Technology is great - if it works

Finally I have my laptop back! It has been acting weird these past few weeks - for no apparent reason, it would shut off prematurely. It got progressively worse and finally 'died'.

So, without a laptop, I was out of commission for a week, and life was not the same. On the bright side, it wasn't a hard drive crash - that would have been awful.

After 480 RMB, which is about US$70, they replaced the motherboard and now I can post!

Xiamen - Lunch with a Monk

My sister Esther goes to Xiamen frequently. A good friend of hers, who happens to be a monk, helped us get settled in Xiamen. He is a person of many talents, one of which is speaking excellant English. He also tutors non-Chinese speaking folks in Mandarin. This most gracious and generous host treated us to an exquisite vegetarian meal; a first for our family.




The following dishes are all suitable for vegetarians - made to look and taste like the original (pork, chicken, seafood etc).

She was most helpful with helping us make travel plans to Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuzhen, and Hangzhou by calling on her contacts in those cities - what a sweetheart!

Gulang Yu Island - Xiamen

This island is only a short 10 minute ferry from Xiamen. Gulang Yu Island is also affectionately called the Piano Island where a museum houses numerous pianos once owned by a private collector.

The ride to Gulang Yu is free but the return to Xiamen costs 8 Reminbi.

Our personal tour guide - we were blessed to have Mr. Chen Peng - he grew up on Gulang Yu Island and certainly is well-versed in the history of this island.

Mr. Chen Peng in front of his house. His father, a famous medical doctor on the island, built this as a hospital and personal residence in the late 1920s.



Mr. Chen Peng related many of his childhood adventures. Where as a kid, he dived off the top of this gazebo-during high tide of course.


I am sure neither Mr. Chen Peng nor David would want to dive off from the top of the shelter on the left in low tide...


Sunlight Rock - highest peak on Gulang Yu. There are no cars or busses allowed on the island. Access to Gulang Yu is via a 10 minute ferry ride from Xiamen.

Panoramic view from the top of Gulang Yu.


Sidewalk on Gulang Yu Island - Xiamen skyline in the background - incidentally, Xiamen is also an island, connected to mainland China via 4 bridges.


Underwater World Xiamen.


Deep fried calamari anyone?


Church for the inhabitants of Gulang Yu.


Massive rock formation on Gulang Yu.


Like celebrities - both Hannah and David are often asked for pictures....


Sculpture of Zheng Chenggong on Gulang Yu Island. This 1400 ton, 15.7 meter/52 foot statue is built to last. It can withstand Category 12 typhoons and is earthquake-proofed to Richter 8!


On the foot of Zheng Chenggong - tired and worn out after a long day at Gulang Yu.

Xiamen - more posts and reflections

Now that I am able to freely access the blog to update it (see previous post), I will document our arrival at Xiamen with more detailed postings with pictures and videos.....

We left Singapore for Guangzhou on Tiger Airways. As some of you might be aware, Tiger is a recent budget airline operating out of Singapore and connecting to many Asian destinations. We took Tiger primarily because it was more affordable. We would have preferred Silk Air (operated by Singapore Airlines) or Xiamen Airlines as these two airlines fly directly to Xiamen. One downside with budget airlines is their schedule - we were at the Budget Terminal in Singapore before 6 am to check in. Shortly after our flight took off for Guangzhou, both Hannah and David were ready for a nap - see below.

Having fun is such tiring work...

We arrived safely in Guangzhou. Interestingly, we will always remember Guangzhou as the first place we entered China. Since it wasn't a direct flight to Xiamen, we had to collect our luggage from Tiger and check it in again, this time with Xiamen Airlines for the remaining connecting flight. When all of this was done, we were tired and ready for food!

There wasn't a whole lot to pick from - no MacDonalds or Burger King in sight at this modern airport - bummer. Finally, we settled on this Chinese restaurant in the airport It was crowded with locals - usually a good sign. We each have a noodle/rice dish - the food was fine but the final bill was high. At the time, we didn't think it was unreasonable (note this was the first time we spent money in yuan or Reminbi - RMB) but sure enough, we were taken. Imagine paying 28 RMB - US$4 for a can of 7up. In retrospect, this was a timely learning experience and from then on, we were more alert and much wiser. Just for your info., in regular stores, a can of 7-Up sells for less than 2 RMB.

We finally arrived in Xiamen - all in one piece and luggage in tow......

My contact from the Department of Computer Science at Xiamen University, Mr. Xiang, and another driver met us at the airport. Fortunately they came in 2 cars - our family in one car and the luggage in the other.

The ride from the airport to the university took about 40 minutes - it was a beautiful day with temps in the high 70s. We feel really good and certainly very excited about what's ahead for the next 3 months in China.

As you can tell from the video, I speak some Mandarin. I asked how many students were studying at the University - see if you can figure out the answer.....

Dinner hosted by the Dean at the Faculty Club. Upon arrival at the college, we checked into our apartment. The building is certainly not brand new as you can tell from the picture below. We were on the 2nd floor of a 8-storey building. Fortunately for us, it was an easy climb since there were no elevators! The Dean of the Computer Science Department lives on the 5th floor of our building - no wonder he is trim and fit!!!

One of many faculty housing buildings on University grounds

That evening, the Dean and other staff and faculty members treated us to a grand dinner at the Faculty Club which is right on the university grounds. Gerda figured we had 15 dishes served (as the next video indicated) - I actually did not remember, just that we had some really exotic seafood dishes and I felt a touch uncomfortable for the kids (didn't want them to have food-poisoning on their first sit-down dinner in China). But all went well......

The Faculty Club where we were hosted by the Dean

First impressions - first 24 hours in Xiamen

While it can be considered mundane, activities like taking public transportation to buy toiletries and groceries in China was kinda fun.

We pay about US 15 cents per trip regardless of distance traveled for non air-conditioned buses and US 25 cents for air-conditioned buses.

Shopping at the World' s largest retailer......

Gerda missed this item (where is Aldi when we need it) - guess where we found the real thing! - see attached video.

This item is hard to come by and expensive too.....

Simple things and the right attitude. Let me say this - even though this summer may appear to be one big 'vacation' - that is certainly not the case. Soon we will settle into a routine of homeschooling for Hannah and David - Gerda has to guide their learning and manage our household in a foreign country, and with me teaching, I can't help but be pleased with their attitude. As the attached videos show, in spite of constricted spaces, they still have fun and make the best of the situation. It is this positive attitude that will serve them well all their lives.

The Great FireWall of China

My apologies - I know many of you visited our blog to stay abreast of our travels only to find no new postings. Some of you were concerned, but all is well - we had to deal with a blocked site (as do Blogger and Youtube) which preventing our continued postings.

We are hopeful this workaround (bypassing this Great FireWall) will allow us to consistently post and update our blog. In the meanwhile, let me share some initial impressions of Xiamen, China.

We are currently housed in a faculty apartment. It is a 2 bedroom apartment with a living room, dining room, small kitchen and bathroom. We have the 3C's - comfortable, cozy and clean(sorta) and therefore we are grateful. David is sleeping on the couch - we are trying to locate another bed for him - but so far, he is fine with it.

Virtual tour of the apartment

Kitchens are typically small in China unlike those back home. We use gas for cooking - fairly affordable portable blue canisters delivered on mopeds. One lasts us about 3 months and costs 180 RMB (about US$60). To be on the safe side, we boil faucet water for drinking.

For now, David is sleeping on the 3-seater couch - the living room has air-conditioning...

My work desk - where I prepare my lessons for class, check emails and update the blog.

A mosquito net is certainly needed for a 'bite-free' night......

The washing machine worked well. Dryers are uncommon since clothes are hung up to dry and depending on the temps, they do dry quickly. In fact, Gerda was pleasantly surprised when clothes she hung up earlier were completely dry by the next wash cycle ended (about 30 minutes).

We enjoy eating supper at one of the university's several dining halls - the food is convenient, surprisingly affordable (the student union sets the food prices) and tasty. The campus is beautiful and the folks here are really nice.

Hey, what is there not to like, we eat out everyday, no prep work, cooking or clean up! Also, we have gotten to know the servers quite well... so well that they quiz us as to our whereabouts if we miss a meal!

These gentlemen make really tasty meat and vegetable steamed buns (pow - made of rice flour). Occassionally they slip us an extra roll when we buy extras to take home. So sweet!

We have no doubt God sent an 'angel' to help us in our transition - Terry, an alumini of Xiamen University 'happened' to visit the campus on his day off, helped us with directions to Walmart, applying for a campus card and setting up a bank account - between my half-baked Mandarin and his limited English, we were able to get things accomplished.

Sharing a meal with Terry - he helped us tremendously, smoothing the way with setting up accounts for banking, utilities, and transportation.

This morning, Sunday, we attended Xiamen International Christian Fellowship at a local hotel in Xiamen - we had to show our American passports since this church is open only to foreigners. We met several folks who went out of their way to help us and answered our numerous questions over a nice buffet lunch at the hotel where the services were held. Both Hannah and David found new friends as well. It was quite amazing to sing and hear Holy Holy Holy sung first in English followed by Mandarin; what a blessing! God's people are certainly everywhere.

What a Friend we have in Jesus sung in Chinese!

Saigon, Vietnam

My brother Victor manages a small manufacturing company in Ho Chi Minh City. He began in 2004 and, much to his credit, now speaks fluent Vietnamese. Saigon, the capital city of the French Colony from 1862 to 1948 and renamed Ho Chi Minh in 1976, boasts 9 million inhabitants. This is a bustling city. Ho Chi Minh City is the most important economic center in Vietnam. It was hot and humid (90 degrees F) when we arrived.....

Victor, far right with his office staff - Vietnamese is mostly spoken here with some English.

Gasoline-powered mopeds are everywhere - they rule the roads - it is overwhelmingly chaotic but soon one gets used to it.


Surprisingly, there are few accidents - motorists and passengers seem to pretty much self negotiate and navigate the wild streets of Ho Chi Minh City.


Gerda and Hannah reading World Magazine on the busy street of Ho Chi Minh - notice the Vietnamese characters on the poster - don't ask me what they were saying - it is 'Greek' to me.....

War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. While it was educational, it was hard for Gerda to witness history documented in pictures and artifacts, and stories told only from the Vietnamese side. War is a terrible thing...so many lives lost.

Photo of Senator John Kerry (one-time US Presidential candidate) meeting with Vietnamese officials.

A poignant display...in light of two concurrent US-led wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.


I wonder what the Iraqi and Afghan people are thinking the same as the poster. May God grant our leaders wisdom and integrity as they deal with difficult world situations.


Weapons of war......


A grounded F-5 Northrup Tiger - as a result, a US fighter pilot was probably either captured or killed.


More captured weapons of war....

Reunification Palace - this was the residence of the President of South Vietnam before it fell to the communist regime. It was quite opulent in a 1960s sort of way - equipped with a heli pad, a dance hall with a wooden floor, a movie theater, and a basement chuck full of military- grade equipment serving as a command post to conduct the war....

Manicured lawn with working fountain.


One of many rooms to receive guests and dignitaries - red symbolizes prosperity and good luck for the Chinese/Asians.


High ceilings and wide hallways.....


I don't think you can get this carpet at your local Walmart - again red is the 'in' color with the twin dragons symbolizing power and longevity. The diameter is probably about 20 feet....


If walls could talk... I have no doubt important issues were discussed in this huge meeting room. The color - green in this case - has a soothing/calming effect. No doubt tempers flared during negotiations and discussions between the North and South Vietnamese.


The President's private family dining room


The President's private movie theater - bring your own pop-corn and favorite beverage


Netflix anyone?


The President's private helicopter - not exactly Marine One!
(This part of the roof was bombed and later on restored)

This was housed in the basement.


Can I Wi-Fi from the basement?


From long before Gerda had her Kitchen-Aid mixer. She said she has seen one of these on board the USS Yorktown (see earlier post).


Stir-fry anyone?


The President's most prized possession - I mean the Mercedes!

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. While the majority of people (80%) in Ho Chi Minh City practice eastern religions (Buddhism/Taoism - there are numerous temples), a small percentage (Roman Catholic - 11%, Protestant - 2%) worship in churches - most notable is the somewhat smaller, twin version of the original Notre-Dame in Paris.

Statue of Mary outside Notre-Dame.

While it was not as grand as the one I visited in Paris back in 2000, it was still a beautiful church - certainly a sanctuary amid a hustling city.


The church was completed on Easter Day, April 11 1880.


Beautifully maintained stained windows.

Downtown Post Office. We visited this famous landmark where one can actually still send snail mail.

While the Post Office wasn't air-conditioned, there were several phone booths that were - a welcome respite from the sweltering heat.

These high arched ceilings allow hot air to rise, bringing some relief to both workers and customers.


Looking for Christmas stuffing stockers?

Vietnamese Pho. One must savor this local favorite delight - rice noodles served in rich beef stock with beef, plenty of greens, touch of lime and chili peppers!!!

7up is bottled here - no cans. Seeing this brought back many childhood memories. In those days, our family drank soft drinks only once a year, during Chinese New Year, and we had to split one bottle between two -three siblings with LOTS of ice. How things have changed!

Dam Sen Water Park. Like fish to water, we needed relief from the sweltering heat. Both Hannah and David relaxing and enjoying the tidal pool

As you can tell from the background, many locals had the same idea. The water park was lined with coconut trees which provided much shade and relief as well.