Yuanzuei (Birdsbeak) hike - April 2010

With a Nike holiday but no school day off, Mihwa and I took the opportunity to do this crazy hike about an hour and a half outside of Taichung. Mihwa had done the hike before but I had no idea what I was getting into. Pretty hairy! Sore as hell the day after.

The one way tunnel leading to the trailhead










I think the sign says "dont fall off the cliff."















2180m = 7150 feet



A little poetic license perhaps?









































Paperbag trees - in case you ever wondered where those came from.


Actually these are bags placed around the pear fruit to keep the birds and insects away. The trees are scaffolded to keep the branches, and fruit, close to the ground for easy picking. Very strange sight to see entire hillsides of trees covered in paper bags.

Lugang, Taiwan - March 2010

An old college buddy swung through town with his family for a quick visit so we scrambled down to Lugang, home to the oldest temple in Taiwan. Kurt's been living in Singapore the last 15+ years running his biz which he sold a couple years ago. He'll be repatriating to the Portland area in about 6 months.













Clyde (I think)...


...and Drake (I think)






















Clyde and Drake (definitely). Clyde is the elder...by a minute.























Some dried crayfish and mussels for sale outside the temple.

The Beuter clan (in the background)

Busan - lunar new year vacation, February 2010

A stop in Busan to connect with family for this important holiday.


The beautiful night view from our hotel.

New totems at the trailhead of our favorite hike.

Tokyo - February 2010

Daddy makes a 3 day swing through Tokyo to gather his wits and get inspired. Spent all three days roaming endlessly around Shibuya, Roppongi, Harajuku and Shinjuku without taking any public transport. Needed that exercise to work off the previous weeks' indulgences.

Roppongi Hills panorama











A crazy Gundam inspired building I just happened across roaming around Shibuya.


Shinjuku


Japantech - so tuff. Automated soap dispenser, water and hand drying all engineered into one sink.