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Friday, January 28, 2011
Japan, here we come!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Chinese Caligraphy
Today one of the wonderful ladies in our office brought in her caligraphy materials so we could all try our hand at writing New Year's phrases. Such a fun experience!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Nanny and Papa Take Over Taiwan!
Nanny and Papa haven't even been here for 48 hours and they are already rocking Taiwan! They have taken Teddy to school, attended a class on Chinese art, visited a temple, bought Jade at the Weekend Jade Market, and eaten dinner at the Grand Hotel. Now I know where I get my energy from!
More updates to come on their adventures!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ryan & Adrian Take Over Taiwan
We didn't even let R&A get used to the time change before we whisked them away to Taroko Gorge, billed as Taiwan's Grand Canyon. Well, it didn't exactly live up to hype but we were very impressed with the beautiful rock formations, the crystal clue waters, and the Taiwanese ability to put temples everywhere (even when rock slides and typhoons repeatedly destroy them).
Adriane and I are wearing our helmets to avoid regular rock slides - although I doubt the tiny helmet would have helped.
Next we traveled to Kenting, which is on the same line as Hawaii. We loved the tropical air and beaches but we truly enjoyed just hanging out. We were very thankful that Teddy got the chance to spend time with his Godfather.
We even traveled to the southern most point in Taiwan. Here is the family enjoying the view of the beach and the amazing weather.
We got back to Taipei to celebrate the New Year. We ran up to the roof of our building to watch the fireworks take over the city. Instead of a tri-pod we had to go for the reach and shoot photography method.
The next morning, we traveled to the Holiday Jade Market and got to watch Adriane bargain her way through her gift list.
Adriane and I are wearing our helmets to avoid regular rock slides - although I doubt the tiny helmet would have helped.
Next we traveled to Kenting, which is on the same line as Hawaii. We loved the tropical air and beaches but we truly enjoyed just hanging out. We were very thankful that Teddy got the chance to spend time with his Godfather.
We even traveled to the southern most point in Taiwan. Here is the family enjoying the view of the beach and the amazing weather.
We got back to Taipei to celebrate the New Year. We ran up to the roof of our building to watch the fireworks take over the city. Instead of a tri-pod we had to go for the reach and shoot photography method.
The next morning, we traveled to the Holiday Jade Market and got to watch Adriane bargain her way through her gift list.
Bali Hai: One Thing We Forgot To Mention
Although we don't have any pictures, one of the most amazing parts of our trip to Bali was snorkeling off the coast of Jemeluk. During WWII, a Japanese cargo ship sunk right off the east coast of Bali. Nengah offered to drive us to the dive site. We were floored by the coral reefs about 20 feet off shore and the thousands of colorful fish. As we swam out further, the outline of a medium size ship appeared right in front of us. It was beautiful and creepy all in one breath. We could dive right through the hull of the ship. It is difficult to put this experience into words but I have never done anything like this dive in my whole life. This snorkeling trip goes on my list of top coolest things I have ever done.
Bali Hai: Food
Gado Gado: This classic Indonesian dish is made up of delicious peanut sauce, local peanuts, garlic, palm sugar, and Bali spices, served over steamed vegetables and rice. This one is actually a deconstructed version of the typical meal.
Nasi Goreng: This is a fancy version of the traditional fried rice with vegetables and egg dish.
Tempe Chips: I am a huge fan of tempe and was thrilled that this dish of fermented soybean cakes was actually invented in Indonesia. These tasted like potato chips but with a little more heft and peanut sauce instead of ketchup. I could have eaten these the entire trip!
Fish Sate: Shana is enjoying the most amazing fish sate EVER! The fish has been almost grated and molded around vegetable skewers. Topped off with a mango smoothy.
Fresh Barracuda: Tasted like chicken and served over rice, veggies and a spicy sambal.
Chicken Sate: The traditional, famous Bali chicken sate served with peanut dipping sauce. Out of this world!
Nasi Goreng: This is a fancy version of the traditional fried rice with vegetables and egg dish.
Tempe Chips: I am a huge fan of tempe and was thrilled that this dish of fermented soybean cakes was actually invented in Indonesia. These tasted like potato chips but with a little more heft and peanut sauce instead of ketchup. I could have eaten these the entire trip!
Fish Sate: Shana is enjoying the most amazing fish sate EVER! The fish has been almost grated and molded around vegetable skewers. Topped off with a mango smoothy.
Fresh Barracuda: Tasted like chicken and served over rice, veggies and a spicy sambal.
Chicken Sate: The traditional, famous Bali chicken sate served with peanut dipping sauce. Out of this world!
Bali Hai: The Bali Beach House
After an amazing trip to Ubud, we traveled three hours by car to the east coast of Bali. We stayed in a small fishing village called Amed at the Bali Beach House (www.balibeachhouse.com).
The Beach House is owned by a couple in California who have partnered with an Amed local, I Nengah Suma Antara, to build the house and run the only homestay in the area. Nengah and his extended family (which includes children, nephews, adopted children, parents, etc.) all work at the house in one fashion or another. It is the Balinese way to take in whoever needs a job. Although Nengah and his family don't have much, they feel that the only way to live life is to take care of those around them. While everyone who works at the house is related in some way, one of the young men has been unofficially adopted by the family. Nengah found him at the local market after his father died and his mother abandoned him, possibly because of his crippled hand. Nengah gave this boy a job and even built him his own home in Amed. This was truly an amazing family to get to know and to share a few days with. We feel so lucky.
The view from the pool into the open-air house. This is certainly paradise!
The outside bed where we did a lot of reading and the kids watched some Christmas movies.
The view from outside the compound, across the black sand beach, toward the local volcano.
Nengah's wife making offerings at the house. She does this once a day at about a dozen spots that have been deemed appropriate by a priest.
The trees around the compound are wrapped in black and white checkered fabric. The design of the fabric means protection.
The Beach House is owned by a couple in California who have partnered with an Amed local, I Nengah Suma Antara, to build the house and run the only homestay in the area. Nengah and his extended family (which includes children, nephews, adopted children, parents, etc.) all work at the house in one fashion or another. It is the Balinese way to take in whoever needs a job. Although Nengah and his family don't have much, they feel that the only way to live life is to take care of those around them. While everyone who works at the house is related in some way, one of the young men has been unofficially adopted by the family. Nengah found him at the local market after his father died and his mother abandoned him, possibly because of his crippled hand. Nengah gave this boy a job and even built him his own home in Amed. This was truly an amazing family to get to know and to share a few days with. We feel so lucky.
The view from the pool into the open-air house. This is certainly paradise!
The outside bed where we did a lot of reading and the kids watched some Christmas movies.
The view from outside the compound, across the black sand beach, toward the local volcano.
Nengah's wife making offerings at the house. She does this once a day at about a dozen spots that have been deemed appropriate by a priest.
The trees around the compound are wrapped in black and white checkered fabric. The design of the fabric means protection.Sunday, January 2, 2011
Bali Hai: Bali Beach House Christmas Adventure
Nengah and his family threw us an amazing Christmas Eve party complete with traditional food, music and dancing. If we couldn't be with our own family for Christmas, this was a pretty cool way to celebrate.
Nengah's daughter is a Balinese dancer and she offered, with two friends, to dance for us on Christmas Eve. To decorate, Nengah's family decorated the living room with tied palm leaves. they taught Darby and me how to make them, and we had a great time helping to decorate.
One of the absolutely beautiful Balinese dancers who entertained us on Christmas Eve. While the costumes, makeup, and dancing was truly amazing, it was the dancer's eyes, which moved in time to the music, that really stole the show.
After the dance and dinner, we had the great fortune to share a crate of beer with all of the people at the Bali Beach House. Darby just happens to speak Bahasa, after growing up in Jakarta and studying it in college, and she explained Christmas and Santa Claus in Bahasa to everyone. I think they were interested in our traditions, but thought we were crazy for believing that a fat old man with a beard breaks into our house and leaves us presents. Still, after a couple beers, I think they were into it!
On Christmas morning, all of the children were thrilled that Santa had left them such great presents. Teddy was thrilled to find more Matchbox cars in his stocking! Thank you, Santa!
Nengah's daughter is a Balinese dancer and she offered, with two friends, to dance for us on Christmas Eve. To decorate, Nengah's family decorated the living room with tied palm leaves. they taught Darby and me how to make them, and we had a great time helping to decorate.
A few more family members came over to play some traditional music for us. These two men played the bamboo Gamelan for us. They were kind enough to invite Teddy and Sawyer to play them too. Also included in the photo is Nengah's youngest son and Elliette Sinclair who got to dress up like the dancers.
One of the absolutely beautiful Balinese dancers who entertained us on Christmas Eve. While the costumes, makeup, and dancing was truly amazing, it was the dancer's eyes, which moved in time to the music, that really stole the show.
After the dance and dinner, we had the great fortune to share a crate of beer with all of the people at the Bali Beach House. Darby just happens to speak Bahasa, after growing up in Jakarta and studying it in college, and she explained Christmas and Santa Claus in Bahasa to everyone. I think they were interested in our traditions, but thought we were crazy for believing that a fat old man with a beard breaks into our house and leaves us presents. Still, after a couple beers, I think they were into it!
On Christmas morning, all of the children were thrilled that Santa had left them such great presents. Teddy was thrilled to find more Matchbox cars in his stocking! Thank you, Santa!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
More Photos of Ubud
A few of the beautiful hand-painted kites for sale in the Ubud market. Bargaining is the key here, although it can be a little scary your first time.
Michael and Teddy at the water palace.
Three monkeys (can you see the little baby?)
A few of the many statues around the grounds of the Honeymoon Guesthouse.
Michael and Teddy at the water palace.
Shana and her new monkey friend.
Three monkeys (can you see the little baby?)
A Balinese woman carrying food home from the market on her head.
Bali Hai: Ubud
We have never felt more a part of paradise than in Ubud, which is the cultural center of Bali. From the lush grounds of our hotel, to walking through the monkey forest, to watching a Balinese fire dance, everything we did was straight out of a movie. We are usually happy to explore a place and then move on, but this was a place I think we all hope to return to soon.
Before traveling to Bali, I read a wonderful book called "Fragrant Rice," written by the proprietor of the hotel we stayed at. The Honeymoon Guesthouses were out of this world - so lush and beautiful that it seemed to have been in Ubud for a thousand years. This is a picture of Teddy and Michael exploring the grounds of the hotel.
For those interested in cooking, please read Fragrant Rice and go to the cooking school at the Honeymoon Guesthouse...and take me with you! I am definitely going back for a few lessons in Balinese cuisine!
We had the chance to watch a traditional dance which included a chorus of 100 men, a beautiful kidnapped princess, a spiritual trance, and a horse dancing through fire. It was amazing and other-worldly. Teddy was equally terrified and mesmerized.
Although a day of rain kept us from the Ubud Monkey Forest, but made it back and saw about 100 monkeys up close. Although Shana was attacked by a hungry monkey who wanted her just-purchased bananas and decided to eat them while sitting on her shoulder, it was a great morning event. Again, Teddy was equally terrified and mesmerized by the gangs of monkeys. Although the above monkey looks more frightening than cute, he was actually posing for Michael. Man, these are some smart monkeys!
In all, we had a truly amazing time. This is one of those places that stays with you and we are already dreaming of our next trip to Ubud. Is anyone interested in going with us next time?
A few more highlights: bargaining in the market for sarongs and silver Buddha heads, eating Gado Gado at Casa Luna which I had just read a whole book about, searching for and purchasing a painting of a Balinese princess and a praying Balinese couple (which kind of looks like Michael and me), exploring the back roads of Ubud, and not having any agenda except enjoying the view.
Up next: More photos from Ubud and the end of our trip at the Bali Beach House!
Before traveling to Bali, I read a wonderful book called "Fragrant Rice," written by the proprietor of the hotel we stayed at. The Honeymoon Guesthouses were out of this world - so lush and beautiful that it seemed to have been in Ubud for a thousand years. This is a picture of Teddy and Michael exploring the grounds of the hotel. For those interested in cooking, please read Fragrant Rice and go to the cooking school at the Honeymoon Guesthouse...and take me with you! I am definitely going back for a few lessons in Balinese cuisine!
We had the chance to watch a traditional dance which included a chorus of 100 men, a beautiful kidnapped princess, a spiritual trance, and a horse dancing through fire. It was amazing and other-worldly. Teddy was equally terrified and mesmerized.
Although a day of rain kept us from the Ubud Monkey Forest, but made it back and saw about 100 monkeys up close. Although Shana was attacked by a hungry monkey who wanted her just-purchased bananas and decided to eat them while sitting on her shoulder, it was a great morning event. Again, Teddy was equally terrified and mesmerized by the gangs of monkeys. Although the above monkey looks more frightening than cute, he was actually posing for Michael. Man, these are some smart monkeys!
In all, we had a truly amazing time. This is one of those places that stays with you and we are already dreaming of our next trip to Ubud. Is anyone interested in going with us next time?
A few more highlights: bargaining in the market for sarongs and silver Buddha heads, eating Gado Gado at Casa Luna which I had just read a whole book about, searching for and purchasing a painting of a Balinese princess and a praying Balinese couple (which kind of looks like Michael and me), exploring the back roads of Ubud, and not having any agenda except enjoying the view.
Up next: More photos from Ubud and the end of our trip at the Bali Beach House!
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