Nantau

My family and I at Chung Tai temple

Chung Tai temple and museum

Temple entrance

my friendly neighbours

My free vegetarian meal

Mama Sue at Sun Moon lake

Dad, mum and Ryan

Temple of  wisdom

Jiji train station

Steam train

My host family originally from Nantou county, so we went 'home' for the weekend. So that I could meet the rest of the family, for fathers day and to travel in the country side. Our home town is Cautan, Nantau is the only land locked county in Taiwan and the bread basket of the coury. I got a royal welcome at home and instantly felt at home. 

My family is comprised of Father Lung Po, mother Suewan Lai, grand father aka Yeye, brother James he is married to Yatin and Eric who is married to and the family prince Ryan their son. Oh I forgot ET the 18 year lod dog.Mama Sue is a chief so my welcome dinner looked good and tasted great. The following moring we went on a young road trip arounds the county. 

Our first stop was Puli at Chung Tai temple and museum, unforyunatley there was a private ceremony going on so we were not able to go past the gate. The temple looked very beautiful, I was disapointed that I could not go inside. The site is very impressive  Budist spectacle, there is a temple, museum, school (from elemetry to high school) and hospital. We were given free vegetarian lunch in the temple garden. 

The next stop was Sun Moon Lake, wow the lake is breath taking and its has magnificant temple surrounding it. The temple of knowledge and power were very beautiful. The lake has destiny island, the is a shrine in the island. We also went to the Peacock santury Ryans Favourite place at the lake. I was amazed to see hite peacock. 
We then went to Sun Moon lake, to sea the lake and the beautifu temple surrounding the lake. I also got to taste the famous black tea. I really liked the black tea so i bought a lot to take home.
Jiji was our next destination there I got to see the olderst railway station in the country and suprisingly its still operational. We also went to Mingchin Academy a school olser thean ROC its was established in 1883 AD. It was a beautiful school that was established by Emperor Gaungsyu. 

We then went tome to have father day cake to celebrate father's day that had past during the week. 

first 24 hours in Taiwan

Well the Hong Hong airport got me realy excited about Taiwan. Since I kept on meeting more participants as we were boarding the plane, the dream was becoming real. Upon laning those of us who had no visa had to go process our langing visa, ROC ( Republic of Chaina) Taiwan is reaaly organised they were people to direct us to laning visa office they had all our details and paid for our visa the process took less thn 5 minutes.
 After that we we to the lobby got ur local cellphones with credit. My host was waiting for me in another airport so i had to catch a bus to  the other airport an hour away. Lucy aka Apple to us to the bus stop and we were one step closer to our host family.
Since the airport was the last stop I did not fear getting off at the last stop. Yating ( my host) came to pick me at the airport and we caught the metro home. We my fast impressio of Taipei is that its fast pased and has a vibrant energy. After supper my hosts and I agreed to vist their parents at Nantou county for the weekend. We wld leave saturday afternoon when James fets back from work.

I was so excited I woke up at 05:30 I had not even set the arlam. After breakfast Yating showed me around the neighbourhood and her work palace, she is a teacer at the privete girls school. Since her school is near National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial so we went there. Kai-Shek was the first President of ROC. Well i got to see a group yaoa session like i have seen on tv so i got exited. We the memorial is beautiful its just amazing as the men it represents. I do not know an former president with more than awards of courage as he does. President Chiang as he is caaled here was very learned and deplomatic in his dealings with other countries.

At President Chiang Kai-Shen memorial with Japanese tourists

President Chiand and  his elegant and very beautiful Madame Mao Fu-mei

Yatin's work place

Malawai gave President the order of the Lion

Order of the Lion

Since we are in the ghost month in the chinese calander there is got day celebrated on the 14 August.  At Taipei station the Grand central station of Taipei we found a crime prevention campaign under way. The police here are very friendly. The we started a 1 hour trip on the high speed train

Begning of the journey

I was so excited about leaving that I woke up at 04;00. After packing the previous evening I had a few errand to run before going to the airport. After my last errant at 08:45 I discover that I can not find my passort. Since I was in Molepolole 60 km away from the airport. I was stressing. We rushed to Moples and my cousin went to uor house to look for my passport. I find th epaasort then I had to rush to catch my flight.

I got to the airport  after boarding had closed. I had called to find out if I could catch a later flight well I was told if I missed the flight I would not be able to travel. I was really stressed the lady decided to have mercy and let me board. My bag was kg over weight I was charged P 1000.For it at that moment the excitement of the trip died. I was told that if I take back the bag I would not be able to get on the flight.

Flight from Gabs to Joburg

Having drinks in Hong Kong

Donald @ Hong Kong airport

I paid the charge got on the flight and I was one step closer to Taiwan. I met Don at OR Tambo. Luckly the was a seat empty near him so we sat next to each other on the flight to Hong Kong. I managed to sleep on the plane. Hong Kong airpoty was beautiful and we met Sa crew at the airport

Almost Died

Well, I have really been looking forward to going to Taiwan. On Sunday I got up a bit late made breakfast and went for a shower. After taking a shower I felt really dizzy and breathless. When I can to paramedics where in my room and my mother looked really worried.

Well I was feeling really cold and very confused. I was then taken to the local hospital for to be checked by a the doctor. My bathroom uses a gas geyser, so  since combustion takes up oxygen, I was suffocating because of the carbon monoxide, I had closed the windows since its  was cold. I would have died in the bathroom had my mother not gotten worried and come looking for me. She knew basic first aid was able to safe me.

Now the shock of what happened had worn off. I am grateful to be alive and thank God intervening. Now making the final preparations for my trip.
Am really excited and I have learnt we take life for granted a small thing can end your life.

Grateful to be alive and ready for Taiwan