuwDQJmpRsCefBKBbF/s640/IMG_5677.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Top left to right: 1. The Lao word for hello is 'sabai dee' usually said with a smile. Touching or showing affection in public will embarrass your hosts. 2. Lao people traditionally greet each other by pressing their palms together to 'nod.' Although it is acceptable for men to shake hands. 3. In Laos your head is 'high,' your feet 'low:' Using your feet for anything other than walking or playing a sport is generally considered rude. 4. Touching someone's head is very, very impolite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. Lao people appreciate clean and neatly dress people. 6. Bathing nude in public is impolite. 7. Please remember to take your shoes off before you enter a Lao person's house. 8. Remember your head is 'high' your feet 'low:' It is impolite to gently crouch down when passing someone who is seated. Never, ever step over someone in your path. 9. Kissing and hugging in public in impolite. Please be discrete. 10<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. Lao people speak softly and avoid confrontation. Please do not shout or raise your voice. 11. Laos</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> loses a little bit of its heritage every time an antique is taken out of the country. Please do not buy antique Buddhas or other sacred items. Instead, support local craftsmen (and women)by purchasing new, quality handicrafts. 12. Please show respect and dress neatly while in temples and when taking photos</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIV1oYCSMyG3aCA8yviz9Egm35tTgr8zIh4QMkQjC1Uo0eGiRhJcSDvUA7ogtokTh0Kf1Y5rGby_CMUcklLR7hq1xAhtcYy95VypoEjbAsoTNNBscJ7Gg0Y2Gyl_RuH3mZk_E4Y76qBK0/s400/IMG_5688.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first of many massages. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I took a taxi van to <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Matata-Garden-Guest-House/Luang-Prabang/87972?dateFrom=2017-03-25&dateTo=2017-03-28&number_of_guests=2" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Matata</span></a> Garden
Guesthouse. I was staying in a four bedroom mixed dorm, it happened to be the
same four girls for all three of my nights, which <u>never</u> happens.
It was a great hostel. Lockers, towels, a bathroom for the room (not the entire
floor!), free water, free coffee, wooden bunks, great location, soft pillows,
helpful hostess, I could go on. I even loved the rooster crowing at dawn every
morning. I could have sworn when he 'cock-a-doodle-doo'd' all I could hear was
"It'sss The Morning!" </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDt4YQBDHeS2Mf1XZrWtrWR01hJKymkEXe2FVp-xsRyA3wFbDJEUFljCjIAU_0yOnpDHLH6gXiMw0M1QduDI2hWqjXG3dURoeIH2MceOvKpo78tAIzdmTbx7My3L1TZFdd5qdQX5fhwe_/s400/IMG_5678.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meal in Laos. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDsCVSK9TTaKBMigyVVTSIWK0lSHlHD1Isv_UgIFVUXtX_MolOqC5CDfszbdB38K2u1UD3l8drEFBbnsaOlK4dqVHCjhTHgsdxD1empp8xEKc_oVupM1sZep0batPOPrSjMrOArpyeMIX/s1600/IMG_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDsCVSK9TTaKBMigyVVTSIWK0lSHlHD1Isv_UgIFVUXtX_MolOqC5CDfszbdB38K2u1UD3l8drEFBbnsaOlK4dqVHCjhTHgsdxD1empp8xEKc_oVupM1sZep0batPOPrSjMrOArpyeMIX/s320/IMG_5701.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">After a shower and food, I went out to <a href="https://www.google.com.tw/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=6xPVWNX8OqP48AegtZC4BQ#q=sisavangvong+road,+laos&*" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Sisavangvong</span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a>Road.
Knowing this was my first night, this incredible market was my only goal for
the evening. I
headed out just before the sun would set and while only a third of the locals
marketeers were out at that time, it would soon be made into two </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g295415-d325347-i139585076-Indigo_House-Luang_Prabang_Luang_Prabang_Province.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">lanes</span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">of market tents which would
be a souvenir-er's heaven. Painted lanterns, wooden knacks, and hand-carved crafts, Lao t- shirts, Thai
pants, hundreds of flavors of native tea, hand-crafted jewelry, sculptures of
Buddha, art work of endless designs, antiques as small as my pinky nail to as
large as a tun, sewn bags, bibs, aprons, slippers, hair ties, anything and
everything you could make by hand, and <u>color!</u> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4IGY49ltA4MZolnrlADGfeLrxrk4U4iuWbwWZC_O8pQGGNLmsFq6hM0msz6MxRVII2SPSoyVUgEhMRYh_VcZ4hZV-HUWxao3_UC6WGnLuw6Ryee54vdo7bocvx82mqFOqhzwqIb5rTaY/s640/IMG_5692.JPG" width="640" /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6aGlXPuHyC0BXsIZr_CGYo0ZCMp5oArcCyLBiHTL9o45MKUyOf2M4-3384RzWb_vZLHftQqAqr5X9VgvW8LOzZtEgpiJ0EeSEf-2o3AoPPxMEgMQrvJnGcqWboRqZBXBW7NBdbWMO47e/s400/IMG_5722.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every color, just not every size. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qCCzXSaRHeZU6W2AeofxSGFs_LseN7ncKrSNgpowGs-4Gz9jWkpzGk7VsfrgIaYKJVGeXpUbAeM2Nb0Dj8YBvB-0-Zw05lzFH0zK9MUdx8w7qLjuGtpA5bMVPm5grPS6sv60uxZk3cGe/s320/IMG_5710.JPG" width="320" /></span><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWBIWcP8_iFX3k6_5I2ojYfZ8UoO-hCRYVyYbE4EIRu8ovK_HN96JUMhrXgr07YNB2JY-iMM2P9aj-Tz5siyfcM1cOPFb2avAwE9TLMFzHfaHMBcl8AtwEXItwywdX34gZM0kyAKkYfle/s320/IMG_5724.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Everywhere there
were women, many eating, (all bargaining) with children. -Someone I met later
on told me how she thought that 'kids seemed happier in Laos than any other SE
Asian country' she had been to (she hadn't been to Taiwan ^^). However, I would
say I agree. I've seen many children in my travels laughing, loving, playing,
but Lao children seems content, they seem satisfied. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBjHDtx6lk5W8u8wLrduWOB1VRA6oDq8zZ_vp9HcCYqKHdM6edpJHoeR2ePlwdIiFzqt6sC-xRySHjnAinQ0jH9wUhQCefeY10JGpzvd8gfKkgYNn3vQJP1Eqx8raBRQB8p3bbGaQn9Xm/s400/IMG_5686.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh fruit stands, as well as a Beerlao always within reach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkWJJxgU4fCndPMUep395T5Eb49Ey89tH1ITysQj61i4C52OqUu5DNh_PSMNl9tKZR_ixUqLvLOAn0VrY7FHOUlTI5zfI5KUJFXcWuuox0x5vdFtP5EC-9CMdVCdUt2ZsFCWQ-3XHfB2D/s1600/IMG_5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkWJJxgU4fCndPMUep395T5Eb49Ey89tH1ITysQj61i4C52OqUu5DNh_PSMNl9tKZR_ixUqLvLOAn0VrY7FHOUlTI5zfI5KUJFXcWuuox0x5vdFtP5EC-9CMdVCdUt2ZsFCWQ-3XHfB2D/s320/IMG_5726.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sisavangvong Road was very well lit, it felt
safe and exciting. I learned about Laos after coming to Taiwan (of course). It
is a Buddhist country and it is wonderfully still very alive in their
dedication to this form of enlightenment. This became one of the big
reasons I was excited to finally visit Laos. </span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">A close runner-up to a country
I've been to with monks, young and old, walking among the day to day life was
in Myanmar/Burma, but this city of Luang Prabang had/has the strongest
prevalence I have ever experience. I loved this city, and I still can't decide
if beginning my trip to Laos in my favorite city of three was better or
worse. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEtZF-gLmmZtD-MG96nrX38We9H_xt5OHOMLFyoegPeLqq34NrlQyNG5AcRT6a445Ep1fJg8LFl72ZjZzjGiLys_cMniVIz7dX1rq_vEwV63K3bFl-yhzTW6z9Mcck-VioeAYhKTZGZkr/s640/IMG_5717.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgEesx2D5HiHdawVwAcYUkZ3lHodS08WgYSskpBfgvVa4jX9apBraPt2IDlFPjk8FWen7oS62BnKS3kOeiCJmQsdjEqFdpT4b4_bMcG1yNhBzvRzkueYk115m7SSooAQSXWKncwq86TST/s400/IMG_5738.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Also in Laos there were many scooters, tuk
tuks, and a wild amount of foreigners (older in LP).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgLOMlEyyjOzhyJ_49NJCMuRP0t8pJQj7lgFKc_SFY32rX1bkmUjzMVCYh2GaxMY67yTI-mx1cmthyphenhyphenEB8cCd_2V58ukfh3DheK0wFLfwx-rZsV8LPrrOcX2ppraQh_GKpa_Pi06yUWVWu/s1600/IMG_5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgLOMlEyyjOzhyJ_49NJCMuRP0t8pJQj7lgFKc_SFY32rX1bkmUjzMVCYh2GaxMY67yTI-mx1cmthyphenhyphenEB8cCd_2V58ukfh3DheK0wFLfwx-rZsV8LPrrOcX2ppraQh_GKpa_Pi06yUWVWu/s400/IMG_5729.JPG" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I was back in my hostel by 7;15 to get plenty
of rest before the Almsgiving Ceremony at sunrise on Sisavangvong road.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://www.yogawinetravel.com/5-things-to-consider-before-observing-the-alms-giving-ceremony-in-luang-prabang/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a well written article about 5 things to consider before attending this Buddhist Ceremony.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fD8RuI9rXeF7pOk5Ac7omXMkDoMTJji4DCE2FicrzCTlo6s-2dgxUXVXEZfOoD3lW0_rTq3LnpI7hWbnms4u27H5piqW1wK5t1CJkQ_HV34Caw7TJRp2sMfkOEIf54nhtsvHJ74j7KgT/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fD8RuI9rXeF7pOk5Ac7omXMkDoMTJji4DCE2FicrzCTlo6s-2dgxUXVXEZfOoD3lW0_rTq3LnpI7hWbnms4u27H5piqW1wK5t1CJkQ_HV34Caw7TJRp2sMfkOEIf54nhtsvHJ74j7KgT/s400/IMG_5731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I knew the ceremony would take place
on Sisavangvong, this road that stretched across the city. I walked to the first temple I
knew of from the night before and ate my banana bread in a chilly peace to wait
for the sun to rise. The moon was just a sliver in the sky. The experience for
me was so special and meaningful, however, it is one of those experiences I won't share in a blog. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtMab76Fd4doAgd9iNn98igXilbMNyX6-EM8WMB3YEGBC7vIEdzKZqP36rQR9N7i02XWFwLS9-5ZlZg03jTJEpRjQR-0keptROPg0uPW8Up2xm630mV3j1roi_P56DyvqWHt53Dsk29TG/s640/IMG_5883.JPG" width="640" /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">At the end of the twenty to thirty minute Almsgiving between locals and
the monks, the monks recited a prayer to end the ceremony and begin their day.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcLdUnUj59U3JX-Rl50N0sQ1vLqRu63ZlfBKTu2sMPmZiKfAtB0sefiN9DFvDeTCZwXv6ciTx0w2tC-wRMdeeXaK53nhNw8LoLw2f6urVe1eWojwdXostvwVnDbxu4ozIuvN0hDGMCNG7/s640/IMG_5889.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Luckily both times I went to the Almsgiving
there were not very many tourists, and all, but one or two I saw, respected
their tradition.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrWEFOwP-qBmYasx38PUi61bHiXeRc1cMzqqv_ORntCqH1M7_uVqG3vpr7RwicSBHXADYyBE6HzLWU8CcgHxh5GkcMqOzwg1F4LkMgLUlXKYu6wKS_AI4nplfZYTWEIy32jo6wU0JQ1Bu/s640/IMG_5735.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I noticed the man on the roof half a second after I took the photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I returned to my room and slept until about 9
when I woke up to get ready for my first full day. Full of ambitions and ready
for some authentic FOOD! I found a foreign owned book shop sustainable by
volunteers, donations and local made crafts and arts. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB1r3-fKHWatvVbWxJ9m5a1SnQqroIpYs2v3gUEy-iDZk8u5qKTma5HKZ-emVoxI1g0pzhYaMKceiL8lRL_yiTrEjZRhSBHJJ4NM33OuFqMpK-Xehu6R6Mz6c0AvYY5vd4FAFAU2bPJ6-/s640/IMG_5751.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Early on, I discovered Utopia, a
foreigner hot spot I had put in my plans to find. It overlooks the Mekong River
which is lower during the current dry season. It was a hot, dry day.</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7uwFVvr0lcpkjVvQNo-LeOjXXy7Wj2JIWY8LNzrlD1UJaX6yzQ0ehUyiHOT7IDzEFxGt34hwWgouYwVNbjDtPI7Fm-2szVrfkz9RUkjv3zVLF5SUNMSqK6Du6Zf0m4zk0TufqXvpCW_E/s640/IMG_5745.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibnWPP4-iW3ImL5vmW9l2vrG9jrvFU9Fp2iS0Cv9pwpMqoND6Ztijewqz8YUKClYo4Lm76k06rrFcAEhT4SrASqwOAh1kKSsD_OrvPdxubTx7fkSsPInoCPOgfiJ2Wm6LwCspQ476Ji_F/s400/IMG_5755.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Lao baby girl, no older than two was running around in the Zen atmosphere. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincImNhyphenhyphenetvGbYtrqi26QsXph73CngVF0vELqz8lfEB-RXQysJ51n0q6R2efyWIWfcJGtjpAE_a_INsotzuCvGcfkfGyxCFo_bEmfKGjKbgSrrxygsZoNGMafnFxq38MVL1axb005DQtc6/s640/IMG_4933.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/kuang-si-waterfalls-laos/" target="_blank">Kuang- Si Waterfalls, Luang Prabang, Laos</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I booked a tuk-tuk through Matata to the
Kuang-Si waterfall at 11;30. It was a beautiful, one hour, rocky drive. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">I would only have about two hours at this place which was enough but I also wanted to see it all, so I hiked straight to the top and worked my way down. </span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Of course in the unbelievably blue scenery I stopped multiple times for photos and just to gawk. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
was the first of many times I noticed the outnumbering amount of Korean
families to any other tourists. This would be a trend,(as it was in Boracay for CNY). I also heard a lot of French, (Lao was once ruled by) and
surprisingly recognized Mandarin quite often within those first few days.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGTB5C2uQH9Rfr0DqdS7lkgba0I4qzsSiizLCeKFUftjKs7WRLnH5VQIzmoWLbAo4bUxha5zdpWJtkNgKgTVvS7L26uCcRQ5-BU1nLJ6cmThJ00d-XW3lZjb1OpruTZgunAWmWln-Lyoe/s1600/IMG_4954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGTB5C2uQH9Rfr0DqdS7lkgba0I4qzsSiizLCeKFUftjKs7WRLnH5VQIzmoWLbAo4bUxha5zdpWJtkNgKgTVvS7L26uCcRQ5-BU1nLJ6cmThJ00d-XW3lZjb1OpruTZgunAWmWln-Lyoe/s400/IMG_4954.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Kuang Si's water source is a spring about 45 minutes fro the top of the main waterfall. After cascading over the stunning main waterfall that many tourist come to visit, Kuang Si's water becomes the Nam Si (Si River). Several villages make use of its water before it joins the Mekong River."</span></div>
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI9qFWvcobJ5V0WlshZUY6OAjymHbZkq-w-cBfjv32FyjsNICEa7kmhT_DrXBq3vfBNRypECfC9ycxBEno9Qo4gsYb5y9Q-q6bhKVYwyVH4VePb-HnF_vzz1GG5SSq0PUM0nGYaypvqTR/s400/IMG_4976.JPG" style="font-family: gungsuhche; font-size: 13.5pt;" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">At this National Park, there was also a bear sanctuary for sun and moon bears. "Moon Bears and Sun Bears, like tigers, are umbrella species. Umbrella species keep their Lao forest wildlife friends safe from extinction." <a href="http://juniorexplorers.tumblr.com/post/111389501679/whats-the-difference-between-a-moon-bear-and-a" target="_blank">Learn more here!</a></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCEakXW2QtnCcfMdW_fAUA2q19PVXw9DklAd5OYJpzfy6jlEfKELEH9d_hKxezcxhgu5VZJb5UipueFpo_GGQPUV_NWs8Zh-NKZozuP9sD2jhqHg1Nuwwt0rTiKJVxh7sN-E3MtmuC35B/s640/IMG_4967.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">A pair of girls from New Zealand were also in the van and would later help me get my only photos in the ice cold waterfall.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeDae7Yd7WAlFDQJw4_dLj6rHakxsnn9B1MXvBBcgvEe8JWUJXCTIWJM1i6aQN6tsGGv8jCWwFpTmRDUcvUq7DQMCJKG9TLGVyb7yfXuYb6PrW5cpqD2CBLyEXmoGDMKdiHn-rLNyjP2j/s640/IMG_4911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The main pooling area for public use after entering the National Park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">I made it back to the main pool for swimming,
although I had to stay in the sunlight, it was freezing! One thing I loved was
how fresh the water smelled. For the dozens of people who were, or had been, in
the water, it smelled so <u>fresh</u>. I could only handle about 10 minutes
half-emerged in that blue misty water. So I climbed up to sit in the sun at the
top of this bench of the waterfall. While I was sitting there, happily
observing people from all over the world enjoying one of nature’s pure
beauties, a couple who had just been encouraging me to get deeper in the water
were making their way across the deepest part when they both realized they
could no longer touch with their feet anymore, and they couldn’t swim, they
began to frantically paddle upwards towards the sky. After just a few moments I
began to stand up to shout for someone closer to recognize them, when a fully
dressed local dived in to save the woman who had disappeared under the water. When she flew up gasping for air her face was
a fiery purple. Frigh-ten-ing.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi455d3HtNf2oswEliP-RaMIXgJ8iM7ovTrD22O9W1MOXkq4B02LrAvJ-NEsbOi1AAcPTuU8TIEaGbOqaHC0uH0GdvUU87cdxNj7gNcFdw2LI-pVPiKw8wUPc6gdLYj16C7ob0MjxpkJPBb/s640/IMG_4923.JPG" style="font-size: 13.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ferngully?</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJNwpCZS1SAdLHjA95mojNee-rAoAldF5QaPegvCzOexmVPD5x_OWulqbyZU2H7IaHg6sEtfarrRcN6F8L3Hqwap-pjg-La-hYAZkV3nVyw586d7rqX-PVxbpAP9sh8azjUozOXudwRdj/s640/IMG_4979.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JOC8M5XxzlCFKuP4NhUugwvCyv_e-DJdyjrSgcuDQSb6AEyAx4QsWuhGzt03wuRerTd6G2JOwEUNATWgkX4KOCj-C8GQKmCmvsZcMglSldPoOcVe3oENs-3qPwVUCF2CFB_eu2v9NRDK/s1600/IMG_4984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JOC8M5XxzlCFKuP4NhUugwvCyv_e-DJdyjrSgcuDQSb6AEyAx4QsWuhGzt03wuRerTd6G2JOwEUNATWgkX4KOCj-C8GQKmCmvsZcMglSldPoOcVe3oENs-3qPwVUCF2CFB_eu2v9NRDK/s400/IMG_4984.JPG" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When I knew there was about 30 minutes left I walked down to a gorgeous red and gold temple I had seen on the way in. Not a single person there except for the monks at the top of their drum tower. Then I had some veggies, noodles, and a Lao beer before the trip back thinking 't</span></span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">he warm air here feels so good.'</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L2ZaUu0iDeiCzHiCx_M2dqIBnaBJ3pdk2YoQf7vFrhz-bTDVMAzlKrUMGUEMiM_sYI7n4l5a9TJIaiLJkYnO4JHfAb6M9dF5QwzmxoGWu-p9JnnvaWpl6RaHPkv3_PlGgDi9tZOGhlIB/s1600/IMG_5841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L2ZaUu0iDeiCzHiCx_M2dqIBnaBJ3pdk2YoQf7vFrhz-bTDVMAzlKrUMGUEMiM_sYI7n4l5a9TJIaiLJkYnO4JHfAb6M9dF5QwzmxoGWu-p9JnnvaWpl6RaHPkv3_PlGgDi9tZOGhlIB/s400/IMG_5841.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Around 4 I arrived back to my hostel for a
shower and head out to Utopia to see the change that takes place after sunset. No more than ten minutes later, I met Jen. A young, 20 something, environmental
scientist, from New York, who was half way through her two months of traveling.
We each had two completely different, yet interesting stories to share about
what led us to Laos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Wednesday, February 22</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The next morning we met for breakfast at 9 am
to the bakery whose banana bread I fell in lust with. No avocados. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkCNkl6XrOvcmp6KXM-89jlJqP6D3HKBlbgF5JxK_3kecSWVl00nSjUqG7RqKRYafkgoixGVMeXX2oImsUWLGQYpXYbVRX50StGruMD3dtoGvASZJbZ6tPRJcXLMaNPtiSEAAxGLLG74d/s640/IMG_5775.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jen and I walked through side streets and
landed upon the morning market where I somehow found myself trying a larva
encrusted in honeycomb. We did a bit of bargaining and shopping for some
snake jewels. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rlvzPoBN3KXlw6PtK5IXxNBZJJv7Xo3wzS9584zyBjVOwSLfBMFW48jlVyOc6RfFqwgf_B96j8L3H3a43mEDVp3w62Z0KRQvx5_r4cxS4lfM1BDYqoCww1ki8oZRMpW04Ljsur-z5-I3/s640/IMG_6002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have learned about more kinds of fruits and vegetables since coming to Asia than I could have ever imagined existed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bz9rIwNfgXXe6QGuWtmoN5WJ819B4yOv44SpvDA0PX2h65zXpFrMUwx-c4q5HHKwPPe6Kwuwp85Ep7lylhJMZ15zBUUq6SEkzYwS2ar8bRGNjkPxO3TTdk2b5wsfm1_Kx7WsxBuXxc0Q/s400/IMG_5757.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, those are grilled rats. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjgvfW73lcKSk9inMk9w1vDg2oF4uUV_r90jRJ0Nj4urO5vuaGRmxW3Bb-DxyNLylY44sAmlyzXW_EzSUG0Rewzv-Zu3ZBotaC4vKPdleJtChHJ6jeJ_vw72gQV8QIkqEpoAPcXttyA4k/s400/IMG_5776.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third- highest worldwide production: Rice </td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls-m8pVVXR5EUIDfimkaQI3kSYzRzg205RKvhzMYq4EosnZZqFQqMUlwlpdJBGu56tiqpR_uwnvKJQcKEDuoCWzqpuJ05LjdMOkutcnTiBZDBi1KBEgq5RtBeJ_Ipg9m71f4qXSLhX6Pn/s640/IMG_5868.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMRmzxF0kd_MSEHpq7FcBanJhDmfncd4A46nDrq1r6PilmK44t2msBwIem4Qw7WhN4OP-HLzh_N2cp-HYjgXGPY8X6Hu32E6R7ouHKsE0N0ggmCcbjCFwsQBOpa56F8KKn9KrFpmmuq-/s1600/IMG_5786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMRmzxF0kd_MSEHpq7FcBanJhDmfncd4A46nDrq1r6PilmK44t2msBwIem4Qw7WhN4OP-HLzh_N2cp-HYjgXGPY8X6Hu32E6R7ouHKsE0N0ggmCcbjCFwsQBOpa56F8KKn9KrFpmmuq-/s400/IMG_5786.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">We did some touristy spots like the historical Royal Palace of the Lao Kingdom (<a href="http://en.vietnamitasenmadrid.com/laos/luang-prabang-royal-palace.html" target="_blank">Haw Kham</a>) where I learned Laos has many good relations with surrounding and powerful nations. I really enjoyed the portraits containing the story of the ancient royal family that were staggered throughout the entire palace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Throughout the day we stopped at a few of many temples in the city, <a href="http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/454/laos/luang-prabang/wat-xieng-thong" target="_blank">Wat Xieng Thong</a>, Phon heuang, <a href="https://www.luangprabang-laos.com/Wat-Sene-Souk-Haram" target="_blank">Wat Sene</a>, and then made our way back along the riverside roads. We wanted a massage at this point. I have always just picked a place as I walked by, she recommended looking on TripAdvisor, I had no problem with that and it proved to be a great idea. Red Massage was nearly just as inexpensive and the massage, along with the atmosphere was phenomenal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtTwlG-4DPlrHexDMsoFffkK6x-HAPa6ZlqUsCjeZiEGfi5u9dbRtHUJ2f1DSqKtTVx2s7vO2L2q1MuEH406riqtYjcCqZm6cAVqYSOQzyAlEogp07bKq1XI8DikU3j46da8g6mdUSA9t/s1600/IMG_5803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtTwlG-4DPlrHexDMsoFffkK6x-HAPa6ZlqUsCjeZiEGfi5u9dbRtHUJ2f1DSqKtTVx2s7vO2L2q1MuEH406riqtYjcCqZm6cAVqYSOQzyAlEogp07bKq1XI8DikU3j46da8g6mdUSA9t/s320/IMG_5803.JPG" width="213" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO51boW7mo7aUjcLfn7BC4sunYWXM-OOonqVUDCclmEAoT5XP4KRjxcISwMlxWMXXg5ZOlubGT1e88_QoJvfjypgA8QjaKx9qiHLzXXoCLW1xbFB766APvsuZJrR3SE0fGytFzWw0rq3u6/s320/IMG_5001.JPG" style="font-family: gungsuhche; font-size: 18px;" width="180" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Expensive, yet exquisite antiques we spotted along the way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BWF30iacmLUH8FukSGA0hJYkEDqohTqbIkkGskXlrk3FPlIfXpEa6WiJQ3NxfPIpG-FpSIiQGlAeTG3JfmoVjT7pZqig_pFnu0skFXScelF68mQ0tMdcP2sHmFZsOBD0KiKvlO9loEeE/s1600/IMG_5825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BWF30iacmLUH8FukSGA0hJYkEDqohTqbIkkGskXlrk3FPlIfXpEa6WiJQ3NxfPIpG-FpSIiQGlAeTG3JfmoVjT7pZqig_pFnu0skFXScelF68mQ0tMdcP2sHmFZsOBD0KiKvlO9loEeE/s640/IMG_5825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">These are some detailed, friendly looking puppets. However, some of the painted puppet faces were looking quite mischievous.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBBXzMeJdDIhF8YTVToTWjlBCV5SvMxJ4ODpfJVqC3r7PqoLb3gLRnXG_0SaBHSLtf1VwZ0xAIdcEhJtBHF42oJAmEU4SfLRYDZ0O4FSNTWdGM-fytahA50KEbvFRBbG2QOh4T9aWSte/s1600/IMG_5822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCBBXzMeJdDIhF8YTVToTWjlBCV5SvMxJ4ODpfJVqC3r7PqoLb3gLRnXG_0SaBHSLtf1VwZ0xAIdcEhJtBHF42oJAmEU4SfLRYDZ0O4FSNTWdGM-fytahA50KEbvFRBbG2QOh4T9aWSte/s320/IMG_5822.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She is making a type of cloth-like material with bright orange flowers in it. <br />Once it dries in the sun, she will shape it into a lantern.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JdlO5ncU3xzSSS2Y-Nw3uDbIEjwxK27-aungbSKJVqyhaByp_UToUTY3Dm-SUISjN3q0HzYT87uCRcFTqxm43iRlR_aVpb1TaSuDhtH5X-Rjnt4fn6yMIg4q0Py_q5SVwkZkHbLAJnZG/s640/IMG_5855.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmW-6-HOm49-mGDynqtsSE6sDIb9axAmCPJJB09uB9moA2wPGGl_jN77B5Zxduk7oGM0XgmRxHZ6QUBNJFzyGWdBplIdXwZksWnpAseKPwEuPZpMwqO7UtwL26R2fekEZsiM0O9-How5e/s640/IMG_5848.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="424" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the first time I've been inside of a temple where you could actually take a photo of the main Buddha. Normally there is a sign or a watchman, but possibly I wasn't supposed to take this anyways. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XSVrPjQCjz679EU37fyslgP6pJBJuZfPglPmrTKhJL8s9bjP12T6uS2dtARwmYeqMT-yFTEYC9CeFjyc8F0g8XM3Uk7SftpucCUyjXs5izu9KiS8HbLL82aNhfqvcyBewMh7JlTw0ixh/s320/IMG_5780.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9W7_fdMYgA_BfUNXvy3YDrt_NwyfCUH4W7kla4lI6RGGdXbiBAeCR0sybCs2i3ymmX0i7q_rzRLWrOuw9KmMnEgrdXFkLhGLZ9jlfTL7F0YyIA8zURTwl-sIzg_93beUqUKGGJLPzjLz/s1600/IMG_5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9W7_fdMYgA_BfUNXvy3YDrt_NwyfCUH4W7kla4lI6RGGdXbiBAeCR0sybCs2i3ymmX0i7q_rzRLWrOuw9KmMnEgrdXFkLhGLZ9jlfTL7F0YyIA8zURTwl-sIzg_93beUqUKGGJLPzjLz/s640/IMG_5858.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amazingly detailed golden portraits and figures <br />on and in the walls and ceilings of these temples. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS9aHleQaHjseaZWs1AzRapYdRLIjTdb7BHPUqGlJZGrYjaqS7gqPAORMdMYxGlFcdk81wcq0I_ZDzDp0hGX_3JACHTYSW4L27SEJ_lbVyaZKBFcYNyS5SQZdVh_cq1UvpJaYwOP28ApV/s400/IMG_5791.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisavang_Vong" target="_blank">Statue of King Sisavang Vong</a><br />Son of King Khamsouk. Ruled from 1905-1959.<br />Statue was 'casted' in Russia in 1975.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaJ9l2tvqsX8d18LuEXE_u8EWyMD9Hx9l9kNpfVq80oKjOn7LZL25LrgWSk7vDbCr4qsR8GpLd57g0bYPMnPBHXe8ZQ7FS1OK-ve31rYiqHItrDU76ZwM8CUuVQJtpLsIOpbk-h3hGJ-l/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaJ9l2tvqsX8d18LuEXE_u8EWyMD9Hx9l9kNpfVq80oKjOn7LZL25LrgWSk7vDbCr4qsR8GpLd57g0bYPMnPBHXe8ZQ7FS1OK-ve31rYiqHItrDU76ZwM8CUuVQJtpLsIOpbk-h3hGJ-l/s320/IMG_5871.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To this day, I still think this woman looks like Beyonce.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULPn2bTs5iLMohDwJOsKRrbEX078osjIB27LvHUZVIt3siCaze7Y2SQ3uABJiVrx9r9qzlMhP47y0z-0XhevZBx3s3yqtQznwFlzI5pDyYsLBiCPy4XymHPiCQcRcCb-5dt0cKUGUt81C/s1600/IMG_5869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULPn2bTs5iLMohDwJOsKRrbEX078osjIB27LvHUZVIt3siCaze7Y2SQ3uABJiVrx9r9qzlMhP47y0z-0XhevZBx3s3yqtQznwFlzI5pDyYsLBiCPy4XymHPiCQcRcCb-5dt0cKUGUt81C/s640/IMG_5869.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Woman need real moments of solitude and self- reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Mt. Phousi at sunset</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurBtoQfNbVgceMWGcNB7qhtC4H6537Cml92ejZ3cabrRvLyTOUCVLZFlwwB6SI0y2JUxF3fWuc9iGCNldlp_EnqhhNVbmq_1KYEJlMa_yYnnXM25hUWoTjsI0Sncek08lZgE5bzb5b6DE/s640/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ0VMOHbkEgRWPQfZjlR3Q3zdPLDaiShChmrRVMJXH9muk5B4R1nxam-0mk61plhadTkJQUgMwRfijVwSiMXkoAHVsZCTnX0kLGuUgHgUy7GR7IttIQOCm4DEzbrb09olAVtI_tmtorti/s1600/IMG_5009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ0VMOHbkEgRWPQfZjlR3Q3zdPLDaiShChmrRVMJXH9muk5B4R1nxam-0mk61plhadTkJQUgMwRfijVwSiMXkoAHVsZCTnX0kLGuUgHgUy7GR7IttIQOCm4DEzbrb09olAVtI_tmtorti/s400/IMG_5009.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;" width="225" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">We had the most amazing Pad Thai and then
hiked up to Mt. Phousi one hour before sunset. It was already crowded, but we
got one of the last great spots and took turns standing up for the best sunset
snaps.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOy5l5hm4F1e_-PWjRSi9Wby0psM-N2wLjJbYyy6K17LDB15ewW3vvxTUyceW0dokLlTF76TyXE_eIXdmMxpzfa3HqkAXnbtVrdPBWmAM-HGcwzSb6hvjRQsqwVfe4B1whapFu76pckYc/s640/IMG_5878.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">City of Luang Prabang.<br />
Chomsi Stupa is located in a spiritual forest, which has two priests meditating at the mountain that people call 'Mount Phousi.' Chomsi Stupa is located in the center of Luang Prabang at 150 meters on top of Mt. PhouSi, known as the city pillar. Built in 1804 after King Anuloud had been king for 8 years. A priest's gave word that it was a good sign to build this city. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iOD6aMq3mVmilZa4Bf5QD7ODExtHD3ZAVoEpgnLiOhcWkQXXNKq6E1fPW3LSA7TYouB3M2DKXaMA3DIwIExNWfS-z_IKcL2VDYZJ_DRvobzEmx2k4L-VVBOAUeqY43GIwhYGTxmn28-4/s1600/IMG_5798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iOD6aMq3mVmilZa4Bf5QD7ODExtHD3ZAVoEpgnLiOhcWkQXXNKq6E1fPW3LSA7TYouB3M2DKXaMA3DIwIExNWfS-z_IKcL2VDYZJ_DRvobzEmx2k4L-VVBOAUeqY43GIwhYGTxmn28-4/s400/IMG_5798.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Afterwards we walked Sisavangvong Road and then went to Utopia for a few beers and a chance to meet some other travelers as we
would both be heading separate ways in the morning. We met, we spoke, we
laughed, we bowled, and then we paid a tuk-tuk truck to take us home
before the party ended. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">On Thursday, April 23rd at 5;20 I woke up to attend the Almsgiving Ceremony once more, this time I kept my distance and took photos. Jen and I bid adieu, then I took a minivan to Vang Vieng at 9 am, arriving at 1;30.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Vang Vieng, Laos </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMe9T4pTH-K4HxOu9Txl5OfXFm5uRgHv6WBo2h2Q7ZcdFVfF7IytD1u8EZaaR_bxXSYsWR9PL_GkTr-qvZY5ZQBK2Z0I4yFcVsEwW-Uci7qjbIen0z8_W2C9lR1KZPAmvbiBvHew5ij2Y/s1600/IMG_5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMe9T4pTH-K4HxOu9Txl5OfXFm5uRgHv6WBo2h2Q7ZcdFVfF7IytD1u8EZaaR_bxXSYsWR9PL_GkTr-qvZY5ZQBK2Z0I4yFcVsEwW-Uci7qjbIen0z8_W2C9lR1KZPAmvbiBvHew5ij2Y/s640/IMG_5894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />Vang Vieng is an ideal place to be for many back-packing foreigners. It was the favorite city in Laos to most of those I had met.
Ironically, it was my least favorite of the three. Not that it wasn’t great; It
was just overused and underappreciated. The Lao natives in Vang Vieng were
obviously numb and callous towards the <a href="http://www.intoxicatedabroad.com/2010/07/vang-vieng-laos-backpacker-mecca.html" target="_blank">outpouring of tourists</a> that have come
through over the last couple decades. Not that the the tourists have earned their kindness. VV
used to be thee par-tee place in Laos. It once had over a dozen riverside bars,
moon side bars, jungle parties, etc., where foreigners would drink and smoke
and drink and smoke and then too many died. RIP. Now there is only two or three
of those places remaining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/earthvangvieng/" target="_blank">Earth Bar</a>.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">My hostel was guaranteed the most popular
place in town to stay for backpackers. <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Real-Backpackers-Hostel-Vang-Vieng-2/Vang-Vieng/272523?dateFrom=2017-04-09&dateTo=2017-04-12&number_of_guests=2" target="_blank">The Real Backpackers Hostel II</a>. I had
almost changed places, but realized if I wanted to meet people, I was already
in the right place. My first two nights of three I was in a six person mix room
on the male floor with four guys from France and Germany, and one girl from the
U.K. This hostel was like the original party hostels you can find all over SE
Asia. A large communal bathroom on each floor, lockers, water, and towel- not
provided. However, the shower temp and pressure was great and the air conditioning
was on point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNHju1XB9L7xFLihT6QcVlJbITzLLaS-m_rgNXDS2ziWnd_px6nDMsaxtXri-FpxWKAtpeNY8a7LpVgJtSCgwDb-9udl1KJpk2k_SJD2lWixz6pOSOFKU3VDMDdRH8Fun2UwQUbGpmKAU/s1600/IMG_5893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNHju1XB9L7xFLihT6QcVlJbITzLLaS-m_rgNXDS2ziWnd_px6nDMsaxtXri-FpxWKAtpeNY8a7LpVgJtSCgwDb-9udl1KJpk2k_SJD2lWixz6pOSOFKU3VDMDdRH8Fun2UwQUbGpmKAU/s400/IMG_5893.JPG" width="266" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">For my first evening, I bought a hot air balloon ticket and rested
until the 5;30 departure. A group of ten of us went up for about a half an hour
at the 6 o’clock sunset.</span></span><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9PNQXCrOTjpaXRNtF-LcO9PyTil78oRYQJc48WEIBnF_7v_h2rMblxnsfjvnIXz78VWmHMKBkATPTlqJtwxw-qzIspHAwibhD3Rd8k_D1eJ2zfWVau3tPewOWvi4Z049pkJQbhFufjl7/s320/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="213" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The balloon made it’s near landing with the
help of the professionals. One by one, someone would exit the giant basket
while another would enter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvYlmZkaWWDESN4MziXbkJMlIsOhXpx4c6vho_IyFhe3BDkY7yQyT771h2CmHz4o0JBhnZgLDVaVEdlmYLwQk-Lgtfhyb1i6YkzMnZIsR1nNHzsvTAxStyAFRyQaQWZu2azzW2Ra5zC84/s1600/IMG_5056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvYlmZkaWWDESN4MziXbkJMlIsOhXpx4c6vho_IyFhe3BDkY7yQyT771h2CmHz4o0JBhnZgLDVaVEdlmYLwQk-Lgtfhyb1i6YkzMnZIsR1nNHzsvTAxStyAFRyQaQWZu2azzW2Ra5zC84/s400/IMG_5056.JPG" style="cursor: move; text-align: center;" width="355" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">We felt the heat and lifted, heat and lift,
heat and lift until we were higher than the mountains. Looking down I first
noticed the kayaking tourists along the
mighty Mekong, then the fields of burnt patches mixed in green sprouts, the winding
roads and river, the shadows of the mountains on the land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The landing was, as I would have predicted,
not normal. The attempted steering into a low grassy plain led us over a barbed
wired fence, across a small stream, and into private property. The pros looked
for the nodded approval of the owners to land in the inevitable, and crossed
over that fence and stream faster than if they were being chased by gators. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvStcxd8ovbydV8EYREtT8tg5a0MwdyGSU4QOtbeQRZmt8i_wvUnUy_mJs_jBk-j8FFeAKSLV_aHmFLJ29LjvkRXjNv0EUzEpDnGv_mU6DsVbyDWM8ExK-xzQyzVbklh0ukDn5hklBfHI/s640/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Projecting landforms protruding from the Earth. AKA Mountains in a sunset. ^^</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">We landed, we unloaded, we picked wax apples
and ate them before taking the tuk back into town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Never Did The World Make A Queen Of A Girl Who Hides In Houses And Dreams Without Traveling."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Friday, the 24</span><sup style="font-family: gungsuhche;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUSp_x7QYoFm7RxAG57Spr8GunYxshUsS-efXWegg0uT_O3cLIOe2NWsGrYnkkdBAsh_1YM9lBrGBPI4Vd-A58JLiV32eCYHwsvvmTG86ICskICa0Orkoys7DAvgP4WQxULZP_AXb6PAj/s640/IMG_5137.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiLzlsgPxI9Wqlm7jM4nC6-iYD2JkEC28oT9K4F4ZY_wzcbQGyOsLm2hYGWorYsKVuLUdlq4f7Sg8V77prXdqa6xyTpLo6GoAyYwREvCFIl3geI3u-dVICRrntsNyh6enTwiijR0mdUnI/s1600/IMG_5084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiLzlsgPxI9Wqlm7jM4nC6-iYD2JkEC28oT9K4F4ZY_wzcbQGyOsLm2hYGWorYsKVuLUdlq4f7Sg8V77prXdqa6xyTpLo6GoAyYwREvCFIl3geI3u-dVICRrntsNyh6enTwiijR0mdUnI/s320/IMG_5084.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The first full day in Vang Vieng, I shared a tuk tuk with another youthful tourist from Korea to the Blue <a href="http://www.backpacksandbunkbeds.co.uk/laos/the-blue-lagoon-vang-vieng/" target="_blank">Lagoon</a>. We arrived just before noon. As the tuk tuk was just about to enter the recreational area, I noticed a building that said 'Community Center' and a sign that read 'Send Local Kids to University with a Fruit Shake.' I paid for my ticket to the lagoon and walked right out to that the sign. </span></span><br />
<img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfRoTJqQ86MG-pLbMkuTE9BRJwR6o-j30GhgBuvRnBlJDsp_fTqO6Gds2ZzHsbfXC4q4n8ZTWeT_hYUFU_e-j8MdMW5sG7kUIQPn8fKGqbk6K6Czq3DigmWaT0Ns481jOfcWkhiwCP_Y4/s640/IMG_5119.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EST 2008- The <a href="https://www.saelaoproject.com/" target="_blank">SEA LAO Project</a> mission statement; "To improve education, provide employment, and encourage sustainable development. We teach English to local children and employ local families. We provide free labor and financial support to the surrounding communities. We practice composting, organic gardening, and sustainable building techniques. Our biogas system fuels our kitchen stove."</span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"> </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvFB0lqE1ZCBUhcDszUZApkyRHKE9ntAXJkll9OG7Hqpxzz9Zgxxb-PJx5GoVbboCyED2O8TzYTElUIwqv5n1TQCASsMtnKhg0cMo9EdERTdccJRDoes50A0QdU6y9Lm3LE-G_uvw7Zyd/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvFB0lqE1ZCBUhcDszUZApkyRHKE9ntAXJkll9OG7Hqpxzz9Zgxxb-PJx5GoVbboCyED2O8TzYTElUIwqv5n1TQCASsMtnKhg0cMo9EdERTdccJRDoes50A0QdU6y9Lm3LE-G_uvw7Zyd/s320/IMG_5131.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Before going to Laos I did my research, as one should do before they go to an unknown country, and I had come across this project. I had no idea it would cross my well-planned path. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mugIMTTg-hjfRaMr9E6QZysG5CTciBV4P_NzOsC39hr-wcuZ690Mat-3jl2KvQPn9PMg4jfpzojL9YteZOY1bFBrs-e-skvTKd0WvLPaJpzeT4YIvGTtA3jQ6pSBxJAnEogDLKvWjeXg/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mugIMTTg-hjfRaMr9E6QZysG5CTciBV4P_NzOsC39hr-wcuZ690Mat-3jl2KvQPn9PMg4jfpzojL9YteZOY1bFBrs-e-skvTKd0WvLPaJpzeT4YIvGTtA3jQ6pSBxJAnEogDLKvWjeXg/s320/IMG_5130.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mugIMTTg-hjfRaMr9E6QZysG5CTciBV4P_NzOsC39hr-wcuZ690Mat-3jl2KvQPn9PMg4jfpzojL9YteZOY1bFBrs-e-skvTKd0WvLPaJpzeT4YIvGTtA3jQ6pSBxJAnEogDLKvWjeXg/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">I was greeted with a</span></span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">n immediate warm welcome as I walked in. A few foreigners who were the volunteers said hello, as well as a few Lao staff in the kitchen. I ordered my Mango fruit shake and asked if it was okay to look around, of course it was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">The photo above is inside of the 'Community Center' which serves as a one room schoolhouse for all ages and above the classroom is the dormitory style sleeping quarters for the volunteer teachers. It is a minimum two week stay for volunteers, with housing, food, and facilities covered.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYY2TO2MoBqeqkhvYc4uMa82O-lQu2Q5DxVt90wcYmw9W-FYjzfDGt2vG-e0-pSUZ7FYRD_wf46b-ukeouOuNyrqYRhfsXQDO4VMFSWP0XeGQc62gHeUDry5fPhVagwQfig1tRNpTA5m5/s320/IMG_5105.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why Compost? Helps to regenerate the fauna of the soil! Micro organisms turn the organic nitrogen into mineral stone that can be taken in by plants. More solid elements to the soil structure for better ventilation.<br />
Regulates pH for optimal growing conditions. Optimizing the waste treatment by respecting life's cycle. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">SEA LAO also includes a restaurant, washrooms, workshop and soap project, tropical hearth, straw hut, nursery, mudbrick station, and a 'duck island.' </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnq5K8DW8riMoh3bzHSHdm2Snz5Dh7YqQO7o-Mq7CxdNzDXC2joiQ0bmoyMqoLP_tVIIveM8POxw88yuIQTIvzC0coSdjp3MMvOPlLigHUWUsh4FwLMYSG1pMU5Si5m2TwoKRP9eI-kFD/s400/IMG_5077.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CO CO NUTS</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__kBZGoPGMIdruAmA4d72qnKfpc0DNLldySiA1yX2IaQdIZz-Xr2AV1Ho34fjw21d-suHI2JaLhyphenhyphen7q6yPoD5xsrFNDmx3j35DYL3Quiuz0pIUQSnEcz_8I68crgUkJKwLFH9zdIT_95bx/s1600/IMG_5144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__kBZGoPGMIdruAmA4d72qnKfpc0DNLldySiA1yX2IaQdIZz-Xr2AV1Ho34fjw21d-suHI2JaLhyphenhyphen7q6yPoD5xsrFNDmx3j35DYL3Quiuz0pIUQSnEcz_8I68crgUkJKwLFH9zdIT_95bx/s320/IMG_5144.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Back at the Blue Lagoon I grabbed the rope, kicked my feet up, and swung into the blue abyss. While cooling off at the swing half emerged, I helped root for a few other dare-devils who were jumping off the man-made tree balcony. I got the nerve up to do it once as well. Before you decide to climb the bamboo ladder, the sign reads, "Get drunk don't climb to jump!"</span></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaon8Uclv8yw9gcH9VlAQbSikf7HE9O2v6Jymv1tvLUzG8hUkUCJ56fCL4i-RmJLNKkDsm1MoyVNmjMu21aFKJN1o8XpSU11DeHiA2_7mzpMH4Q4ianPEWov5KKZOwsRw_btr0n8EE1eVU/s640/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Friday was the night I planned to go out till dawn, attend the Jungle Party and just have a time. I began with a Beerlao with the staff at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g612363-d7915987-Reviews-Sakura_Bar-Vang_Vieng_Vientiane_Province.html" target="_blank">Sakura</a> and soon met Lina from Germany. We were caught up in a rapid give and take conversation when we decided to try <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g612363-d10686096-Reviews-Tifalcony_Restaurant-Vang_Vieng_Vientiane_Province.html" target="_blank">TifaLcony's</a>. Later I returned to Sakura on my own, bought my Jungle Party ticket, got a free T-shirt, met a hilarious Swiss guy, played some pong, and danced with the Korean gentlemen.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the morning, I relaxed and had some breakfast to the great tune of FRIENDS. </td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarHOkIleTT2dT9UytJslx-dl4mhSrP701z4g2T7seXG0CSAqaD3Nr_Q_C8o7fMuSjYz_C2BLsMqvwB1b_MSuX60xk1YtXeeBKUvL3RERww8PbdFFUc22ksDgkoQ7K7Gd2PdiqDpdgIQ6V/s320/IMG_6075.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It was a low key Saturday, as the plans I had to go cave tubing were squashed by cold and windy weather (and no good recommendation until I got to Vientiane.) After breakfast, I had a full body massage and then relaxed on bamboo patios built upon the Mekong at a recommended <a href="https://www.google.com.tw/maps/place/The+Island+Bar/@18.9279525,102.4422738,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xda031666b385a530!8m2!3d18.9276176!4d102.4459001" target="_blank">'The Island Bar'</a> nicely situated on a small island in the middle of the city. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: x-large;">Vientiane, Laos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Sunday, February 26</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJ89HkA4GA0urWXs9_JtecASg5soiAzN-BB0ySFeV8_7sAzTvdlJCas9e4k5vkXVeNEGu2R27GyqeyYkaQ7nO5Di7Pt79PR71HtMOK8h_9FDYoe8gdea7HqMdbAGKBAPjCbJQHI_FBMlP/s640/IMG_6081.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYEfieZF0wG6gapxiVsmazzUySbFvFZXdeTqMb2wj_IlrCKmUwC1Z77F-Gkq1EhyquEPhMWYr8PD3lvXFDccbc1BgfYtL2NGzUmzRgGU-KmTi2CvP6jeYznOfk4CUYWZOQ58WxLppd0Mm/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYEfieZF0wG6gapxiVsmazzUySbFvFZXdeTqMb2wj_IlrCKmUwC1Z77F-Gkq1EhyquEPhMWYr8PD3lvXFDccbc1BgfYtL2NGzUmzRgGU-KmTi2CvP6jeYznOfk4CUYWZOQ58WxLppd0Mm/s400/IMG_6244.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">I left for Vientiane at 8;30 in the morning and arrived at 1;30. I had two days. On the mini-van we had one stop where I had some pineapple and hot Lao tea. I slept for most of the ride but when I was awake I had a lively talk about Taiwan and marital status with a young Korean. I had my first western food, pizza, at a place I was recommended to by two Canadians I had met previously. Nice people, nice place, not good pizza.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Dream-Home-Hostel-and-Swimming-Pool-2/Vientiane/98356" target="_blank">Dream Home Hostel II</a> "Welcome Home," said the small dark Lao man at the Hostel's front desk. And it felt like home as it was my first nights in a private room. DOUBLE for a SOLO! I visited a few of the temples around the area I was staying in, along with stopping at art and antique shops, tea shops, and a local stadium. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.tourismlaos.org/show_province.php?Cont_ID=776" target="_blank">Wat Ong Teu</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJeYEZAjUJOVKoz10yvh5WW1-ANy_Lx22lLb9e_RBgIFc5AcNxy8TdoNy2n3W_czoc1vf2QIL5-u8oaFiM2QOOloTpJolSJiFXYpErSSRE022BpKFUSjwJ7PLGhUi0BD74DXpYygtDbKZ/s640/IMG_6082.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: 18px;">Wat Ong Teu is the Temple of the Heavy Buddha. The temple was initially constructed by King Settathirat in the 16th century, known as the golden age of Buddhism in Laos. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoT-R_xB-_eHc_q_HH75DWxCRh3ClDL-wtLJjG4ztWT12XN6P5PXz77sWbAclf3i6YwC-5vWwNKjlg8XZfn27GoH9rqyLuUJkEAR2ga7eOqU8mWcma3jCGWotGJRNugmku3bN4Y1LEjGF/s400/IMG_6137.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time seeing a white temple. ^^</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwX7ytpPBJ9xrHGZwLo_2ze9j_pHlGpQE69j1OUGZ4i_ZZVCuk7bqnjxE9_odtXGhZeoiU9PoZmPFUO0ePtqzD9yENdrgJoMxwmpSIthpyPFGqg6gHqPmFEeZZGes2tAMS_bJdesoBaMjR/s640/IMG_6146.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Wandering is the activity of a child, the passion of a genius; it is the discovery of the self, the discovery of the outside world, and the learning of how the self is both "at one with " and "separate from" the outside world. These discoveries are as fundamental to the soul as "learning to survive" is fundamental to the body. These discoveries are esssential to realizing what it means to be human. To wander is to be alive." </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUKp3YH-j4aFPvunfIb0vVfiAQZkDnIAROa28pfOejrtQWL087rVW3T7lUDnDGrJne4GxfBb1J7Sq1fYn1bANUnvCUyasfk967bJ2Yq1znA7g_usG9MFJt_V0b4YEBrKXrK7bAFXB2CKe/s640/IMG_6149.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbpKW4q7XPAjASMBQSd38rIlhe6Eh59RcAJp8BDewDbK_a9YVxQnbLfNosSbCPXlNmEW9F-psEyIZ8-WTLdSlKmG7M5983WRIK51KSvoFsYLmoqVj6xCxz841w2fessH18kbM-g4wGrLH/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbpKW4q7XPAjASMBQSd38rIlhe6Eh59RcAJp8BDewDbK_a9YVxQnbLfNosSbCPXlNmEW9F-psEyIZ8-WTLdSlKmG7M5983WRIK51KSvoFsYLmoqVj6xCxz841w2fessH18kbM-g4wGrLH/s400/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">My first and second night in Vientiane I went to the night market which was away from the main streets Rue Setthathilath and Rue Samsenthai. The first night I went with a male teacher I met who was also the first US American I met. He was currently working in S. Korea. He tried chicken feet! The second night I met a man from South Africa at the hostel and we walked the markets and ate at the local outdoor non-commercial-eatery. The nightly market was set on the streets that lined a city park near the Mekong River. Both nights I saw an overload of kids playing on the seemingly newer playground equipment. This market was SO much different than the market of Luang Prabang. The night market is Vientiane reminded me much more of Taiwan's markets, in that it is for more essential items such as clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry. It also had knock off perfume, cologne, purses, wallets, which is more similar to the day markets in KL, Malaysia. It had much less crafts and decorated items. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9ma2vebbr9n_nvgsbu9LZeoH87IOJcVFS8-5Ff0Pe_BLIfummF0e36LqcxSMPK2tOiXW9rYbpOVG_2SntXiM-I16W5uZJNA8dLgj5mz8hES8Snfo23giQhcucZbdJH9qo2NYkLJUG0wu/s640/IMG_6188.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Pumpkin Tower at the Buddha Park.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GE1-QkBgLdYkuM51d00UzzPtUliRKTfEvkhIEblfZtm7Ax9gWIfZ-Nj5pDtPndcGYyecmtTYijEzew8ROT_uWFMJvsfqoobJhBKEsAMm2ZInJZC5BZK1VHDrtVhTEztytk8bU5YOAdDx/s1600/IMG_6151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GE1-QkBgLdYkuM51d00UzzPtUliRKTfEvkhIEblfZtm7Ax9gWIfZ-Nj5pDtPndcGYyecmtTYijEzew8ROT_uWFMJvsfqoobJhBKEsAMm2ZInJZC5BZK1VHDrtVhTEztytk8bU5YOAdDx/s400/IMG_6151.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Monday, February 27th</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">On my last morning of my full day, I woke up early to go to </span><a href="http://www.tourismlaos.org/show_province.php?Cont_ID=772" style="font-family: gungsuhche;" target="_blank">The Lao National Museum</a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"> before going to the Buddha Park with Lauren. A young Canadian girl I met at my hostel during their delicious free breakfast. She was brilliant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">The flag of Laos on the left was adopted on December 2, 1975. The white disk in the center represents the unity of the Lao people. The blue is said to represent the Mekong River, the nation's prosperity, and the red is said to represent 'the blood shed by the Lao people on both banks of the Mekong River in their struggle for freedom and independence from the French.' On the right is the Flag of the Lao People's Revolutionary party. It looks to be the same as a Communist Flag. There were many throughout all of Laos. </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqLp1Isxeleo9tcndL8SfoeTjrGbJ7LlsIyN4HQkKDK7cltGCeCrrIGAp5p08W4-61pXmVK78PDEGSFu_OavVKv0P1Y1UHbtoBZbTK8Qpn_IfVpAMjIv2p-qOUO1EffpeWc0Nu_NU2Vac/s640/IMG_6156.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6OdfJ-G6s0y7pJi9ogZgIvUdyy5aupN9FcY1KIfkL_Y8Kz4hQU2aa5_vTJha-AVIVWecKvqIBa8kJ3QKgx3D-CfGRe54US6e950oui3qEAG448TJxRuxUGH2UtOJ5eN8XP5bWQsatrdh/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6OdfJ-G6s0y7pJi9ogZgIvUdyy5aupN9FcY1KIfkL_Y8Kz4hQU2aa5_vTJha-AVIVWecKvqIBa8kJ3QKgx3D-CfGRe54US6e950oui3qEAG448TJxRuxUGH2UtOJ5eN8XP5bWQsatrdh/s320/IMG_6249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">This fully intact skeleton was one of several significant finds after excavations at Pha Faen Cave. It shows evidence of Neolithic and 'potentially' Paleolithic human habitation. The skeleton was found in a flexed position. It is male and 170 cm tall. Nearby a collection of stone tools, decorative pottery, shell beads, and butchered animal bones were found.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9EnCnhCS9lnhXeViCTjJ_nUzI28aO2nZTUsjuTVHbeMdYlqdtj1kVjINkgEP3L2pUD4uueqmDa4xSxoA-sqarAMTc8bA8JdlEV-T7ZdrXERvl0a5XgEuAJyi4LLWAUaWgEFToRAkE1ns/s1600/IMG_6153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9EnCnhCS9lnhXeViCTjJ_nUzI28aO2nZTUsjuTVHbeMdYlqdtj1kVjINkgEP3L2pUD4uueqmDa4xSxoA-sqarAMTc8bA8JdlEV-T7ZdrXERvl0a5XgEuAJyi4LLWAUaWgEFToRAkE1ns/s400/IMG_6153.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Head of Vishnu<br />"This sculpture was made under the influence of <a href="https://www.google.com.tw/search?q=angkor+bayon+style&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwy_qSsZzTAhXGmpQKHb21DHUQ_AUIBigB&biw=1517&bih=753" target="_blank">Angkor's Bayon style</a> (Cambodia). The serenity of the facial features is typical art of this period. The peaceful benevolence of the deities the Angkorian style depicts is unusual, as other Buddhist art traditions tend to represent all aspects of creation, striking balance between good and evil, wrath and mercy, and life and death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">It seems that this was originally a sculpture of the Buddhist deity <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara" target="_blank">Lokesvara</a>, the Lord of the World, but his elaborate hairstyle has been modified to make Vishnu's crown." </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIDO0hpKlsazTVP4rjSgTuTog6hgVpHJjMTOJPsuxGcmJlBGzXGCWuvB03Jbzus5eIiXCY3W6ZJUKoPvp5Sw0eb83qkgNaEVweYpIWoj8IEEVnGQ4bf35rWU2zlSBwNPgrnz1-Faj4fY7/s1600/IMG_6159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIDO0hpKlsazTVP4rjSgTuTog6hgVpHJjMTOJPsuxGcmJlBGzXGCWuvB03Jbzus5eIiXCY3W6ZJUKoPvp5Sw0eb83qkgNaEVweYpIWoj8IEEVnGQ4bf35rWU2zlSBwNPgrnz1-Faj4fY7/s320/IMG_6159.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peacock Houda<br />
Mounted onto elephants. This was a traditional<br />
means of transport in Laos during the 17th century.<br />
Still used for special ceremonies in Vientiane.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIx2d86S3q6b8oNx2XmYzBjyqDSzZnzG40A6D3xsMo3O9K_HEj1KIsO-TUMSjJr_ZPoVd5dN_XFzv8aHtD7vKWq6s7nutwpNqOOjhyphenhyphenrsVMgjSNVeKtz8Aiqi8QU-dH64437uUpid6nn2O/s1600/IMG_6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIx2d86S3q6b8oNx2XmYzBjyqDSzZnzG40A6D3xsMo3O9K_HEj1KIsO-TUMSjJr_ZPoVd5dN_XFzv8aHtD7vKWq6s7nutwpNqOOjhyphenhyphenrsVMgjSNVeKtz8Aiqi8QU-dH64437uUpid6nn2O/s400/IMG_6170.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">US Airforce Bombing Data Map in Lao PDR.<br />There were three floors of ancient history to not-so<br />long ago history. These were just a few pieces<br />from the collection. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5zR5GVKFgBmhoFT0wAboI73opHZ_lrm9KUQh088qPCJIZ4-2NlNiyI5RwgHE-SmjeaEWtt9TiB5LLCTaU8pZmikogVWuJ6FbXhZx9Rbapbd9g50gTNhpYCKcj7fIQG-MZfb8Ntgp1dU-/s400/IMG_6130.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. <br />
You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buddha Park</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWILMNUEpjKcbt_J0ctIO4XiMKsfOayPljoWE6rd9Hi8-E7Wa21T7ktRvuBncWdTnWkriOsIVahlJcxooU416h8oPgjMiLWiWc7qBbnhnSgL7D83cDnUAPJIw-i10lmasWsVXwiAutzql/s640/IMG_6184.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">After the Museum I met up with my Canadian gal pal Lauren yet again and we headed to the bus station where you can take a 45 minute ride, for 6,000 Kip (tourist packages will charge you 70,000) to the <a href="http://en.vietnamitasenmadrid.com/laos/buddha-park.html" target="_blank">Xiengkuane Buddha Park</a> of Vientiane (about 25 km away). It sits along the border of Laos near Thailand. We even stopped at the border crossing known as the <a href="http://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/FunRun_Bridge_History.html" target="_blank">Friendship Bridge</a> before making our full journey to the park. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBssFf1F-HQU8V3dbO1WHh2tP6Qo6X7tYryXQU9OzcCVX43zqt4ChBExaiV-znKt1CiHKHpaHg3RNQ3AP4BIaQMeTvVWKfz49JOCxmdarc2F1x-rcLmXTuE1ZmKx0a4nHeOEb-ldLusDL/s400/IMG_6218.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Lauren and I</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouPNkvFL1FqGqJnIDmJJWmPkLe1UegoISQmUX7UUsT4vXjCDrpMzmkfNCB1W2vnPPTTbbV9bZ5iThLBMhEoUFLyxq7r2eMQX0p2V1lMirr58_yk2i6C8_bG89jeZn_IW6V8snuYMbGck9/s640/IMG_6202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The most popular statue is the Reclining Buddha or Wat Xiengkuane (120M in length). At the small yellow umbrellas on the left sits a small chapel for prayer and offerings. On the very far left sits the Pumpkin Tower (6M in height)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxkS4Sg-V6yy1OxNAFsVsBMpkIhf3e5EV4toFEIBiOP2mW_-hJMMuwe-Okzf-f5p_9hmhmwWTQEYfF17f-XQAJt7U2KO7f4nCKdvi6uWDKc1J9aYlVNFHAKPYrXVegRgEoOZAi955CsCJ/s400/IMG_6212.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Laos Family </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"> </span><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi6ec_WQQ9pWlEUbTapiZQSFoeYfMmdueZ6ev5nAFqkAFNR8RgTp6vXbQxSMv21A0t1OaDnmiyc-ADS_dJZNKg4OW9zfDGAnE0n1hAVbRpP2bkFI9wrV1C49f7zDiGJsHGxmbZgfxx8UH/s640/IMG_6214.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">This Buddha Park is also known as Wat Xieng Khouang for the large reclining Buddha that also serves as a temple. It was built in 1958 by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunleua_Sulilat" target="_blank">Bunleua Sulilat,</a> a spiritual leader and sculptor. This park has more than 200 marvelous and bizarre statues placed by Hindus and Buddhists. Each with their own story, yet many still unknown. Not only are there concrete sculptures of Buddha in this park, but also anthropomorphic animals, gods, and demons.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVioS2eBESH1T9wf5z3g4lntiLtEYBpu6GQ-vgX7_jzvHSMopOT0UsK5sWf7zcuCUzmwkRa5uh77n-FPklfjMdBC0pEQ_JjYWlH8Aeh-uctYqa7Uee7FhujYEpGmNtqIjCAQll01BhBVr/s400/IMG_6178.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaytJ5P8i02ReQr2fM05o8qJZznlOh3AhdgyTrAneRcVt6UvV9VelXF4sU5_jcElcPlcktyJ-XOinBNtc3Y_goZRQZvQFy_wI8t7JVDteuErt1BcBI8jj0gt0By7aeDOi0bMy2QgL-B3Ll/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaytJ5P8i02ReQr2fM05o8qJZznlOh3AhdgyTrAneRcVt6UvV9VelXF4sU5_jcElcPlcktyJ-XOinBNtc3Y_goZRQZvQFy_wI8t7JVDteuErt1BcBI8jj0gt0By7aeDOi0bMy2QgL-B3Ll/s400/IMG_6180.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Inside of the Pumpkin Tower there are three levels of interior dwellings and wrap around stairs. Along the walkways you can find dozens of sculptures, many are now broken into smaller pieces and covered with dust. E</span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">ach level represents the three religious levels of hell, Earth, and the sky. </span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">I noticed a lot of snake-like designs while inside, however, I don't know which 'level' they were representing. After climbing the steep narrow staricases to the top you can see a wonderful view of the entire park as well as this tentacle-like tree atop the pumpkin tower. </span><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvPT4B99TkPA_owfzOy3glMaie1KSRPnOREB_kWZy0q9p_aw9YCEN8ai8pKvCoigfOVkI3X8PNJyd-EZiMOtI3aQe9V6x45mQU4npeAhCCi8ePmt6D8kXOhSi5J7cgaJG77egHJQNPujZ/s320/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ6-ecj5w02nBwtvM0q0r_RNUamTP4xJIpKzem-1yDHlm58vT6hwtADlLLfZUiGLrZVZ2NwvYjXp2DWCAFNp9ACbNAlV3rcvhcP_eOdPsrvW4eiRQFniAbSAnpIh4O9s-ilMSPPdtBhfL/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ6-ecj5w02nBwtvM0q0r_RNUamTP4xJIpKzem-1yDHlm58vT6hwtADlLLfZUiGLrZVZ2NwvYjXp2DWCAFNp9ACbNAlV3rcvhcP_eOdPsrvW4eiRQFniAbSAnpIh4O9s-ilMSPPdtBhfL/s400/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">The majority of the statues face the <br />east, however the ones representing <br />death or demons face the west.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiwGUXhbzLCvdY4n9pZGkvqCm7J_OGeUWmTiEGNKAWA4VOEiXl0GC5kGzZXiQtbLkQZKyEQe2DV6pOpf7tJWG05o-U7SCtm7enurQ6C8GQeq0yMT8DrjgyjlUI0mjmRjeggy2aYb2tcB-/s400/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were quite a few that I yearned to know the story for.<br />
We only spent an hour or two at the park. My interest and fasination for this place far succeeded the other tourist in the area. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMfOn04huAF_8mtNU9224o36ZgzlvOf8V4CE0xFumE6AuL4P-TBd0TyKRZmBc9umdw3n3eyYDCyNI1dLu5Iqrfl-GxZ7aUMWsPR2Rsdq9MRdyLeT45PF0mjGRmKW5k7NINxFOTJySPyf0/s1600/IMG_6209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMfOn04huAF_8mtNU9224o36ZgzlvOf8V4CE0xFumE6AuL4P-TBd0TyKRZmBc9umdw3n3eyYDCyNI1dLu5Iqrfl-GxZ7aUMWsPR2Rsdq9MRdyLeT45PF0mjGRmKW5k7NINxFOTJySPyf0/s400/IMG_6209.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";">Another popular sculpture is the one of the elephant with three heads. It represents a special meaning in Buddhism and in Laos, the land of a million elephants. This image of the three-headed elephant was also used on the <a href="http://www.laoconnection.com/2012/12/current-and-old-lao-flags.html" target="_blank">Lao flag</a> to represent the three former kingdoms, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak. Between these three former kingdoms there are 49 recognized ethnic groups living in Laos. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><b>"When one thinks of Laos, one thinks of the Mekong River, the lifeblood of the region. The Mekong played a significant role in the shaping of Lao culture and heritage throughout history: the river brought Hinduism and Buddhism (67%) to the people; Animalism, a culture which worships nature, mixed with Hinduism and Buddhism; and most importantly, the Mekong continues to produce agricultural and economic prosperity." </b></span><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZR7AHVqn-Tw7OJzUueOt2fdcC_2qZOVaRkwPaB4Bgae-nRL0-4isZPJDN5Zrd_DNK3BQtYCS5PcpHdpULBpOn00C9biAW5NoEX1FBEx8-NyP7z-xxYqsAkVgC9TAc33zCNLMtijCoXik/s640/IMG_6238.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "gungsuhche";"><b>Where to next?</b><br />2017 has already has some of the most incredible moments, with </span><span style="font-family: gungsuhche;">Laos being an unforgettable experience to start off my year.</span><span style="font-family: gungsuhche;"> I am looking forward to my next adventure that will take me to Europe in early May. Thank you reading - K </span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-73780845872439779702017-02-15T07:51:00.000+08:002017-04-07T16:50:53.737+08:00Christmas, Canada, and Chinese New Year <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLrroNu_FOxa8Meykq-UdgJiwCmlAKEcsUcC5qDDJasGuEEeFTioSqbktyxTyO7w2tOi98GGaH3gzfLslQynjU6E5e21Qxwoe_c8TGN6KnpshDLeXRyra-vIdUx5XhSbJPFyDux1APF7k/s320/home.png" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">December was many things, along with being the center of the holidays, this was the month I had been waiting for since summertime. It was the time for my ticket home. It was also the month I would get Lasik, something I never thought I would have the luxury of doing in my 20s, I also finally purchased a Canon camera. Something I should have invested in many, many moons ago considering I am always stopping to catch a photo of a person/place/object I find pleasantly placed, or I am interrupting a stranger's peace of mind by asking him to take a photo of me and/or me and my friend(s). Either way, it was about time I upgraded from the iPhone. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnRkaApUCdprpo_NsErdYattokIc_jcFBhpYMtfoyTKy3ZWrwuBGIfEikcvgBmS0iQ8WKr_BIi_Wj4Dyvd17jhhzTb6TpXZ93q4DnFc7W1z_WvJ4M9RHKK1qrcYdZr1w9q3Vjk1Wzp0x2/s640/IMG_4290.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister Michelle, Fiance Rob and their tots, Dominic, Max, and Bella. Momma on the far right.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Along with those two upgrades in my life, I would be coming back to Iowa, USA, America, Home, after 16 months (my longest stretch yet) for Christmas time. This meant the first time seeing my family on Christmas in four years(!), and the first time EVER spending a Christmas with my nephews!! I was taking three suitcases back with me, one and a half stuffed with gifts for everyone, another suitcase full of traveling memorabilia to store in my mom's basement, and the remaining space was used to pack sweaters I never thought would see a temperature below 50F/10C. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1Bla-Vzmu3tqsCT1mofc4YR9-MA7VwlR1ePeUBGgQSIXicELPkjzek0kSQuAR63LkjbCqM1TTOdAQ1TCVNlGFMoIx9P_NbuWOE2Fznken9OjcwxjkZc81k7cWqapxsHQzUuOrhZYajkO/s320/IMG_5603.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob(2nd), Andy (2nd), Lauren (2nd), Josilin (3rd), Michael (2nd), Kristin (1st).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBzvHKV3HJhkVfB_V43QxJlNituLq9MZ1b2XLQCuK43P4UNhfD_A6Jt5KqJRMdxjcz6zCuk0PV4pg1Q8aXm0YC5hoTeKcaEbuFILHc4VQa3A9GtOKlZylPnMsb_osX5Xn3LcQwPJCWiqt/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBzvHKV3HJhkVfB_V43QxJlNituLq9MZ1b2XLQCuK43P4UNhfD_A6Jt5KqJRMdxjcz6zCuk0PV4pg1Q8aXm0YC5hoTeKcaEbuFILHc4VQa3A9GtOKlZylPnMsb_osX5Xn3LcQwPJCWiqt/s320/IMG_5604.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just before leaving, I debuted my new camera at a White Elephant Gift Exchange Party hosted in the 9th floor apartment. The party was a great time. Multiple games were going on, lots of Christmas tunes from the 90s, mystery presents were beginning to be picked and fought over. The decorations and donuts looking sweet and tasty, happy spirits and saucy drinks were all around. The top item fought over was a hanging wall clock with erotic positions placed on each hour of 12. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IJvFh8aWx2esw2AUdXAhAXTBXTGv_JYanJS3rnHlMYZA6RHuJSr7tU89eVT76UNXc1haugOG5E4_j7icMozLz6cPwi69f0kZZUrJofLzWRg4itcd59JBObQ2s6KRzUhKY9vS82OUfsGo/s1600/xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IJvFh8aWx2esw2AUdXAhAXTBXTGv_JYanJS3rnHlMYZA6RHuJSr7tU89eVT76UNXc1haugOG5E4_j7icMozLz6cPwi69f0kZZUrJofLzWRg4itcd59JBObQ2s6KRzUhKY9vS82OUfsGo/s320/xmas.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The day before had been the Kindy Christmas Party. This was the fourth Cornel Christmas Party I've been apart of. While I didn't have my own class to direct on stage this time, I felt excited to watch every class perform as I've been watching them grow all year long. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fkPKqYnJOH-rGQ0Hpbw-N06stQCI4MmzZ8EXqN94Hoyf3wSoehbWbf5YzAvLEKW0vcnmKKA_xmST4EMda5FPMm2XH_T9xqa2n_S5SsgSCHarnCGgO1_eX_v3vT4AmCk4V-xh0iQ-ST5u/s1600/IMG_5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fkPKqYnJOH-rGQ0Hpbw-N06stQCI4MmzZ8EXqN94Hoyf3wSoehbWbf5YzAvLEKW0vcnmKKA_xmST4EMda5FPMm2XH_T9xqa2n_S5SsgSCHarnCGgO1_eX_v3vT4AmCk4V-xh0iQ-ST5u/s320/IMG_5531.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then finally, on the 21st of December I left Taiwan for my 24 hours of door-to-door travel back to Omaha, Nebraska. Not knowing the first and only snow I would see of 2016 was during those few hours I was stuck in Chicago, I was thoroughly- and surprisingly- still energized until I landed at 1 in the morning. Just 7 hours after the expected arrival. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My sister picked me up in her SUV. It was noticeable right away I had not been on an interstate, or in a vehicle that wasn't a Double Decker bus, in quite some time</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <br style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">She was flying.</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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I spent the first day back in the USA in my pajamas, drinking coffee, and.....working. That night however, we went to my mom's house in Council Bluffs where we spent the evening with her, Mike and a T-bone. I spent nearly all of my first week home between my sister's place and my mom's. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas Day, Sunday, 2016<br />We enjoyed small stocking gifts and eachother's company.<br />Dominic is holding a lizard I got him from Thailand.<br />My mom loved the apron I got her from Singapore, she wore it all day, even fell asleep in it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhY3EsARtF2Qh3DJFP6mSRnAcDk68bTGwNm9PEo32nYODq-AeqGHu7yF12MQP8_OJa-Yv-2dnojhayEtoY-AIn9VQwcoyXKOtieRA5_3IP6AcKCPSGoO0DN1OhJS7SEYbcCmyM7zf1cm1/s1600/IMG_4173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhY3EsARtF2Qh3DJFP6mSRnAcDk68bTGwNm9PEo32nYODq-AeqGHu7yF12MQP8_OJa-Yv-2dnojhayEtoY-AIn9VQwcoyXKOtieRA5_3IP6AcKCPSGoO0DN1OhJS7SEYbcCmyM7zf1cm1/s320/IMG_4173.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and I at Midnight Mass, 1st time for me.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During that first week I met my sister's very-soon-to-be fiance for the first time, caught up on sleep, went to Midnight Mass at my mother's church, spent an evening with my newly wed cousin(s?), played some of the better games you can find in the mid-west- bowling, Mancala, and Cards Against Humanity-, and at the end of my first week I visited one of my closest and dearest friends whose family is like a second to me. Bailey Rae. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey and Paul at Bailey's parents place in Glenwood, IA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grandma Lamp and Uncle Brad doing what they do best. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Now that I was a week in and just two short weeks to go,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">it was time to really get out there. I started with a day of shopping and gawking with my Grandma L.</span></span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That evening my sister and I went toPizza King with everyone who is still around on my father's side. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cousins: Emma, Dominic and Link</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spent the day with my favorite little man, Dominic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> And ended the night with lots of laughs, <br />photos, and rants with my Pinks.</span>Hitting up The Session Room and pizza cones is becoming a tradition I'm highly fond of.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoU4Lbyi1j4iVuwkgCKPyRiNr0Ah6aD5T9J9K9zw5aGfdCQW3HwKyQaTGCkX9OEuvqexXZ8K6OcnyXR8cgLR1y_v_4smsM4cfbVBy9CxGtnu32qPiTXB-RNHCaDrucmsrrC-OQhlm-n2V/s400/IMG_5589.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gift exchange with these sweets & <br />of course the one-of-a-kind Mr. Feenie!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16TUPQ9fRAbaPkv7uUC-llNlqUp-G3ph8wGg6LBw9I-CMT8zCYkEwoAiyvhwGKhEHVnj-kcioDqHhjs0x3sSNcr8wKBin-s29n4Bym3-wlO7S7h1x3LT8WbsKgdfPIQW3_cihwPLiBLec/s1600/IMG_4361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16TUPQ9fRAbaPkv7uUC-llNlqUp-G3ph8wGg6LBw9I-CMT8zCYkEwoAiyvhwGKhEHVnj-kcioDqHhjs0x3sSNcr8wKBin-s29n4Bym3-wlO7S7h1x3LT8WbsKgdfPIQW3_cihwPLiBLec/s320/IMG_4361.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I visited an old college friend and his ever growing family. Went to one of my favorite places to eat in the Old Market with my cousin, her hubby & my first cousin once removed, (but I just call him my second nephew) Kameron! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Since our family is so wide-spread, and well, divorced, we celebrated Christmas on the 31st of December, which my mom now says she will keep as her own family tradition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christmas was everything I wanted, minus the lack of snow-with my sister's fiance's own two kids there, the house was full of children's love and laughter. My mom was proud of her Christmas meal, Grandma was in good spirits, Brad and Julie made it, my sister was now engaged and my cousin happily married, so many young ones running wild. It is/was really great to see our family growing. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bella in the aftermath of Christmas <br />at Rob and Michelle's- family of five.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My sweet and handsome little man <br />dreaming on Christmas night. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieLpH9R96TPpdSJErNWh9pwRMOlFY7h3k1kauH2A_oPXLR3K7M_kro_Z3aqj1qRq6qwTZcfG9AExoD1Bfp3mYL-gOnNCcPW_HmEvSckT-L1CMcNh-1knPYXfuhCHNECQwhX5OYMQcW7yB/s320/IMG_4256.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="180" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Too cute for his own good!<br />Kameron is wearing my Christmas gift and loving it!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigD-13WJtGHdBK-7jYtlf_mF2iyQFxKeWzbOOfeSp1Sxp_l9JAriBf5-mBNe0UGuTH5Ve1M4AsNAziFd56WQIXhmDjp1ZtcjWyJVWK4E1nDklnrhZ2iRYfxJ1AtCgudt3vGB-5KY5oGMv/s1600/IMG_4300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigD-13WJtGHdBK-7jYtlf_mF2iyQFxKeWzbOOfeSp1Sxp_l9JAriBf5-mBNe0UGuTH5Ve1M4AsNAziFd56WQIXhmDjp1ZtcjWyJVWK4E1nDklnrhZ2iRYfxJ1AtCgudt3vGB-5KY5oGMv/s320/IMG_4300.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I rang in the New Year with Britta, a best friend of mine who was 4 months pregnant at the time. She offered to chauffeur myself, her boyfriend and his friend around on this New Year's Night. We had some Blue Moons, and waited for the ball to drop 40 minutes West of Omaha.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWza6DH6dwXrvLD6FYSH9qAQIE3ON10CaWZil_Hw_zAzn8WEkIZy-6NBZUtF-suBOWRGTIhExzNO6Ozn9pMu4UNr51HF53AIF3rz7seo34Fs2Ct6zIY4uSe227UTlPPISVMu3fKGrmuEP/s400/IMG_5576.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">New Year's Day was one of my top favorite days during my time home. Deric and Amy drove from Ames, Iowa for a lunch with Britta and I at Huhot. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnjYRXlq1ufvJs3-YDxQlD5ptOW2WV7gFz5QKVJHwdzVLBGnq_mZDW56sJf-3ejS9YHdtRawKxxqqJVOPJm9NKssMzPcxrTSrs_Rimoqzc-z8v88QzIJM4UfSIA8Z8-vtZ7mYVIUb9QsD/s400/IMG_4477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">THEN I got to spend the evening with Katie, Allyssa, and both<br /> of their little families. The hours fly by when we get to talking.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWnGAhMRpPF4wPyJgYCj1znvKILX6q-_nc1kdOzNGd_t9AkU7Y3DfUtw5s5q5e9lNQiJMzZsScazKxSIs0RZqt92YqiOY2BFKFi4wvChi-mQPWy9p1pFsAxq847Tj8FLX4gUPGyEVZ7Hi/s400/IMG_5577.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">An annual dinner with girlfriends from high school took place. <br />This time Courtney was able to make it. <br />It was also the first time I saw snow in Iowa, a whole inch we had!</span>I visited my cousin Jessica and her beaux Nick. We had a great time discussing life, love, and travel. -No Photo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Rw3iqmba84zq0Sk8x4sUHo30fyBTX829JVpITLSQZMKz5g3uPyRXDRxyinI_Nj11O3BlIg4xbsHmMnzYh0GughKgVyryJG50jChuvtm6pzjs0YttO38rRQORUFklp9zumAk3vcwpTHaX/s320/IMG_4297.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spent a day with Callie and her two babies. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVSSKULhhHMP8uvdoov-CbWEkegssHZm5nhQb3v4iw0fMqtX1qqCCr_rPV2x7W3FePY86C1lg_rB7PR7QfPVBfVju0UhU2tu9L6hCUmYGIhDYUWq5-0nz1YH2flynXgdRq-esjcqQNqSX/s320/IMG_4303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">January 6th was Britta's birthday, <br />we went bowling and had amazing pizza.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QbkS6FvxXHcG_M9hxkrA2rYIB_kvs8U-VbHZGUtTFxMlGSZ6D3yQJGEfpVA7IfKob9YJjD0HIUJ5ixZZeicIEwRhD8bRPQF60FVHBKo48cJv_xp2YEJz4O84rfMs7w9GyZUIxxHv3w2H/s320/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night with the girls!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ladies I grew up with. Mama & Baby Sis Chelle<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N0WGAd4JXp4sXN8Ilgn04XHfJ3xZHQ-dwnDyOd01xoMvY5MbpFbwkF-Cg5pQZvSWvniNu5goOToP0pvbkHvxqatHKvyNwIAzgnLzXry92sVolgztw3deou3-5e8iTca1yHjVAY_3eSst/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N0WGAd4JXp4sXN8Ilgn04XHfJ3xZHQ-dwnDyOd01xoMvY5MbpFbwkF-Cg5pQZvSWvniNu5goOToP0pvbkHvxqatHKvyNwIAzgnLzXry92sVolgztw3deou3-5e8iTca1yHjVAY_3eSst/s400/IMG_5584.JPG" style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: center;" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the three week trip was winding down to my last few days, I spent it with those I love the most and got some necessary things taken care of. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A last lunch with my mom and sister, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">shopping with my cousin Jessica for a few final American style deals, cut 8 inches off my hair, and spent one night </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">out in CB on the 100 block, because you just have to hit the hometown bars when you're in your hometown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my last night in Iowa I stayed in with mama. I flew back to Taiwan on the 10th, landed the 11th and was back to work on the 12th. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have the best time with you!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofhHugHga8EVzQK4XBFgc_xTj-h_4io7lmAKsjDOynrpdKyiZUSNVthtj8zLLfF2Uyq8Kx6AXvQoJoMWToc37uPET5_zeN5IqxxoU09_WC8bu1BiGdodPOc4B0mHrTJzLlwsk38RmbuC5/s1600/IMG_4629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofhHugHga8EVzQK4XBFgc_xTj-h_4io7lmAKsjDOynrpdKyiZUSNVthtj8zLLfF2Uyq8Kx6AXvQoJoMWToc37uPET5_zeN5IqxxoU09_WC8bu1BiGdodPOc4B0mHrTJzLlwsk38RmbuC5/s320/IMG_4629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I landed in Tokyo on my trip back I got the news Brittany had been in a bad accident leaving her to need surgery. Therefor I would be going back to the USA, but first to Canada for the TORF and UNI Overseas Job Recruiting Fairs. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-hSJAI-IKlL5JkGWqd7WJl4AhFC481Iousy3UKufcQf5yfajatFaT5BKGRTJsAWll5y99Zqac12652XyHjlcFPVaVyKOcwcZlL4FK9xxFwplM3j-u1lUSJdUouG_rgSPuMCIL0qokIO4/s640/IMG_4454.MP4" width="640" /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During my brief visit in Taiwan, I had one full week with the Koalas class and the following Tuesday, the 24th, Brittany and I were on our way back to the West. (Yes, I did just say she needed surgery.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IR8zB3naEd03vnqg_sYsK8urkAaW61nUs5PX1L8TMPHA13epftbF7tUzpLGHRTAy1BDTQQF_zuhjs_XCxGlAXYNGDuog9V5YFrWEKTia_CvXmDvLht6GESDF-2YNtuH0olzTmNG0emAS/s400/IMG_5606.JPG" width="400" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR8ztteT088WOgg-ExTqamuysuMAyK-jeR6BwTtQrkPJ4JeUGhyphenhyphenEYjfassKR8gXjiznw6IVgYTnNtSEus4TMHGXn4eyhKLIniAxo_yy3wVQOBYK_OoNTBBkYzdYudmJyJTin01WPmtl7U/s200/IMG_4469.JPG" width="112" /></span><br />
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My Yoyoban Classroom and one of my favorites and I playing around with Snapchat puppies. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmMzLqgGwwImx0T2RyTCiai8aOSNUyJCQbhXjfBe_ipc4I7oKvyLCOKSgxoySRlvaGQ8jxXMKaZjBnNw4tr4t6cSvwpLrqFopS_7eQjIMvHV8DIeW67VTKuPvjdKvLaWnoATnFVafNeKW/s400/IMG_5622.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Koalas practicing some emotions, at the top is angry. <br />
Bottom left, surprised, and bottom right, sad.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~Canada~</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcw98XPMKMU_in24G1Yq02znns8MEKndeBxm7rnogfITJCMLQzxFl4-TFvCig25dLbgAjKx8_15SIx0l6jjczHRZKZF6AvOyVvdOCid8R8AogZR2El8yH25L0kZzFvgXiXQCkSPWS8gM1/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcw98XPMKMU_in24G1Yq02znns8MEKndeBxm7rnogfITJCMLQzxFl4-TFvCig25dLbgAjKx8_15SIx0l6jjczHRZKZF6AvOyVvdOCid8R8AogZR2El8yH25L0kZzFvgXiXQCkSPWS8gM1/s320/IMG_4572.JPG" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'll keep this section quick and to the point - as it is a work matter and I can't reveal our secrets. However, it was ALSO my first time ever visiting our neighbors to the North in Canada!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj51JLuIfQTft4NXlwwrHDwXRvTykr7cvneRYZH6zpI_SHzd5sBJXCPVNnWEZP380GaFHfNZTRqtSkrfeYxodl2AKwtEQV6hp4uJKZFaVd8-T-Z2pgi9wdEHizWo4ZBawqwVpgm42E5oj/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj51JLuIfQTft4NXlwwrHDwXRvTykr7cvneRYZH6zpI_SHzd5sBJXCPVNnWEZP380GaFHfNZTRqtSkrfeYxodl2AKwtEQV6hp4uJKZFaVd8-T-Z2pgi9wdEHizWo4ZBawqwVpgm42E5oj/s320/IMG_4579.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Private jets girl, kidding, it sat 16!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOnMXdF4lQ2zsDYn575vniOzTxSopa10hR8zB6wMS8zG5gip9KbDr-7auJNmqkCTvOCINs-HgJ4npGCRyIU9ErrIo5XArgbzmvzv3iyaCMukmpEjHNhK4DKXQ4Xf5OG5UU1lex9zmLDpO/s640/IMG_5612.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beautiful sunrise from our hotel room over Lake Ontario.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kingston, Ontario (not to be confused with Kingston, Jamaica) is adorable! <br />Fun Fact: Kingstion is the prison capital of Canada!?! How did we not know this?</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZD7lRL7TiDnuyT4nEr4wjXbBovn1qfTUgzO7OhyaeL9wg-qSfgO84MD_ParhDRZL7-BxprzO4i4z_Ut8xwr1z1x18pxv87kDpvE0LcTwjYisrcqkh3AEzHbg_bjfGXl61GwxSXpyEKEO/s1600/IMG_4617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZD7lRL7TiDnuyT4nEr4wjXbBovn1qfTUgzO7OhyaeL9wg-qSfgO84MD_ParhDRZL7-BxprzO4i4z_Ut8xwr1z1x18pxv87kDpvE0LcTwjYisrcqkh3AEzHbg_bjfGXl61GwxSXpyEKEO/s320/IMG_4617.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First impression of Canada: The airports were super intense and impressively strict (maybe they feared us Americans would come to stay and not leave-Trump was elected president just days before). The airport staff - wildly diverse </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Trump's travel ban happened after our first night in Canada, again, maybe this was why it seemed so prevalent.) N</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">o snow in Toronto in January? We have got to try Tim Horton's Coffee (it was amazing). We have got to try pontine (not a fan). </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's as easy as this.<br />Get on board, USA!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ice rink in front of (I assume) their city hall. We watched father and sons, couples, and pre-teens ice skate every morning from Morrison's windows. A small little tradition we got to be apart of for a few days. It seems everyone and their dad, literally, knows how to ice skate in Canada. It was so endearing. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOl13tJEtfF3G457KsvMVKQxKUEyAIwh3-pWdipRWE4PUTKn-w_ajUvth586P4-ljK8bvvQ6h1KLYYF-bz0fK1uzy2MNM5S-NrUehqo5yWChEbFBkeKt3h-IQo31tTHY0yc1qCu8mwm0M/s400/IMG_5618.JPG" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On our day around the town of Kingston, pushing Brittany in the Hotel's wheelchair, <br />we stopped here for some info on the city, events, and a souvenir. Met a very friendly guy who <br />lived across the lake at <a href="http://www.1000islandscruises.ca/" target="_blank">Thousand Island</a> - where believe it or not the dressing came from. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJl30B_ukYHLM8kskDuMe7L3PqLMH4JY6SIkaVFK9BcwlqtQGu-zQeeBkK1qMCv4kIY2RzbU7-xxe3TU3cDcbU8YFNRPO-zTkct11UHZO-yMXQ2qZ7JjcPZPQeRWGTVQkilUCbebG4HSV/s640/IMG_5614.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We ate at Morrison's every morning we could. Same meal, amazing every time!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love the brick roads and I love the old European style buildings of this city. I couldn't believe how well kept they are. The Delta Kingston Hotel, amazing! The food- beyond expectations, sushi! thai!? this is free?! (Oh, and the cheddar cheese at Morrison's Diner was to die for). The people-jolly and light-hearted and so many great educators! (The last part wasn't something new to me, I've already discovered the kind of people Canada produces living in Taiwan.) Overall, it was a great first trip to Canada and I hope I get to visit again someday! (Summertime was recommended countless times.) </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi3ho7p5R6t-vpxqN6J-zbXwLdNOd7jjcwHAidBDk90qWCfnjYntwP9aceLMAeriwDWtdLMyhz3hICpk50o9SDR9iYi4knkfCwzG4uI4F7kUcxtoWg8CK-XjRKQn9olu7AEDfeR1YCTZr/s400/IMG_4595.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brittany and I at the TORF 2017 Recruiting Fair! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">The TORF recruiting fair was just one day, only 60 candidates in the categories we were looking for. The bigger fish was yet to come.</span> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtCQ5LFcsjgT5335x44PdwNXxIQ38oFVk6nA63uyE6kGlvu4fVDMWxPzBbTUZZ2PvfrFfjXZ1SSneuk1upmAFgybyXnUAo4IwThM4g0yMT8ZW31mFS93rFPlAGJhomczcW2k_Vw540_65/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtCQ5LFcsjgT5335x44PdwNXxIQ38oFVk6nA63uyE6kGlvu4fVDMWxPzBbTUZZ2PvfrFfjXZ1SSneuk1upmAFgybyXnUAo4IwThM4g0yMT8ZW31mFS93rFPlAGJhomczcW2k_Vw540_65/s320/IMG_4626.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu1zcLDuDUxicWqupXS4rd0BCgtvvwRfZoR5PDmXHDfXpJ5rP8POSRGsGkZB_pD7Zl1Nj8JI9SAqMJJwKnfX7DbsFnkgO94fEpUgsoF1MBevCFBMZvSl3GK1_XOeSKJwaMlhuxkSDv-u3/s1600/IMG_5620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before we would need to bring out the real big worms, Brittany and I had a few days off in Chicago. I finally got to meet her family, the whole extended family at that, and I also got to spend time with a long-time-ago friend closer to the Chi-town. He took me gambling and we both came out ahead. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu1zcLDuDUxicWqupXS4rd0BCgtvvwRfZoR5PDmXHDfXpJ5rP8POSRGsGkZB_pD7Zl1Nj8JI9SAqMJJwKnfX7DbsFnkgO94fEpUgsoF1MBevCFBMZvSl3GK1_XOeSKJwaMlhuxkSDv-u3/s640/IMG_5620.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The place where actual dreams come true. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KA8Z3YmdPqdCB8tWwnJAMvGqoR3771a0_AE_1IBxF-OuTV7eZeQFaqsQiIdqNF8MjjcU1_02ZU_Xjd6Boxh3takfozKU7aB6h9kyNOLepd4hQB9Hfq6U34LuGmU4hxrhbTM11vwmMQ6T/s1600/IMG_5621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KA8Z3YmdPqdCB8tWwnJAMvGqoR3771a0_AE_1IBxF-OuTV7eZeQFaqsQiIdqNF8MjjcU1_02ZU_Xjd6Boxh3takfozKU7aB6h9kyNOLepd4hQB9Hfq6U34LuGmU4hxrhbTM11vwmMQ6T/s320/IMG_5621.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We flew to Waterloo, Iowa for the UNI fair. A two day gig with hundreds of applicants in all categories. UNI is in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Some of you may know already that this is the university that I attended for my teaching certification. This is also the university with the largest overseas job recruiting fair in the USA, and the place where I got my first overseas job in 2013. Who knew I would be coming back 4 years later, and as a recruiter?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thoughts while in Iowa: Colder than Canada, but still missing the snow. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Never have I ever drank so much coffee in one day....Why am I saying this everyday?" The hotel, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">let's just say we were spoiled at the Delta, but at least there's a free shuttle to Target. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "Welcome back to the nation of fast food and fake food." "How exciting to be back on my old campus! There's my old dorm!"</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "He was at TORF, was she at TORF? They were definitely at TORF." "We are the youngest people here." "Proud UNI Alumni!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u>Most importantly though</u>, there were <b>so </b>many talented, wonderful</span><b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">people to meet and network with at these fairs! It was so empowering and motivating to listen to other stories, connections, and travels through their years. It was great to be a part of such caring, committed, teacher communities at both UNI and Queens. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my best friends got to meet as the Universe <br />
somehow put us all in the same city on a cold January night. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had success throughout the two-week trip, but not nearly as much as sitting by the computer back in Taiwan waiting for emails, Skype interviews, and faxed contracts led to. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nonetheless, we have over a dozen new, excited, young, certified teachers joining our Cornel family at the end of the June! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PINGXI LANTERN FESTIVAL 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was back in Taiwan for two working days before Lauren and I went to the Lantern Festival hosted in Pingxi every year at the end of Chinese New Year! This year landing on February 11. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lauren and I</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazt2okB1QlfJno0IZwwNvSc9fqiAFnP8mk-pDN57kGlEy1x5NjdWlVq0e466NYLknYstHlrZrzO9IGCR5j1skT5OcTO5EBvAYubmM-38AQRfV2FUYjApNGK25LptYYHa3r4h7Sk_umT0B/s400/IMG_5658.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA_TgL4-Jd-H84QmY_RdbH1HD2YvbIcudeyTMrXuhpPWi_JUksRBcLKeZaT05NEJYTI6acE_TN7AQ2LuPcFk8W9AKAMjsnXPkqknlvU4gh2a6OpyHCi1N9k-OkLxlSlsDwU4c7CsBek37/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA_TgL4-Jd-H84QmY_RdbH1HD2YvbIcudeyTMrXuhpPWi_JUksRBcLKeZaT05NEJYTI6acE_TN7AQ2LuPcFk8W9AKAMjsnXPkqknlvU4gh2a6OpyHCi1N9k-OkLxlSlsDwU4c7CsBek37/s320/IMG_5655.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We stayed right off of the famous Old Street in Jiufen, a 20-30 bus ride from Pingxi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We stayed at a cozy little hostel called Flip Flip Hostel. On the first evening, Hostess Kate took us on a night tour which proved to be an impeccable time to walk the old streets. When we arrived back to the hostel, we warmed up by making taro balls with ginger soup and dove into the heated covers. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61d4YCHpE8FoPSy9sQkWDv-al7WwAx135fBk_QRsh6Ick_qSeqRsS88G95S5qt9y6ZLkeYl016id7gozQH0yH168bqm4Q6I7mLPNY_mkWCBlQfXJeyypXnO14B8XzpcFHsD1ipcsysz3N/s400/IMG_4726.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making taro balls.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg899JkwDXnMqO_PVV4O-vqYthkF29mNZ4R3bXV8i68wHWAXwk178dCBStiqbV0sS3c9wm9YX7O6ZaIqBEYytVcxqKCPExHQ6wahU8pWY2i0SVmq_Zr88rhj3DBG7IYFU9afdeuJGTIk3T8/s640/IMG_4770+%25281%2529.JPG" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" width="640" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWdgbB1zeeCkCAQO-jqnGckAGnAkxgiygFxOINXSbkOecfhzY3ignkMQYGSoLz4ehOHmYvUkzYuapUawRz1wiqvEidC6D_ZJuTVinDir_IuoTNPy4fgyvh7eztAfrIfK41EXQ9QBwVpyc/s1600/IMG_5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWdgbB1zeeCkCAQO-jqnGckAGnAkxgiygFxOINXSbkOecfhzY3ignkMQYGSoLz4ehOHmYvUkzYuapUawRz1wiqvEidC6D_ZJuTVinDir_IuoTNPy4fgyvh7eztAfrIfK41EXQ9QBwVpyc/s320/IMG_5662.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a lovely breakfast with tea made by Kate, we set off for Pingxi. We ate on arrival and walked about everywhere we could go. Stopping for small trinkets, sweets, photos opts, and finally choosing a place to pick the perfect colored combo lanterns for our Chinese New Year- Year of the Rooster wishes. </span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuIydMEmqzzA5y6ZN0HDWOGLwuKo4sjJMwGx50aLXN1JFzJF2YHa99E9PCcZEgoc51h7nBzI5r5Z4hWdJIUt6TtJgTMhdgL9NZUc7pfL_QA5rYXhWTzRtCdjKn77zT3F_MOQhifd5KI3d/s400/IMG_5664.JPG" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making wishes with Lauren. My purple is for wisdom, her pink is for love.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ130FX8djoWzz6plAyplgPsaDXGarvQMyByQhGbd6_SAkUOVzGkURfkVJMw46HZIFORzZefd1T_b4BVNaN9E-Bec4VeGCTXc7yfvAqmq_NqnOiS7iIiMhNNPaKyjECspR6sN5jHyQX-L/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ130FX8djoWzz6plAyplgPsaDXGarvQMyByQhGbd6_SAkUOVzGkURfkVJMw46HZIFORzZefd1T_b4BVNaN9E-Bec4VeGCTXc7yfvAqmq_NqnOiS7iIiMhNNPaKyjECspR6sN5jHyQX-L/s640/IMG_5666.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">White is a wish for a bright future. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfTqcvBJ-wwz57iZezr5vqMpFk3yfeu4ogWH3LWPEd0A9ALFO7Gsxd4FRC7N6Bs3STTWl2p1r1CEO87sUJ4fNG2ke_TzlRU0pZF4RbUenrPFgQ6H2XzqfhyemG33mXCodU2fIgU5MxGiq/s400/IMG_5668.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before leaving we enjoyed a delicious lunch with an even more mouth-watering view.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the 15th I turned the big 2-8! I took a personal day and spent it with one of my favorite people in Taiwan. We spent the day playing pool and other arcade games, hit up an art street, and ended the day with the best pizza in Taichung. My real birthday celebration -my trip for myself- began</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that Sunday, the 20th, to Laos. It would be my first solo adventure. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw3imO-tgpYkT8L3LXyQcgP4QJOshMTsnO2_tqL5UFdTC60pjqaD5aaHwI3Pv2dfVJueWiuP3D19dyphb4HFpkx1NZe07OLIk3v8SAJxbOD983wTAG-RE0Z5deCAA01ilHn5EgfbloW2Z/s400/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.” – Marie Beyon Ray</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbzEWlCveOBvR5KX1wGV-NXPwhdkF-JMEW6CDvsqXX8bw1RIXxNAHCl6reqCmmFKxKPfC3WaqcM3jcTkfEjhbb0ENYHHb2b46ht7PgnmtfKbLIMx3hTs650MlnceJ2CQBWDqJ1IWt67KI/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbzEWlCveOBvR5KX1wGV-NXPwhdkF-JMEW6CDvsqXX8bw1RIXxNAHCl6reqCmmFKxKPfC3WaqcM3jcTkfEjhbb0ENYHHb2b46ht7PgnmtfKbLIMx3hTs650MlnceJ2CQBWDqJ1IWt67KI/s200/IMG_4287.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sending endless love to everyone who made my time in North America so unforgettable. Thanks for the continued support, it means everything to me! Shout out to my best friend/roommate/PiC- Brittany- You are all-star! Somehow this miraculous woman found it in her to still put a smile on her face, bite the bullet, fly across the world and hire 16 teachers all while awaiting a needed ACL surgery!! Our school would not survive without you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks for reading! - K </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor" height="480" src="https://scontent-tpe1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17021808_10154369114948017_3675936578729270942_n.jpg?oh=340d02e31d50a0184ddeaf1018f67bd6&oe=59596357" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">“It is confidence in our bodies, minds and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures, new directions to grow in, and new lessons to learn – which is what life is all about.”<br /> – Oprah Winfrey</span></td></tr>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-69143251816369456502016-12-10T07:45:00.000+08:002017-01-21T12:48:47.481+08:00Three Times the Charm in Thailand<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bangkok, Thailand</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9Opv1eXmu91OeUADLT-JEXI5GuUh_hFrU2MlLn3Enm20VBuRVb6Bchcf_YE-ZEeueZY5iatKrQpvYok4E8q9chczp0C1rQfUBOtVo1dHZhb4YyPgA4_EqYxhjKeo6AcbwJYNVNhAsZ9-/s640/20161120_223002.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On my third grand adventure to Thailand, Allen and I had three big destinations in mind with many islands in between. We would spend<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgc_LRjlbTU" target="_blank"> one night in Bangkok</a>, three nights in Phuket and four nights on Koh Phi Phi Island. Here I am on Khao San Road in Bangkok enjoying the commotion and Thai beverages.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2UdAv8Whtb765baT_TNdluu8ZMZdf0MGZGvItoRBW9rMEAnHXEnP8_Gyqyv7KhFLdwL4auJY2ZfKke3VdoobLEC7n0ti8bXYt4Ye1iZnX8mCryCw0F6z6pbr4ckjvWUS-Vz0sb5kKQuC/s320/IMG_3138.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrSq-TCoCx9yREac9bKOIM0mIOs5MX2_JkzR1XWu09LQeDyn6HWo9qLqnGCtKvBQWCjKeQEQjswa9nlvqAdrGZpfJl1hB4TcMr9fQriRGgO3_VGJIPNHOEl0NP-NLyw5L8D5cSaCB4P0U/s320/IMG_3150.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We arrived in Bangkok on a Sunday night after a four hour flight from Taipei. We then took a shuttle van down to the popular Khao San Road, not getting there till around 8 at night. The center of the backpackers haven, Khao San Road is full of endless markets, bars, restaurants, carts, shops, tuk-tuks, street entertainment, sculptures, paintings, Thai massages at every turn of your head, and people from all corners of the world.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P_VKXljvqATO9AKoAqaAUFUr6hb7WkHFM4sutu1JqS0liar82Tel-CczKol1BbGkPxWZm02gJRwnE9LttjGNoPsbn3mkKjLEs6A9W7fTarBJTy0bo-YJdBlzRIzA4QkQfsJ1XepHaLje/s320/IMG_3147.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc5mbfopy6ujaVvRkRI0wMdFoRp-ycHkUWBAyLXevl3k8mge6XpeewpJq0jq2W2u5xM3mPWIJk15-W_S0xBJ8mOVMyj4vSAfjfUKXIjjILt1BVdZGdQLre6Rv4rZ5PnTFRACWgTCRUoA_/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" width="240" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our hostel was located in a side street between Khao San Road and its neighboring main street. The location of <a href="http://www.nitanhostel.com/" target="_blank">Nitan Hoste</a>l was superb for a one night stay in Bangkok. It was surprisingly adorable with free breakfast, clean hot showers, comfortable dorms with wooden frames versus the squeaky, iron bars used in most. Our first meal we had was at a famously loud restaurant/bar that pours out into the streets during the late evening hours. I didn't realize till much later that I've been before on my first two visits to Bangkok. The looks are quiet different from the day to night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BNJrCnshwY9PG2x31y8lLQg-Dwxz0b7V11cbtAIxGxeqzBCo7jYq00M0IhoIFvM-uXPtVtC1csoEKJG0hP1vO5FutR7mJK3NGLRx8BGCO8f5yFe39j4MIZjf6cV9mEqOluq5qqCak2x1/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BNJrCnshwY9PG2x31y8lLQg-Dwxz0b7V11cbtAIxGxeqzBCo7jYq00M0IhoIFvM-uXPtVtC1csoEKJG0hP1vO5FutR7mJK3NGLRx8BGCO8f5yFe39j4MIZjf6cV9mEqOluq5qqCak2x1/s320/IMG_4464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We had <a href="http://www.bangkok.com/food-top10.htm" target="_blank">Pad Thai</a> and a handful of Thai beers before continuing up and down the streets markets stopping here or there, whenever a refill was needed. We spent our night happily walking from one vendor to another spread throughout the streets. When we spotted an alleyway with close quartered shops we sifted through them as well. I bought a few nick nacks from street vendors and paid 10 baht for a picture of fried critters from spiders, snakes, scorpions, crickets, worms, and roaches. Graffiti filled up most of the walls and store gates, every once in awhile a western fast food joint would pop up and occasionally a nice hotel, but for the most part it was a fast-paced atmosphere with spots of trash and the constant flow of tourists. It seems near impossible to capture the feeling or even the look of Khao San through pictures or words. Things are happening at every step, every turn, and even with your senses heightened, and being on alert as a well prepared traveler, you're still bound to miss something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 1 Patong-Phuket, Thailand </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbfE6ALFMfNeBTvnHXwGgTfdvH40kmQkN8LlMv0StFNEv640IBwGYUk5Ra_khwpQJSxRtUo54Rwj0BGj0S9PBHElqoeruM3gwCk12fK9lptX13pXh39Msk_YCGOfE8tWalpAriCePy7Fj/s640/IMG_3224.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Satisfied with the night, we walked back to our room for a short sleep before our early flight the next morning. We had to hustle to grab a taxi to the airport for our one hour flight to Phuket in southern Thailand. After our rather bumpy landing, we arrived in the early afternoon to extremely hot weather in Phuket, Thailand. The airport was finishing up construction, but after finding our van and stopping at a booking office we were finally arriving at Patong Beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TvH6tlZLFaoxIP3pCQTGrSOJW-ce7b3byUST0wMsYGFxJteo0Bj5dY8_a1vmBT0juaiU1JfTWDc3llBRhQupd7sp67snwuzRH2FZB-xgpwXRxQOjziHHS25JihzZ2SQ3z9tr3pYaaFw7/s400/IMG_3222.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="400" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzo4DcFfVyxIGpyKDD_6k9seuBDnoVraV1z8Q61Ggt6vW5cm_52iy9aADfBRSFOSNPn1wzBT-6BCMz9TM4qQJFLPSwysbx4ATH1yTb-QOb1e1Y5ldUHCtSPvUyMjSw0FLefUvpTW0dcaP/s200/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="149" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> November is the beginning of the best time to visit Thailand, as it begins the dry season. We checked in to one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in </span><a href="https://www.lubd.com/patong/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lub*D Phuket Patong</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. It looked like a mansion from the outside with wide grand entrance for its visitors. Breakfast was not included, however it did provide a swimming pool, hammocks, boxing area and ring, photo booths, lounge and lobby areas, computers, chill out rooms, game rooms, pool tables, foosball, air hockey, and a restaurant all on the main floor. We had a private room on the third floor, but dorm style rooms are also available.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow and Green Curry. Our first meal in Phuket-Patong</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> After check-in, we walked to the first Thai restaurant down the block and had yellow and green curry </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with giant fried prawns and Chang beers. Yum. It finally felt like we had arrived. We walked down Patong Beach for sunset and some appetizers. Soft sand and mildly blue seas, the temperature was perfect and the waves were coming in nice and high. Fun enough to play in without getting your suit knocked off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VQNa1XkKvqoRSg03dLE05PvDo9i2t2-WgluHUxegMPP199qT_A10HF_sK6SOP3MqiWG2cPw3oXfnoGOmihAEFB3Ce9xkqmHgH_n_zfldqhfENLZAZn3GdDaGojEz-W16Rs0fgyOpF335/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VQNa1XkKvqoRSg03dLE05PvDo9i2t2-WgluHUxegMPP199qT_A10HF_sK6SOP3MqiWG2cPw3oXfnoGOmihAEFB3Ce9xkqmHgH_n_zfldqhfENLZAZn3GdDaGojEz-W16Rs0fgyOpF335/s640/IMG_3242.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE06VqSIbE5kFTkO628YUczTyTmrXJ9YEOLoybnB_uL4nXMuBw16OcsrBxpvuOeOvOvLVBn62r__2xBl7flOYuvlBN_g4QOtx-1BP9kfRIKSjta13niZa6qF8GcH9edV9GAtjZi1eGOCMa/s320/IMG_3248.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE06VqSIbE5kFTkO628YUczTyTmrXJ9YEOLoybnB_uL4nXMuBw16OcsrBxpvuOeOvOvLVBn62r__2xBl7flOYuvlBN_g4QOtx-1BP9kfRIKSjta13niZa6qF8GcH9edV9GAtjZi1eGOCMa/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbmD0qOtNENUQPshGICpRMJxnnkBcpTkp11tW5z0ri-wMH5t5VzMKzaa0CsH_lT3f0cXv5xzx2sPExyKcMjN5MSbfYZ5JcJC9ropbZiiY1TWHDdeis9pS-ZIrNDgSL23XG9Pxs7h9iIHJ/s1600/20161121_220652%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbmD0qOtNENUQPshGICpRMJxnnkBcpTkp11tW5z0ri-wMH5t5VzMKzaa0CsH_lT3f0cXv5xzx2sPExyKcMjN5MSbfYZ5JcJC9ropbZiiY1TWHDdeis9pS-ZIrNDgSL23XG9Pxs7h9iIHJ/s400/20161121_220652%25280%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the beach, we relaxed in the hostel's pool, showered, ate at Thai Taco Taco Thai, then we booked tickets to the world famous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqSBO26VRlE" target="_blank">Simon Caberat </a>Lady Boy Show. Quite the spectacle.My favorites were "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend," "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago but with a Disney twist using popular villains such as Cruella, Ursala, and Maleficent. I also loved seeing the lady boys dressed up so sparkly and exotic, living out their dream on stage. A few other memorable ones were "Barbie Girl" done by a single obnoxious lady with big fake hooters and another overweight lady who came into the audience singing "I Will Survive" even pulling a man onstage with her. The lady boy who performed Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was fierce as ever. I really enjoyed watching the dances from different cultures such as India, Brazil, and China.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjDHtLdxgEW0MOHLwzN7BzYyJHqMkIovEblR_Vf4UoD4dTwiBUhcchYxddlqYC51j-RLxe9IsfovP9ztj-eEanB9uBKrHf0hyphenhyphen7QJVhXXtReheoQlShom9Ya0BZusphP0qbR380Ov6GHe6/s640/20161121_220838.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Afterwards the entire cast lines up outside of the theater for a picture. They will urge you, even beg you to take a photo with them. Once you do they instantly turn lethal and demand their 200 baht, which you had no idea you owed them. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I ended the night with my first full body massage of the trip.<br />And plenty more to look forward too.<br />Ko Pun Ka</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 2: James Bond Island Tour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tuesday was our first full day in Phuket and we signed up for a day tour that would take us around to five different islands, including "James Bond" island, lunch at Panyee where a floating Musilim village and school can be found, Hong Island for kayaking, Panak for underwater caves, and No Ka for swimming and our missed chance for parasailing.</span><br />
<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdl1lUszQwyGlT4BrmAqRhKND8p_4hQTLZ5QrfNMXU2kxohoFtaLoAkVUICZtwyWUpQmy8E6XZBFnqNUpjrJqZuEJ84l_fxmkCqRq8PXTVGBwIL8p0Wz25R9YJm3yFktUKl-wfTzk_5Z1g/s640/20161122_112457.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8fKAlZ815Gir7vNRcPBcOZc9ZJgvuJEsEvPOQGhAww-EhnFT-wSL2_n-K_EiiCW85x6j5R759PNm1yQORZT7UmVqF5IsTSVmjlXo-ESdw3X7aHCXcHB9UC34gfMe9n30U16i0h4Jmem3/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8fKAlZ815Gir7vNRcPBcOZc9ZJgvuJEsEvPOQGhAww-EhnFT-wSL2_n-K_EiiCW85x6j5R759PNm1yQORZT7UmVqF5IsTSVmjlXo-ESdw3X7aHCXcHB9UC34gfMe9n30U16i0h4Jmem3/s320/IMG_3292.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /></a>The day tour is named "James Bond" island tours for the well known rock formation that shows in the<br />
1974 James Bond film, <u>The Man with the Golden Gun</u>. It was actually our fourth island on the tour, full of short hiking routes and loads of souvenir markets. Our first stop was Panak where we walked through cave tunnels to an open forest in the middle of the rock formations where the trees crawl up to the sunlight. Half the year it is underwater and while we were inside we could see the deep roots of the trees, taller than most of the men in our group, sturdily holding up the trunk during the dry months. There were some crabs and jumping fish in this area, too. Kayaking was our next stop, everyone was assigned their own kayak with a 'pilot.' Ours took us along the regular route with a few extra low-rise rocks we sailed under. Some larger crabs, and oyster looking shells ran along the underside of the rock formations. These also spent half the year underwater.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Panyi" target="_blank">Ko Panyee</a>, the island with the floating Muslim village was quaint and serene. The buffet style lunch provided through the tour, was delicious and I even had enough time to check out the school and a few of the houses around the village. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Houses built on stilts by Indonesian and Malay fisherman. About 360 families live in this village.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh fruit, seafood, and meat markets are not only abundent <br />
in Panyee, but also on many islands of Thailand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thai Alphabet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHgnz0_hbAVHJDMLVdYNJczFZBellFf1yw0jCaptBIHdiuTGRNgRJooMhJEfzCC1ySBLLnGcFqjkm7-ncg03boBhbC5kTxMP30AYucwNaw7eaHnllPbzANX2Hc_DqWyVv72SgTgVFzOBp/s640/IMG_3357.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Walking through and appreciating the beauty of this village was a highlight for me.<br />This is also were I was able to interact with Thai children and watch them at play. </span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU04rhyphenhyphenBLXMwgk4913dEfULBKFoI7fhf2H9pzCx6hLy5lBCW9DyfI6OTO4iOuy5bFebVp8jzjZzvjJOsfy1jBtnu1Gp5qbooiD9isa1kZmDBmjoGP5vJoALinAJIo3lqfUKcANgxSLwViu/s640/IMG_3408.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The beach opposite of Ko Ta Pu, also known as, James Bond Island, was full of souvenirs. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJT__Z8oWNGsv2ZM29OqYt9AipNYmyQbXcdU-zV_jPvooGKsVYhqRS0_MogdCtcJae4_DLgrmwqXPYCJxZ9vegH0L7PRDHCOofUZhZdoFDwkcR8HjIa7m31VWFvr0vWYFN4rC82dklgQiT/s400/20161122_142930.jpg" width="225" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuYcmDo9JYkZPZr8D-qvTcpTjvqtWX-hd0yW51hYw5ivDS8yUnIm-ud7882X58glbPVEFwP41MXBExV_mUWfg6FZ7k48G9xYPK58Xko_F_BmQU2nB4AeRL_T1t-Y3QUtXTjzh05IxKuVS/s400/IMG_3414.JPG" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The island is also called Khao Ping Kan. There are numerous photo opt places for the hundreds of daily visitors. Be prepared for lots of climbing and steep steps. Limestone rocks all around Thailand are an amazing wonderment, above is just another example. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMslPLxOwiSCWWt7zFWM7BkJYS-CpGwCHPl4o9V7cl36_dWT3MI_VS017qJlRHOk_b_fgKRk7LVUy7JDwaLJjBcfsSHVz4Z2CdIBH40LpZWZIxtIytrs0vkRJvB8_M1FAdYBq2yZTMprVU/s400/20161122_143256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thousands of Thai tour guides, we definitely got the best one!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wyhY_ji7697zzBiZjTyU_4xuyOShi8oA0V3-LPRqopewdnxORLXEDsbfKsR6annDngGUaxUd9Q9XQiG33ETb7eeGqB2p3kEaJI6yRTh0rlZJIFBCK-Crw4CMHCmsTxv3cT8tIZrPJbwT/s1600/IMG_3595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wyhY_ji7697zzBiZjTyU_4xuyOShi8oA0V3-LPRqopewdnxORLXEDsbfKsR6annDngGUaxUd9Q9XQiG33ETb7eeGqB2p3kEaJI6yRTh0rlZJIFBCK-Crw4CMHCmsTxv3cT8tIZrPJbwT/s400/IMG_3595.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The final stop was No Ka where we were finally allowed to swim and relax. We spent just over an hour here watching the sunset and a few people paragliding while wading in the luke warm, white sand waters. We had no idea this would be the only time we'd see paragliding and missed the opportunity. After a swim, a swing, and holding a cute little critter on the beach, we boarded the boat with our energetic tour guide and headed back to mainland. We chatted with a family from germany, a man from Wyoming, and a couple gents from France throughout the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While Allen took a dip in the pool, I got ready for our night out in Phuket at <a href="https://www.phuket101.net/soi-bangla/" target="_blank">Bangla Road</a>, the heart of Phuket's nightlife. Before we made it out, we had more Pad Thai, shrimp, and curry at a food stop #9. We did some bargain shopping through the street markets, and then arrived at Soi Bangla. We started at Tiger with two buckets, then ventured out to Soi Seadragon where you'll find most of the Go Go Dancers. We had a final bucket at Soi Freedom, where we played Connect 4 with a local Thai woman.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ko Pun Ka</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 3: Koh Phi Phi, Thailand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;">The following day was a perfect day for a long boat ride to Koh Phi Phi. There was a freak rainstorm that flooded the streets of Patong while we road out to the docking station to get on the two hour ride to KPP. The weather on the island was beautiful after the storm had passed. No cars or motorbikes are on the island, so we walked to </span><a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Ibiza-House-Phi-Phi/Koh-Phi-Phi/69774" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Ibiza House Phi Phi</a><span style="text-align: start;"> where we would stay four nights. Upon arrival, we walked into the largest, realest pool party I've ever witnessed happening. There were only two hours left, so we grabbed a drink and boogied down in the pool. We had Indian food this night, went to the beach, the Only Bar Phi Phi, watched the fire shows, and to finish the night, I got a massage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 4: Happy Thanksgiving!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Thursday was our first full day on the island, as well as it was Thanksgiving. We signed up for C</span><a href="http://phiphiboozecruise.com/#" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: start;" target="_blank">aptain Bob's Sailing Booze Cruise</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;"> and enjoyed an amazing coconut chicken and potato curry beforehand. The cruise was a bit pricey for anyone budget traveling, but those there to do it all, it is highly recommended and raved about when researching the area. Of course, you can also book on arrival as we did, or get your own private long boat from a native Thai for much less in price. We wanted the social aspect included in this day trip since the other tours we would be doing were private.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.phuket-travel-secrets.com/viking-cave.html" target="_blank">Viking Cave</a>, now closed to tourists for the production of birds nest soup. It was named Viking Cave for the prehistoric drawings found on the cave walls, believed to be drawn by sea gypsies or pirates who stopped for shelter from storms. Birds Nest Soup is a very popular delicacy in China and Taiwan (who knew). This edible bird's nest is among the most expensive animal product consumed by man. The birds that make these nests use their saliva to do so. They are called swifts, and thousands occupy the cave still. Workers risk their lives climbing unstable bamboo in order to gather these nests. Our tour guide said one Thai worker dies on average per year. </span> <img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JakcTBCQKvh5JzSzRaCGFie_bP2dn_0GETHt9RIqDX3V-nnwzZJylBYJUwLZrjXu_EJgUb-NHtx5zIhek3_FYfZYdiMVJywcJ5MxtqsMaFN5bLBhFOfdcAJLiSCjVAeLwf2p6L8q5pK4/s640/IMG_3664.JPG" width="640" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our groups were so large that they divided us into teams, red, blue, and the best, black.Surprisingly we had a lot of Americans, this made for a loud, wild bunch, which if I'm completely honest, are not as considerate as say European or Asian travelers. We also had some Australians, New Zealanders, and a group from Ireland on board. We fed bananas to the aggressive monkeys at Monkey Beach, just past Vikings cave, before heading to Maya beach and a lagoon where we do an activity they like to call "diaper drinking." They call it this because those who are not off exploring or jumping off the boats, are wearing their life jacket between their legs as if it was a diaper while drinking a cold one. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj847owsZaW4ThlNv_2ci64xKVcc1AV_yxjf6NKqD9jPfF_prSVZI3xHO1gMGipkASFHX9QKlY8bakPywZ3jgaOpdYH3VB996AhIYtIEuc6eGb-CtoRgQlPPUaZMDLUv77kOLHgUze38voX/s640/IMG_3857.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Black Team @ Maya Beach</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylB2d_nf-pA1z1IFvZE1lCBXuAqXkurs-NWLkaRXk02ZfB8eOfKivN6SyyUJtoab-Rr3FB54PoHScqhWMcBMWlZFntOTK0QiEIMvmyIYYeY4UFlI2sGODs1ZD-4DyKOP-Dd8Ypl3CysFb/s640/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">After the monkeys we went snorkeling in a large lagoon. The water was turquoise blue and I was giddy with excitement to see so much coral and fish life just below us.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3KyBQ5R8a-VNO-HaY3ThseaQSHRCkYYyy3uPRSuMThCwCkraYj2YIHQLlQZpjys1oovC6tp_YhSClmQP5GolmOPrVtyg2pmw8CdSW4ASH3oLoGJ61eTEk9N4gp-6ACnIFf69j7TF0VKV/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3KyBQ5R8a-VNO-HaY3ThseaQSHRCkYYyy3uPRSuMThCwCkraYj2YIHQLlQZpjys1oovC6tp_YhSClmQP5GolmOPrVtyg2pmw8CdSW4ASH3oLoGJ61eTEk9N4gp-6ACnIFf69j7TF0VKV/s320/IMG_3757.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Friends on the boat!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnT9jnWa-nPuZorCBjZ74G4V4yETi3DBBXUURlb7bYQlhHN9V7fah0rMJ-Q0KNLQPreH1MIXOrB943EW5VFB3DIaz3BwMFRxDy1WJV0E6gL8CDUEhsd8k_v9t1k8y0vyBtP7sL695BdI_/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnT9jnWa-nPuZorCBjZ74G4V4yETi3DBBXUURlb7bYQlhHN9V7fah0rMJ-Q0KNLQPreH1MIXOrB943EW5VFB3DIaz3BwMFRxDy1WJV0E6gL8CDUEhsd8k_v9t1k8y0vyBtP7sL695BdI_/s400/IMG_3746.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We should have next gone to Maya beach, instead they had everyone begin drinking, swimming, jumping off the boat for the 'party' part of the day. Unfortunately for many and most, this meant the pricey stop at Maya Beach of 400 Baht was easily forgotten. We enjoyed a simple dinner and a breathtaking sunset anchored in the sea. It was a long day so a nap was in order for most everyone. Later I had more Indian food and a foot massage before heading to bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 5 </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KcEEYYeg9O6qlrLLQqVWFkXjG9jXiJHRSZXP1TIn23a2HpvfnwNxoYwkSBMFbsVqwCRnsi-qSgD5ZfBXzIobw5fdZ0lANWi-evnbwF64JTodz8boaUOIKvAtYpZ7iv9H99-eWYfcEUmI/s1600/20161125_103845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KcEEYYeg9O6qlrLLQqVWFkXjG9jXiJHRSZXP1TIn23a2HpvfnwNxoYwkSBMFbsVqwCRnsi-qSgD5ZfBXzIobw5fdZ0lANWi-evnbwF64JTodz8boaUOIKvAtYpZ7iv9H99-eWYfcEUmI/s640/20161125_103845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again lucky to miss the rain overnight, when the morning cleared we took the hour hike up to Phi Phi Viewpoint.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3TrgGrMw2VKMn8F8ptd4eWzErbJDCusCfb0OxIx8BSBROAuBHx4YxSweMQsH6fIs3UV6ROs0-HBSa7GfpUwwdlehU3vHrumKtNLW1l-tIpAmcQ4PVxNikQqUOjjQpP1tVcAHlJgBUpVg/s400/20161125_110735.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSj53dWd3X0yLs-d_YfFbZBU77rEpsJvAAevp_6du-M_gOyPEePswGTl9Uxa_sz05Mqjkjfkb_rA0oRDEHrq-3nbmEWkPRGfobzh6zD53g0jH_xOkH_dHnceo8DoD75rjdnc0VfGuveDe/s320/IMG_3817.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIsLtsijvfRSgzGc75HX29r1l0f1KhUXXB3Y9tRfW0_ti0tE18Z01Hxi7DPkOl2wyqLkYUKI0pBmWPaKkEBC-JG0oquZZUf69l56BnEizKj7WdcHGNRQI50Bk1e1wB1d8xgIuYC8ksuGS/s320/IMG_3813.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkcSuLrQZ-tpjP6_mecnmHcZH_u38__ry3xarP9uRBbZIYecnJdaDlKP8DQc36bVXMkYqnzAQcQvtUZ1pRBBa7UaQToenq4OsI6S54s8ByS4WwdmAsicJXQBvfXdTKROtLejajxjvWA_Z/s400/IMG_4465.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKKE-m-zqHOanOjA2dEbRSXrgvboJjix5PIoEmtG4yyGE2FLPLpbH-h5hDE1vCw4LML5EssYB3Z6OMLlvQMpOsvnLkBubhPzV5wZNVWsaE_FAqve8qUqK-O_ixpAjE8GObOpl_PBed4Jr/s1600/IMG_3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKKE-m-zqHOanOjA2dEbRSXrgvboJjix5PIoEmtG4yyGE2FLPLpbH-h5hDE1vCw4LML5EssYB3Z6OMLlvQMpOsvnLkBubhPzV5wZNVWsaE_FAqve8qUqK-O_ixpAjE8GObOpl_PBed4Jr/s320/IMG_3884.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Had more delicious Thai food and then spent a few hours relaxing at the beach. The tide rises every night and lowers again every afternoon. You have to walk quite a ways to make it to the water during the day and at night you'd have to watch your step as it comes up nearly to the young travelers enjoying buckets and dancing on the beach.</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0qnI1Fp7g0237ZFvDi_KQ4NRyb6-tVDoa6q_oUBuD0wVvkkcbhSFwCymflYhT0uXRdzGkMxyAqQW2rnFTgctkgtEOd5znsPakUqIO9twy9GHahfPuLv9QPPlOoKHYCCtFZ_JhXyuDDcj/s640/IMG_3933.JPG" width="640" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsGAexurhI0dCOXluLeHFMkSXlqA7tUWCd-sn6bPCVlwSETSGQ2UGMwFI_H-JjYbB-bsjrlxGMnjJl1jThX0QmwlrzHo6FGgnzLnD6mmBQfL3CQueYAL2s2LXn0bXT98TgGGySkkjXA6N/s1600/IMG_3917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsGAexurhI0dCOXluLeHFMkSXlqA7tUWCd-sn6bPCVlwSETSGQ2UGMwFI_H-JjYbB-bsjrlxGMnjJl1jThX0QmwlrzHo6FGgnzLnD6mmBQfL3CQueYAL2s2LXn0bXT98TgGGySkkjXA6N/s320/IMG_3917.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just before 9 o'clock we went to the Muay Thai Reggae Bar, where every night is guaranteed one Muay Thai fight, as well as volunteers from the audience can participate for a free bucket of booze. We had front row seats and enjoyed watching the fights so much we didn't leave until nearly midnight. When we finally made it to the beach for the nightly dancing, fire shows, and buckets galore, we quickly ran into some friends from the previous day's sailing cruise and spent the night with them. We danced at Aphache, Slinky, and Ciao Bella. Unlike Koh Phanghan where the full moon party takes place on the eastern side islands of Thailand, the music was shut down at 2 am.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkxKHPslvMzzi-HN63FB7GbfH4E0bnONwX75UtAANkVwnfqzZXfcJbZpOadkwlzJAq_txtqTYpWl8p6TZZ4SrahB-laluRwX4fUK4eEHLnW_pXaPJq1STVHXA4SrOkJpCrRi8mo2EfghI/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkxKHPslvMzzi-HN63FB7GbfH4E0bnONwX75UtAANkVwnfqzZXfcJbZpOadkwlzJAq_txtqTYpWl8p6TZZ4SrahB-laluRwX4fUK4eEHLnW_pXaPJq1STVHXA4SrOkJpCrRi8mo2EfghI/s320/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hotspot. Every night. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 6: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We waited till late Saturday afternoon <br />before getting out to enjoy our last full day in Koh Phi Phi</span>.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More shopping, shrimp Pad Thai, papaya, <br />mangoes, massages, and a last visit to the beach.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXOiA85ommHrL7LleTZM0fEErqBENRlJ5WI95X8AElsMPlxXfWaOZ3EU3nVG-avkWwiotmnNt_aBnF5AdHf12MWSwHVoGnf7MOdDiNSV7QFvLwchf_8fKwu2ksrEbNs3QOx_l6zOZD8XD/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXOiA85ommHrL7LleTZM0fEErqBENRlJ5WI95X8AElsMPlxXfWaOZ3EU3nVG-avkWwiotmnNt_aBnF5AdHf12MWSwHVoGnf7MOdDiNSV7QFvLwchf_8fKwu2ksrEbNs3QOx_l6zOZD8XD/s320/IMG_3943.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tgaqsvWWkQ-3_wPx7QofbZY5ro2BcDeyBihrUBtjlZstdpTOSMxJRWSw9wMaWAv3rxIgc21VWubuuSjgGXcBjPY41vxxjCpQXa3y1sUOmpfjieT5TQmUzIauy1Wk3VDGodi4-mtwRRF6/s320/IMG_3597.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw3a95uX4fpOk8aPDdXuTg1IcCqYTybc10rughKz3PgprE2y9Sl1Cpa3GHMzi06lcnQfrAwfzdoEaJYAZwvskuIMZ7NSOjcis6gnMbiU_lf-4WSMPcrzCW72S9co7Sc3I9lsOoaw1hzzJ/s320/IMG_3587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tattoos in Thailand seem to be a top tourist attraction as well. </td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHdejLJg5HSbemkAwYRUHRUj9xkUrNh_Hx1VkZUuP2t-PEkLOsbDgYB_S1tEPy721NjPWS6FYk2JLQEzAvZ2S5lZqt8s3o-aoqUWhfoDGA7dRHDIsvLH9CJ1uvJeI-G5ff9UuPf80fYYH/s320/IMG_3944.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day 7: Back to Phuket</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our last morning, we woke up at 5 am for snorkeling where we were lucky enough to see a couple reef sharks. Both of the sharks that I saw were no longer than my leg, but it was exciting! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEM24tqseZndXQcD__tSoilD1_P14p66rgglXEafcpWTfud1rrDbUS0AAny2kyzOEZAvLBTTjVospaytqeXq2vauT3xtN9vjZlMktflg30r-OIp6rUXNI_B3PXIAJpuw-dpRqi8sv4u9v/s400/IMG_3952.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last sunrise in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand.</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvBMe8mrmKJsyVj08knIOxte_llUhQ6Jgx_496Gbh1FWhWhwCt1KKmlQztXwDo_HYhnm8_ZPTt6TKP5i8jAXOGlj2OlSPzu-E4GglwUczcZneLUoYY8W59fEULNvDJbi9Iye5jcl4zZjS/s400/IMG_3990.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">We had another stop at Monkey Beach, where one monkey actually jumped onto the boat and grabbed a banana hidden among the plastic bags. We were able to get much closer this early morning than the previous time with hundreds of other tourists.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyHlNwlGpS1T94oxXGvLFC8_DnQa940Ufifh-7JfVwdK_n0901CBt4ueHygb8ODr0XTmyebdfRKzTccjyOAZ_UbTu70u0VnYuRHzCQApEIYhigYVjM46CZsHCNSWalQEoW1EQetLW-8Lw/s400/IMG_3991.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Can you spot the monkey eagerly awaiting bananas?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ntx_9dUjOmc3YHbco6TjNEGVBZK-kQoAwskc0TLfO5VPso0EEwOiBnEmIWB87gkE4o_7lJ-J0NjcJ4vMB6b6f5dDaBhXa0TLXQic3YGbFM-N1PfBM0AUfEWkCpNFhFyJ3fClUOjbOUw2/s320/IMG_4007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Up close and personal.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSVWHsCPitQd6seccJE6GRWaHYlnm1UjyFgbbQx1YcD0M4vQaFsnpI9s2A5c-q0lLqYXjrf5HJg3yjDIfYdfTRZJch4Y-gxvnyipLQA8OwHTxs9_VtAjV0djlJ_XSOBgRuElD4fW4zFB_/s320/IMG_4018.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Real personal. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dE3i1eLcV4kYx9w4qtZbanUyv5iCn8lkMSax3vC2x4sRXGiAsKqbxIwiCzQStm6r_-rJpem-eLKimm5Cj54bz1ArcbWcH10HVkcMKxulry9OIsuaVRnZYIA3LtWzGWJ_Sm3kQRg7r1TN/s400/20161127_074728.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Relaxing in the shallow lagoon before ending the last tour of the trip. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuHucvnN3ziy4QvJjcZUNGtyy4rfaOxUdBbAmXcipuMhLP7orgGj8e7h12fHJV_KN85rBbYatGAP2O9MddEigpUoppnysefmmIv8BkTnWMWz85DyNHhHtKr__0FXSIvJ-WoaAyCyzDBKW/s320/IMG_4026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Goodbye Beautiful Thai Islands. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUPU5CXqVhIa3dhiqIfbMnKOpWCwh4ksyTNDvreGQ8pEw1iw9Iod7JViPPO9VbpmcXp2756EFB5ien-bsULFFuzW0UQWxwNFT7e-VaoRfXvM68vJwc9b6VJ6p-pmn1EWKOeK11FssSbBd/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUPU5CXqVhIa3dhiqIfbMnKOpWCwh4ksyTNDvreGQ8pEw1iw9Iod7JViPPO9VbpmcXp2756EFB5ien-bsULFFuzW0UQWxwNFT7e-VaoRfXvM68vJwc9b6VJ6p-pmn1EWKOeK11FssSbBd/s320/IMG_4031.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mid afternoon it was time to take the boat back to Phuket where we stayed at a hostel just miles from the airport. It was off a small dirt road and very quiet, we walked until we found a main road where we had a pleasant last evening of pizza, Pad Thai, kebabs, and Chang.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIQuVr2kTeT00-tA81GgjQ2Yk3Xtq0IfbIz45bEtumXFaZjkvMTEJIy7EdVfN2h3xyBy7rqrKgldSXUYJrvRwM11L4yAFGxwRbFfU1BseQYuu31O-iGJT9eYbnySvuZc02gWwWRjF5Dqb/s400/IMG_3249.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I last visited Thailand in April 2016 and then again November 2016. In early October the King of Thailand passed away. Rest in Peace. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu0Y7d1hN9BAkng4oNvhLxPLHfdjNaz4WIxEJHAtjBLnywhg9cu-ycfA1RvuRRIhqZ67fQxCuKz8k19Ul6jTah-uPJ4fHFpRPpcjRnbISWK_5Fhyphenhyphen2w8xsnUbMCE5dp1DO1J7ewN9TaC3U/s640/20161125_110606.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them."<br />-K </span></td></tr>
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<br />kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-54754804814255434742016-11-20T16:39:00.000+08:002016-12-08T13:50:40.821+08:00Autumn in Asia<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "simhei"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b>A Trip to <a href="http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002119" target="_blank">Tainan</a>!</b></span><span style="font-family: "simhei";">The first weekend in September, Brittany and I took a trip down to Tainan. We took a bus the night before so we would have the full day to catch everything.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGNRAdtwSfu6ZDzSXIIzy5uGgClOhnHj091H0byJ1po6ArGp-MBJy7lkv_hwVZt3MolcY9PJxWRI8jdEZTMmvWrRy0rz0vlxTCM52jt2GXWLaQM9foYZrntuBj44qRMwzNKAtQOHfyYO5/s320/IMG_1686.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";"><b>Off to a great start!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";">As we arrived at the bus station in Tainan, we were greeted by two friendly Taiwanese who offered to drive us to our Hostel, Darwin's Hostel. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA56-9hAIQNDoGyyAhdz9EHq878sOOCwVLZKmvaciY-TJDEe5cxX8BjR3aSQBcl1kuprGQx1_4CZnJ8VhwO1SwqpoYOLuv508tiauzQXnyqgRV0d2oZwVxU0yhroO5PG_iC4KiEzMAG8tK/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA56-9hAIQNDoGyyAhdz9EHq878sOOCwVLZKmvaciY-TJDEe5cxX8BjR3aSQBcl1kuprGQx1_4CZnJ8VhwO1SwqpoYOLuv508tiauzQXnyqgRV0d2oZwVxU0yhroO5PG_iC4KiEzMAG8tK/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "simhei";"><b> Hostel Life</b> It's always so nice to get out and go to a new place, even in Taiwan. Friendly people and the excitement of travel surrounds nearly all hostels. There is always a lounge room where travelers can gather, plan out their days, watch movies, play music, relax and unwind. Usually decorated with some neat artwork,too! </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC9n9slQ4Wv-1Hw6hg9expKQ8-s7XtFC6n8FRCIM-UAZse115fqyROVAMIQdU2uCi_Kg4vHf4rXkqKhurxZPDC4JTbzpqwFDAc6FnqYDPf44ek9bxtRCrWOTplAYdP4DT4m5-Qptg98Z_/s400/IMG_1702.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<b style="font-family: simhei;"><a href="https://tainancity.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/anpings-old-streets/" target="_blank">Anping District</a></b><span style="font-family: "simhei";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";">Early in the morning we found our way to an aboriginal park located near the area we would spend the rest of the day.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius3gjWHlri248cj2T4qlJscnYi1jdBW69ZOfMTkPjbPja_rg5G1UGoRBZLiLXnJVKSsbQTY22O7qenpNRQ0fICa13m_0MOu2e-5WwD-vH-hpfs82p1RatYqXDFKf8aKmc9-l0WIqy4ZUm/s400/IMG_2681.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIUkqx8XP-O3yZM8n91091Zehgc4mpB9JCWZkAFN4qYaiV1tgm3SqnAgPAT991Jp9rOA045MIxrki0ks8L7uGuSG_5T680qo07PUopg5VmATHt4hUsJJyNqQANL3ygZahSw6LjJsBcJG3/s640/IMG_1712.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";">We ate breakfast in the historical streets of An Ping, also known as Yanping Old Street. <b>Tainan is the OLDEST city in Taiwan and was the first original capital</b>. Therefore there is much to see, do, and learn in this historical city.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczdie2GtevY8A6BaWbVbUS3ydi2smHXnc0Av4OKevQEnVigHnUZCeh6X8yDjcmtUyw385ZG7iiPGQmQoQ8L_LUJU_SPOl433SdE7RDaq3Fs-kzcVg4livZDFCa46nvDA9ZxKBteDA_0xi/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczdie2GtevY8A6BaWbVbUS3ydi2smHXnc0Av4OKevQEnVigHnUZCeh6X8yDjcmtUyw385ZG7iiPGQmQoQ8L_LUJU_SPOl433SdE7RDaq3Fs-kzcVg4livZDFCa46nvDA9ZxKBteDA_0xi/s400/IMG_1737.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "simhei"; font-size: small;"><b>An Original Map of Formosa (Taiwan)</b><br />Just outside of the well-known Tree House of Anping is quick museum of the timeline of the history of Taiwan. The first explorers, expeditions, signed treaties, occupations, and establishments. Below you can see in 1858 was the first treay signed with the United States, UK, and France to open the ports. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZbC6H6S5J7kKd7hitZmrrLxcUsNOX4gjKPEZJDj39_Hq3lcfwlHNblFktwcq458ulq4g9y-BI7EIkz9Hcira3QvieI7BmuRxnM_VXSnO95EG-1VCSoMAxLhzYkE2dyFYOa2C2AnEFCl2/s400/IMG_1738.JPG" style="font-size: medium;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBp0DeSPxMl9LVXF6a3nc4vJJkfSezrwm2Wpe0w78sUUPLNFmHIn2aw9cuLuIXrpqHeddPzHC-3SUL5RDE8XBENb8-l1CKk0wo0arto43htNxHea8IyYg-13riNj1o5wNrbFYhVC41y4s/s320/IMG_1728.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP9mBWvZb42CH2MkOM_AZvpQFBr-RSW-7KzBgx6ucS5R4feuyAL18uZNgzRdGcXvghQa-gMqxlGVSLPWK41Zs3NIdwqui0I-CzdbflO6oIojq-DneCxKIJYfuiL3yOrHko62LOdLexVPO/s320/IMG_1732.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";">If I was a writer with a feathered ink pen....</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlC-Nj2RkNPGLfs-uAsW0VwE_ViiA5PLekjs1enZN4l7FVNAK0VLzGCdKhn5dUZ86PkUq4xVzj-lRzRXwrvoi2SujS-EUP7olqojl1WRYSg0fwShKtjCwvEon4FsQjCh9TZVaeLdNfYvN/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVo7kya106zRVJ7CIDwCjO_NRLeJNncj9ync-ONTi72nt3_OBu_Rb-0aoLeT2quFFvPpoaomQ-pisp8_Ye-xRdbnS4VC_S2aId_poZC3md1fo79w45-nGXXlAfRcHPo3CtKJe_viDc2pw/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span><a href="http://www.tnanping.gov.tw/english/sightseeing_2.php?notice_id=27&kind=gogo2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">nping Tree House</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is one of the main </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">attractions of the Old Colonial Quarter of Tainan.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVxczkDkJMcjHVZdxxp4ZAYmGz-mRKPtcv8qBoHgvjLxEY66-BWRnmGBru2QP9bdzjtP4Ar-aWk_r5Q1FPDgVARsWb-Qm4XBr0-xvRTWYnD0yY3v7Mjxe6LV9SaP3627VNfpT3jmRNUut/s400/IMG_1745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The History: Anping was one of many treaty ports opened in 1867 to foreign trade during the</span> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Opium_War" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Second Opium War</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. A prosperous warehouse until Taiwan became a Japanese colony. After the Japanese was forced to leave Taiwan in 1945, the warehouse was no longer used and taken over by the banyan trees that still remain today. Local people thought the warehouse to be haunted. It was opened to the public in 2004 after structural reinforcements. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa8t6ZvTWIB9J9izjWwYt-Vkko-PeKmvvODqogHazci8pY0eszTv1YOEO81t6R2wHfY6HZkhaP4J4KBoGh_Yzy-WDedNs-WaH4SXpM0yL1AT8WHGuScnYmRc3XLD2VWGGoGYGTSdZCL5l/s640/IMG_1769.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Banyan Tree <a href="http://www.iloveindia.com/national-symbols/national-tree.html" target="_blank">(also the national tree of India)</a> is characterized by its "tangle of branches, roots and trunks. The tree is deeply rooted, which may spread across several acres. It is huge in size, thereby giving protection from hot sun."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m2AYyUJxtP4hxVt3Mz5fyZMtyuap0u6dAN4-GqKvN0EATiINRvo2y3j9PiBiuglIdF_R_MvvQAGODz3R-5ax3wmag5ioEFQgozEPKfd1rlZvuMFK2BkrZH1aLj2ecjipuF0Lx9pEYX-f/s1600/IMG_1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m2AYyUJxtP4hxVt3Mz5fyZMtyuap0u6dAN4-GqKvN0EATiINRvo2y3j9PiBiuglIdF_R_MvvQAGODz3R-5ax3wmag5ioEFQgozEPKfd1rlZvuMFK2BkrZH1aLj2ecjipuF0Lx9pEYX-f/s400/IMG_1814.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chimeimuseum.org/ml/english/3" target="_blank"> ChiMei Museum</a>'s founder, Mr. Wen-Long Shi, was inspired by his childhood trips to museums to build a museum for everyone to enjoy. Relocated in 2014 to Tainan and reopened in 2015, the museum is for people of all ages to "have easy access to Western culture without having to travel abroad. It </span><span style="font-size: large;">has a large collection of Western art, musical instruments, natural history, and weaponry."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSt37tZgLDzamBYXxg9yKrW7dPQe11esUq86UatcI5xTnymZj2s2ndP3WhPUJxvyeCVKYuCpl1udCVq8jFqbk53SRGeuLd_B7rdqHLsoBQGsyqikzuEsAaqB14A9N9FPaoLzKonuH96Szo/s640/IMG_1785.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We love Tainan! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD458-0MDXK2jGlQ3fbiBOvpI-vZj7Pgof01LIG4veFQIeLyQXG7ZNpKUz7IPflMrdsq0zEZE8T-AUmAbR-LYoWMgj5eL6zehMQrtc5SQQTGfAMX86PwyaDP0ygUgCzT0VneJH6o7mU04/s640/IMG_1820.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">No pictures are allowed to be taken inside, but you can see with its grand entrance of sculptures that there is plenty of beauty to behold at this museum. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpture of the Goddess Aphrodite. <br />
You can search more sculptures, paintings, fossils, decorative arts, etc. <a href="http://cm.chimeimuseum.org/wSite/sp?xdUrl=/wSite/Search/CategorySearch4Chimei.jsp&mode=C&ictunit=300&mp=chimei&ctNode=244&idPath=20_244" target="_blank">Here</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMIyosEfgqqzZYqEZwYW-mZFg_HAa9GKH5NvBlL2GWr_IAWkRjrZPfu8kSG3l__Ae9mzs-434bn8EbGEXCs3vgpKMPrWj7-cKaz8UK4Oel69khGuLgnfmveb4gfvnq-CXNouM5u1R3lzr/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ready to dance the night away at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brickyardclub" target="_blank">Brickyard</a> in Kaohsiung for their Noche Latina.<br />Kara, Charlotte, Me, Lauren, Hannah, Courtney, Scott, Josilin, Brittany, and Tyler.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei";">Before a night of dancing we dove into the amazing deep dish pizza at The 303. My third trip to this delightful pizza spot and each time I bring more people along, and no one ever seems to leave unsatisfied. I was also making a return stay to </span><span style="font-family: "simhei";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/backpackersinn.kaohsiung/" target="_blank">Backpackers Inn</a> located just down the block from where we would be dancing. Another perk, no taxi needed. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "simhei"; font-size: small;">Goodbye Sara! The admin team of 2016-17 at a farewell lunch for the multi-talented T. Sara. We will miss her and her great abilities with the students. <br />Back Row: T. Fion, T. Jenny, T. Brittany, T. Sabrina, and T. Michael <br />Front Row: T. Cherry, Principal Bih Hua, T. Sara, T. Roxy, and myself!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei"; text-align: start;">Double September Birthdays! <br />@ Millennium Bar celebrating Lauren and Josilin.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA7c52B07wgTrAH77OWX9GG7mbH7bYuQtg7_l2udsQxARjcbKeks1tvKzO9Rp-pavxPlA90QgbbyERMrYkIM8p7hyphenhyphen2Pggs0SzSqDCJ7LujuYaGgKbCNCR7wS1aVmHUe4xOoD64oqrmmSb/s1600/IMG_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA7c52B07wgTrAH77OWX9GG7mbH7bYuQtg7_l2udsQxARjcbKeks1tvKzO9Rp-pavxPlA90QgbbyERMrYkIM8p7hyphenhyphen2Pggs0SzSqDCJ7LujuYaGgKbCNCR7wS1aVmHUe4xOoD64oqrmmSb/s640/IMG_2570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Meet the cast and crew of Cornel 2016.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigduw3OnbeM1XywIONLLTYQEUBvfMqurAHbIriWZn69LJzC8XhuR5vzRiHPUnkJ7xO66N7Y0Q3_DKJbUsrM0cFp7K7C01ShRIk9rMYKosyo1SsZT6HXaUUK0O2Q9ZbLPKAVtSbbcGSmp_0/s320/IMG_2625.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the biggest delights of the season was getting to meet Gina's baby girl. Just over one month here in this photo, no English name yet, she was a curious bundle of cuteness.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://weather.com/storms/typhoon/news/tropical-depression-megi-tropical-storm-typhoon" target="_blank">Typhoon Megi</a> hits the island hard on September 27th and 28th bringing with it feet of rain and high winds of over 100 mph. Many lost power and the whole island was covered in debris and damage. This photo here is our school tree laying across the playground. Luckily we were out of school at the time and no windows were broken. Thanks to our hard-wroking CTs who came in on the Typhoon day to cut up and clean up the mess it left. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best times of the year: Jazz Festival 2016!</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">April, Hannah, Brittany, Allen, Michael, Charvala, Tyler, Kristin, and I at the park. <br />Enjoying the music, cusine, and drinks.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Elsa has been popular for the ENTIRE duration of my time in Taiwan. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, Jerry! </span><br />
Daban Wave's class celebrating Jerry's birthday with toys for everyone, <br />
the famous layed fruit cake, crowns, and birthday tunes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T. Jacob and the Bananas class at their first field trip to IKEA! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Flashback to 1991, exactly 25 years ago this Christmas. --></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I posting this here, because this past October not only did I miss my younger sister's 26th birthday, I also missed my first- and-forever friend, my cousin Ashley's wedding day. She is just two months older than me, and like many cousins has been there when I've cried, laughed, been heart broken, been crazy, jealous, sad, happy, pretty, everything. She's always been there for me no matter the time or the distance. I wish her a long, happy, healthy life with her little family. Love you so much Ash! XOXO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "simhei"; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Canadian Thanksgiving</span> (Second Monday in October)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "simhei"; text-align: start;">S</span><span style="font-family: "simhei"; text-align: start;">pent the day riding the city's Ubikes around to different places in Taichung, until finally meeting the teachers at IKEA for a buffet style Thanksgiving dinner. April and Kara are two of our Canadian teachers this year. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y3vH77Sk-jUmDmvySmzEg0QPUeZCckwl1hJ8gY5LsEMtGk0l0yxXzrXs5AWfgxtMqB3j0bCp9EOGMvJm71hn5iwvp7xFO5902t9yTNBKKmrCa5D1p7ZKqx1q8LDU00MbIDt6x3V2_-gx/s640/IMG_2783.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1-juEkd9cMiGBcpH0tds06EsSSBD17Rxv_EWY1CeU9r3m_1S4R291KS2EAtDvvXItGdiqbuLwEbFcZ-GrDBHR5QC9nKZ5FeDTiX4D65OdP22HCTIXpJ_g42CITOoDPGXBqec2yCuQlJY/s400/IMG_2997.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Waves class on their first field trip to the Flower Market.<br />They had a mini scavenger hunt, looking for things such as blue flowers, <br />a plant with pine needles, and they picked out their own seeds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Advice from a cactus: </b>Get plenty of sunshine, <br />Accentuate your strong points, <br />Be patient through the dry spells, <br />Conserve your resources, <br />Don't desert your friends, <br />Stay Sharp</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mhcZV7pLSrEkTQtWjEZ0ZrRwWKWLzaQtdl6Gz_LX95CKIkgMBgDZua1K3Y93autgZaYWDbhYVfjWs6WYq11ULTpdihyZLuEEHkG3ndgDa7NXYD9B9iDug8-T0Ub4is-__iDcc4EcOvU_/s1600/IMG_2789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mhcZV7pLSrEkTQtWjEZ0ZrRwWKWLzaQtdl6Gz_LX95CKIkgMBgDZua1K3Y93autgZaYWDbhYVfjWs6WYq11ULTpdihyZLuEEHkG3ndgDa7NXYD9B9iDug8-T0Ub4is-__iDcc4EcOvU_/s320/IMG_2789.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Deciding how excited we are about sunflowers. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntAVVbo6wF-WigxdmodijwPrirEtG8QyarzBYcLyGjv4VbpK5DjiDt_QtRTJYNfyBp9vURagoo7oLxyDhOsvhMUJJeCbRMaRP-dVrGPhBDqjmB49feXHsnTgUEqTOGWXSMGMbsvK2A938/s640/IMG_2794.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds.<br />You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMCaJi3AdzCFP2suzUw_YEms4f5c65oL7qpUQxyQzq88XTeZ1uFBMb7gUCXO-b6hKJLc0ouE97RcxF7f9sX8OlaMq2rINTNbBo6twtuxQCItaPJ_Xh2JF90XmqBztnimMwmp34goB1xDq/s320/IMG_2795.JPG" width="320" /><span style="font-family: "berlin sans fb" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD34oyXOLJgg1qFjo3BYgnrLzuck-zJHBELUjYweAzn0qNSy270K1rftvoq7hRfAtdw6YKTLma803QQzYitW7ExjdVAThULDoPzLY31QHAzVklqdnpcnuH-_CLAX_6yHxrIYeCHfph4JH/s400/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinks at the newest and coolest bar in Taichung, Kudos w. Tyler, Josilin, & Michael.<br />
This is my last time wearing glasses out as I'll be getting Lasik on December 2, 2016!! Yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6d-T8HttVlUVq06N2ezci8XqxLV3rXr2zBJC36aw_Dz5jxTRBjXf8GhuuCSRtNXxgUmRZbwmTS3H8rcXgd-_jhv4Jq9mLE1xQ66o_Os3OcPHCCDx7FVx-wEImQzvpupNCFkPwlsYqraW/s640/IMG_2920.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "simhei"; font-size: small;">Started the Halloween festivities at Courtney's apartment with the majority of the Cornel Crew. PPAP, skeleton twins, bubble tea & Starbucks, Netflix & Chill, as well as Pocahontas and colors of the wind. </span></span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayJwycTUmWkkU1IC5la3j4XPBRgc2rrWwWmTjbLOuEjiEnBx9zqm9hdoKAl-TWvbf1KHIOqF1Nems9FG3qMw1KIw9_R73d54vXucuRmzJ-LQhczT8pYknS_1q1CrU7eSo0HNoNU9bX9sh/s320/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="240" /><-- first="" nbsp="" ob="" place="" ppap--="" winner=""> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5xvlrvDL004TDsp11-11SY2HIjc7zUjoNsI58fIlSCEhO13J9LJQF1Ku51zZzWJgt8-yWAgoqEHuJ9h39GktU5xhoFLsjOlRxTOlBptyHxigCPddtmjoaog9H2SHV0vv4yZNnG9BJwuc/s320/IMG_2915.JPG" style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman'; text-align: left;" width="180" /></--></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIsV3k5Kwi3023nZqAfPEx3ZOrZc0RFQ9kcdgOTw2rCQpi7gEJMDFOx4WEjzXWIX6A3MJFmrq4l063AWE4GxeuBoGNQhTOElXwRdhqvdS8l9Sh_hgXvRQBywS2uBV-qWmi02eFtUeR0eD/s320/IMG_2973.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Really love going out with Becca & Jay! <br />Always a great conversation, some of my <br />favorites to dance with, & just so easy to love! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySF77mpjbJ2bg7NtElv_DVSV5UIs19BmUW-_1H5tXlL4OwJMgfQOhqLIhBRn8bbYiNQRWyEW98bSjFLdvcFIrtqXu7WWhj6dwj1kXqXJVPmNSdJnLthQYpSEfPCABP3GYy5KtqReVqxx4/s640/IMG_2901.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Waves and I after making some Pumpkin puppets!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYFlOwhTS37TVlJQ4PkB1dhmTm54eD8z2HnoH0tAlur_dpI99IFVXswKueSk29iyBmNlHKy7r3Qr7NsVo-IvB3UczFpoiOiGvn-A74EfXOJKSstSicb2ycfiq6q7IR0rTvlQgOksb3h3r/s640/IMG_2989.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Shang-An really knows how to decorate!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI2TSwafWZgPY08A_YPUSVoPCyXLrj-vdOtee5V5KBT-GT0ZfQxHA4DK9OjIygQZORTh8Pzuf4Fkl3J43326f_w9uFKBfFLkKLffHK3azD-GcRhaleAneOczo9rDKsujcdTVvwmqNdQt-/s640/IMG_2986.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wow, just WOW! These ladies went above and beyond with the theme of superheros and villains this year! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sd5d0KVc6BVou6egLNBO43hLLn8JGcCTjPbQPv-LZFMXiyeFhU8kkc3AgZ4LvvQsm8OyJmcMpZEqVW8CX_PvvwoAZjhToSjjZgIj7HfHuyPmQ2FjNhHrD0yvP94zt7wk9WG4ovnyuUpk/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I promise, it's not the Pikachu costume <br />that makes this one so stinking cute. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_1sKI8CEFDf6RfC61OBOn4mG36cG5F5KTvAoA-1jaBMvutuq-uZsPv81ykUPtl8375rG211kz2xTeI-Gp7mtPuIuqD_26d9Il3pa26ZCpRgPmhGRvv4JHGSmBa4oMfdp2RPKXH9DUlI5/s640/bananas1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">BANANAS! </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "simhei"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_yIkrwHiF9X7eQ_VqUY6oM8iDAlSErbGWbf0oVMFZdBwHwxC9pxIbI4ED7kCBuB7IcJD2az8iZ3FBOdMdrdomLlik7otj82l5h3Og21xoT_w0FwLdX3LZSZKlbAHBzOlqAd349vHQM0X/s320/batgirlman.jpg" width="214" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">< - Daban boys looking fierce! </span><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8BSrqEFHYZZ_PG_oDQmL_U9vLLRWw6r3F3CffQW2wyEM6WonbmdMoC8SteAwNbl1P1tqjawMhX-6UoehXoGyT1AJPvseraCFArERQwiT0xdOdMbnmZDTQycJcF7E1SepsU9lkktk2oY1/s320/dabanboys.jpg" style="font-family: simhei; text-align: center;" width="213" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxWEM961wEYksU6t4mJ5dPRLAQqKw6_eV-hRJljPaEi3r_uBh7PJMD8dl2DPurTFvUX2J18B-GgVkIKYnrIY2FIzzxut6SPqx3R0ZL0dRiVFfeNx2FFIxyfYbVKS4nn6aB9TS97JKVjyc/s400/elsas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The never ending Princess ELSA. Most popular costume the past three years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ6sBms8TH1SqzSqPigxeZmbCHaebCs8Jg_316wP9hrXmDYHlEJaugwrXpSzgd4F3O36Af0ipHNTEaCS4TSZ3uVgOImwIlbQ7htsCklKkNeyEb-0hyphenhyphenmQipLEkVgEx9Vk5hxMjZ4dpRgAB/s640/gr12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Poison Ivy (T. Josilin), Robin (T. Tyler), Harley Quinn (T. Charvala), <br />and T. Jill with the Grade 1 and 2 classes! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM1pmiz1x1QNhoJzvVz4ZcTTYdiKdK6DazkwQ3cp9_UDnQROZ0MG3YxTlDOVHVIJH9udV_sqr158y6Bda4A9kTTV83UnWcqr6T5VMcraPITw1XaJ-X0OlPosQiTESnEDEgEJtU7tgf2Xw/s400/vietnam.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="267" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Had to be my favorite costume! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVcVQfW8zHRHg5Q1FHwCqbaXrhuY81xV_XyLhWqRG1FyeaCdp0dHMwq3RcEI1TRwGApvTz9vPne4CiPl3O8giLu39BqLNoC7gqHQUl4XKAlDC1eeuJJJk6KBM44wZDkLi5Q-E_FgukqK9/s400/IMG_3007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WINNERS!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lbdpEXjrZo9OxXa7fYXGAORE5xQ7Tqpc5PlNwQ48tysh240KXCJZ-JGal_AT2AfTvegobObI3MAWBcRIK_Gs0N5LYw8Lg-0MBEEtVUhtKUzVBBm5-KMQ1ACc3UXOXjvAKYklChlum6U/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50lbdpEXjrZo9OxXa7fYXGAORE5xQ7Tqpc5PlNwQ48tysh240KXCJZ-JGal_AT2AfTvegobObI3MAWBcRIK_Gs0N5LYw8Lg-0MBEEtVUhtKUzVBBm5-KMQ1ACc3UXOXjvAKYklChlum6U/s640/IMG_3008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Batman, Robin, Poison Ivy, Capt' American, Dino, & Batgirl</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALv_9aaLAoOPPPMjomb0ZBwm9vnF0EFRjAu5aQ_vB300h_ODLjwsvg9DH84OXqeR8J0AvTFbgIDMLCgMYocU9mdaraiqlQDVpsx7w3joOzPr1Xvdtcdfi3f_K6uhyphenhyphenMnqJeSVNAEsrokbF/s400/IMG_3044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This is a third of the Bananas Class on a field trip to the Pet Shop. Here they are in front of some kittens. The shop had quite a variety of animals,. A couple birds, guinea pigs, turtles, hundreds of fish, and even a few piglets. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl1vWhnKwINtyLQXrPWwEeEc_IIzV594ZgFcs4mIVXWHef8MH4RXB78qJMfOyazYbxyz0jN55VQsi01uCAAC2Cpfi6bjvNW_OGBdD8K3RDXGQk7J51XNmKt-_z-pJ9Na-iaV-RVcuhOUy/s640/IMG_3091.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2016 Cornel Spelling Bee! The Magic of Spelling!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Here are the first, second, and third place winners from Daban to grade 6!</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /> </span><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OHKQqPJ2ag5zRW-YZ1rv1ZSJnRDyDJq3yE03n8ar2TUzMj7S75Yzd4KxzvFFU9xzTYorCDgVg0npL2Yf2VuSJKUdDmr2FxJ84Lte7JMQwBh82pBTRWNRYGNaqH54098GRrE8BD6JQMpC/s320/IMG_3077.JPG" style="font-size: medium;" width="320" /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkY7OGhNfz44pSaOnvUK_7jEeTG5s0opXZ73rCr6yb_PQ2mEXTvIGJJpO84XlEJQwGnakilYxYEc5mwrta1fPNyGwLwA6-yrKq4B4XZUWkxmS0dPPmI0fUe-MBf4XJg5AngaUobaN8AtIo/s320/IMG_3076.JPG" style="font-size: medium;" width="240" /></td></tr>
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It was a wonderful event held at the Nan Men campus, which meant that I would see nearly all of my students from last year. ( And if you remember I had <i><b>the</b></i> best class in the world last year! ) The photo on the left I am with Christy, Cindy, Bella, and Annie (Annie won 2nd place for Daban!) On the right I am with Jo and Anne. Anne was in my grade 3 class two years ago, Jo was in my Daban last year. Anne won third place in grade 5! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ljVar42L5ylcX4wqSiy0oe4u9OEPjpyg-XHJFb4FJoHN0dwtMDFcCGoYt3AY6Sb-BgjdQf9lp5FcFYyfO_Xn9Yej7vr4UPkmnhH5YO2KgPzF13l-v8XL-sJL4YaFf5yZCMYYOahdrNu/s400/IMG_3105.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T. Kyle and the Daban Wave class at the <a href="http://www.921emt.edu.tw/e_content/about/about01.aspx" target="_blank">Earthquake Museum! </a><br />This museum shows some of the remaining damage from the famously known '921.' <br />A 7.3 - 7.7 M earthquake that hit central Taiwan in 1999.<br />This site was a former junior high school. Above is the track and field arena after the earthquake. You could see inside broken classrooms and bathrooms as well. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhPVWezGt9uOGdHofbAfc_joyi8d4srNM5ql9rvJGI76Ual-_JPMby3eBZP-60PpIMG5QDVhuZWFGkpJWcTrGFIw2ilbexZsqmzRVVNf5sXC7SgGkzxkSSJX0w5YzqxDzPv9OIck_OqOb/s640/IMG_4046.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We had over 200 guests this year at our Thanksgiving dinner! <br />Our school is really growing and so full of love. The food was delicious. A mix of Western and Eastern cuisine and two turkeys imported from America! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY9NVDfKWZzCelJ9TT8eMkKxpY2Vq3Pfse51lUHnqgycnYtv7EgBeeuaLsBXyYMkH3KU6LYNZkIMvHmIMNnek9WdxLdBbW77gUKdPU1yi6mRjGOFKvUiQROKnLFQ9pjERb64coQOGmTz4/s320/IMG_4047.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Principal Bih Hua gave grace in Mandarin and I gave grace in English. <br />This was my first time giving grace before so many people. <br />It was a very special moment. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovYZEYvVqwCKZrieOJpJ1F-DfJ8KNl91DvAOzI3rsQEI1plNqIFT9OEHLD76ecpqD1IFIX4RDUAObOKkdf8kZNQ_HKkS35orf1GaecgDWU385bV2vxwINUKAiFG_9ycO-qoOO0we4dLW7/s400/IMG_4049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Great group of humans! :-) </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIulXXuYqerb1Gpso6LFPnF7ZNhQgfE3IdWNQQa1xMMD9cDDxTMbert7lyA0OaQrfGFWsx84JS4HTLaE51VZMMsD03si9T-gTgxYvVIcb8LngnR00vJoYfbWAOe2r9U-vs1gZi1E7TGCvy/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIulXXuYqerb1Gpso6LFPnF7ZNhQgfE3IdWNQQa1xMMD9cDDxTMbert7lyA0OaQrfGFWsx84JS4HTLaE51VZMMsD03si9T-gTgxYvVIcb8LngnR00vJoYfbWAOe2r9U-vs1gZi1E7TGCvy/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIulXXuYqerb1Gpso6LFPnF7ZNhQgfE3IdWNQQa1xMMD9cDDxTMbert7lyA0OaQrfGFWsx84JS4HTLaE51VZMMsD03si9T-gTgxYvVIcb8LngnR00vJoYfbWAOe2r9U-vs1gZi1E7TGCvy/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIulXXuYqerb1Gpso6LFPnF7ZNhQgfE3IdWNQQa1xMMD9cDDxTMbert7lyA0OaQrfGFWsx84JS4HTLaE51VZMMsD03si9T-gTgxYvVIcb8LngnR00vJoYfbWAOe2r9U-vs1gZi1E7TGCvy/s320/IMG_2833.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "berlin sans fb" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have been the Head Teacher/ Foreign Director over at Shang-An Campus since this past July. I've also been doing a couple remedials to help some of the lower leveled students, reading with kindergartners one on one and after school on Fridays, and on the 30th of November I will start teaching the yoyoban class of 3 year olds. I gave them the name "Koalas" at the beginning of the year and never knew they'd end up being my own. Along with those duties (which are not a part of my job description), weekly I am observing teachers, communicating between Chinese and Foreign Staff, checking reports, attending meetings, organizing events, and just trying to keep an eye on it all. Each month we take a field trip for both Daban and Jungban, and in September we had our official "open house" which we call "Meet and Greet." October we held Halloween parties over three days, and November was the Spelling Bee Contest and Thanksgiving dinner. Our 'kindy numbers' (students) have continued to soar which is great news for us this year and next! Teachers began taking vacations so subbing is well underway and although some days have there annoyances, I really do enjoy the job. I know for certain I can and will help our school continue to succeed, I know that the parents are unbelievably supportive, the students are so full of love and personality, they really make it all worth while. I know that being happy here is all about your mind set and how you choose to approach each day. Also I have to mention that working closely with the Chinese staff is such an unexpected blessing. There have been a few bumps along the way, some of which are still up ahead. However, as they say, life's a journey, not a destination, and man am I thrilled on this ride. - Thanks for reading. - K </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Josilin and T. Anita with the Koalas (Yoyoban).<br />
This is now my class! Lucas, Sopha, Eliza, Mika , Raptor, Ophe, Valor, <br />
Marcus, Hannah, Yong Si, Evan. Not in Photo: (Layla, William, Richard, Bruce)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzr7G4ZNv7qcx-AccSc7jfeUcGQzjsgXu6A2fYhJ5Rj8i_L9ocTt3vh-ED8afSfwfd8yvM5LgdQ0ief_GNQ8Bl0LDRhDHcUhRrxVceMwvPfY1uj-DfPYAtsAEcYm1oqIxQnt2xdGgP1J5/s640/IMG_4052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Daniel & the Care Bears! Wei Wei, Anna, Jaylee, Sisi, Phoebe, Grace,<br />
Matt, Abby, Kelly, Grace, Mimi. Not in photo: Natalie, Natalie L, Nicole, Nina, Kate, Kaylee </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-e6iwn9RhFMzp0aP0n4oG4fWNMaFTErIaZ9oRNGZborcrsFIxCF1Jgb2XWEbABOQxIdnr7IpRfk3C8S6zYBQniYdVXfKmC2Qs7yegar6oUyvPRaHyqn3tMF82bWfL9wh3065ULpTiNOj/s640/IMG_4055.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Josilin and T. Jill with grade 1: Maggie Justin Howard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Marcie and T. Kristin with Grade 5</td></tr>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-33157948854583683452016-09-28T11:33:00.000+08:002016-10-15T01:30:13.857+08:00Sunny Days in Singapore<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure if I have more pictures with flags or superheroes at this point. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the luck of the calendar and Chinese Holidays, this school year we get three four-day weekends. It comes at a small price of working a Saturday the week before. Many teachers out here would argue that having a 6-day work week isn't worth the succeeding 3-day week/4 day weekend. </span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, having worked last school year until late June (with my deeply missed Pirates), through Summer Camp, until now, this was my longest break. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I took advantage of it by going to SINGAPORE! Something about it being just one word gives it great importance. Why? I'm not sure, but think about it. I went with Allen, a dear friend to me since somewhere back in April. We took a re</span></span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">d eye flight (there and back) Wednesday night from TPE, made my must-have, tax-free, Duty Free stop of white rum ($16US), and successfully slept on the majority of the plane ride.</span></span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif";"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ58-o5Ly6ahKb5yCiMJvat7Ad4rLV0VYYlntcmdbGbbHlfH7KkDjhT6NKsSGJzPMhBzTDjNd_bFOmtJT_4cB31b0k1j6ZGJFIi5RlG8j90BmK9dODMkvozSriEB3axBmF_Daf0AjFcVK/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Landing around 6:05 am, we planned to drop off our belongings at our Hostel, The InnCrowd Backpackers, but first we needed food! We were obviously starving, and it was now breakfast time. If you've never had Indian food for breakfast, well one day I hope you do. Still, at 8AM, we were the first costumers. It didn't take long though, within 10 minutes there were plenty more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMJpzbEkD0-L7VGkzF0tW0lGyQO-TVS4wjmjRBHHKh0WgmksYgkOPE27TtJMckkUlrj3NTx1HLS2YTfh_bpXS44MwKG-b_ltT6tD-7EuIM54gWzoE-ZXd5gINLdpE4fVi_ONg-9MwRQaT/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMJpzbEkD0-L7VGkzF0tW0lGyQO-TVS4wjmjRBHHKh0WgmksYgkOPE27TtJMckkUlrj3NTx1HLS2YTfh_bpXS44MwKG-b_ltT6tD-7EuIM54gWzoE-ZXd5gINLdpE4fVi_ONg-9MwRQaT/s320/FullSizeRender+%252814%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">We were staying in the well known area of Little India, which was actually recommended to us both multiple times from different people During our bag drop off (we couldn't check in until 1PM), Allen noticed a sign-up for a free scooter tour of the city on Thursday nights, and guess what!? <i>It was!</i> It would start at 6PM and take approx 5 hours. These were the kind of scooters that came out when I was 10!</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: start;">We still had about 4 hours until we could nap, so we spent morning hitting all 5 of the</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://www.singapore-guide.com/top10/top10-attractions-little-india.htm#" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">top 5 things to do in Little India of Singapore!</a></span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBguwKfezM5ThrQHdEMxzeXHeamM5judoKBFvr19Yd-SY_hcTcxHmfBC0vo5UNnlvOI9I3EwRk_UoBICEfGvcMdaFb040OYnNFcpETL4tw9e3y3gOqJxKj52CNN6nFNJHd8M69uHyEBcvf/s640/FullSizeRender+%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4etDo81CjhWMGlEn2mpNs1SFksOnsOZ_-t1uWef8DvxL8rCxhsNOqHts1XAv3BJxB3rl9By_sXU4C256qy5zqRuI6jVO8XsDHBlB0G17B2Snh8erM4s-_UBMyIYkqvvTPSiIvnh9jzjHF/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4etDo81CjhWMGlEn2mpNs1SFksOnsOZ_-t1uWef8DvxL8rCxhsNOqHts1XAv3BJxB3rl9By_sXU4C256qy5zqRuI6jVO8XsDHBlB0G17B2Snh8erM4s-_UBMyIYkqvvTPSiIvnh9jzjHF/s400/FullSizeRender+%252811%2529.jpg" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Number one: <a href="http://www.sriveeramakaliamman.com/history.php" target="_blank">Sri Veeramakaliammam Temple</a>, one of oldest temples in Singapore, believe to be built around 1855, by Indian Pioneers. </span><span style="font-size: large;">"Dedicated to the Goddess Kaliammah, the ferocious incarnation of Lord Siva's Wife, Meenachi." This "temple is thought to be the first temple in Singapore to <i>venerate </i>her."</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S5awMtreLD5b7rIqjjAIDhUnY17KCY4GKYe2BGUYXGmbAKBNBZ7OGPvPKL59a9UabJBBTCkS7lUx_Do5ho5fJCqdhZC2gm4qL1kvublav0n0MqC-RROsvID-p_tZaxm5zdMj6H41KGkz/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S5awMtreLD5b7rIqjjAIDhUnY17KCY4GKYe2BGUYXGmbAKBNBZ7OGPvPKL59a9UabJBBTCkS7lUx_Do5ho5fJCqdhZC2gm4qL1kvublav0n0MqC-RROsvID-p_tZaxm5zdMj6H41KGkz/s400/FullSizeRender+%252812%2529.jpg" style="font-family: "copperplate gothic light", sans-serif; text-align: center;" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Number two: <a href="http://www.littleindiadirectory.com/singapore/business/residence-tan-teng-niah/" target="_blank">the Residence of Tan Tang Niah</a>. The last surviving Chinese villa in Little India. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Built in 1900s for Tan Teng Niah's wife, it was restored in the 1980s, and has eight-rooms. The owner had several "sweet-making factories in the Serangoon Road area, which was rare in an area where cattle and textile traders dominated." </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Residence of Tan Teng Niah</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">This was actually our last stop before heading back to the hostel.</span></span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6SqPXewJRdI8byrdozyxXtV4Wum_7Y5rHWogaUj83dyQ0xaS0ZoKeGMyR0Kak1-l9F3RAzxijFow3pVFui95kgZFtjYVbctQQlol6Y2_qmc02heoLqbXeLWTksoeI-fBnUAEM-biB89l/s400/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" style="font-family: "copperplate gothic light", sans-serif; text-align: center;" width="400" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuyYMxpkgUPtofvtqMiTykbHtbAUgViVXtbRIxF41Yf77Aqqzxbssx2dK3I9d0FOL56KdhrZAs2mIuxQDDvYDSju1K2xdBG-Il6AgHL4TLkHBBJ6g7M4CX7ajsrmbj49v-oLt_Gh7xFC7/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'cordia new', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuyYMxpkgUPtofvtqMiTykbHtbAUgViVXtbRIxF41Yf77Aqqzxbssx2dK3I9d0FOL56KdhrZAs2mIuxQDDvYDSju1K2xdBG-Il6AgHL4TLkHBBJ6g7M4CX7ajsrmbj49v-oLt_Gh7xFC7/s200/FullSizeRender+%252816%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Number three:</b> <a href="http://www.sspt.org.sg/" target="_blank">Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple.</a> </span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">[No pictures taken]</span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A Hindu community in Singapore established a simple shrine dedicated Lord Perumal, aka Lord Vishnu, "the second God of the Hindu triumvirate" (a group of three men holding power). "The Preserver of the Universe who represents Mercy and goodness." <b>Number four:</b> <a href="http://www.singapore-guide.com/singapore-shopping/mustafa-centre.htm" target="_blank">Mustafa Centre</a>. Open 24 hours, packed floor to floor " with everything from textiles to watches to electronics...it's actually two department stores joined together with goods sold under the Mustafa name and streamlined by type.... a main attraction is the jewelry sections ... it is a great place to buy Asian inspired gifts (*wink*wink*Christmas!) to take back home.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato"; font-size: 15.6px; letter-spacing: 0.312px; line-height: 24.96px;">"</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: 'cordia new', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">Number five: Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya, also known as The House of 1,000 Lights. </b><br />
<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">I never did see the 1,000 lights, but the two Buddhist temples were beautiful inside and out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Somewhere between our day in Little India we stopped to eat at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294265-d3856418-Reviews-Sitara_Restaurant-Singapore.html" target="_blank">SITARA Restuarant.</a> <br />We went for the all-you-can-eat buffet and left beyond satisfied.</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What amazed me about Singapore was the amount of people, or I should say the <i>lack of</i> people in the metro railways and the streets. I had thought, similar to large cities I've been to, Singapore would be over-crowded. People would be pushy as when I was in Hong Kong, or worse, men would stare for more than a bit too long like when I was in Malaysia. I knew the city would be well kept, clean, and efficient. When I first did research on Taiwan, I learned that Singapore too, was considered a "tiger economy" of SE Asia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is great diversity in the people of Singapore, and of course the tourist that go there. The tolerance for others' culture and heritage seems to never be an issue to anyone, anywhere. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sculptures, the artwork, <br />and the buildings of this city <br />are exuberant and enchanting. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Architecture at it's finest.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We picked out some scooters and headed out with the group promptly at 6PM. I was the only American in our group, the majority being from England, Holland, and Germany. There wouldn't be any extra stops for photos along the way, so you'd have to resist stopping to snap a picture of everything new and exciting that you saw. For me this was a challenging task. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">About 20 minutes into our scooter ride around the city, we pass <a href="http://blog.asiahotels.com/singapore-walking-tours-kampong-glam/" target="_blank">Kampong</a> Glam in the "Muslim Corner" of Singapore. We scooted through markets, outdoor restaurants, colorful streets, and enormous department stores full of the most famous brands in the world.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD-horbKa5TleKBghCTQGNAqaoyceYMntR0FsJpyo7Qf_IhXwiW0zJ5Kw5vI5Wr9LgoNSsbI-Glue4Ci0QSdejnBipckhui9CY9M6GFHKl22R34TItazZnmWTabMqNnaTPUyAYHiJjtmQ/s640/FullSizeRender+%252829%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">There was a little bit of construction going on in the city to set up for the Grand Prix opening races. It didn't bother us at all that we had to take detours, we were high on life, and scooting around like adolescents on the streets of one of the most beautiful cities we'd ever been in. Not to mention, the sun was setting and we were headed to </span><a href="https://www.marina-bay.sg/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Marine Bay.</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had to cross a very large bridge next to the famous Ferris wheel,<a href="http://www.yoursingapore.com/see-do-singapore/recreation-leisure/viewpoints/singapore-flyer.html" target="_blank"> The Singapore Flyer</a>.<br />This is us on the bridge. Parallel to us is the Singapore Flyer. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><b><i>Behold the beauty of Singapore at night. </i></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">We ate with the rest of the scooter gang at a large food court called <a href="http://www.sataybythebay.com.sg/" target="_blank">Satay By the Bay</a> which serves Chinese, Indian, Barbecue, Asian, Thai, Indonesian, Singaporean, Malaysian, and Halal food. Then we went on to <a href="http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html" target="_blank">Gardens by the Bay.</a> Yes, this is still all in one day. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Special music is played every night for visitors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lights in the Garden dance to the songs played while <br />people sit, stand, lay, listen, and look above.</span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was also a special weekend because of the <b>Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. </b>(This is reason for the long weekend.) There were five or six lantern sculptures displayed, each telling an ancient story of the Moon.<br /><b>This is a Korean story of <i>The Moon and The Sun.</i> </b><br />A brother and sister who escaped a tiger's attack by grabbing onto a rope that descended from Heaven. They rose above the clouds, the sister transformed into the sun, and the brother, the moon. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QrBJSO1D99K0D_PChvT50rFGDKwR249hTFEoo27O2RD_CFZ8JLZuOJTZeXz-mpUKcElRyiPSIgC953vzgEWwkrg9BpTM0ZhpwULIRpov-ZAG3A_1lN2BhrzdMBJOZrqTzG9gzdAbq5-V/s400/FullSizeRender+%252822%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="font-style: italic;">The Matchmaker</b><br />Yue Lao (Old Man under the Moon) is the God of Marriage and Love. <br />"He causes a man and a woman to fall in love."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF2GfgEwpc72vFwhjqrZwHZ_lEvmxhlhsP4fmV-FXewYwAfFX8eXXseeuqf4OzwYaF0Nx135dakLU4xDnGfTq_3-CK06RWN4vea6qqbDIMRrvR-WJsWkpbaltPrRExyD27n9OkqsClJoe/s640/IMG_2733.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The FINAL stop was the water show that plays twice a night on the side of the <a href="https://www.marinabaysands.com/" target="_blank">Marina Bay Sands</a> bay. Unfortunately, they changed the times this night so we missed it. Allen I attempt to make it to a viewing each night. We never quite make it. <br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">But, Oh, look at how they shine!</i><br />The way back seemed much longer, and much sweatier. We stopped at a small convenience store for anyone who wanted beers. *Fun Fact* as of April 1, 2015, under Singaporean law, drinking is banned in all public places from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, also retail stores will not sell liquor during those times.* We totaled in scooting 15.3k around the city and we were looking forward to nothing but a shower and sleeping in. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif";"><b style="font-family: 'copperplate gothic light', sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"> Day two</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Welcome to Sentosa Island!</i></b> A popular island resort stocked with attractions for its 20 million visitors per year!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Hard to spot me in all the color.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs1ypBp9rM51kmLt2kujKsKPidPNnzn1Sf9Pfi7l0ckTmMXteOab00vrDREqlxNcIkpuLhGRb5DtQJPtI_Z7-dcG8r4eZrorPLtqP6O2bLuLI1rNTebzGuJQKrr_UtESdcb4h21RfjCor/s400/FullSizeRender+%252818%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large cruise ship docked as we made our way to the island.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We bought a package of unlimited cable car rides to, from, and throughout Sentosa.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It also included a choice of four activities once inside the park.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overlooking just one side of the enormous city of Singapore through the cable cars.<br /> You can see part of Sentosa, the skyscrapers, harbor, construction, and shipment crates.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL2haeIbKPN4xNHbYVBwt4hcBzf2K0-RdNyL_93vpbYaPBIbJVAHmMh4XAicDTYcqd_I5CTTuOrXm24kOyAFQw_eidvLbwgJQRzJSuF7ftB1w0s0gRTZVBxoqYPd7ySSGJkQ3RWPYzOGI/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL2haeIbKPN4xNHbYVBwt4hcBzf2K0-RdNyL_93vpbYaPBIbJVAHmMh4XAicDTYcqd_I5CTTuOrXm24kOyAFQw_eidvLbwgJQRzJSuF7ftB1w0s0gRTZVBxoqYPd7ySSGJkQ3RWPYzOGI/s320/FullSizeRender+%252819%2529.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the first things you will spot when you enter Sentosa is the gift shops and <a href="https://www.madametussauds.com/" target="_blank">Madame Tussauds</a> wax museum of famous movie stars, musicians, sport figures, national icons and politicians. This is the fourth time I have been near one of these. I have yet to venture inside as it's usually $50US or more and I've got other things on my agenda. However, they usually have one or two stars placed outside for free photo opts. Here I am striking a pose with Lady Gaga.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Next, you'll encounter the mimicked sculpture of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlion" target="_blank">Merlion</a>, the symbol of Singapore.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked around the entire island park, to popular tourists attractions like Hard Rock Cafe and Universal Studios. We had Malay Curry which was pretty tasty, but stained our fingers pretty badly. For the tickets we bought with our package, I did a trapeze experience, we shared a coconut ice cream, and finally rode in something similar to a go-cart but with no engine, they call it the LUGE and you take a sky ride lift back to the top.</span></span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Coconut ice cream in a coconut.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwz_LCvBqzsbslknF70eL2xX2UPgLbuqEoqvW6F-TcyVv9_gS7yyrU7b1x-P9EABBaM32pqfmDcyTo5PFIl36zQWALj6HehfHlOyvPTklIBLHfNd8F5FqZLOgKpxMOVekWwT9VjvFTBYK/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252824%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwz_LCvBqzsbslknF70eL2xX2UPgLbuqEoqvW6F-TcyVv9_gS7yyrU7b1x-P9EABBaM32pqfmDcyTo5PFIl36zQWALj6HehfHlOyvPTklIBLHfNd8F5FqZLOgKpxMOVekWwT9VjvFTBYK/s320/FullSizeRender+%252824%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Riding the lift after the Luge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The only kind of beach you will get in Singapore is on Sentosa island.</b> Just by the look of it you can tell they were man made beaches. We didn't go in for a swim, nor did we see much beach action from anyone, but we did walk along the beach and got our toes in the sand. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTJfyXcoZ9r7AZjeU49RSqnwk-GF81JgERabxW7HXsQJl2p19s1Ry4olA0-1HthP-zdTwncynnCOmnkb0AopGj_e3CaLEdCEwNjQMfCzB0AA1wzZRLtYdfjFH4Nprjv7F80EDRTfmpbQ3/s400/FullSizeRender+%252826%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bell of Happiness</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Crafted in 1909 it was the ship's bell for the Norwegian training vessel "Dar Pomorza"."</span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">(The name is engraved across the bell.) It was later donated to Sentosa Island in 1992 and is now located at a restaurant that sits on Mt. Faber near Sentosa Island. Said to bring good luck to married couples. Many people were taking pictures with the bell, but no one was ringing it. I'm not married, but I just had to ring it. </span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Many others tie on their own 'bells of happiness' <br />along the surrounding gates of Mt. Faber. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">**Fun Fact** Along with being recycling lovers, Singapore has other strict laws. Signs of recently caught thieves are posted, even their names and date of capture. I saw this multiple times, mostly near shopping centers. They also have friendly reminders in the metro systems and around public areas of treating others with respect and courtesy. These small signs and notices have a huge impact on the atmosphere of the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eqnVeWkE4BDCC6oeVXZNh9tyN4hHy1yM1cM4Rl7Df44i35vC-8hLZSwmL8af5-UWOwHnodV_CpzxdZLTrMtZWdR4fO9K3hPsDETZehGhvkyziJH5avP3fj5zwQimVg5u5jUVA9vT7sn4/s640/FullSizeRender+%252827%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;">After a brief rest back in the hostel, we made our way to </span><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;">one of the central bus stations in Ang Mo Koi, aka <a href="http://www.amkhub.com.sg/" target="_blank">AMK Hub</a>, to take the half hour ride out to the <b><a href="http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/" target="_blank">NIGHT Safari.</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We arrived just before a nightly fire show and the Creatures of the Night showing. They reinforced using no flash photography for it would startle or spook the animals and even could cause eye damage. It was amazing how many people <i>STILL </i>would use flash photography. They had to stop the show and call people out more than once. In the show we saw a white raccoon, an enormous python, spotted hyenas, owls, some form of a small bear and medium sized high-jumping cat that I didn't catch the name of. Also an otter who knew how to recycle. We took the tram around the entire park, only getting off once to see the tiger feeding time, which was not as exciting as when we drove past the lions feeding on an actual animal carcass. We also saw hippos being fed with their huge mouths opened wide. Elephants, were in the back. The male, with his large ivory tusks, was kept separated from the females. We also saw some playful otters, many different types of hogs and deer, a sloth bear, giraffes, zebras, wolves, and rhinos. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://savetheelephants.org/" target="_blank">#StopIvoryTrade</a><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: 'copperplate gothic light', sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"> Day three</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTipwXaGe72MQ4RwmyzpdlCJlCfRYC51TMq-bON56AXgr6c4cmC-hcjeNl6_QgvINGRMEcZJ1Gm7p0Hw14XZes7Xw9QdttNTA7GaLpSJhpb4nQrrNSGU6iU62iR1Gp0VSAM5iTi9bwlI5/s1600/FullSizeRender+%252833%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTipwXaGe72MQ4RwmyzpdlCJlCfRYC51TMq-bON56AXgr6c4cmC-hcjeNl6_QgvINGRMEcZJ1Gm7p0Hw14XZes7Xw9QdttNTA7GaLpSJhpb4nQrrNSGU6iU62iR1Gp0VSAM5iTi9bwlI5/s320/FullSizeRender+%252833%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;">After the free breakfast and coffee in our hostel, I went to Orchid Station to do some shopping on my own. Around lunch time Allen and I met back up at <a href="http://www.singapore-guide.com/area-guides/clarke-quay-and-riverside.htm" target="_blank">Clarke Quay.</a> I had been extremely eager to check out this old-colonial district, known for having Singapore's most exciting nightlife, a multitude of restaurants, and a great area for tourist life and music. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;">This mural is of Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Clarke, the second governor of Singapore (873-75).</span><br />
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZQygeLMg2bQnyLm0fQDE6I0OcJWAlRsVTKsqNT8HBjNp8ViQqt6QkwNUWLieAZpX_In01X99oativBMI2mZpt6XxbdthpQSDkidlLmosga5dFHck6X2F7KKFCMI3DZNyt-ieme-A26D/s640/IMG_2728+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;"><b>Skyscrapers as we are headed to Chinatown. </b>We decided to walk to get views of the city that you won't find in the subway.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnkAU3aZz2HheWy5Eo2LJKzdtVKey7iLM-x0cAPlBiTdijBJ6TJ40lDI8d-Dx-Alnc5UW2Sbgb9MUPGgqZufJeZ-v6kw1l3GxO7akZoj1YOe7NWhNbaib1vIDfu67tXBzZP7s_vtuwaV0/s400/IMG_2456.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Chinatown did not disappoint. There was so much color, and this to me was where the <i>real </i>souvenir markets could be found. It was hard to decide where and what to have for our last lunch. We choose a place right in the center of the madness of the market, with cold Tiger beer and some amazing dishes.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdQK6W_pG04iPGXmB3oiG2G-fQYyMwc-HwW4DQp-yhGsB3r6gZLXQNEMn8FaWcES6vmtnn0K7V1qdLRC_Bf_S_XTciZrYQoBnJOTOczdN_QoDm1oztOZOUIruS2DpfUo1paJL_xBUdHFD/s400/FullSizeRender+%252835%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So many options and so much color.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexVFWcp1DjHw1JEsM5mtZdXUeM6sgvQv3UxWwrZF43-tsWPuL0FYFgEv4yfcfWSApi47SN1agV2AFYin3IPZPu9fDPF8_skdzpBD-2sK44bGJs6U8Asay3UVbVai04EbBy3jaHrXdtofW/s400/FullSizeRender+%252836%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many cultures.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWvPX3TjgLFRTvVOiX6f3CtRZnWVF6OHswZypwxxkfs7IFXzoMmS4XGkBRqiUm9dDHAxHv9LwYZ27XwizSPiXo1UYD7PkRLPQURDXNPuJ3L1-HnnkD6fIk3TydHMbzVGDP02sGraBtch1/s400/IMG_2436.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So much history.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz8aBnAy6dRoaWnQoo32-C7thPte18OzOCXBQ7go3AVFD-pOAGssBNd8BWY801MHMPuGchVsZxSmu90xvZrcDEJTVgimgFng1qVn0qNXGR-qAx-S3oCm_ZlAvRGrluFYy1l2hHUk5AUVl/s400/FullSizeRender+%252838%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Year of the Monkey! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU9nZe3ahQNU4uyX63hLRcNmGQzRLhqYUOyTyILTBa3ZOW344dSPoJaFqDlGynN9aIef781ywNWej7af_QWy6Jp1Zc4uXOrTY7SnC1CUB9dReHuo7-TcAxTDIQb0Ae7des9Q7k2ucDK0U/s320/IMG_2490.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">It was Saturday night, our final evening, we only had a few hours until we needed to be at the airport. What we didn't know before coming to this magnificent city, was that we were in town for the Grand Prix opening weekend races. This made the atmosphere that Saturday night feel all the more invigorating. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEQ6QdK6CTOWesLqNPgbuRZ5YjfeXVvnK1FMWhdil10CXSiaiisnKnfFCiogIpRRnf0AJJx-dMgTN7oNepX0LFb3cciTzNPEMXQ39hTSw7bh1tve_M7OOMpT6Mz2ZO7j4b9q4uhuyOFly/s400/IMG_2484.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Father and daughter posing in front of one of <br />dozens of top dollar cars around the Fullerton Hotel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnvHEDDYPrfooeZerbigX_RGFyLAkf0MajbVLmQ6LJHik-GYcflENlCE-c45gyMP_nXa5XrO2x3B7mkuIfkgT3ihAKOWD1avWLaxm1BUxvogbOUkoxVz3GP0xLK5KI4wBPE3xOduk3Ufa/s640/IMG_2496.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked to the Merlion, the icon of Singapore in front of Fullerton Bay Hotel. The lion head represents Singapore's original name, Singapura, meaning "lion city," while the fish body represents the origins of Singapore as a fishing village. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU-jEZ2xaiECbZ_lEfle1fLQWUYSwl3LmSJQiCRLi24B0qIy7bX06O1NAnl68Qv1_ODkgnkdSpebQHIQqEwPL-P6DZ35pFQEieUxIBkH7ZPfiP42SpbsvW7hPpWZKRqKAAB5Qx6wGiqpi/s640/IMG_2737.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Me + Singapore + sunny weather = happy, happy, happy!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many thanks to Allen for capturing so many pictures of me that I would normally never get. Plus his camera is much better. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdfmKdDo-HERnaKpqX5hGzI_gSpknMjbTP_hJ8SSU0oYsINW9r8u92E1GzHCXVuxWEv7d50-Vu-pY4XIlEJrS5QKG_GU65utqkvKGudqmdzKN8uDkqefizBp4ynxrHYUuodpHI8EehmMG/s640/IMG_2738.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marina Bay Sands by day</span></b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE_IYgfvfKxG_hQyY262G6aTNQRNDthl_2ZE_frtBHU2v5BGz-cnCcMYyRk2j_T59ZIyoac4XYwpjAGXZaPk5ZihSejxDd6Yu6H0XzZEGy9AfvF5aw8SMKiOzEL_PgptJZqYTK_y4cEiG/s640/IMG_2729.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marina Bay Sands by night.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vR90FJg6SsTKFwRZWOiOWi6VkIYyLRcwUpIJq5YsY25KvlA2e1x0iAgWI31th5fUZ8JyYO_Ie9K_XMC0N5NSTedNfEkRRuXpK00BuguTbFyCDvhvZVxs5-G-FOx_sooN_GeilZBVrRQH/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" style="font-family: 'cordia new', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another helpful and friendly aspect to the city. </span>In the airports, 7/11s, and other convenience stores you were asked how you <br />
felt about the service you were provided. I hit excellent every time. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyBXW-SDtUrhgv-x8yLnFE9KQXgL96ZWJq0CAZVn7SgqCjVMRDEUQdW1p8FwE6axDUbF3VtIupFaio8rwW6a3unJ0s7beZDpv5W1wuANzaSvHwOORXgMfDF0jFfPm7gNmjfAs2qrDU5n-/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyBXW-SDtUrhgv-x8yLnFE9KQXgL96ZWJq0CAZVn7SgqCjVMRDEUQdW1p8FwE6axDUbF3VtIupFaio8rwW6a3unJ0s7beZDpv5W1wuANzaSvHwOORXgMfDF0jFfPm7gNmjfAs2qrDU5n-/s320/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" style="font-family: 'cordia new', sans-serif;" width="259" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />"you are most beautiful when what you are doing is in resonance with what your soul wants."</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "cordia new" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading. xo </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "cordia new" , "sans-serif"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
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kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364464583919384497.post-56488497771056694332016-08-31T10:45:00.000+08:002016-08-29T17:18:21.012+08:00How My Summer Went Up in Flames.. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgfxKihzxLNeF02wFoGD_7AkOxal4zcpdDdayOB7xGNlwMEMuu0m6t4C2ZOMyZ6ehGzTuLSKEdyj3sk1lw0uDyXXYQRtx7gCJWkUEqubhRoZkl326w_Vf_HL1L_QuGYXpmauk90fr1UKArHNNk1Etpqxw=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://data3.whicdn.com/images/66734442/large.png" height="296" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">This
incredibly fast summer was my first summer in years of no breaks or
vacations, (minus that one typhoon day) no beaches or late nights in strange
cities, no sleeping until noon, or happy hours on a Tuesday. Nope, this summer
was all hard work, organization, cleaning, and starting fresh at my new
location and new position at Shang -An Campus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I am still with <a href="http://www.ecornel.com.tw/en/" target="_blank">Cornel</a>, and
after three years (WOWZA!!!) of teaching some unforgettable students, I was asked to
step up into a more official leader role of the school. Along with Brittany
(Indiana) and Michael (Canada) we make a strong team for both campuses of
Cornel.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGLDVAPDOtwQyW75tbiv0pOOSwKBarX87f8rGkS1fA3d4Pf12S_ENcr69BRMnZv3cC_gk0zJXmTVbtaaBB_03MkgQUOrVPccduOF0B7KwajjZWvockm9ilqiqCaXH1b6Bh-fpxUs5KCke/s400/IMG_1166.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My First Office</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzIBqe7vvcmIMQCzmoOR_V6jObsd6SmjjTk3iYm1W-E63v-58gC_Cq6ynfBx1oGyx9DIkYg_fOxLjS8RWn9vohjOxL3Wv5Ur6Kx2HA69w1SsUYQACpHvtFo3m447USbg6urQKe3Abwv01/s400/IMG_1168.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second floor of Shang-An; </span>the ball pit on the right was being cleaned and restocked at the moment. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXstXFyLjKGGz7hkvW1DLRf9RqUEALMU-yY2sf2fOJFr_jkVZ-tiVqja33cOi9VMwuj99jiHYaxk9-7Jx-dDHc2Zs89BiadBxu2FAgwxMHEY4d3mK1n0pWsX7fAPdgUmKiATR8RLHl1Z8/s400/IMG_1170.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The library at Shang - An, first floor.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I
spent much of my first few days sifting through binders and flash drives to
learn as much as I could about this position, and while I switched from a place
I was very familiar with, I feel completely comfortable and welcomed into the Shang-An
family. Our numbers of students are not as high as Nan Men Campus, (which added
three new classes this year because of such high enrollment!!) but we've got
great facilities including a ball pit, swimming pool, play/dance room, and an
art room! Not to mention a group of wonderful, energetic Chinese Teachers
working in every classroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">Summer
camp has come and gone. The students were combined into grades 1-3 and 4-6 with
a new teacher, Teacher Kristin (Minnesota). They focused on the Olympics a lot
during July, and a bit on fairy tales. They also had field trips every Friday.
Most of the new teachers are at Nan Men Campus this year. However, we were
lucky to get T. Kristin who is full of creative ideas and does really well with
each group of students she works with.<a href="http://wanderinggnomad.blogspot.tw/2016/08/16-things-that-mean-something-different.html" target="_blank"> Click here for a link to her blog, she shares some great first impressions, insights, and comparisons. </a>She will teach grade 3
and 5 starting in August. When T. Tyler (Missouri) and T. Josilin (Wisconsin) return they will teach
grade 2 and 6 and 1 and 4. We have a strong elementary team this year. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZE8OajWbKP2uQyis_0rwEAdkttfwh62JN9uF64FhgbBe_T3oS8tiC3irZ3ELelWAUTfrTsKQL3kScuFLaSAlcWbIM5Cr4VUsARHv-NozS1TvnGBmvF3AiHhacgArhXxC-5XyY5g3RVNA/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZE8OajWbKP2uQyis_0rwEAdkttfwh62JN9uF64FhgbBe_T3oS8tiC3irZ3ELelWAUTfrTsKQL3kScuFLaSAlcWbIM5Cr4VUsARHv-NozS1TvnGBmvF3AiHhacgArhXxC-5XyY5g3RVNA/s400/IMG_1366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: small; text-align: start;">At work in July I also got to sub in the Yoyoban (2-3 year old) classroom. <br />They are utterly adorable.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhK0ar6sG0kaYTo690HKBAsr0aTu9UUocYEjvLnZ-HCQMGJa9-HL3f7BAfYwQEspZex8dC1PI5FTZPMjxdNkh9JsW9fJ3kpxtogVN4_vIyjisvU9s8GzRLSiN2XumpzrHXdgei9snEMyA/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mika, Marcus, Lucus, and Eliza </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CrYQ1crz11d6lz2K64mr4Gwk82fikw8WDyNkTteY9e3QMCLSR9ceGVdJ7PLIPL1II0_SV9L4CKz8tL1Ax6mydGJdksnxdneqnZmvl66Al6NgNdE1YrzuDWWLvKa7kHg4Bw7_ErVwQqIR/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CrYQ1crz11d6lz2K64mr4Gwk82fikw8WDyNkTteY9e3QMCLSR9ceGVdJ7PLIPL1II0_SV9L4CKz8tL1Ax6mydGJdksnxdneqnZmvl66Al6NgNdE1YrzuDWWLvKa7kHg4Bw7_ErVwQqIR/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I subbed for during Yves summer camp, <br />they were making their own beanstalks after <br />reading the story <u>Jack and the Beanstalk.</u></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDVRLCIlS8b60l0PY_zPm9LKRK9GaYGCpvF_7zIXUozlNCHrexSiM3m6d3FfBp3DZxOrNfFT4DjkAoGK9XGQt-Ey8xdTVORokUplJM01NxwwzIaTmPfSFYoHfCqHuzlUVUztYeRrGUUG_/s400/IMG_1256.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the newbies out for Courtney's Birthday (center- NewYork) at Millennium Hotel in downtown Taichung.<br />
T. April (Ontario), T. Scott (Missouri), Jimmy (Texas), T. Kara (Ontario), T. Hannah (North Carolina).</td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G2ijCxS65TfPUolSpTtW8cTBXpt5SJgBvE7K7I80VvHXgQ101_W11RR-mArlVFTxdEbg7EihOozGoWeAsi1m3SROAqWikOB_fjg_3_fuBeg4scTjHhbTxeJWVTwQzuywXmCguXduz13R/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The 2016-2017 Cornel Gang in full effect at our first KTV.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the monkey like to play.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I spent back to back weekends in Kaohsiung early in July. Ate at the delicious </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-303-Kitchen-and-Bar-829631267148005/" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";" target="_blank">303 Kitchen and Bar</a><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"> where they serve deep-dish pizza, speant time at </span><a href="http://www.dream-mall.com.tw/Home/EN" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";" target="_blank">Dream Mall</a> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">window shopping, had an amazing night of Latin music and dance at an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brickyardclub/?fref=ts" target="_blank">underground club</a> with a great group of friends from Honduras. Many of the guys here from Honduras are in Taiwan on scholarship and living in the university dorms. In Kaohsiung these dorms happen to be sitting on the same well-known <a href="https://www.englishintaiwan.com/travel-in-taiwan/south-taiwan-travel/kaohsiung-city-longevity-mountain" target="_blank">monkey mountain</a>. On accident the windows were left opened during our night out, and when we returned there were at least four monkeys that had to be shooed out of the building, unsure of how long they were actually inside, they still had plenty enough time to throw their feces all over the place. Walls, couches, stairwells, and hallways. Yuck! I was in shock (and a bit frightened), but everyone else seemed to be used to this Jumangi life-like experience. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw0B0MXTX5mQf0yHaxJvzivP9aM0DT-bEQYTdQfrcTG4IY0cOBVOKmWtOb1zneFOpB17eIBV_t0MQXKxazhAFDG_eKGesXMev8ze9W1TIjA4sFEaix4BTxxhGh2sVCHHL7-GWSy6mV0As/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Allen's Honduras Family</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTL-hC6cdYtDz_tDzfDS3ZjHb4rDubMY4-m-ov4Ij9moxRNIwX5v53TLhNbhimCvFNGqAZ8iPlmMlPqcNhKI7f-NW7XTwXUskHXVscIls6Rk41FU8XJUYH6NfV1u47ASNHyO53L0c34Y9/s640/IMG_1205.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Brickyard FB page. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWTdj6jM4ytY8HgmFuWi1xOw6OgCXySx8NeVPxftzUDaev1NtXI8_2gkWpRBDyRvBs2BSwMkE7eTdNoNeWyc2djVsxIKfTKY9Ie_pdVp-z_upXSCob6ti95ETlcU9bnOQ77htjsrVlqIb/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWTdj6jM4ytY8HgmFuWi1xOw6OgCXySx8NeVPxftzUDaev1NtXI8_2gkWpRBDyRvBs2BSwMkE7eTdNoNeWyc2djVsxIKfTKY9Ie_pdVp-z_upXSCob6ti95ETlcU9bnOQ77htjsrVlqIb/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy and his Mom after making a giraffe for<br />
our last storytelling event. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">Also
this summer I sold my scooter and bought a newer model since I will be driving
much more every day, every week, every month. <span style="font-size: x-small;">The days of spending $4 USD on
gas every 3 weeks has been upped to $4 every week. </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh the misery.</span> </i>Brittany and I did our last and final storytelling event, too. All of the new teachers came to observe and see how a fun lesson can be taught to parents and kids who (most likely) are not taking English classes routinely. We put on three full days of workshops for local high school teachers that want to learn how to teach English through a variety of ways, we registered for the overseas fair at UNI in the USA, and attended an inspiring speech at T<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOElreDk33c" target="_blank">aichung's Rotary Club with Principal Bih Hua's Dance Coach from Serbia</a> (He is also a nuclear scientist!!).</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h3Vd77ddj6pL5MiW-NiRt1efBcJm-Xd_JnECXcVSDq8Rta0x8gBvsDQegMKLp2PAsmhRRo1tDDA3SDDl9y7wi-5Jf3w5f-oJ8xBaxKjy4XHDgLAL7NHhbIjEggSwOxA8CuWdbJv12hZy/s400/IMG_1523.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="400" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GHeczxpbj9Upvnbwp7P37Lfvp4ZzvnHwhyF_ExUsUCVqh6HwSwXxNv-Fyvxo0rQClw35VcMaIJSKyAlAKAoWv-WjPQf-BRAR991uxYsXfo6V-EJa52Ku7wXjt4hZ_6d3iv4H2YiKaWwP/s320/IMG_1560.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /></span><br />
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Photos taken after Dr. Ivan Knezevic's speech, "A Scientist in Dancing Shoes," and after learning some great moves from the 23 time national champion / 7th in all-world competition! I really enjoyed his last momentum of his speech,<b><i> "Uniqueness is Better than the Best!"</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out Ivan giving us <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Ma_SdC-bU" target="_blank">teachers lessons here</a>! </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">When World's Gym decided to build a new location across the street from me, it seemed to be a sign that I should finally put down the big bucks and sign up for a long-term membership. I did just that, and I am so happy I did. I have been going every day and bouncing back and forth from two different locations each week. I really enjoy the Zumba and Sh'Bam classes. There are half a dozen different types of yoga classes available, and when I really wanna sweat I go to the combat or Pilates class. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HgWrqMvFS6VynzkKQbsek0D1QFB0cho8Nv6oJazq8yM0o4RWdGohQfdnaISlS1IyhxOONJTVJjjTcFUDMuGvY8-nAHwfmqqwhaph3rqBftnWz0wRaDsD1NMiX482oFRy0xlDp50zi8sM/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T. Charlotte and myself at One Love <br />Cafe for some local band performances</span>. </span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I've enjoyed getting to know some of the new teachers, and my new close friend from Honduras, at local events held in the city, as well as getting competitive at Tiger Arcade. We said goodbye to Brock and Molly, celebrated a few birthdays, went cliff jumping into a waterfall in Taiping. (There is not much I could find on this well hidden waterfall, but some might call it <a href="https://embracetheillogical.com/2015/10/18/the-waterfall/" target="_blank">Fairy Waterfall.</a>), and every Sunday I've been going to an old well-designed and decorated theatre to see recent movies for 50NT.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEXd889wRMz5eSrSTQYScxEzChEGJxcPxhK_Gdfxo0gXjU1WRqgErfRV5ekTSjx0H8Wro-LYQsPPUAQkdbWmjgKpNLGN1EJC31dSZq6EAHbTUJTlMwLfNlIvp540yKpPqQkfj-6dbKhI6/s640/IMG_1426.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9RJYcuVx6ZgLA4yNjI3PG-OiCTW6U05KJw_aY_JB0wjlQa22UTKYaUJiup0mEd2xI5my5vMr8HMnBs8mbiDrrfDySzc0-e-5OcG7KLnP55hC0ISIFpse-3y59uQ1wOzyvkbQQswlvv0Q/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9RJYcuVx6ZgLA4yNjI3PG-OiCTW6U05KJw_aY_JB0wjlQa22UTKYaUJiup0mEd2xI5my5vMr8HMnBs8mbiDrrfDySzc0-e-5OcG7KLnP55hC0ISIFpse-3y59uQ1wOzyvkbQQswlvv0Q/s400/IMG_1412.JPG" width="300" /></a></span><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fHCTr8hSvEvAuvN81YwAKasL5cBuH5oXHSROPgPeLPSZUlh7Zh75ve3ikzZa7ngj6uO9GtJ7ZJ5e4m8h7sE3OuUHAIdDcaf0cv0xLa4el5aBbtDtypjlHF-TjghSCMyYOSCgr165r5Rt/s400/IMG_1460.JPG" width="225" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQfO5HLcyZYoqkp3xwmOqGIRutxoFZs10nvhzkQEHI_EL-6H5fIz7iJObwUSDyO-xOrUF2kQ5yEKF-_vWmpmzehjSspSmE-u7HK_CxdHKUFeITqeRbJ9SRgesse-MBhCYBVnU30R8rpeQ/s640/IMG_1659.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The View<br />~~~~~~~<br />The Gang</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpsMmehkgTVKrZUvz9Vu_dhzgEEQ7MERMak1vQ20aktl1xGT3c1BKGChUGaaFfq5GMfcwiXLG5EA__uCNaBVu_LhyFBOM6QNx-WqNMlZu6EqS-malPN31ov8xJkkFA0SKvkryIlPEL62q/s400/IMG_1463.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara, Courtney, Hannah, April, and Lauren at the bottom. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7O1utB4fNUQ9wJh3fX89ZyV6mH2WkNg_vhwNwd1jrfsy6ET4EWADMTvyOgp6SIgx6eg7YY4lwfI4zV7VWgh3r5tpypgTYQaBxoUZIm0l-VS62HWeMKZ0wi1qB96I7qDA2P7oc6ygAt4p/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7O1utB4fNUQ9wJh3fX89ZyV6mH2WkNg_vhwNwd1jrfsy6ET4EWADMTvyOgp6SIgx6eg7YY4lwfI4zV7VWgh3r5tpypgTYQaBxoUZIm0l-VS62HWeMKZ0wi1qB96I7qDA2P7oc6ygAt4p/s640/FullSizeRender+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: small;"><i>The girls and I on a photo opt stop on the way backinto the city</i>. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7gAW2GGpR63AQAJUdP0d0quTFJtI0IGcmFsCzhYPR908XcF9JTsYmMvIPtxZuz4C5lc7yxhel3UJGQL4KQ5KtQ7iwm06-WIVFXQZKMoL4nIFyZSEhwFdOn0p21fhJXbvpJVaLYBBiG-X/s320/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Allen & I trying to beat the heat poolside in Taipei. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Cjqjm8cxVtnQPn6p9exmcrpSmafAa1zcqMU5X6LPL7AR2pBDM8129ZiyPccCvcs-aKD2Y8yk281JOBJuPyKRPrkaOKovhrk928xwWFvraV0EnZVbviY1S8K5UGwinY6v9cc5t3BAqXA/s640/IMG_1651.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The last weekend in August I was invited to my former student Bella's Birthday Party!</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bella</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> came into my class as the youngest and "lowest" student, she was even meant to repeat Daban for a second year. That was the plan, until she tried out and tested #1 at another school in Taichung! I am so proud of Bella and I am proud of myself as her first teacher for any role I helped to play in her bright future!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4DUor4FL3rgY7cSorrKyt91qXQCVIY836_PNaYgLQGr2KmK6_khu8Jw1Q3Tv_e4_8016M1ukhuWMd705ufMv9miBbZf26VGTEqWB1i37xW6dI88LF4NC77XKThOo9EjNtjbdXlyNn8NX/s400/IMG_1661.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Top left: Getting tackled in hugs and piggy back rides by my sweet girls.<br />Bottom right: Awaiting Bella's Birthday wishes. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-B41_u7lM6B7rM_Bi9quY2Vf7NZdQDNEsSAeog6UlfBVqNqGt_AitrQ52W5MWGqwpbqfPgqmrRg8YlkZAyAoDvrOYOPEtH3WgnRRDbKLhqHX75WdrN5ZFRPDdZ7N0UhrhFE57q2qaPFB/s640/IMG_1662.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Their apartment was truly the nicest apartment I have even been in. It's hard to tell in these photos but we are 26 floors up and they have their own little backyard in the city. The kids had an incredible time with almost every water toy you could think of, slip-n-slide, water balloons, water sprays, ball pits, sprinklers, swim gel, everything. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEheLp_y7K2O_YmCYG4S0puOqNggpcYQMr3VXDR04xwi_-so93f5wBmPF9-e9AeTJyYYNgWgE2BxbUDre6xO-iQWlkolHNg_PzrunW0IbpYHiKjgUvc4DrglGH9rUMsoQPN0m36yfLpmslVjO2Yq9MP07sCL6j13zI68dVI=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for goodbye august" border="0" src="http://img1.picturescafe.com/pc/september/september_064.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">Looking forward to the regular program beginning and getting short (much needed) break in September to Singapore. Thanks for the support and please take my short poll at the top righthand side of the page! - xoxo K </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwVuI7kNXsT4r77-ytnMGir-wCZZ3QPF_tltdDODzHeR56LLti5uh5JD_UUhZgLp4PgZalmnJCMe0Ideu2QamUPG6pR5hXyo1B8QPopaWJYFDqws1t9O48xBpN4quypJHBtW4EcVtZfj9/s320/IMG_1370.JPG" width="180" /></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me and King BOB at Mode Mall after<br /> the first Friday of Summer Camp!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completed this in just a few hours on a Sunday afternoon!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are wondering where we were....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVg3JNevJzCAolVhZ-0G59A-uCZJ60y2x8xo0MDxS5ePyh2HMzL1n50uRMsLLdgRsy9CnnoFDaCaTw1DE9tXgbkTr4Jo8rsAuxpQDc2epBoGN2eVFn3V1wYU2hbztL5eyCz0eEPyEB13i/s320/IMG_1518.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="308" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Baby on Board: </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although people are much calmer here, we are still in a city of almost 3 million people! I can't imagine putting my baby/toddler on one of these with all the randomness that could happen at any moment. To each their own. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPkJe7X2PniRKyqphiw7HUSIOvCpLLhjHLktPd3vwXjBbiPEfcLkD0P_hvKt5O8wX3sTpPHbq-t3HF2Y5gnAK8vcPdGymT66aUwV9ah8EV_JNk-vN5GF-6V8BPncs2L3lpQkXA7x6cCi6/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPkJe7X2PniRKyqphiw7HUSIOvCpLLhjHLktPd3vwXjBbiPEfcLkD0P_hvKt5O8wX3sTpPHbq-t3HF2Y5gnAK8vcPdGymT66aUwV9ah8EV_JNk-vN5GF-6V8BPncs2L3lpQkXA7x6cCi6/s400/IMG_1396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fields of flowers outside of the library near my apartment.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In May, I wrapped up the end of my third teaching year in Taiwan with one of the best classes I'm sure to ever come across. We had field trips, lots of dancing, laughter and of course as many hugs as I could get. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our school also put on two different Mother's Day events. One at Nan Men, where each student, along with mom, dad, grandma, and baby siblings got to make personalized photo frames including a photo of the family previously taken. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Andy, Jo, and Cindy with their handprint flower poem for mom and their self written and illustrated book for mom. We made these in class throughout center stations and two writing periods.<br />Below is Steven and Cindy with their mom and baby sister. On the right is Annie with her mom. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b51FvDSiATNtaKks39tKgO5w5Wz2TjEu7qvcVIyIAyNGV5XLu0nYVk_z7VnTCX3dfhHNXUpDGkPKE7w7up6hGqA5AeP6UuOQl5FoMJG5ken7NlrVtVN8skI6VGOySQL2BTe29iJK6DQ/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" width="320" /></span><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hm-Xg1moyG7S0l-UmP0Qd-TzFVOHeTJ9caz2NpmXl9Q_DXEJqshyphenhyphenLzEaQWu02eEu7K0Oq4RW-dzgAm0i9ktT21-xJXEMJRSySm3zKL8xaaZa__NbUUSkdPUwlmHbdc4mOoyNb59oWRI/s320/IMG_0074.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At Shang An, I helped to read a short story to all of the parents and children who came. Then everyone went upstairs for Mother's Day stations; a Mommy Massage, Mommy Make-over, a photo booth, and a grocery store to make a meal for mom! While it was crowded and busy, everyone had a great time. I even got a make-over from one of my students whose family came to support and celebrate their wonderful mom. </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHY4UMqSr-q9RlZi5D5vYqUxCEQu84jnre5DI4SEkNq8AWobLMatuaq-xfJNe52HOKYJwHLZ6o7jw4v2A1E4_MwODY3JrQI8o0eDn99Oj1SHRXuYWixX6kOt1u5cToGrCo_A2SyIN1zw/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="240" /><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNGOmomTDzi0atnzhXtlFw66sqDVUE-XoBaHbeIkIrjAH6noPjlFT_Svkj7XzS1H3TgohVNyEEradI-RMV-6JFjReyiXH8DJRNQezyflc5tNNHk9QV68DDQ5oBe4jVG4X8dGMrfZPkiQ/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Christy was my student this year in Kindergarten. Joanna in the gray was one of my third graders my first year teaching in Taiwan. Jenny, the mom in th middle, also works for our school. This is a loving family and I always enjoy spending time with them. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37-skK5Ep2XHaWrkqDvl4HYuF0L1qkIgCTd5M8g4csCLk22bBG1bV8YsMl0mm5RUVVneb-infLhIZygVlY2i30bV24Br0qCMApB-RssliAo6qh_PTt8Yuc3sWwd7WlvBdxN4F94cj_aM/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our Amazing Shang- An Team! Front: T.Charvala, T. Roxy, T. Cleo, T. Peggy, T. Penny, T. Elsa, <br />Back: T. Jill, T. Doris, T. Marcie, Me, T. Michael, T. Brittany, and T. Tyler</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9WBJ0qqW8pW4io8VMxO5N9hGA7TqzhyphenhyphenPDjd2NYYQlQAPxAcW79wBW4sGcwSxJ1OWN7Odo-GdcpZ9fsek8w7n9W_VT8zW9tZawbZXgPM_52KmtO9eh-VgbVOWNcwA9HR03JqbSPZfm5A/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9WBJ0qqW8pW4io8VMxO5N9hGA7TqzhyphenhyphenPDjd2NYYQlQAPxAcW79wBW4sGcwSxJ1OWN7Odo-GdcpZ9fsek8w7n9W_VT8zW9tZawbZXgPM_52KmtO9eh-VgbVOWNcwA9HR03JqbSPZfm5A/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Brittany and I did a very fun storytelling event using the story </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center;">"I Don't Want to go to Bed."</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> We had over 40 kids there that morning from all over Taichung, along with a few of our own Cornel Kids and families. The kids really enjoyed the </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center;">"Walking in the Jungle" </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">song almost as much as Brittany and I enjoyed using our different animal character voices while reading the story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFZQgOlWaVdOAAytHQwGKsbDatkh7_wPXAWhdCY1MTjhZH_RcRLbSq9k6amLXgVnwUCWW84Gi8FQ_vdY2_R9h2hGLLvUSF2olOhRdQzgvAXV5eWcHsb3ItxJHpNZ7TEdBrBWfUGpOJok/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" width="400" /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMYaF08u2_u88pgZGCLKZMSJ6gr8oIAlUMeu4zQ8hBbWAU1JFyigYo9hV4vBVqj1NFWpMKj6vrsl_ye7Cj8-jzL_lb7bvmeRzho8i9UwlcAcwBGNtOpaZ2Xz22K6h3jbdw-rMz2PDy3s/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMYaF08u2_u88pgZGCLKZMSJ6gr8oIAlUMeu4zQ8hBbWAU1JFyigYo9hV4vBVqj1NFWpMKj6vrsl_ye7Cj8-jzL_lb7bvmeRzho8i9UwlcAcwBGNtOpaZ2Xz22K6h3jbdw-rMz2PDy3s/s320/IMG_0210.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A group of us teachers went to an amusement park called <a href="http://www.lihpaoland.com.tw/en/" target="_blank">LihPao Land</a> early in May. It was about a 30 minute bus ride out of downtown Taichung. To my surprise the park was not nearly as crowded as most everything else in Taiwan is on the weekend. With the large group we came with, we split up into smaller groups and rode nearly everything the park had to offer. From Merry - Go - Rounds, Crown Swinger, Teacups and Sonic Circles to Energy Storm, Wild River Canyon, and the "world's first off - track roller coaster" Gravity Max. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gang with some interesting characters of LihPao Land. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">T. Charvala (MJ) and T. Cherry (MM)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was an amazing day filled with good friends, hilarious photo opts, delicious ice cream, and tons of screams. I would definitely</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> go again. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The end of May I spent a rejuvenating solo weekend traveling in Southern Taiwan. I took a Friday off from work and that morning I went to meet <a href="https://www.fgs.org.tw/en/" target="_blank">Master Hsing Yun's monastery Fo Guang Shan</a>. Founded in 1967 in Koahsiung Township</span><span style="color: #202945; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 1.2px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"> "it has evolved from a mountaintop bamboo forest to the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan." </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are currently over 200 Fo Guang Shan temples throughout the world</span><span style="color: #202945; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 1.2px; line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;"> "carrying out the goals of propagating Humanistic Buddhism and establishing a Pure Land on earth."</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0tb7nopw13tR7ldmewB63wLJSxsBpPWHpgVaFdTnT4ONQdelxZDo7akTR6i6nij-eCzhYJEWRVxr3it5VUipeVZX8WhsCg8dBjLI9kfICBRe-JtbPJfF6F8DDhcpQwJNHcEX9bLbgBw/s400/IMG_0498.JPG" width="300" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fo Guang Shan just before sunset.</span> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfd21DRoOc-FmLwB5gDL-nSJ1CPNO1C6NqUsNsVSp_yc9br8Tb5FX21kQzavftmYT1dMnnHRZccvjuTeeGB-sKC-U9JJFLlkugdxEBE67_A0brJzOP-IyfQB78c9rjidozhnNGqjVV_w/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfd21DRoOc-FmLwB5gDL-nSJ1CPNO1C6NqUsNsVSp_yc9br8Tb5FX21kQzavftmYT1dMnnHRZccvjuTeeGB-sKC-U9JJFLlkugdxEBE67_A0brJzOP-IyfQB78c9rjidozhnNGqjVV_w/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I then took a late bus further south to Kenting, where I stayed overnight in a quiet little township near my next destination, <a href="http://www.nmmba.gov.tw/english/exhibits/About_Exhibit" target="_blank">The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium</a>. My favorite exhibit was the <i>Waters of the World </i>where you can learn and explore about the beginning formations of the Earth's ocean 4.6 billion years ago. It was amazing to see the virtual animals of our Earth's past and diagrams over the evolution of whales. It also included<i> Polar Seas</i> where they have two very large beluga whales. Although they seemed playful and happy, their enclosure was quite small. The whole museum sits along the coast of Kenting, so when you walk out of each exhibit you're greeted with the ocean and loads of ice cream stands. It's an interactive place with tons of space for its many visitors. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you know?!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqEEAm9a0FneGhcRgM_dylnCdJaUsc7Buif05OGEQ4u6z8vNZW_p_g2zmQ4Md1F2emfoKSo3_q9INNDpzJi8Hx-7XdLqKPz0A-sKpCXN97xXN3d2KQh6mSiXwdFrhxeHCnkstcdXHqJw/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqEEAm9a0FneGhcRgM_dylnCdJaUsc7Buif05OGEQ4u6z8vNZW_p_g2zmQ4Md1F2emfoKSo3_q9INNDpzJi8Hx-7XdLqKPz0A-sKpCXN97xXN3d2KQh6mSiXwdFrhxeHCnkstcdXHqJw/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Extreme close up of myself as I was trying to catch the Beluga whale in a selfie.<br /> I did not realize until weeks later that the second beluga had "photo bombed" the picture. Pretty clever creatures.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">A few of my students making parade worthy dragons duirng Dragon Boat Week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZakT5dzBdzgmsotOZiwvMY0bexsmpglyd8u6Yjwo6wqN1RXzbeeatSuPGfB6SSVGYdS_jMQBb1z3hLy2jEhxTj1o-JohgcZ4GMuPeca-xXU2AfYZjDMmY1SGcv7ToaWGoJXRd-rwaZOY/s320/IMG_0900.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://indigenous.pristine.net/tribes/tao/index_en.html" target="_blank">The Tao or Yami </a>aboriginal people of Lanyu (Orchis Island). <br />
Here the woman are painted in the stance they take during <br />
traditional dances of their tribes.<a href="http://www.dmtip.gov.tw/Eng/Tao.htm" target="_blank"> Learn more by clicking here</a>. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBP9XZ2A_K6nFaOFJK7S5xfwdFOfq4anBQYAF5iE-z8XG3ld3PWIzmOQ7jny17NpOJDZrqTUcbrwhNgSOObhKGZ7HYkpVS26M5dCzo305oVVjVqf_WWMNCkNvtRiQerkcOkysHtnj1kg/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBP9XZ2A_K6nFaOFJK7S5xfwdFOfq4anBQYAF5iE-z8XG3ld3PWIzmOQ7jny17NpOJDZrqTUcbrwhNgSOObhKGZ7HYkpVS26M5dCzo305oVVjVqf_WWMNCkNvtRiQerkcOkysHtnj1kg/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Early in June was the Dragon Boat Festival. I went with my good friend and diving buddy, Totto, along with many of her friends, to Lanyu for our second diving trip to the beautiful Orchid Island. After our first dive it began to storm pretty badly and when there is lightening in the sky, diving is off the table. On our way back for lunch Eloise and I were in a scooter accident that was caused by tourist stopping abruptly to take photographs. We were very lucky to still be in our wet suits. While my hands were cut up pretty badly, the rest of our skin was saved thanks to those wet suits. Needless to say, I opted out of diving for the remainder of that day and the next. Instead I went around the island twice over the next few days with others who were not divers. We saw quite a few waterfalls due to the heavy rain, rowed in the famous Yami boats of <a href="https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/orchid-island-%E8%98%AD%E5%B6%BC-lanyu" target="_blank">Orchid (Lanyu) Island</a>, and had some of my favorite food in Taiwan; BBQ by the Sea. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goats on the run when the rain comes. </span><br />There are hundreds if not thousands of goats on the island.<br /> Be sure to watch your step!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T. Jacklyn and I with a few of our Pirates for graduation photos! <br />(Side note: I've been thinking my hair is turning red as I get older, these pictures are proof.) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v59TMEn13ZzAuclNZwEzmmb0lUwjPMkeIDV8N_0yz3PJtTTz2aCp8K2QzA5qc7PqXsQbV-n4XOGG-BWFG9DV1J4pJl-n8gsOCZG6DjcDmOpWkNdpRGcA2dRlWfG-MHhrgQmAkEc6v80/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v59TMEn13ZzAuclNZwEzmmb0lUwjPMkeIDV8N_0yz3PJtTTz2aCp8K2QzA5qc7PqXsQbV-n4XOGG-BWFG9DV1J4pJl-n8gsOCZG6DjcDmOpWkNdpRGcA2dRlWfG-MHhrgQmAkEc6v80/s640/IMG_0259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Daban Classes of 2016: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Tiger and The Pirates</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">In our last months at school together, we celebrated our last Pirate Birthday- Annie's. We spent two weeks learning about space and another two weeks discovering the human body. We took a field trip to TGIFriday's and had some pasta with our friends in the T. Brittany's Tigers Class! Yum. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuwuqrzBNc5h3WmKgCyXxOl1ung6slM1kD7EVjbkrFRzTDyaqG57hHiFLoDcl73mDAYbL4Ef80vhZQCugp199_CQfEO8wjqt8ZuT49FBzZycFXb5B-cK1EUEdcFQJ6qykBaRCRUC5DHU/s400/IMG_1490.JPG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWu5oIO44HWZ6OsMrJ7gQ86hrm0szWSLrXF9Q37WEZ651N6g8KcQ8YvvpTolq5aqhyib9s5-mXCCkoGqXptU2i-HjcHJFSUwIrn3u3WIhNBex9BHWR0h3PYIPwtuGDS3VGorpKudTwck/s640/IMG_0260.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ront Row: Ryder, Christy, Andy, Steven, Bella, Coco, Jo<br />Back Row: Sophia, James, Curtis, Cindy, and Annie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc9oW7FgLKqZCCCnThP76jH-c6k-qV1YiD1FjqMg31zNrR_r0-MEncS8ZlPYZ0iw9XriOPrKo8kD-WQYtPDJkS18V0rBipnnQV9HVV2z_qrBMFsw-PtGlbMyRnB0AkIEcjFIDmUsDXUY/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc9oW7FgLKqZCCCnThP76jH-c6k-qV1YiD1FjqMg31zNrR_r0-MEncS8ZlPYZ0iw9XriOPrKo8kD-WQYtPDJkS18V0rBipnnQV9HVV2z_qrBMFsw-PtGlbMyRnB0AkIEcjFIDmUsDXUY/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happiest of Birthdays to my best friend abroad, T. Britt Britt! <br />My roommate, partner in mischief, and co-boss lady!<br />Love all of the memories we've made in the past three years.<br />Looking forward to the next year with you at my side. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSoZCk6ps4WLjLEsoVKbJkX5zos-uOhrTmSdM42qjLClxM4gqyrhOGql_gdmcPanA2PBEET40RINOmjKEvlS7nsG10UPRHRvhY3GIbherzsHpYjdhzjcZbJKrsfIa6qOLwQmITzZsMks/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSoZCk6ps4WLjLEsoVKbJkX5zos-uOhrTmSdM42qjLClxM4gqyrhOGql_gdmcPanA2PBEET40RINOmjKEvlS7nsG10UPRHRvhY3GIbherzsHpYjdhzjcZbJKrsfIa6qOLwQmITzZsMks/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As graduation approached we enjoyed singing and dancing to the songs "<i>Drag Me Down"</i> by One Direction and "<i>Dynamite</i>" by Taio Cruz, a graduation version almost every day. I was so proud of their killer dance moves and energy every time we practiced. They looked absolutely fabulous in their costumes on the day of the show. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jo won for Top Student and<br />Annie won Most Improved Student!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Congratulations! </span> </span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6hcW8W4iRoPIn7ko34UW4JajXlhOHUy0ouiliYvvOyBn3X9YVQ87RSNDVZk45gOwZFyojbE0zyTYPrDGtcXUREkHJ30AFhMIODEZ5NCqInSR-C-mxVWgiQ7j6yb0NObX03xZKVSfk4A/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" width="240" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHvl9bBtG2cLm6oQFk2eEUQt1vMW8-vhDfegcPuuYKqgF3ZmCkGxOZEWSkWdtLHC0HtU-aiqFzuzXnaX-DKOLZmucxoBWX9kpWdnO_NmdUOxlpWJX2Vy9uIazBwCO5kM1NmcRDhjRoyo/s320/IMG_1105.JPG" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet girls dressed to impress for the graduation ceremony!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC5TOxthW6Bfj7z9qnFcZ9F4UBWf2GTCmvOgGe3edMXHvEPWtNt5hw0SaP_dwEKp845qjkt8d67g-44ad1sHSVSdiuwFE9Bhs68LhUMzurwTIpxpsFzdXh7b4DteaiP6j_T2_ZdPEfgE/s640/IMG_1480.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After so many smiles in so many pictures, it was time for some silly faces!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WDy7zTSp425NaESR6miKybBRtU3YJ20N2W21DTAz1_MFFAbtFs-Aew3-bZmv81aC6Ypr_XK3iMskt8nmR55i04tKC0EU5FwnWKMnOlSonw22IYWcvNV-f5dFQ5Q3HrEFMxUe6OFsYN0/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WDy7zTSp425NaESR6miKybBRtU3YJ20N2W21DTAz1_MFFAbtFs-Aew3-bZmv81aC6Ypr_XK3iMskt8nmR55i04tKC0EU5FwnWKMnOlSonw22IYWcvNV-f5dFQ5Q3HrEFMxUe6OFsYN0/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And believe it or not, it was time for the new teachers to arrive from Cananda and the USA. Along with that comes the Farewell Teacher's Brunch at Splendor Hotel and officially hitting my three year mark in Taiwan on June 20th. This year we said good-bye to four teachers, both couples found jobs and are going on to teach. Kyra and Eli will be spending the next two years in Italy teaching English. Molly and Brock will spend the next three months in Kenya helping the children there, before returning to Canada to teach. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last photo together. They're ready for Grade 1! ^_^</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The last week of June was possibly one of the busiest and emotional weeks of my time here. Not only was I saying goodbye to my words-can't-describe-what-they-mean-to-me kids, but I was beginning my new position as the Head Foreign Director of Shang-An campus along with Brittany and Michael at Nan Men campus. We were responsible for training the new teachers in a variety of workshops from professionalism in Taiwan to Summer programs, to overviews of the curriculum, tours of the schools, and storytelling events. The new teachers were also learning some survival Chinese, observing classrooms, particiapting in panel discussions, and meeting their future students and co-teachers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a vital and busy week, but when it was over I felt appreciated and excited for the new beginning. The returning teachers were off to visit their hometowns, while the rest of us began a new year on the Fourth of July! </span><br />
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Thanks for reading. - K </div>
kay.may89http://www.blogger.com/profile/14498366395084527230noreply@blogger.com0