The small yellow sign (upper left-center) says "City Jungle" and that's the way it can feel here sometimes. This photo was taken before the "night crowd" arrived, just as vendors were setting up in the narrow street. Later it will really become "人山人海" (people mountain, people sea) :)
This guy decked out in green may be a little quiet and shy, but he does his best to look cool. However, the guy behind me looks a little lifeless.
Another cool guy at the Shilin Night Market along with Bruce Lee is Che Guevara (though most Taiwanese probably don't have a clue who he is, I guess they still think he's cool). (Photos by Randolph Lim)
The latest photo of me and some of my English students at Shi-Chien University. This picture was taken by our friend from L.A., Randolph Lim, during his visit to Taiwan.
Randolph got to share with my class of Taiwanese students here about his experience of being an Asian-American on his first trip to Asia ("The Mother Continent").
Cute preschoolers outside the old girl's school in Danshui. Perhaps that fascination for foreigners I was talking about starts early. (Thanks to Randolph Lim for this photo)
On the left, here's our Chinese-American friend, Randolph (from L.A.) Maybe he's thinking 'What is it with these white guys in Taiwan? Why does everyone gawk at them?' You know, I (Phil) have often asked myself the same question.
Randolph appears to be smiling, 'Heh, heh, I'm an Asian face, I can just move about and not be noticed - it's stealth, man!' And I am over there, 'Hey, wait a minute, Randolph - where are you going? Help me get out of this jam!'
This just proves that one doesn't have to be a TV personality or very handsome (like my friend, Steve Marth) to be a "star" here in Taiwan. At least there are a few sensible girls standing around here - like the one with the backpack and the orange shirt :)
Liz snapped these photos right outside Fort San Domingo in Danshui. I think she and Randolph were amused.
Liz in front of the big gate with C.K.S. Memorial Hall in the background.
She's holding the Insight Travel Guide to Taipei. Our friend Randolph has been using this book to learn all about the tourist spots here during his visit.
At the gate with the National Concert Hall in the background. The national flags are all out following Double Ten Day (R.O.C. National Day). Long live the R.O.C.!!! Sorry, Beijing! Sorry, DPP!
In the first photo (at water's edge) are Liz, Phil, Angus, James, Steve and Daniel. Liz is snapping the next photo and Phil is talking on the cellphone (to Gareth).
In the second photo (top of the cliff) are Gareth and Vivian. Gareth is talking on the cellphone (to Phil) and Vivian is snapping the previous photo.
Here's our little caravan cruising down Taiwan's Coastal Highway 2.
Steve says something's peculiar around here. Is it the rocks or is it the English usage?
Okay, yes, there are some rather unusual rock formations along the coast at Nanya. And at this moment there appear to be some rather peculiar people there too. :)
Here's Matt Sawatzky sitting on something peculiar.
Steve "ROCK Jock" Marth and James "GEO-Political" Chen take a break from their "verbal jousting" long enough to discuss the shape of this unusual rock formation. "So, James, what do you think it looks like?"
With "Gollum" on the way up the steps of "Cirith Ungol".
"What was that?" Angus gets a little spooked in the "jungle".
The "Palau brother and sister" are now seen here on the Northeast Coast of Taiwan. It's time for Taiwan's National Day and they're both decked out in red - which is the color of the national flag as well as the current mass movement to depose the president :)
Angus seems amused at something here. But he's Chinese, so I don't think he's laughing at the name of this place which to us North Americans sounds kinda' funny. It's named for the "Dragon Cave"- a large cave at the lower left of this tall cliff (behind Gareth, Steve and James).
Daniel looks pretty happy about this roadside lunch consisting of fried noodles and fish-ball soup. And check out Liz - slurp, slurp! Mmmm, good :)
Good picture of Rachel at Fulong Beach. Even more interesting when combined with Gareth's profile :)
He looks a little lost, but "Castaway" Dan gets an idea. "Hmmm... let's see, Fulong must be somewhere south/southeast of Danshui (and Brett)."
At Jinguashi, Daniel and Liz discuss the weather (or is it their plans for ORTV?). The name of this place literally means "gold melon rocks". This refers to the orange and yellow sulfur-coated boulders along the stream that tumbles down into the gorge. It reminds me a little of the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park, but has darker color here (with more orange and brown).
Liz takes in the beautiful view along the rocky cliffs at Cape Bitou.
After a long day of riding, Gareth and Angus take a break on the grass along the roadside near the shore. That seafood lunch is starting to settle and the sound of the waves makes for a nice lullaby (ZZZZZZZ).
Here are videos by Gareth and Daniel of our scooter trip: Part One
Liz made a nice dinner for Angus' birthday. His roommates, Steve and Jason came over to join us. It was a great time. But just what was Angus thinking here? What do you think?
