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.