Did SHE Eat It?

While we were in Puli we were exposed to something we had not seen since arriving here. We had heard of it but never seen it nor had been offered it. But, while in Puli, we were finally offered..........SUGAR CANE.

You say, that doesn't sound special, but it's actually just a stalk that you have to bite off, chew all the stuff out of the middle, and spit out the remainder into your hand. Not a pretty site. Here's a demonstration:

So, what do you think? Did Jess eat a big 'ole stalk of sugar cane? You tell us. (You'll notice the remains of the eaten sugar cane in his left hand)

The Long Awaited Sun Moon Lake Part II

Now we'll show you some pictures of some of the people we traveled with to Puli and Sun Moom Lake as well as a very famous site in Taiwan. We were taken there by the mother of the two students that we 'tutor' on the weekends, Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen, Jess, and Joyce (Mrs. Chen's neice)

Then entrance to Wenwu Temple (a pretty nice place)

A nice view of some of the temple decorations (Jess would like to add that she took this very artistic shot)

The first temple I've seen to add so much greenery to the interior

This spot is a very famous spot in Taiwan, it's the exact center of the island! Ta da! It's also called Taiwan's belly button (a name I prefer much more than "exact center")

A hill overlooking Puli, it was a tad hazy outside but a wonderful view none the less. (The umbrella is not because it was going to rain but that most Taiwanese "hate" the sun because it will tan their skin. Umbrella sales go way up on sunny days!)

Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Chen's brother-in-law (whom was affectionately named "Puli Uncle"), Joyce and Jess at Sun Moon Lake

That's all the pictures I have from our adventure to the lake (of which I've noticed that I'm sorely represented in digital form). We really have to ramp up our pictures, I know we've slowed down some but we'll really focus and try to get some good ones up, I promise!

Sun Moon Lake Part I

We took a couple of days and went with some friends to a lake in the center of Taiwan called Sun Moon Lake. It's called that because the lake has two parts, one is in the shape of a sun and one is in the shape of a moon. Don't ask me where because it was too big to figure out which was which. But it was nice anyway, there are also some funny pictures from our time there:

Jess and I at afore mentioned lake. Where, by the way, there were some teenagers taking pictures of themselves jumping...maybe we're old school but we'll just stand

This is not at the lake but in the town of Puli (poo-lee). This is one of Taiwans largest buddhist monasteries. But in reality it's just a tourist attraction. We were told it cost around 150 million US dollars to build.

This handsome fella greeted us upon arrival

An interesting array of lions, buddhas, and giant three-headed men (unfortunately you can't see the giant's other two heads, but trust me, they are there)

A view from the inside looking out

Back to the lake! The sign says that swimming is prohibited and if caught you will be flogged by a wet noodle (just kidding) but swimming is prohibited because it's too cold (really)

This is me and my wife....at the lake......surprise!

This is a temple overlooking the lake

This is me trying to look "natural" but I look more like a stalker

more scenery from the temple (minus Jason the Stalker)

More to come later!

Jilong (Keelung)

Our trip to Jilong was short but sweet! Here are some photos

Our first stir-fried crab legs with curry

Pictures can be deceiving! Our hotel website failed to mention that they were down an alley next to a even shadier alley with blaring music...

They also failed to mention (which I have no idea why) the perk of glow in the dark dolphins on the ceiling of our room that were emphasized by the blacklight!

The Duolos, providing Christian reading material and music to cities around the world!

Crowded but cool

This is Jilongs temple that faces their market. The market is called 'miaokou' meaning 'intersection of the temple'

No matter what you do you cannot escape Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob (even in balloon form)

Our new favorite desert 'bao bao bing' which is ice shavings mixed with fruit

Gotta love the babies

Our first dragon boat festival race

These people won, I knew they would all along! If you go to ESPN.com I think they'll have a clip of the race (you thought about it for a second didn't you?)

I have no idea where I am but I look good doing it

Sit! Please do not stand on this toilet! It's not a squatty potty, how many times do I have to tell you!?!?

You Know You're Bored When...

You draw your own Scrabble board with pieces of paper taped together!