I have finally accrued some days off, due to six days a week of work for ten plus months. The allowance of an extra day off is a God-send. Despite the intolerable heat I am able to get around and enjoy myself. Most days off involve a trip to the local beach, a good respite from the heat and humidity. Last week we went to Fulong beach, though unbeknownest to us it was the start of a three day rock festival, quite a sight to behold. The Taiwanese try to have a good time, and I say that as an American and with all cultural sensitivities placed aside. They enjoy a different persuasion of life. As my friends and I bought some beers and and brought a music player for our Mp3 players, the Taiwanese bring stinky tofu, pearl tea, and cram books (I kid you not) to the beach. The whole set up involved lots of tents, stages for bands, and exhibitions set up by 7-11 and other local companies all aimed at "having fun". By this I mean Western music with cute Taiwanese girls dancing provocatively, albeit beyond barriers and guards. Exhibits with people dressed up as cartoon and comic characters were ubiquitous, as were stands selling innocuous knicknacks and sandals. The ocean itself was cordoned off by ropes and the swimming are was roughly eighty yards long and went out 40-50 yards, waist height for me. With the insane amount of people it was crowded to say the least. Despite miles of vacant coastline we were restricted to this tiny sliver of ocean. I understand that Taiwanese folk can't swim and enjoy frolicking in waist deep water, but I was born and raised in a pool (thank you Jonesboro, Georgia) and enjoy the fruits of open water swimming. Yet we were constantly chastised for swimming "beyond our faculties". To make matters worse, they effectively shut down the beach at 6pm, and everyone was told to vacate the water. Six is much too early as the sun is still out and making us sweat. We were relegated to sitting on the beach and listening to bad Chinese music (I know most people are unfamiliar with the language but it's not a sexy or endearing language by any stretch of the imagination) and drinking beer. Not a bad scenario but just another display of contrasts between the East and West.
As I have picked up a few privates and have saved some money I am considering a trip to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand next month. It's either two weeks there, or a week in Japan.
These are from the MaoKong Gondola that recently opened in the southern part of the city. Despite numerous problems with functionality it is a fantastic ride that takes you over the zoo, mountains and affords a great view of the city on nice, cloud less days (few and far between they may be). The last stop is the Muzha tea plantation area, dozens of quaint little tea plantations tucked in the mountains, producing what I've been told some of the best Oolong tea in the world. Bottom picture is of the 101 from the gondola. 
The MRT (subway) station I use when it's raining heavily. You can't eat, drink, or even chew gum in the station, probably the most spotless subway system in the world.
A typical class at my school Kojen. These kids are roughly 12/13 years old. The girls are giving the obligatory two finger salute; a weird, albeit endearing tradition for pictures.
This is a view of the mouth of the Danshui River in the north of the city. This river flows out into the Pacific Ocean towards China and Japan.
