Danshui (淡水)

On the walk next to the waterfront in Danshui. This a great place to get super tall ice-cream cones or just watch the people go by.


Liz in front of one of the old buildings in Danshui.
(Photos by Randolph Lim)

Cute and Curious Kids

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)

King James And His Throne

I am joined by the new ruler of the "Stone Throne" - King James Chen.


Certifying James' authority in the log book (to be stashed in the rock crack behind me).


The night view of Taipei before we head back down to Dazhi.

Thanks to "King James" and his digital camera/tripod for this great photo (as well as the others in this post).

Being A Foreigner In Asia

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.

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial in Taipei

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!

Two-Way Perspective at Cape Bitou

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.

Northeast Coast Scooter Trip

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


Part Two

What Was Angus Thinking?

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?

Annabelle at Esther K.'s Wedding

At Esther K.'s wedding, we had the privilege of sitting next to Annabelle and the Leonards. She kept us rather entertained throughout the service.


Don't even think about taking my picture!


Aren't I just adorable? (And Daddy wishes I could just sit still so he can enjoy this wedding service)



And it was indeed a very nice, nice, nice... and long service. :)


Congratulations Esther and Tony! You guys are finally married. :)

Super Marco, Miss Advanced and Others

Thanks to our super soundman, Marco Chuang for these pictures from a day of life at ORTV.


"Super Marco" and Liz pose for the camera.


Liz looks happy as she poses for "Super Marco".


Liz helps Rebecca review and practice another Advanced article.


"Super Marco" catches Lisa and Beth as they get on the elevator. And we catch a glimpse of him in the mirror.


It was a marathon week for "Miss Advanced" in the studio, but you'd never know from her happy face. So, just how many recordings did you have this week, Naomi?


I've got it easy compared to "Miss Advanced".


The view from "Super Marco's" office. The red light is on, "Studio Classroom is on the air!" Phil and Naomi listen as Troy gets wound up.

Friday Night Bible Study Activity

For this English activity, Vance and I (Phil) asked students to come up on stage and guess the words on screen while others in the audience tried to act them out. We called it "Revers-charades" (since typically it's the group doing the guessing).

One popular category was "Animals", but there could be no talking or noises made. (Sorry folks, no growling, grunting, barking or bird calls) With the word "horse", it was funny to look out and see many people pretending to ride one. And with "kangaroo", the guess was "rabbit" until people got their "pouches" in place, ha, ha.

Shi-Chien University (實踐大學 )Class

Here are some students from my (Phil's) Fall class at Shi-Chien University (just across the street from ORTV). In the front row and second from the left is Ambreen. If you look up close, you'll see that she's obviously not Chinese. She grew up in Taiwan, but her parents are from India and Burma (Myanmar). The funny gal in the middle (with the pink hat) is "Mitch" (yes, a boy's name) from Pingtung (屏東). I think it should be an interesting semester. :)

Steve's Waterfall (From Below)

Steve's favorite waterfall in Neihu has two cascades that come together at the bottom and then shoot outwards off the rock.

Usually we go hang out at the "swimming hole" located above it, but this time we had to check out the pool and spray from below.


Yeah, baby! After getting rained on earlier, who cares if we get wet now.


After enjoying the spray from below, Steve boosts me (Phil) up to the next level to take a look. Thanks for the helping hands, Steve!

More Good English Vocabulary

In a flashback to Yehliu, we see that there's more than one way to spell this word for the day. I can just hear Andrea teaching this one: "Now students, repeat after me... EF-FLO-RES-CENCE". (photo courtesy of Gollum)

Studio Classroom Restaurant Visit

Jason Huang gets the "Unsung Heroes Award" for the day. It's not easy being a soundman when you have to hold a long heavy microphone over the table without banging the ceiling or getting it into the picture. Liz seems to appreciate his effort. Next to Liz are Vance and Lisa.


A delicious Chinese seafood feast. Makes me wish I could participate in these restaurant tapings more often.

Lisa, I think you should write more Studio Classroom Food articles. :)


The day's shooting is done. After filling his belly with good food, Vance settles down for a nap.