Thursday, January 05, 2006
Leaving for Bangkok
Wonton and pig trotter restaurant
Wonton and pig trotter restaurant
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
This is another famous eatery, this time in Pingtung County, east of Kaohsiung. Iti s famous for wonton soup and pig trotters. Busloads of tourist eat lunch here. There is even a photo of the chef with the Taiwanese President.
Most of the Liu family
Most of the Liu family
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Grandpa has eight children, which means a lot of family members. Here are some of us huddled together for a group shot.
Andy, me, and Patric at Red Eye
Andy, me, and Patric
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
After hot pot, we headed to a lounge bar, Red Eye, the night before NYE. At this lounge bar, we paid about $15 for all-you-can-booze. Here are my uncles Andy and Patric a couple late-night party-people.
Hot pot 1
Hot pot 1
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
That night we went out for hot pot with some relatives. A year ago when I came to Taiwan, I thought everything was so cheap compared to the States, which, I guess it is, but after travelling in SE Asia, China, and the Indian subcontinent, Taiwan feels expensive.
Shaved ice
Shaved ice
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Like ice kachang in Singapore and elsewhere in SE Asia, this shaved ice differs only by the various toppings We had some tapioca balls (bubble tea balls), almond tofu, grass jelly, peanuts, green beans, red beans, bananas, watermelon, oranges, guava, and canned peaches (because everybody likes canned peaches).
Shaved ice shoppe
Shaved ice shoppe
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Near the ferry terminal in Kaohsiung is this famous shaved ice shoppe. Alice, Robin, Kevin, and Emily and I sat down for a snack in the afternoon. In Taiwan, you fill the day with meals and snacks. It's a bit absurd.
Robin and Emily at the beach cafe
Robin and Emily at the beach cafe
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
My cousin Robin is drinking some Heineken and green tea -- a surprisingly nice mixture.
Shower sign
Shower sign
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
An interesting shower sign at the beach. So what is this supposed to mean?
Robin, Kev, Alice, and Emily at the beach
Robin, Kev, Alice, and Emily at the beach
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
A few days after I arrived in Taiwan, my brotherKevin, and my cousin Alice, flew in from the States. Our cousin Robin drove us to National Sun Yat-sen University to check out the beach. This school lies behind a hill along the coast of Kaohsiung. There is a nice stretch of black sand beach there facing the strait of Taiwan.
Other than coming out for excursions like this, we spent most of our time at my Grandpa's place keeping everyone company during the 24-hour vigil and Buddhist ceremonies up until the funeral.
Where's the beef?
Where's the beef?
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
A pathetic burger (actually a chicken patty) at a food court at Carrefour.
The Squatter stance
The Squatter stance
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Being lame, I chose the nontraditional squatter stance, maintaining it during most of the game. A little 8 year-old punk came up to me and told me off for being so pathetic. I pushed him out of the way and told him to piss off.
"What are you saying? That I can dodge bullets?"
"What are you saying? That I can dodge bullets?"
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
We went to an arcade at the top of the Mega 21 department store in Kaohisung. Kevin was great at this shoot 'em up arcade game with motion sensors allowing you to duck to avoid bullets.
Food court kung pao chicken
Food court kung pao chicken
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Food court food under a department store in Kaohsiung. This is supposed to be kung pao chicken, but it was sort of like Panda Express food back home. How embarrassing! The street food in Taiwan is cheaper and much better.
Beef noodles and an egg on a hot plate
Beef noodles and an egg on a hot plate
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Being in Taiwan means a lot of things, including good food again. Here's a hot plate meal that costs about $2. They put an iron plate over a flame and heat it up before throwing on some noodles, a steak, and a raw egg. You have to let it cook for a few minutes before sitting down otherwise you get splattered with grease.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Xiclo riding in Saigon
Crossing streets in Vietnam
Baby fish
Swim through in Nha Trang
Robert going sandsledding
Spider Alley
Red panda climbs down a tree
Caged Panda
Buskers in Sauraha
Ganga Puja
One wiggly worm...heh heh heh...
