An English Village

Breakfast in the hotel was interesting - a room that would seat 100, and we were the only ones there!! Vegemite goes well on steamed buns!!
Picked up by another group of Rotarians, with the obligatory group photo, and taken to an English Language Village in the local Elementary School. This is a purpose built facility where classes from the schools all over Chaiyi are bought to the centre, and learn English by working in real life scenarios. There is a hotel, with a reception desk and a fully set up room, an airport and the interior of a plane, a restaurant and a shopping centre. Fantastic set up, and being well utilised. We then had lunch at the school, eating the same food that the kids get served each day. (a full hot lunch).
We took a tour of the school, and were entertained by the recorder orchestra and the school band, both of which have won local competitions, and will compete at the national level. They were awesome.
Fund then picked us up and took us to the Cultural Centre, which houses the local Museum. We saw Stone monkeys, which are an art form generic to this area, and fossils from the surrrounding areas, as well as an art show (which actually featured a painting of the Twelve Apostles - the artist had visited there a couple of years ago).
As we were leaving, two young guys in "suits" arrived, and were checking out the area. Turns out they are the President of Taiwan's bodyguards, and that he will be visiting there tomorrow.
Back to the hotel for rest and recuperation before a shopping excursion to the centre of the city and dinner of our choice.

Vegetarian haggis and ice cream trucks

On the way to dinner, we again noticed a truck with music (sounds like the music ice cream vans play). When garbage trucks drive around collecting rubbish, they play music.
We then attended Chiayi West Rotary Club meeting. It was a celebration of 1000 meetings and it was an experience we will never forget. This included a slide show of the history of the club, karaoke by the Club President, lots of food and of course, drinking toasts. The photographs taken at the end of the night were an interesting experience with the Club President getting everyone to sing "We are the World" with hand gestures, as photos were being taken. A dish came out that looked like vegetarian haggis (vegetables had been combined into a skin). It was a thoroughly enjoyable night.

I did not pack for 5 degrees

The day started out with the team half asleep - 5am after about 5 hours sleep. We were collected by Rotarian and tour guide for the day 'Fund', and proceeded onto the world renowned 'Mount Alishan'. After a quick stop at 7 Eleven for snacks for the road, we arrived in the mountains as the sun was rising. Watching the sun rise over the mountain was amazing. It appears to leap into the sky over the mountain. Quite spectacular.

Upon arriving at Mount Alishan, we stepped out of the car to the thermometer at the carpark reading 5 degrees. After an amazing walk through the forest areas, where the trees were up to 2000 years old, we were taken into a temple and provided with a wealth of information from Fund. His knowledge of the Taiwanese culture is amazing. Upon leaving the temple, we caught the railway back to the start. We were surprised by the sign that read 'fare adjustment office', which we understood as meaning that if you had not paid for your fare at that point, you should. Brunch was then enjoyed in a small restaurant at the top of the mountain.

We left the mountain and chose to close our eyes in many instances on the trip back as cars, buses and trucks hurtled in all directions (double lines, blind corners, one lane) in an organised chaos with steep slopes off the sides.

We stopped in for a tea demonstration on the trip back and learn the traditional art of preparing tea. We then arrived back at the hotel.

A 2 hour break prior to dinner and a Rotary meeting is currently being enjoyed by GSE members.

GSE definition of a quiet day

Sunday dawned with a "quiet day". Moving from one hotel to another (approx. 15mins) about 10am. Quiet stopped at about that stage.

From there we were taken to the temple of Wung Fong with its stunning craftsmanship, and ancient traditions where Karalyn was informed she will be rich and Brad considering the big question.

From there to lunch, 2.5hrs later a hot pot and starters had been enjoyed by all.

From there to rest (well maybe 15mins) before a quick 1hr walk and a spot of shopping.

From there to shopping, dinner, night markets (Paddys on steroids!!) and bed 10.30pm. For a 5am start tomorrow.

The hospitality and the people are amazing, 11pm pick ups from the train station through to our own tour guide and driver (Fund) for the day. It is a great honour.

Uncanny feat and celestial ingenuity...

On Saturday we had a "free" day and were taken to the capital city of Taiwan: Taipei. We set out early in the morning to catch the high speed rail... this train system runs north/south up the west coast of the country doing speeds of over 300km/h! A great experience, which was a little bit like a cross between catching a plane and taking a train to the extent where you are called for your train from the waiting lounge and have allocated seating. Everything was so clean and organised and just went so smoothly.

We arrived in Taipei and went straight to Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world with the fastest lift in the world. The view was stunning, were standing above the clouds that drifted across the city. Some great historic pictures were also available for viewing.

We then took the opportunity to have some lunch... subway and KFC for a change in diet for the day! On we went to the National Palace Museum- an extremely popular attraction that was a cross between the Royal Easter Show Bag Pavilion and a museum. Some great historic attractions with the finest of detail in craftsmanship including an olive in the shape of a building complete with opening doors..

From here it was time for dinner- that's right, more food! Some more fine Chinese food (dim sum) at the Grand Hotel. Great food and company made for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.

We then hit some markets at the railway station which was fun and a good way to wind up the day before jumping on the high speed rail back to Chaiyi.

A big thanks to Delphine and company for organising everything and showing us some great sites in Taipei. A big thanks also to Peace and his family for taking us to the station, and picking us up at midnight!

Mushrooms anyone?

We are currently sitting in the hotel computer space with paid PC's... the guy sitting next to us is playing a shooter game and it is very loud... that is my excuse for any bad spelling anyway!

After breakfast we were picked up and taken to a high tech dental clinic which was very interesting- they have a large rooms with about 6 booths that are divided by petitions, so everyone can hear your moaning and screaming in pain! After this we travelled to Lsieh Bioorganics- an orchid garden/farm where they produce millions of orchids, one of which they have a world patent for. It was amazing how they are grown in glass, taken out, put into various rooms which have controlled environments including temperature, humidity etc. A total of 2 years they take to grow and are exported to the USA and Europe. We were presented with several beautiful stems,which are presently residing in KB's room (one of the advantages of being the only female). Shame we can't bring them home....

After this, we went to lunch which was amazing again. HOTALLA! (Bottoms up!) was called loud and often with Taiwan Beer being the choice of beverage.

After lunch we went to a Mushroom farm, where, similar to the Orchid Farm, large amounts are produced in controlled environments. We got to pick our own mushrooms which were then used for our dinner later that night. We also got to taste a tea brewed from "the King of Mushrooms". It was pretty vile ..... very bitter, and one sip was quite enough (even though Edward was assured that he would have a son within a year if he drank it!!).

We were taken back to the hotel to rest and recuperate for an hour or so, then on to a Rotary meeting, where we did our presentation to President Tank and his Club, with the aid of an interpreter. It went well and they were all impressed, especially with the flying maps of Taiwan over laid over Australia!!

Dinner followed - another multi course banquet, again with lots of toasting and beer. Eel and ostrich were again on the menu, along with the mushrooms we picked earlier in the afternoon.

Early pickup in the morning - High Speed rail to Taipei.

Hugs from Hotel and hovercraft

The days started with a western style breakfast - toast, eggs and spreads. Upon leaving breakfast, we were driving in the standard Taiwanese style of driving around the Science Park - near misses and using blinkers while lane changing is strictly optional.

We were collected by a convoy of cars from our accommodation above 7 Eleven and driven to Chiayi County. The toll ways are interesting with the driver almost throwing the voucher to the toll operator while still moving. Upon arriving at the business hotel with no wireless internet (James feels we now expect too much), we proceeded to the Chia Yi Fire Department after lunch. It feels almost like a celebrity when arriving - everyone claps while standing in formation and directs us to a board room where large coffees and cake are awaiting. After the presentation, we spot a hovercraft and the boys are impressed. The officers at the fire station start it up and they all get to drive it a small distance.

We then travel to the 'Temple of the Mother of Water'. A celebration is occurring for the final days after the Chinese New Year. Explosions, confetti, parades and masks do not begin to describe the event. We were whisked through the temple and taken around the parade route. We were beginning to think that there were eyes watching us, until we noticed people starting to take photographs of us - James loves the attention (his destiny has be realised).

Upon leaving the festival (with a bag of lollies), we headed to a Japanese restaurant for dinner. The unusual thing is none of us have been hungry since arriving. After another 'something' course dinner, a new level of drinks with dinner were realised. Upon a table member saying 'hatellier', you are required to drink the full glass. This would be alright normally, however they seem to shout 'hatellier' for numerous reasons or no reasons at all. We had a wonderful day and evening. Back to the hotel to write the blog, paying for internet in the interent cafe at the business hotel with no wireless internet.