deep in some blissful dream...: September 2005

Go Kart Racing!

What is there better to do on a Sunday afternoon than go for a quite Sunday drive?

Go Karting fun for everyone.

I'm a little pixie!!

Grainne and I.

Martin puts on his scary competitive face.

We are ready and raring to go...

Aaaaand we're off!!

I know I know... so slow I'm not even blurry on the picture!!!

Martin is pleased with the race but now needs to get on to his other business of visiting banks.

The men are defeated!

Time for Chillies.

Last Saturday Martin and I decided it was high time we ate a really good burger, so we drove through to Taichung and went to Chillies. We met up with Tom and Grainne there and all four of us enjoyed some rather delicious culinary delights.

Whaaaa... scary eyes.

Tom is the most talented man I know!

Tom finds the camera and starts to play..

So arty!

I think I want some more...

Mmmmm... I love a cheesy chip!

Tom showing off his new chin hair.

Martin being silly in the lift going up to our apartment.

Typhoooooooooon!!!

Last week Wednesday a big fat crazy typhoon hit our little land. The good news: it was bad enough for school to be cancelled for two days. The bad news: Martin's windows fell in and we had some minor flooding on the balcony!!

It starts.... the wind picks up and things begin to fall down!

No quick pop in to buy a cd or two here!

Strong winds sort out some local signs.

Random stuff blown all over the road.

This poor little man's house will never be the same again.

Bye Bye Erich :-(

Last week, our dear friend and co-teacher Erich left these lands for good. He is travelling around Australia now and then heading home to South Africa. Our school organised a farewell dinner for him at a buffet restaurant in Taichung - here are some of the pictures from that night.

Me and Martin doing the Taiwan-photo-thing.

Erich and Maggie.

Me with my very special chopsticks.

CT's and NST's.

The whole gang.

The four foreign teachers with Maggie.

Camping Photos

Right then, finally I have gotten my A into G with regards to our recent pictures from various weekends away.

1. Camping in Dili/Sun Moon Lake:

A few weeks ago, just after a big fat typhoon had hit our little island, we decided to go camping in Dili (past Shuili). It's remote, quiet and beautiful - all you could ask for in a weekend away. However, we didn't really think things through too well and ended up having to change plans and camp in Sun Moon Lake instead - as you can see from the pictures: landslides, mudslides and raging waters prevented us from getting anywhere near our favorite little camping spot.

2. Beach resort weekend in Da-an.

Martin and I decided we'd try a change from mountain scenery and head for the beach this particular weekend. The weather was gorgeous and our lovely weekend was only slightly marred by the crazy beach life guard, who wouldn't allow anyone to swim past shoulder height in the water!!

3. Jacuzzi spa hotel in Dongpu.

Just before another typhoon hit in July sometime, we went to Dongpu and enjoyed the spa hotel in the mountains there. On the Sunday morning when we checked out we were told quite sternly by the hotel manager that we should travel straight back to Yuanlin as the storm was about to hit and we shouldn't get caught in the mountains. But... we didn't listen to him and carried up the other direction on the road. We found a lovely suspension bridge and managed a little walk around before the rain really did get a little scary and we decided that driving home asap was the best option.