Josh & Craig's New Home

Last Sunday we went to Josh and Craig's housewarming party. They bought an apartment after thrown out by their previous landlord. The new home is located at Xindian and has a great view. Congrates to Josh and Craig. To see more about the party and their new home, visit Craig's Album.

(c) Craig Dodge

(c) Craig Dodge

(c) Craig Dodge

(c) Craig Dodge

Unlucky Day

Today I got hit by a woman from behind. I stopped for red light at a crossroad near Tamshui, and suddenly my car jumped forward with a loud noise. It took me a few seconds to realilze that I was hit. I stepped out of my car and walked towards the car behind me. It was a black Nissan X-TRAIL. To my surprise, the driver seemed to have no intention of openning the door. I knocked on the window and finally the door opened. It was a woman 40 or 50 years old, wearing low-cut dress showing off her tits. She claimed that she didn't know that she hit anything. I argues with her for several minutes, but I was in a hurry to go to Hsinchu so I let her go. How can someone say such a lie without any shame?

At moments like this you need good food. The pictures were my dinner last night. I think cooking prevented me from killing people like that female driver today.

Eels in Xin Tai Le

Found some pictures of the restaurant my colleagues took me to in Guangzhou. The name of the restaurant is Xin Tai Le, and is famous for its eels. Its pork and goose are also very delicous. I didn't bring my camera then, so this is the best I can find to share.

Home Sweet Home

On the 16th day, I'm finally home. Finally on my own sofa writing my blog, and most importantly, I can read my own blog now. Two interesting things on my way home. One is to see the new painting of a Cathay Boeing 747 in HKG, and observed a canine officer on duty in TPE.

Zhu Jia Jiao

Last day for this trip. A taxi driver recommend us to go to Zhu Jia Jiao yesterday. It is an ancient town similar and close to Zhouzhuang, but not as famous and polular to foreign travelers. We searched the web to find out where it is and how to get there, and decided to make it our last stop in this trip.

The easiest way to get there is by bus. There are several travel hub in Shanghai where you can buy tour packages, bus tickets, or join a group tour to nearby locations. The one-way bus ticket to Zhu Jia Jiao is about $12, but the package ticket which includes several admissions at Zhu Jia Jiao costs $80. I saw an article on the web from a guy who rode his bike to Suzhou, that's over 180 km a day. I know for sure it's not for us.

The most rewarding part of Zhu Jia Jiao is the sense of time of the streets and buildings. It remained mostly the same since the Song Dynasty, that's about 1000 years old. It is also an archaeological site where the culture found dated back to 5000 years ago. One thing I also noticed is that there are very few travelers from HK, Macao or Taiwan. Mostly are local Chinese visitors, Japanese and western visitors.

Although it's a rainy day and it's still somewhat commercialized too much, the Venice-like life in Jiang Nan is a great experience. Maybe next time I'll try Suzhou and Zhouzhuang.

Xiao Shao Xing and TMSK

An extra weekend in China. Wayne, James and I went to Yun Nan South Road for lunch. It is a place near the People's Square where many local people eat but very few tourists do. We ate at a restaurant called Xiao Shao Xing, which is especially famous for its chicken. Eating with local people is quite different than eating at places for travelers. Good food, good price, but the fun is the most rewarding if you can handle the trouble and sanitary concerns.

Afterlunch we went to Qi Pu Road. The area is a heaven if you want to buy clothes, suitcases or shoes. James got both his hands full of bags of his treasure when we left the area. Our dinner was in a totally different world. I forced them to go with me to Xin Tian Di. They were unwilling to go there even I said I'll pay, because it is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE! Anyway, we had our most expensive dinner today at TMSK.

Counting Down!

Jason just left to catch his flight. He has to leave today because his little daughter has been sick for several days. However, he is unable to book any open seat from Hong Kong to Taipei and will have to take his chance at Chap Lap Kok Airport.

Today is our last working day in China. This morning I sort of handed out my homework, so the stress is relived a little. Perhaps the effect of the adrenalin, I'm feeling not hungry at all. But, in respect for my last lunch box here, I ate it. Two more days and I'll be coming home.