Around Taiwan - Day 04 - Budai ~ Kaohsiung

The fourth installment on my "Cycling Around Taiwan" series. Day 4 started in with breakfast in the market in Budai and ended in a Love Hotel in Kaohsiung. It was a really hot day: sunshine all the way on the hot tarmac of the road. I met my mate Peter in Tainan for lunch and was going to meet Queenie and my niece Rochelle in Kaohsiung on Saturday. The day promised much and delivered all (including more sunburn).

Morning Market in Budai

Around Taiwan - Day 03 - Taichung ~ Budai

The third installment on my "Cycling Around Taiwan" series. Day 3 started in Taichung and ended in the beautiful fishing village of Budai in Chiayi county. Although it was a hot day it turned out to be a fairly decent ride, especially towards the end of the day with some beautiful sunsets off the wetlands. It was also a weird day as, although I was riding fairly close to the sea, I didn't see it much. It would also prove to be the longest stretch I did on any day during my circumnavigation: it was a great ride.

Sunset on the Wetlands

Around Taiwan - Day 02 - Hsinchu ~ Taichung

The second installment on my "Cycling Around Taiwan" series. Day 2 started in Hsinchu and ended in Taichung with me in the emergency room of a hospital with a drip in my hand. It was hot and windy riding out of Hsinchu and since I was riding along the coast and into the wind I was exhausted by the end of the cycling trail in Hsinchu. Nevertheless, along the way I met some awesome people doing the same thing as me and at the end of it, it was a pretty good day even though it was tough.

Hsinchu Cycle Trail

Around Taiwan - Day 01 - Taipei ~ Hsinchu

The first installment on my "Cycling Around Taiwan" series. On April 10 2012 I set off on my bicycle to circumnavigate Taiwan. In total it took 11.5 days (although I was away from home for 15 days). On the day I left I woke up early to get an early start but it was raining in Taipei (as it had been for the previous many weeks). I was concerned I would have to delay another day but eventually the rain stopped and I was able to leave.

Fishing outside Hsinchu

Rides in Leofoo Theme Park (六福村)

In 2010 when my mom visited Taiwan and in 2011 when my Mom, sister and nephew visited Taiwan I took them to Leofoo Village Theme Park for the day. The park is a pretty cool place for kids (expensive) but cool. There is a zoo (that can be viewed from a small train, lots of fun rides for adults and kids and they even have some shows.

Me, Mom and niece Rochelle on the flying carpet

Leofoo (六福村) Monkeys - PG Warning

In 2011 I took my visiting family to Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村) where we saw a couple of monkeys doing some really strange/funny stuff. OK, I guess they were just being monkeys but it was still funny.

Monkey Grooming in Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村)

New Garmin Edge 800 - First Ride

So next week I am planning to start to circumnavigate Taiwan on my bicycle. Today I spend an obscene amount of money on getting accessories for my bike as well as getting the bike serviced. One of the accessories is the Garmin Edge 800 bicycle computer. Truly amazing little device but it is a pity the Taiwan maps on the device itself only come in Chinese. Anyway, the route above is the first ride I actually did with the device. I rode from the Giant Store in Neihu back to my apartment. Its cool that the event can be embedded in my blog so when (and if) I eventually do do any blogs on the trip, I can connect to the events on the Garmin page. Anyway, this is just a random testing post. I am sure you will see many more rides from my Garmin Edge up here.

Osaka 09 Pt. 03: Lunch in Tennoji Subway Station

We found this super little restaurant in the subway station near Tennoji park. They served the awesome Japanese style omelets and other fried up goodies. It was delicious! Added to that the waitresses and the other guests were really friendly too.

Japanese Omlet/Pizza

Beautiful Bitan (碧潭) - Xindian (新店) Taiwan

Queenie and I went out for a ride to Bitan (碧潭)in Xindian(新店). Its a quick 24km return trip from our home but a pleasant ride nonetheless. The first time we rode to Bitan (碧潭) was way back in 2008 (see Cycle Trip to Bitan (Hsin Tien).) Then it seemed so far but now it is just a regular round trip and a good exercise loop if pressed for time. It was a good ride today.

Beautiful Beautiful Bitan (碧潭) in Xindian(新店), Taiwan

Beihai Park (北海公园) Staircase - Beijing (北京) - 2010

Queenie took this picture in Beihai Park (北海公园) on our trip there in August 2010 with Mom. We removed the color and sharpened it up a bit and really liked the nostalgic feel the picture gives. It was a great trip and we were happy to visit Beihai. It was the first time for all of us as on our first trip there we didn't go in.

Staircase in Beihai Park (北海公园) (by Queenie)

Beihai Park (北海公园)is definitely worth visiting when in Beijing. And it is also worth paying extra to climb to the top and see the white Drogba (be warned, there are a lot of stairs). If you take your time it is easy. The views from the top are really awesome especially when looking over the lake with all the pedal boats floating on top. I guess summer it does get really crowded. Best to visit in the beginning of winter. Not so many people and not too cold.

Kandayan Dancing - Kandy, Sri Lanka - 2012

Kandayan Dancing is one of the three dance forms from Sri Lanka. We went to watch it at the Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre which is next to the Temple of the Tooth and on the shores of the Kandy Lake. The dancing could have been better but it is worth going to see. At the end of the performance there was a fie dance which is done as a devotion to a god.

Kandyan Dancers

Lost (and found) Bag in Matara, Sri Lanka - 2012

In early 2012 we were travelling on a bus from Tangelle to Matara along the South Coast of Sri Lanka. Just before we arrived in Matara I fell asleep and, when we arrived, I jumped off the bus, grabbed our big case and walked off the bus completely forgetting my day bag on the bus. That bag had US$2,000 worth of equipment and I did get it back.

Mr. Mr. Jagath helped me find my bag(If in Matara and you need a Tuk Tuk, give him a call at 077-059-9844)