Man About Taiwan

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69715402011-04-22T04:19:02.750+08:00Man About TaiwanI lived and taught English for two years in Taiwan. I travelled China and the rest of Asia, including South Africa. Now I live in Bristol.Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.comBlogger1261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-19901457183563203052007-04-22T17:56:00.001+08:002007-10-29T03:35:37.969+08:00Pictures from South Africa

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar > Tashkurgan > Karakul Lake > Kashgar (Kashi) > Hotan > Qiemo >

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-57671461575338914282007-03-16T05:39:00.000+08:002007-07-13T04:33:13.085+08:00Pictures from Southern China

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-70935810350419370652007-03-15T17:54:00.000+08:002007-04-23T04:54:54.383+08:00Pictures from Cambodia and Vietnam

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-27651691770108607582007-03-10T14:00:00.000+08:002007-03-10T16:06:36.829+08:00This journey sucks!

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-28993398912111921542007-02-17T20:23:00.001+08:002007-03-09T18:54:05.717+08:00Speeding through Cambodia and Vietnam

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1170748974933490702007-02-06T15:39:00.000+08:002007-02-17T20:18:20.799+08:00Royal Pain in the Butt

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1170389139062457962007-02-02T12:01:00.000+08:002007-02-02T13:00:45.026+08:00Pictures from Thailand and Laos

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1169472255381684962007-01-22T21:02:00.000+08:002007-01-22T22:14:28.380+08:00Pictures from Nepal and India

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1168419944596938192007-01-10T15:34:00.000+08:002007-01-21T15:57:57.710+08:00India Unwrapped

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1165929301605473932006-12-07T20:58:00.000+08:002007-01-10T15:32:18.346+08:00From Chitwan to Gorkha, Bandipur, Pokhara and Lumbini

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1165045832845035752006-12-02T15:48:00.000+08:002006-12-02T17:05:43.723+08:00Pictures from Tibet and Nepal

Here are current pictures of Kate and I in Tibet, travelling from Lhasa to the Nepali border via Everest Base Camp. After these, there are some pictures from Nepal, including the animal fun at Chitwan National Park.Me and the other half high above Yamdrok-tso at 4900 metres. This was the first day of our 6 day adventure from Lhasa to the Nepali border.The gang, from the left, Nils(Germany),

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1164956771631710372006-12-01T14:42:00.000+08:002006-12-01T17:03:48.936+08:00Animal fun in Chitwan National Park

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1164869395808449342006-11-30T14:43:00.000+08:002006-11-30T18:08:11.313+08:00Lhasa (Tibet) to Kathmandu (Nepal)

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1162286384117766322006-10-31T16:29:00.000+08:002006-10-31T17:19:44.183+08:00The World's Highest Salt-Water Lake (Namtso Lake)

One of the most beautiful places I've been to so far. Lake Namtso means “holy lake” in the Tibetan language. It's a mountain lake in central Tibet. At an elevation of 4,718 metres, it is also the highest-altitude salt-water lake in the world, the furthest depth being more than 33 meters.Of course it's bloody cold at this altitude and on the way, a long 260 kilometers from Lhasa, the road rises

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1161084566484545692006-10-17T19:22:00.000+08:002006-10-17T19:43:38.416+08:00Pictures from China Part II

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar (Kashi) > Tashkurgan > Karakul Lake > Kashgar (Kashi) > Hotan > Qiemo

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1160825130290650562006-10-14T19:24:00.000+08:002006-10-19T21:51:30.580+08:00Golmud to Lhasa

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar (Kashi) > Tashkurgan > Karakul Lake > Kashgar (Kashi) > Hotan > Qiemo

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1160741586681956532006-10-13T19:26:00.000+08:002006-10-14T19:27:49.703+08:00Southern Silk Road to Golmud

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar (Kashi) > Tashkurgan > Karakul Lake > Kashgar (Kashi) > Hotan > Qiemo

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1159962282380446032006-10-04T19:38:00.000+08:002006-10-05T14:44:23.813+08:00Mountain Journey to Karakul Lake and beyond

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar (Kashi) > Tashkurgan > Karakul Lake > Kashgar (Kashi) .... We just

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1159701792459961262006-10-01T22:20:00.000+08:002006-10-01T20:57:31.686+08:00Kashgar Bazaar

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake > Urumuqi > Kashgar ....So after Urumuqi we decided it was time to get further west, in

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1159703757382585882006-10-01T19:49:00.000+08:002006-10-01T20:38:32.253+08:00Good Books, Shit Books

Two of the best books I've recently read:The Bonesetter's Daughter - by Amy Tang (Emotional book about Chinese and American culture and mother/daughter relationships, beautifully written)The Perfect Execution - by Tim Binding (Set in post-war England, a fantastic perspective of a man and his job as public executioner)Two of the shittest books I've read:R is for Ricochet - by Sue Grafton (This

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1159701114839708882006-09-30T19:08:00.000+08:002006-10-01T19:20:36.756+08:00Kanas Lake Tour

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang > Urumuqi > Kanas Lake ....Well from Dunhuang we took the night bus, uncomfortable as I'm too tall for the beds

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1158737979878331252006-09-20T14:59:00.000+08:002006-10-01T19:19:42.610+08:00Dunhuang Vegas!

Journey so far: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan > Jiaugyuan > Dunhuang ....Night 1 - 16th SeptemberLeft Jiaugyuan in a minivan at 2:30pm on a hot and sweaty day. We started the

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1158242086149119572006-09-14T21:36:00.000+08:002006-09-20T14:59:17.780+08:00Stranded in Jingtieshan

Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye > Jiaugyuan > Jingtieshan ... Oh lordy! Here in China, its maddness. We are in the mountains in Jingtieshan, 90km north of Jiaugyuan, where we expected to see a glacier today,

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1157961293281178302006-09-11T15:54:00.000+08:002006-09-11T17:05:39.896+08:00Comprehensive Sick Boy

So I've been sick for the past 5 days. Wasn't sure what it was, but guessed I had a chest infection of sorts. Well I went to the local pharmacy and described my symptoms: chesty cough, thick phlegm, slight tightness in chest. All through TPR (Total Physical Response; Shane School's abbreviation to desribe the stupid looking body movements teachers make in front of the students to demonstrate

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1157795738840366372006-09-09T17:06:00.000+08:002006-09-09T18:06:14.406+08:00Getting to Zhangye, Gansu Province

Journey update: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye .... We took the overnight train from Xi'an, booked on hard-seats. Be prepared for a rough night! We wanted to upgrade to sleepers once we were on the train but

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1157462263803164662006-09-05T21:08:00.000+08:002006-09-06T16:58:34.676+08:00Hyatt Regency, Xian

I'm now another year older, 27! Shit! Anyway enough bad news. The good news is that Kate and I both had a joint present thanks to our families. One unforgettable night in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Xi'an. We arrived with our backpacks feeling a little smelly and unkempt. We checked in and then they took our bags! From here I felt lost, what's the protocol for this type of thing? We were

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1157374593091498882006-09-04T20:36:00.000+08:002006-09-05T17:04:35.153+08:00Pictures from China

Journey update: .. Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > Lanzhou > Zhangye .... We've now burnt our China photo's onto CD. We had a chance to upload some of them onto my Flickr account before re-sizeing them in MSPaint! These are our

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1157008013483526252006-08-31T13:41:00.000+08:002006-08-31T15:40:06.546+08:00Xi'an Swallows Time

Journey update: .. Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'an > So we are in Xi'an. Large, open city with plenty of pollution and people not interested in tourists (to the point of being rude!)We have been here 2 weeks! Why!!!! Well first we mainly needed rest, which we've now had an abundance of, and secondly we've been waiting for train tickets. Train tickets are

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1156857275801338782006-08-28T21:12:00.000+08:002006-08-29T21:39:49.430+08:00Happy Birthday

This is a little HAPPY BIRTHDAY Blog for you Katie!!I remember because it's the same date as mine and Kate reminds me!MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1156518204085432102006-08-20T22:16:00.000+08:002006-08-26T19:09:53.140+08:00Zhengzhou Chinese Family and Shaolin KungFu

Journey update: .. Datong > Hohhot > Huitengxile > Hohhot > Taiyuan >Zhengzhou > Xi'anIt was a long train ride from Hohhot toZhengzhou. No direct train, sowe went via Taiyuan and there bought another ticket. We left Hohhot on the overnight train, arrived at Taiyuan early in the morning, bought another sleeper ticket for Zhengzhou. On the train we went a cute andcurious 9 year old girl. She

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1155792968578281532006-08-18T13:27:00.000+08:002006-08-24T18:16:05.336+08:00Inner Mongolia Huitengxile Grassland

Journey update: .. Datong > Hohot > Huitengxile > Hohot > Taiyuan > Zhengzhou > Xi'anSo we are now in a smoke filled Internet cafe in Hohhot, by 6:00pm we we'll be on a night train heading for Taiyuan. We don't plan to stay in Taiyuan, just a jumping board to our planned destination, Xi'an.We've just spent two days and one night in Huitengxile, reputedly the most beautiful grassland foreigners

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1155793858738157552006-08-17T13:37:00.000+08:002006-08-23T14:44:00.750+08:00The Journey so far and the tentative Plan

After some requests I thought I'd add a little blog that shows every place we've stayed in and our tentative plan for the coming months.The Journey:Taiwan > Hong Kong > Beijing > Harbin > Yanji > Songjianghe >Changbai Mountain > Dandong > Dalian > Dandong > Chengde > Beijing > Datong > Hohhot > TaiyuanThe Tenatative Plan:Taiyuan > ZhengZhou > Xi'an > ..... Now it gets vague!..... Follow "The Silk

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1155361568266453702006-08-09T13:16:00.000+08:002006-08-12T14:25:15.580+08:00Datong behind us, Hohhot on the horizon

Since the last blog, we spent 5 nights in Beijing, going there for rest and recuperation andcertainly none of that sightseeing jazz, as we'd already done this thefirst time. We needed to get our Hepatitis A + B jabs, which was hasslefree, but left us fatigued and I had to carry Kate in my arms as sheswooned (hahaha).We left Beijing on the night train at 23:30, a clean and beautiful traincompared

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1154862578186031372006-08-06T19:07:00.000+08:002006-08-09T19:30:49.216+08:00Goodbye Dandong, Hello Chengde and Beijing

Time for an update!Our last day in Dandong, before leaving for Chengde, included a trip to find the "Museum to Commemorate Aiding Korea Against US Agression". This is a story all of its own... a story of pain, suffering, and hunger - on our part!!! We were supposed to take a bus (directed by some dude on the internet) out of Dandong and get off at the sports stadium. Simple. However, we ended up

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1154159127366648672006-07-29T15:07:00.000+08:002006-07-29T16:01:35.726+08:00Chinese Mullet Man

Well good news, I've got a cracking photo of the mullet, downside is Ican't download it from the camera in China. (especially on our limited budget!)This man is special! Right outside our hotel in Dandong is an open air stage with patio chairs and tables laid out in front. During the evening different and rather shite acts come up and try to entertain the locals, which they do!One night we

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1153983819081093622006-07-27T15:02:00.000+08:002006-07-27T17:00:41.960+08:00Great Wall and Dandong

A small addition to the mamoth blog last time:Yesterday Kate and I went to the easternmost part of the Great Wall. It was quite short compared to the other section we saw in Badaling which snaked for miles into the horizon. We climbed the Dandong section up a hill (a steep walk) and at the top we saw North Korea. Really quite dull, lots of flat land with very little happening. In fact last night

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1153830204434659572006-07-25T20:22:00.000+08:002006-07-25T22:29:28.030+08:00Harbin - Yanji - Changbaishan - Dandong -Dalian - Dandong (again?)

At last found a few moments in the day, actually three hours, to use the computer. Get a cup of tea and some biscuits, this is all that has happened since the last blog.We've now travelled around the North East of China and currently heading back towards Beijing in time for our Hep A+B jabs. This should be us all vaccinated for India and, oh yeah, the rest of Asia!We left Harbin, Saturday the

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1152959783045080182006-07-15T18:34:00.000+08:002006-07-15T18:36:23.060+08:00Left Beijing, Leaving Harbin!

We've managed to find a really cheap internet cafe so we've come to write a little.We're in Harbin at the moment (the place that had the big toxic waste spill last year) and in a few hours we're taking the overnight train to Jilin. The reason we're off to this remote little place is that from there we can take a day tour to a volcano and climb it!! Exciting. Then we're off to Dandong, really near

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1152598953751258482006-07-11T14:14:00.000+08:002006-07-11T14:22:33.766+08:00First Post in China

This is a test to see if I can blog, as I can log into Blogger, but the Chinese Government have decided that Chinese people can't look at my blog! So I have no way of checking if this works.If so, please email me!Otherwise, China is amazing and we're leaving Beijing tomorrow heading for Harbin. (The place that had the toxic spill) We've relaxed and got some of our sleep back which we lost

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1150643934835636622006-05-31T22:50:00.000+08:002006-07-25T22:31:09.633+08:00Tienchung (again), Goodbye Katie, Dragon Boat Festival (again)

Been very busy lately, with all that is involved in leaving a country and start traveling. We are both making progress towards getting it all done and I hope to have most of it completed within the week now I've stopped teaching.So for a bit of a retro-blog! This is a summary of some things I've been up to last month. Terrible of me, but I'm going to find time to update!TIENCHUNG (HIKE II)This

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1147867489029978762006-05-17T19:57:00.000+08:002006-06-26T04:07:52.840+08:00Hot pot, temple and hiking weekend

After a wonderful week in Shitou Forest hiking and being one with the wildlife, Saturday rightly turned into a day of mooching about, until Kate and I were invited to a hot pot. The hot pot restaurant was good and the company was great, but I still prefer the Japanese hot pot we frequent.Sunday followed with temples and hiking in Tienchung.DIY sauce for the meat.The skanky, low grade, free with

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1147744958108278252006-05-16T09:55:00.000+08:002006-05-16T11:25:06.156+08:00Hiking in Shitou (Sitou, Hsitou) Forest

When one has a week’s holiday, what should one do? I opted for camping in Shitou Forest Park. It was the perfect location for hiking, getting away from polluted Yuanlin and being able to rest without disruption! It's a 1 hour 45 minute scooter ride from Yuanlin. Shitou is a massive forest reserve and has many beautiful things to see and do. The first day I walked the sights as illustrated on

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1146980101508945002006-05-07T13:05:00.000+08:002006-05-08T16:30:08.040+08:00Anniversary Baby!

On the 27th of April Kate and I celebrated our first year together. "What could I do for her at the weekend?" I asked myself. I came up with the idea of watching baseball at the new Douliou Stadium (built in 2005). The whole day was a surprise so Kate had no clue what I was doing, until we turned a corner and she commented on the cool stadium and I started driving towards it. She suddenly

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1146927976254157972006-05-06T22:44:00.000+08:002006-05-06T23:23:49.916+08:00Ji Ji and Shueili

We started the weekend early on Sunday arriving in Shueili, a little town that's next to the mountains. We hire some bicycles and make a long and strenuous ride up the hill to the destination: Snake Kiln. It looks like a snake I think!Train station.Miranda victorious.Look at this wonderful example of kiln production.We outside Kilnland.What a snake kiln can do.My little cutie looks great as a

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1146801151980434872006-05-05T11:35:00.000+08:002006-05-07T22:35:28.846+08:00Lovely Evening in Taichung

The night after drunken Bert's Restaurant evening we headed for Taichung for some western food and relaxation. We arrived at Tiger City and saw a hundred or so mad Taiwanese doing exercises. The instructor was plugged into the PA system and screaming in a frenzy. I just watched, still feeling a little under the weather! Over the course of the evening the instructors changed the style, from

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1146799772943422982006-04-26T10:59:00.000+08:002006-05-05T15:02:30.313+08:00Duncan Arrives

A new teacher has arrived in Yuanlin! He had a few days in Yuanlin before heading to Taipei for training. So on Friday night we decided to head for Tony's BBQ where lots of people were planning to meet. No-one was there, the place was full of locals and we were hungry. So we drove back to my apartment, revised our plans and headed with renewed optimism for Bert's Restaurant. A longish drive,

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1146797934671148622006-04-25T10:43:00.000+08:002006-05-05T10:58:54.696+08:00Easter Afternoon in Changhua

Easter came and it was the right time to get all the teachers together for a luncheon. A pleasant afternoon lapsed into the evening with drink and wonderful buffet food. My favourite were the homemade fairy cakes, with, might I add, JC and "crosses" on them!Here are some of the people I snapped.This crazy cat is Kate, from New Zealand!Pascal and I listen.Happy chappy geezer!The two lovely

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1145851878279106482006-04-24T12:05:00.000+08:002006-04-26T10:17:40.473+08:00My Brother Came to Visit.

For one week at the start of April my brother, Pete, came for a holiday in Taiwan. I rented a car and subsequently drove around Taiwan with Pete, Kate and Katie. Kate and Katie left after four days because they had to teach in Yuanlin.We visited the following places:LukangSun Moon LakeDongpuTatachiaAlishanKaoshiungPingtungThe East CoastHualienTaroko GorgeChinjing FarmAlmost a complete circle of

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1145850530618079452006-04-19T11:16:00.000+08:002006-04-24T12:03:33.943+08:00Tung-hsiau Ocean Park II

Below are some pictures from a weekend long ago at Tung-hsiau Ocean Park. Excitingly we took our wonderful and clever friend Katie with us and stayed there for two days. The weather was terrible but we entertained ourselves with bubblegum and travel scrabble!The walk from the train station to the park was bodacious, as it was wet, windy and muddy. We had to roll up our jeans and waddle across

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1142752283934105132006-03-19T15:10:00.000+08:002006-04-25T10:27:41.256+08:00St Patrick's Night 2006

For St Patrick's night Kate and I took Katie, our new American friend, to Neil's bar/restaurant for some drink, good food and stimulating conversation.... we never saw the Canadians! haha. No offense meant!Anyway we had a good time, drinking and making strange faces.Some dribbling monkey-boy coughed up on me!So I showed him who's boss... yeah take that.Then I notice my fly's undone. doh!This is

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1142750519277446022006-03-19T14:40:00.000+08:002006-04-11T15:44:51.540+08:00The Little Mermaid

As part of the school production I was asked to write and practice a play that would last 15 minutes and be performed in front of the students' parents, family and friends.So I went about writing an adoptation of The Little Mermaid, with considerable help from Kate. I practiced it in class and after many hours of sweat and determination from the students they were ready to entertain us. The

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1141554664883783432006-03-05T17:55:00.000+08:002006-03-08T22:06:22.633+08:00Tunghsiao Sea-life Educational Park

We went to the West Coast Tunghsiao Sea-life Educational Park. There we saw a load of marine animals and a very deserted and beautiful beach. We'll go again when it starts to warm up in Taiwan.The evil two headed goat of doom puts Kate into a mind-bending trance.A turtle swimming about his glass box.The sun starts to set at the beach.Man.... Women.... Go Now and Bathe!Women drivers.. tish.. the

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1139589306502138812006-02-11T00:33:00.000+08:002006-03-05T17:29:25.550+08:00Thailand - Koh Phangan

During Chinese New Year; 28th Jan to the 4th February, Kate and I flew to Thailand. The week was glorious, mostly beach, sun, reading and playing cards. We also ate some lovely Thai curries and BBQ seafood, which went down very well.The flight over was uneventful arriving in Koh Samui. They have a wonderful wooden and straw airport. We took a boat over to Koh Phangan and looked for a cab.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1141551944741122342006-01-29T17:31:00.000+08:002006-03-08T17:36:55.050+08:00Pool Man!

Some pictures of us at the local pool club in Yuanlin. We're so crap!The pool table ready for my move!Kate readying herself for another chip, swerve with a little backspin.The score board.Laying back and relaxing after a beer.The ball just misses my head!MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1137911456195337142006-01-22T14:30:00.000+08:002006-01-23T12:28:12.796+08:00Short Holiday in Kenting

The lack of update is due to our ADSL being cut off - we forgot to change the address when we moved, then it got reconnected, the only thing was it still wouldn't work.... so we called an engineer, he came and then called two more engineers and a new piece of CAT5, ADSL box and thirty minutes later we were back online. Yeah.We headed to Kenting, which is on the southern most tip of Taiwan, and

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1137911428228161442006-01-22T14:28:00.000+08:002006-01-22T16:35:23.673+08:00A Quiet New Year

For New Year we went to a Spa Motel in Yuanlin, my Christmas present to Kate. It was a clean and smart motel with in-wall TV, flashing lights in the jacuzzi and a TV under the bathroom sink. We managed to have a superb New Year together, pampering ourselves. The sexy bed of lurve!Modelling the jacuzzi.The TV you can watch from the jacuzzi.In-wall TV.Oh, very naughty!Yuanlin sunset.Yuanlin

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1137910285897374792006-01-22T13:55:00.000+08:002006-01-22T17:21:23.633+08:00Christmas Weekend

This Christmas fell on a weekend so no extra holiday for me! The weekend was spent relaxing and opening presents. Kate and I went for a little scooter ride up the local mountain on Saturday, where we enjoyed the cool fresh air.On the 25th we slowly got out of bed and opened some of our presents. I got a full body massage at a Spa from Kate and I got her a night in a Spa Motel along with many

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1134153354891442342005-12-10T01:06:00.000+08:002005-12-22T19:33:03.130+08:00Trip to Tainan: That Temple Place

Last weekend Kate and I went to Tainan to soak up some of the Taiwanese culture. With over 200 temples, parks and markets it's a great place to visit. Also it's one of the largest cities in Taiwan and has escaped much of the modernity found in other places.We were in no hurry to scooter anywhere after the previous weekend ended in hours of driving, so we took the train. We arrived late, as

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1134147870746192222005-12-10T00:30:00.000+08:002005-12-10T13:11:48.276+08:00Learning the Lingo

It's actually happening and has been for weeks! Myself, Kate and three teacher friends are taking Chinese lessons. Every Monday and Thursday we get up at 6:00am and frazzle our brains speaking and writing Chinese for two hours. I really enjoy the lessons, the challenge is immense as I don't naturally pick up languages, though happily I'm making good progress.We've also been to Lukgang, a

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1132630801520021432005-11-22T10:34:00.000+08:002005-12-06T14:41:41.760+08:00Epic Bike Trip to Tatachia and Alishan.

Howdy ho everyone out there perusing my blog, how is you?It's been some weeks, if not months, since Kate and I have left Changhua County and headed into the mountains. So last weekend we did. We decided to head for Tatachia, two hours south of Dongpu, taking us deeper into the mountains. We thought it would take four hours on scooter, maybe.What we hadn't bargained for was the extreme cold.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1131878231117688362005-11-13T18:06:00.000+08:002005-11-14T12:16:48.563+08:00Good Bye Richard and Monica.

Last night was 'Good Bye Richard and Monica night', they both leave on Tuesday. We had a long and entertaining night/morning that mostly involved drinking and errrrrm.... er.. drinking. It was a brilliant plan! We started at China City restaurant. After that we all headed for New York which was mostly whiskey drinking for me. Then we made our way to Bono's bar and finally after deciding the

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1131778374456913392005-11-12T14:34:00.000+08:002005-11-12T14:52:54.466+08:00Killer and Kate

We adopted a fish, but no ordinary fish, from Tom and Grainne. It's more than a salt-water fish, it kills! The story goes that it scared the other fish to death. Tom found these condemned fish lying outside the fish tank wanting nothing more from this cruel watery world. So today Killer lives on his own, and with a reputed memory span of 3 seconds is as happy as a fish in salt-water!Killer is

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1131379962211650312005-11-08T00:12:00.000+08:002005-11-08T00:12:42.250+08:00BBC NEWS | Technology | Firefox fanbase reaches new high

Found this article on the BBC News website. I use Firefox. I've used it since it was known as Phoenix. You soon realise how much more you can do, quicker and with less hassle than Internet Explorer. The download is small, compared to IE, I think about 4 MB. Try it, you can still have IE on the computer, in fact it's easier to leave IE alone! BBC News - Firefox story Firefox on Wikipedia

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1130647326938052922005-10-30T11:38:00.000+08:002005-10-30T13:18:16.843+08:00Chilies, Smelly Cat and Shane Halloween Show 2005

Some more of the Taiwan life! Eating Western food at Chilies in Taichung is a great place to get proper burgers, though this time I opted for the steak with mash potato and a glass of wine. Must be my age. We see plenty of feral cats in the area and occasionally I buy them tuna - they're so bad at it themselves.Last night I went to the Changhua Shane School Halloween Show. An excellent one,

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1130557321186920522005-10-29T11:42:00.000+08:002005-10-29T11:50:31.473+08:00Learn Chinese the Simple Way

This is very, very rude and should not be tried by any family members, family friends, Kate's family or those with a weak heart. You have been warned! Thanks to Tom for this.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1130257440802580762005-10-25T23:39:00.000+08:002006-05-27T06:39:23.940+08:00Pin Cushion Martin - Acupuncture For a Bad Back

One weekend I'm doing the manly thing, mopping the floor. Then with out warning my back is in spasm and I'm kneeling on the floor. Oh buggery bugger. So the good news is I get to visit a well respected Chinese doctor who does acupuncture. First he finds the right spot, normally on my hand. Then he jabs the needle in and twists it down until I twitch & yelp. Then I do the exercises and I'm

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1129980506633488012005-10-22T19:28:00.000+08:002005-10-22T23:41:56.250+08:0010th of October Weekend to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one capacious place but easy to navigate, and most places of interest can be visited in a long weekend.We took the time to visit during the 10th of October national holiday in Taiwan.Cutie in the plane.This one's for you bro. Boeing 777-300, with a wingspan of 200ft.Me and my better half on top The Peak.That's Hong Kong.My favourite picture. One we are framing.Wow! A red-lit

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1129980477224699692005-10-22T19:26:00.000+08:002005-10-24T12:15:18.136+08:00T&G's Leaving Do

The time for Tom and Grainne's farwell is all but over. So it was on this sad occasion that we celebrated the time they'd spent with us. We did the celebrating at Bert's restuarant and these photos are a slice of the revelry.Stu giving one of his deep, manly looks.Camy and Kate having lots of fun.Janelle and Neill looking cool Canadian style.Michelle is looking at the moon and wondering whether

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1129980412239067912005-10-22T19:25:00.000+08:002005-10-22T21:59:31.253+08:00Last Visit for T&G to Dongpu

Dongpu, South Central Taiwan is beautiful and better in many ways than Alishan. For starters it's quieter and at 1120m above sea level the climate is perfect. There are many waterfalls and Hot springs. This is the place we stayed for the weekend and had an entertaining time in the Hot springs and exploring the local area.A room with a seriously cool view. What a little minx.... grrr.Yes,

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1129980237445453202005-10-22T18:59:00.000+08:002005-10-22T20:03:17.350+08:00Typhoon Longwang, Japanese Hotpot and Move Apartment - September 2005

Lots of things happened in September. Here is a taste of that. First is Sienna, a lovely restaurant we frequent with military regularity to make sure we don't go crazy eating rice and noodles.The streets all over Yuanlin look like this, disturbing and disorientating when you first arrive.The Japanese Hotpot that does great Hotpot, something we don't normally enjoy.Typhoon Longwang was pretty

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1129363899606733712005-10-15T15:47:00.000+08:002005-10-22T12:49:04.416+08:00Alishan - August 2005

August 2005, one weekend.We decided to head for the mountains. Alishan is one of the most beautiful sites in Taiwan and the sunset and sunrise is the highlight.We set off early Saturday morning, 6:00 or something like that, so early that my body didn't function too well. The train ride is long and tiring. Once we arrived everyone got straight down to business.... food and beer. We all got rather

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1124068498706380322005-08-15T09:02:00.000+08:002005-09-05T00:17:43.536+08:00Whet your appetite

At long last I have got my fingers on some photos. I had a 3 week holiday to the UK in June, these are the photos just after my arrival back in Taiwan. The photos taken during my vacation are being sent in the post, as the CD I brought with me was corrupt.In the Kitchen Dongpu Mountain Spa Daan Beach (Dili) Sun Moon Lake campingLearning to use a knife and fork after a long time of chopstick

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1121660831414550542005-07-18T12:27:00.000+08:002005-07-22T10:26:57.480+08:00Digital Typhoon: Haitang with Sun Illumination

This links to a video clip of typhoon Haitang that is currently bashing the east coast. It's caused loads of damage in the north. The TV is showing images of trees and shops blown over, people running for cover and crazy journalists trying to report while being blown all over the place.Yuanlin had strong winds last night, but little else today. The exciting news is that all my classes have been

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1119278175944397382005-06-20T22:30:00.000+08:002005-06-20T23:09:51.663+08:00Silly People

These are the keyword searches people have used which got them to this blog:pollution masks taiwantaiwan mountainscrazy frog insanity testktv ladylittle titiesblack man in taiwanasian boysjez coylehaving a pooThank you Yahoo!MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1119025929141051682005-06-18T00:03:00.000+08:002005-06-18T00:32:09.180+08:00The Kids, The Hot Pot and The Goatee

This is the last film I got before I left. So it spans over a month or so.The kids in two of my classes.A night at the Japanese Hot Pot.Mmmmm, my goatee.My CEI07 who I've taught since they arrived with little or no English. Now they rock, of course. At the back you can see Stella and Nico two T.A's.All the hands come out.My other CEI07 enjoying the break at the end of the lesson.Me man eating

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1119012570767457642005-06-17T20:42:00.000+08:002005-06-17T20:49:30.773+08:00UK is Brill

The UK has been fantastic since I arrived. The weather is sunny and the beer is flowing. I'm coming back as a fatty.Unrelated. I think this is the funniest picture I've ever seen.MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1117955514055813002005-06-05T15:11:00.000+08:002005-06-05T15:11:54.063+08:00Wired News: Cool Stuff, Made in Taiwan

Taiwan is making cool computer stuff. Leaving behind the old image of producing cheap toys and boring grey box PC's. Wired News: Cool Stuff, Made in Taiwan Nice. MC P.S. The last three days have been so boring. Kate left for England and now I'm about to leave with nothing much to do. I should have gone camping with everyone else.... sob.. sob.. :o)

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1117903806315064832005-06-05T00:32:00.000+08:002005-06-05T12:13:39.186+08:00Crazy Frog

I've read that Crazy Frog [Axel F] have beaten Coldplay to the number 1 spot in the UK charts. It's also a popular ringtone. Quite glad I've been 6,500km away.I watched the animated video. Crazy Frog Music Video.They pinched two old tunes. One is the Beverly Hills Cop theme tune and the other is an old wav file that has been on the net for years. I remember listening to it in 1999 and

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1117098312950713212005-05-26T16:34:00.000+08:002005-05-26T17:16:24.333+08:00The Ascent of Rum Doodle

The Ascent of Rum Doodle is a fantastic book I've recently read about a spoof mountaineering expedition. A British written comedy that follows the ingeniously dopey adventures of some men ascending Rum Doodle, a 40,000 and one 1/2 feet high mountain. It was first published in 1956 and written by W.E. Bowan. Rum Doodle is also a restaurant in Kathmandu that serves as a popular meeting place for

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1117083707242579822005-05-26T12:12:00.000+08:002005-11-19T22:03:29.456+08:00Sunburn in Dili

Last weekend my flatmate and I went on a little trip to Dili, central Taiwan, where we camped in an idyllic area overlooked by mountains. The air is clean and the only sounds are those that nature provides.... and my occasional stinky man fart.This was our last chance to go camping and Kate's first, before we go home for a holiday. I'm leaving Taiwan for a month at the begining of June. Very

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1116988399551681642005-05-25T10:33:00.000+08:002005-05-27T21:15:21.193+08:00Drunken KTV

One very drunken evening/morning took us from Little Italy, Our flat, the Heineken Bar and finally KTV on a 15 hour drinking marathon. Kate started it.Of course you can scan through the less dignified photos. Just click on one of the photos below and navigate Flickr to "Drunken KTV".As requested by Tom, my pert white arse! [added: 27th May 2005]Clark Kent spins round at the speed of light and

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1116065193596703022005-05-14T18:05:00.000+08:002005-05-14T18:06:33.603+08:00I am Abe Lincoln

This is what happens on a quiet Saturday afternoon. What Famous Leader Are You?personality tests by similarminds.com

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1115911326996253102005-05-12T23:04:00.000+08:002005-05-13T02:23:43.430+08:00Wednesday Night Entertainment

Last night Kate, Tom, Grainne and I went out to eat in the local teppenyaki followed by a late night dessert run at Reader's Cafe. We restrained ourselves and not a drop of booze passed our lips and suprisingly had lots of fun. We ordered what appeared to be safe desserts only to be crushed. Here are a few snaps of our merriments.P.S. Eliza, sorry about all the photos of knobhead.Beautiful couple

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1115526030894725902005-05-08T12:08:00.000+08:002005-05-08T12:22:46.406+08:00Teppenyaki and China Pa Cafe

Just some recent photos from a Teppenyaki night out and the China Pa Cafe with Rich and Monica.What a pretty sight.Tom chilling with the food.Grainne and Kate merge into one face.Argh cuties!Big knee little knee.Cheeky chappie.Isn't Tom beautiful?Intense concentration.Looking at Rich and Monica's porn movie.UFO.Katie gets artistic.I am having a fag.A rare Taiwanese sight.I love this photo.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1115352200768367932005-05-06T11:48:00.000+08:002005-05-06T12:03:52.560+08:00Last Night at Neills

Goodbye Neills Bar and all the funky times we had. Good Luck with the next venture.This woman is Gail. She worked behind the bar.Helo Jenny. Niahou sexy lady.Yellow Fever.Cutie.Group Photo. Big Gail Face!Kelly having a poo.Ed watching Kelly have a poo.The Maple Leaf man himself (what happened to your hair Neill?)Mmmmm.... I like pretzels.Kerry, Mandy and Laura.Whose your daddy?Gail signing

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1114948266356750022005-05-01T19:58:00.000+08:002005-05-01T19:58:58.393+08:00Buddha art, Accident, Chillies and Baseball

These are the photos that have been waiting to be developed.Chronology:Buddha ExhibitionTom`s RecoveryEating at ChilliesMy First Baseball GameKate showing off art.R&A eating like hungry people in Chillies.Would you?R&A.The Eyes, The Eyes, they're coming for you......Tom on phone having electric shock treatment.Hello, can you give me a push?Knee close up.That's the torture.Cute old Taiwan man.My

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1114253256126679722005-04-23T18:22:00.000+08:002005-04-23T18:51:36.070+08:00Juanzaling

More! Got a CD of photos taken by Nick on our camping trip to Juanzaling. We camped in a little hidden away site that's used by rock climbers. We also visited the local attraction, fire and water mix. It's a a rock face on fire sitting in a pool of water. Cool.I need a shower.Like wake up guy.Overhang rock face.Jez.Interesting rock formation.All man!Look at me belly.The strangest house I've

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1114246265118431642005-04-23T16:46:00.000+08:002005-04-23T16:55:25.286+08:00St Patricks Day Movie Clip

This is an after thought, a friend took a short movie clip of me on St Pats Day "Boulder Dash". We took over the street for the night and got throughly drunk.Click here to download:www.grant.org.uk/mjc/St_PatricksDay.aviMC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1114238207691322472005-04-23T14:28:00.000+08:002005-04-23T14:59:32.106+08:00Been About Town

It's been a while. I've just got some new photos from my recent comings and goings. The weather is getting hotter and I'm sweating all over town.I went to a Buddha art exhibition put on by some of my teacher mates. The theme was Buddha and all influenced from Taiwan. I bought some which I'm hoping to have delivered soon.We've been up the mountains in Yuanlin, showing the new couple from South

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1112110516680653162005-03-29T23:31:00.000+08:002005-03-29T23:49:10.090+08:00Camping last weekend: Photos

So here is the only photo I took from the camping trip. The quality of this photo and many more are soooo bad I'm considering buying a digital camera. Any recommendations on make and model?[See "Camping today" for previous blog]Nick, Grainne, Tom and Jez.MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1112110277498911902005-03-29T23:20:00.000+08:002005-03-30T00:44:28.930+08:00Parents Visit: Photos

Here's a small collection of photos taken when my parents visited.Mum tries arty shot with chopsticks, Dad not too excited by it.Beautiful mountain scenery looking from above with mist.Sunrise shot while somewhere on the travels.Catalogue boy on the East Coast. Do I look gay?The valley we traveled around on the way to Jing Ching Farm.A trip with my flat mates to Sun Moon Lake ends with big food.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1112109604199045502005-03-29T23:11:00.000+08:002005-03-30T00:07:21.086+08:00Philippines: Photos

Here are three photos from my trip to the Philippines during Chinese New Year.The Chocolate Hills.A cool Jeepney.Grainne, Tom and Pascal.MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1111207041301635872005-03-19T12:28:00.000+08:002005-03-19T12:37:21.303+08:00Camping today.

Yeah... I'm going camping somewhere in Taiwan. Not sure where as yet.I'm leaving behind my sick flatmate. Shame she's all ill and working on a Saturday. This girl has balls.She's making me watch all the Friends episodes and now I'm quoting them. Poo.MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1111165324342102972005-03-19T01:02:00.000+08:002005-03-19T01:02:04.343+08:00Another Year......

I've decided to stay teaching in Taiwan for another year. Crazy or just procrastinating? Not sure.Also I have had conjunctivitis. Nasty infection in my eyes that makes you want to scratch your eyeballs and look like you've been on the booze.The teachers room.Some crazy kids in one of my classes.Lucky sunset shot in Yuanlin.

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1110341031753657212005-03-09T11:38:00.000+08:002005-03-09T12:10:24.390+08:00Lorraine Bye Bye

Today is a sad day. One of our friends and my flatmate is leaving us for pastures new. She's heading back to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The carrot haired beauty has been with us for over a year and now she's leaving to pursue her acting career.Lorraine and I at the Hip Hop night in Neill's bar.Lorraine and Kate with blue tounges at the 80's night at Neill'sLorriane doing a bighead,

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1110033378591185442005-03-05T22:30:00.000+08:002005-03-05T22:37:57.263+08:00Chinese New Year: Philippines

Icecream van:Pascal and I gambaling all our pesos:Don't crack jokes!:Tom & Grainne:Some of the locals we met:

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1110032970291681002005-03-05T22:14:00.000+08:002005-03-05T22:29:30.293+08:00Hike: Dongpu

The view after the first stop:Us at the begining:Waterfall on the hike:The bridge we crossed over the river:

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1110027535075670612005-03-05T20:25:00.000+08:002005-03-05T20:58:55.076+08:00Photos from Christmas: Aboriginal Campsite

Group photo of teachers and their significant others:View of the valley where we stayed:The pig on the spit-roast, tasty!:Mountain view:

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1109590031138764042005-02-28T19:05:00.000+08:002005-02-28T19:37:22.253+08:00Philippines & My Parents

Went to the Philippines for 9 days. Excellent weather, people are very friendly and beautiful. We stayed on Alona Beach, just off Bohol Island. Spent time travelling the local area, meeting the locals and sunbathing.Took some photos which I hope to add soon.My parents also came over for a week, we drove around Taiwan in the mist. Took time out in the East Coast, which was amazing. We also saw

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6971540.post-1104761815808219282005-01-03T22:04:00.000+08:002005-01-03T22:20:28.423+08:00Keyword confusion

I've just looked at the top two keyword searches people have used to find my blog. 1) asian rent boys 2) taiwan lady boys Quite a disappointment if you were one of those people, however my brother does have some experience with this, so add a comment and I'll put you in touch. Happy to help, MC

Martin Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11072191161552116216noreply@blogger.com3