Taiwan

I couldn't agree more with a line Willie Nelson made famous; "I just can't wait to be on the road again". After a very long dry spell which I personally believe hinged on economics and not on news judgment, Ben and I are in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Taiwan was hit by Typhoon Morakot, August 10th while we where both on holidays. Not that I expected the desk to send us. I could have easily met Ben in Hong Kong within 18-24 hours. Enough of what we didn't do. Seems one Dalai Lama is visiting what I'm told is one of the largest Buddhist community outside of Tibet. Will have to do a little google search to fact check that statement. One would think India which is where the DL hangs his robes since fleeing over the Himalayas in 1959 would hold that title.

The visit is at the request of the current Taiwanese opposition party to bring comfort to local population. Seems the visit to Taiwan, which is part of China but autonomous, (I had to clear customs, picture having to clear customs to go to PEI,) has angered China. What doesn't these days? But the current President Ma, is in a bit of a tight spot due to being a little slow out of the gate with the response, and with turning down World aid in the first few days after the storm he is looking to save a little face. So he's agreed to let the DL in but won't be meeting him during the visit. He needs to answer a few questions with Beijing on this one.

Not really sure why Canadians care about all this. But a road trip is a road trip so I'll take it. Personally I think 30,000 refuges crossing the boarder from Myanmar in to China is a more interesting story but I'm not the desk I'm just the picture guy.

Here are a few picts of the night market, and from the DL's tour. Lots of sea food (still alive) and other fair. Very tasty indeed. Oh and it hotter than an August wedding back home. 30's plus 80% humidity. Was a busy day knocking back over 3 litres of water just to say hydrated.

Next up I hope to file a few pictures of the Dalai Lama's road show and circus.

Back

High all. I'm back from a wonderful but short vacation, 2 weeks is not that long. Was able to get reacquainted with my wife and my dog. Saw lots of family and friends, ate home made donuts from my Aunt, (I won't put her age up because even though so doesn't have a computer someone out there will tell her that I put her age up). Had dinner with my cousin Ron and his wife Nancy. Call people I didn't have a chance to see and had beers with former colleagues, all in all a wonderful time.

What did I miss the most besides the obvious, wife, dog, and family? Well I can honestly say fishing. I didn't realize until I got out on the water with Colin and others how much. It isn't so much the fishing as getting out and enjoying what we have in Canada. There are is the usually contrasts I could make: the air, the blue sky, uncrowded cities etc. But you've heard it all before from people who travel.

Perhaps it is the noise, or lack of it. Maybe the simple act of sitting on your front deck with a warm coffee reading a paper. The dog at your feet. Your spouse beside you, (or filling your coffee). Watching a deer emerge from the woods, or a humming bird checking out every hosta flower. Or perhaps the anticipation of what lays ahead as you unhitch a boat and head out on the water with old friends.

Life is all about the simple things. Friends, family, a house and enough money to heat it. Not much has changed, but from a far it is more clear to me what is important.

So here is the fruits of the fishing labour.

Colin caught this 51 inch Musky on the Ottawa river near Wendover.

Mine, (Colin can't figure out how to work a blackberry camera that's why he is holding my fish,) is a meager 38 inches.

Well as I return to a smoggy humid 40 degree over crowded city called Beijing I must now deal with my new Chinese friends at Chinese Customs. Once again they have denied entry to my equipment. Even with the right international paper work. Life is an adventure over here. Just wish they would pick set of rules to play by instead of changing them on the fly.

Will update you all with the story when it is complete. For now enjoy the fish.