Five star farm!! :)

This crew couldn't have asked for a better last day in YiLan County!

To start the day off, us ladies went to the golf course to round up Mike and Alex who started their day extra early to get in some time on the mountain green. We found them soaked from the rain but still smiling!

Then we hit the road and made our way to Alex's host, Jacky's, farm. This oasis was called Toucheng tourist farm. It was less like a farm and more like a resort for all ages with some cute animals scattered throughout :)

We began our visit by... Guess... Eating! After a great lunch we had a lot of fun painting leafy designs on T-shirts that we are able to take home with us. Then we made fire roasted pizzas. YUM! After that we met Jacky's water buffalo who paid no attention to us while they ate their own lunch of wild greens. Jacky's farm is also equipped with a winery and we were fortunate enough to participate in a wine tasting! To wind down our day at the farm, we spent time chatting and drinking tea and coffee at a restaurant on site.

The day wasn't over yet though! We were invited to a nice rotary gathering hosted by the ChiaoHsi rotary club where Mike and Alex presented about our time here in Taiwan thus far; and where we bid farewell to many of our new friends here in YiLan. Of course we will see many at the conference this weekend for district 3490 which the team is really looking forward to. To everyone here in YiLan though, thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality and efforts to show us your county. YiLan is BEAUTIFUL!!

And the Adventure continues...

We are currently exploring the lovely countryside of YiLan. Today we toured Cilan National Forest Recreation Centre. We saw beautiful mountains, rivers and some wildlife ( monkeys, deer and some ducks)

Over the last few days the team has had some great opportunities to explore their vocations. Some vocations included health centres, the Yilan University and Jih-Sun stock exchange. The team expressed they are all learning lots and have great ideas to share with their colleagues when they get back home to Canada.

Some of the amazing vocational experiences I have had recently are:
Yi-LAN county government Department for handicaps: Government department of social services. They run several programs here for those facing poverty/ abuse/ disability/ violence against women and children and a daycare program for seniors.

I also visited the YuLan public health centre where Dr. Chan gave me the tour. The Taiwanese people can see more than one family doctor of their choice. They are not rostered to just one doctor. He said he sees approximately 25- 30 patients per day. I was so surprised to see no one waiting in the reception/ waiting rooms ( efficient health care system). He was seeing patients and giving me a tour at same time- so relaxed!! He told me the whole referral process of how he refers patients into quit smoking programs/ diabetes/ hypertension etc. This public health centre pictured below in Yilan. Built 8 years ago, cost $3 million dollars. Green energy, Eco friendly building. Lots of natural light and green roofs ( acts as a cooling system) also pictured below are
Health promotion signs: healthy babies program, quit smoking programs/ healthy eating programs. Huge banners all over the city of Yilan/ Taipei. I am very impressed with the health care and promotion here in Taiwan.

Lastly, Alex and I visited the Centre for disability and elderly care. This women ( patient with dementia - last picture) was a teacher in the States in 1960's. She spoke English for many years there. She's been at this seniors centre in taiwan for 5 years and hardly speaks at all because they all speak Chinese. We were introduced to her in English and she was so excited. All the employees told us they had never seen her so happy or talk so much English in the 5 years she has been there. She was so happy to speak English to us. It was a touching moment.

We have a fun day planned for tomorrow at the Tou-Cheng Farm. Yee-ha. Stay tuned.

Shannon

Ain't No Birthday like a Taiwanes Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA!!!



What was the team up today..... It's a Beautiful day here in Jeao Si the tourist city of hot springs ,spa's and mountainous country side. This city and it's surrounding area's has had something that all reminds us of home with it's population, geographical reference to the big city and way of life. It could also be day 19 and all the little things will always Pop up. Either way we were all excited to share our experience with our new host of Yi-Lang area, who as always have been nothing short of amazing.
Well what didn't we do. It's never a dual moment on a GSE trip. Today we all had personal visits set up for the morning and afternoon.
Shannon had a great trip to community Health Centre's, groups that work and help integrate populations with disabilities, as well as a trip to an old age home. Which she had the pleasure of meeting a 105 year old women smiling away. As well as a great story of an 80yr old women that hadn't been saying much in the last 4 years and upon Shannon's and my visit came right up to speak in English. The nursing team had there jaws on the ground, and the whole moment afterwards was very moving.
Ashley with a great trip to meet with Rotarian Stock, learning the ins and outs of stock trading in Taiwan and the info on how they keep things in check to provide the population with a stable economy.
Ashley and Mike also had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of the Farmers Credit Union today and there local operation to maintain a strong stable operation for all farms. I know after talking with Ashley and her link to loans with small business with RBC, found it a real treat to see how the credit Union was working with the farms to help promote and see success in their industry through local bank practises.
Mike sadly had to join me on my Spa day trip..;)  Our great host Peter Lee, took us on a site seeing trip in the morning to a look out of the Hotel district of Jeao-Si. Followed by a quick trip over to one the most amazing displays of Orchids we've ever seen. To end the morning before lunch with the Man spa as we travelled into a moment of tranquillity and serenity with little fish nipping dead skin off our feet, Orchid infused spa's and so much more. You were looking at some seriously relaxed Men.

The afternoon brought great preparation  for Laura's Birthday Dinner this evening, Peter Lee was kind enough to take the whole team to a fish spa bath for a little exfoliation of the feet to look our best. With Mike giggling like a school girl and most of us following in toe (like the pun?)
Once the team was done feeding the fish Wendy, Mike's host family took us to a well renowned Artist and Tea room for a beautiful tasting of local tea's. Lilly flower, Green Zen, Lemon grass and many more.
However the Big Day was Laura's, with her amazing Facebook post which we all loved (liked on FB) and her Birthday was off. Starting with the tour of Yi lang University Campus on the mountain with Host family and Professor. Gaining insight and knowledge on local plants foods and there sustainable growing projects on campus. She was even able to have a cup of coffee from beans grown right off the property. After what I heard was a great vegetarian lunch, Laura had the pleasure of visiting an Eco Expo garden that is only opened for 2 months of the year. Relaxing day of local wild life and great hosts.
 To wrap up a day there's no Birthday with out a celebration. As we all gathered at Will's Wine House for a private meal and wine tasting, complete with Birthday Cake. Great night of celebration, filled with laughs, hugs and Princess crown's. Happy Birthday Laura!!!

Off to the country side

We were fortunate enough to get a couple of nights in a hotel. The team needed some rest and down time. The first night we headed to a pub called the Brass Monkey. Very western and so we had chicken wings, pizza, burgers and some great beer. Met some other western folks who were here on business or who have relocated here. If you watch "How I met your mother" it was our hoser bar. There was a team Canada jersey and an Ottawa Senators one too, we felt a little taste of home. The next night the team mostly slept all day and took some alone time for unescorted walks, that was awesome. We bid farewell to our great area hosts and ADG Biz and our new host Peter loaded a van to the brim and off to the country side of I-Lan we went. They toured us through a traditional art center that was like a theme park of all traditional things you would see in Taiwan. Then to a rotary club meeting where we did a presentation and exchanged banners with 10 clubs. My plans changed for tomorrow so I am heading to a hot spring with Alex instead of looking at a sheet metal shop, not a bad plan B.

Another day in Taipei! :)

The group shared in another awesome day in Taipei! The rain won't get this bunch down!

We started our day off by meeting some new Rotarian friends and hosts of the 5th division of district 3490. Saying zaijian (goodbye) to the hosts we have come to know is never easy but we are always keen to meet new people :)

We then began an impressively thorough tour of the Xianse temple. It is approximately 250 years old making it one of Taiwan's oldest temples! And one of Taiwan's many temples... There are roughly 2000 in Taiwan! This one in particular had about 30 gods in separate rooms that are open to the public for honour and worship. Unfortunately, time would only permit us to learn about some of them so we visited approximately 5 gods/rooms.

We then had an amazing feast for lunch... As always!! At lunch our flexible Rotarian companions helped us switch up plans for the afternoon due to the rain. We were scheduled to go to the Taipei Expo Park but hit the beautiful Taipei Fine Arts Museum instead! This gallery of interesting pieces stimulated some great conversations between our group.

After a lovely dinner, we each headed to our homes for the night with some new friends :)

I have a bit of a situation

One of the other team members will post about our day today but feel my situation for home hosts should be shared. After the transfer today to new hosts we had dinner, on the way home they said I would be sharing space with a very unusual pet. So I'm in the back seat thinking snake or exotic bird, no problem. When I arrive to the home I meet my new roommate by the name of Toast. OMG! Toast is as unsure of our new arrangement as I am. Nighty night everyone, OMG!!!!!!!!

Tamshui- Fisherman's Warf & A boat ride to Lover's Bridge

It was a great day today in Tamshui-Taipei Lots to see and great company. We first toured the old British Embassy and learned the history of the great Canadian Dr. George Mackay (March 21, 1844 – June 2, 1901) He was the first Presbyterian missionary to northern Formosa (Taiwan). He served with the Canadian Presbyterian Mission. Mackay is among the best known Westerners to have lived in Taiwan. We paid our respects as we passed his statue.

We then took a ferry across the harbour, saw fisherman's wharf and the famous Lover's Bridge. Our team( family) is getting very close and took some 'heart-warming' photos here :-)

We had a lovely afternoon site-seeing and enjoying the warm weather.

Below I have included some of my vocational visits to some of the nearby hospitals. The healthcare is top- notch in Taiwan and I'm learning a lot.