Cambodia

Online check in (check)

Boarding passes printed (check)

Taxi ordered (check)

Luggage tags printed in Chinese and English(check)

Backpacks found (check)

Walking sticks (check)

Camera batteries charged (check)

Cameras emptied of old photos (check)

Toiletries, tissues and travel drugs (check)

Water purifying tablets (check)

Snacks and water bottle (check)

Books (check)

220-110 adapters (check)

Consulted the Tavel Advisory Site for Cambodia

Consulted the CDC site for Cambodia

1 US = 4,050 KHR - Cambodian Riels

Still need to pack clothes and find an ATM that dispenses new US dollars with the large portrait heads of the president.

2 weeks, ahhhhhhhhhh

No hotel/hostel/motel/condo/tent/resort booked

No transportation inside country booked

No plans

No expectations

CANNOT WAIT!

Kenting for Thanksgiving

Wednesday after school there was a huge feast of turkey, potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie and adult beverages provided for all staff, faculty, and family members. It was a nice night without rain and cool lovely breezes. Thanks Admin!

Thursday we had a leisurely lay-in and then headed off to Kenting, in the south of Taiwan with Maria, Sarah, Virginia, and Cathleen. We meet at Zhishan MRT and head to Taipei Main Station where we bought tickets on the HSR to Zuoying Station in Kaoshiung City. The tickets were 1,500 NT per person one way ($49 US). We had about 3 minutes to make the train and fortunately had no problem finding the platform, the car, or our seats. There are 8 stops on the High Speed Rail and it is a blessing, it took 2.5 hours by train when it use to take 6 hours by car.

We then bought round trip tickets, 300 NT ($9.81 US) for a bus from the Zuoying Station directly to our hotel, Caesar Park. A 2.5 hour bus trip with very few stops. We had booked a normal room from the Agoda website for $176 US a night. Our travel buddies booked the Jacuzzi Villas for $246. We we checked in I asked to be close to their room so we got the upgraded room for free. The Jacuzzi villa was very nice. They even provided us with aroma bath salts; lemon and jasmine.

We hung out by the pool area and later had dinner at Smokey Joes.

The next morning we had our complimentary breakfast buffet that featured some typical Asian delicacies that I have not yet acquired the taste for: tea marinated hard boiled eggs, congee- watery gruel or porridge, tofu instead of cheese and noodles with seafood (not my idea of breakfast food). I often had some sort of salad for breakfast. We then headed out for a nice walk on non side walked roads which was interesting. The wind was strong and the beach sand stung as it hit your legs, arms, and head.

Mike worshipping the sun.

We headed into a little trail that was suppose to go on for several kilometers but it dead-end quickly into the ocean.

This boat must have been here for a very long time as it is no where near the water.

We had lunch at a place that served chicken fried rice as soup with shrimp in it. Not Mike’s favorite. We spent the rest of our time at the pool or on the beach.

That night we had supper at Mambo’s,  a Thai restaurant it was yummy. We poked around the night market and bought a few Christmas presents.

Our travel buddies left the next day so we has Saturday to ourselves. We had a late lunch again at Smokey Joes and hung out reading by the pool.

The locals go to the beach fully clothed with the hope that the sun will not penetrate their coverings. They also stand and watch the kids play in the waves. This is winter season and is considered off season but it was still fairly busy at dusk.

This lady has a bubble jacket (parka) on as Mike and I sit in shorts and t-shirts.

We watched the sunset from the cozy little bar area on the beach.

We headed home Sunday, our first trip in Taiwan by ourselves, and as we sat on the train headed to Taipei Main Station we were pleased with ourselves that we made it. The next stop a lady tells Mike that he is in her seat. We all looked at our tickets and sure enough we are on the wrong train. Fortunately it was still headed to Taipei but it was the snail train and not the bullet we had booked seats for. An extra half hour and we arrived, a little deflated but home.

It was a great vacation and well worth the trip. We are tan once again and loved soaking up the Vitamin D!

Tea Farm

Mike went off to play golf with the boys and I went with a bunch of people to explore the tea farms. We started the day at Wendell’s a German bakery and eatery. They fried mushrooms are divine.

We walked over to the MRT and spent the next hour or so hopping trains. We started on the red line heading ultimately south and switched at Taipei Main Station to the blue line switching at Zhongxiao Fuxing to the brown line where it ends at the Taipei Zoo. The brown line was sponsored by the Canadian government and the train was bunch smaller than the other lines.

We had to sit in the front of the train as we had a few kids with us. They loved watching the turns come flying up as the train slowed down. I felt … surprise…motion sick!

We got to the end of the line and walked an 8th of a mile and entered the Maokong Gondola area where we went up to the top for the tea farms. The 20 minute ride cost $50NT ($1.50US). It is the first gondola in Taipei and has 4 stops.

Facts:

1. The Maokong Gondola System was developed by POMA of France.
2. The cabins move at rates from 3 to 5 m/sec.
3. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete a one way journey.
4. Each cabin is designed to carry 8 passengers.
5. Maximum hourly transit-capacity of the system is 2,000 passengers.
6. There are 147 cabins in the system and 3 maintenance cabins.
7. The system includes 47 pylons constructed on 25 bases.

Cute little animals are on the cabins promoting the zoo.

The view was beautiful as we floated over banana fields, jasmine, and tea farms.

These are the alternative routes up the mountain.

The pictures are not great as it was sprinkling, we were moving, and enclosed in glass. But you will get the gist of what I saw.

  Once you get to the top there are several options of tea house to choose from. Lisa selected ours as she had been there before. I have no idea what makes one better than another. The view at the one she selected made it worth the 45 minute saunter up and around the road.

  Tianen Temple

Their tombs reflect their belief in the immortality of the soul, with personal belongings and funerary items indicating the social rank of the person buried within.

 

1. We were treated to a form of the Gongfu tea ceremony but without the ceremony and significance.
2. The fúwùyuán, waiter, brought an array of tools to prepare the tea. We decided on a Jasmine and I cannot remember the other one. You buy the package and then can sit there al day brewing and sipping tea.

He brought the following pictured above.

1. A small gaiwan, a clay teapot
2. Several teeny cups
3. A tea strainer
4. Fresh water. (Tap water should be filtered; hard water should be avoided.)
5. A kettle (preferably made of clay or glass, in order to determine the temperature of the boiling water)
6. A container to dispense water
7. A water catching tray or a bowl for the tea pot during water pouring
8. A pair of tongs called "Jiā" to dispense the leaves
9. A clean cotton cloth to wipe off any water on the table

Preparation of the tea:

1. "Warming the pot and heating the cups." At this point the cups and pot are laid on the table. They are then warmed and sterilized with hot water, the excess is then poured away. 
2. "The black dragon enters the palace" The teapot is filled with tea. 
3. "rinsing from an elevated pot". This is done by putting the teapot into the catching bowl. Water heated to the appropriate temperature for the tea is the poured into the pot until the pot overflows. 
4. "The spring wind brushes the surface." Any debris or bubbles which form on the surface are then scooped away gently to keep the tea from around the mouth of the pot which is then closed with the lid.
5. "Bathe the immortal twice". This is in order that the temperature inside and outside of the pot is the same.

Brewing

1. "A row of clouds, running water". Customarily this first brew is poured into the cups but is not drunk.
2. "Direct again the pure spring" or "pouring again from a low height." The pot is then refilled with fresh hot water until the water reaches the mouth of the pot.

Serving

1. Someone else must pour for you. You compliment the fragrance, color, and beauty of the tea.

We spent an hour or so after the tea was made and relaxed surrounded in tranquility.

 

 

 

This is us outside the tea house. It was a great way to spend a Saturday. The weather was nice and misting and the companionship was great.

Moonshine/Moon Festival/Mid Autumn Festival

The sunshine committee at school put on a splendid BBQ in honor of the Moon Festival. Tuesday, Afterschool, we all went out on the roof and had hamburgers, hot dogs, pomeloes and amber nectar.

Even Google recognizes this holiday. I wonder if there are different logos for different parts of the world or if everyone saw this.

"When the moon is full, mankind is one". The moon festival is a national holiday and everyone celebrates. We had a professional development day so no school for students or local staff. As I walked to school I was surprised that no one was on the streets, no cars, no scooters, no bus waiters, and the traffic lights were blinking red… It was a very eerie, deserted feeling.

After school we headed to Nina’s for a BBQ that was fabulous. She invited all the new staff and her friends to come to her home to celebrate. She had the fires ready to go when we got there. We had a quick tour of her neighbor’s yard who is an artist and had several life size sculptures in the yard.  We then spent the night chatting and cooking over the 6 inch diameter pot of fire. Those little stools are what we sat on.

   

Pomeloes are very popular. I have no idea why they wear them but they all do. Here is a photo of the fruit in Aaron’s yard when we were there in July.

 

And now it is peeled and used as a hat.

You need to be careful where and how many you eat…they flush your system if you eat a whole one.

Traditional dessert is a mooncake made in the shape of a full moon, symbolizing union and perfection. It is stuffed with a variety of fillings such as bean paste, egg yolk, lotus seeds, dates, pineapple, walnuts, almonds, and sesame. Pineapple are my favorite.

When we arrived back home around 10:30 everyone was out and about cooking on the barbie and gazing at the moon hoping to see the “bunny”, I have no idea, don’t ask.

Thursday at work the local staff were dog tired from traveling to see family and celebrating.