Back From LAX

I am back from California, it's 6am and it's great to be back in Taiwan, as five star syndrome was starting to kick in! But I sure did miss the little island while I was away, the is something
captivating about this little place.





















On my way to the Process office, near Taipei Main Station, I love how bright the STOP sign has come out, it almost looks like it has been photoshopped on badly!

Mind you no time rest, I have got to be in the office for Wednesday, Thursday and maybe Friday as I have a rather tight deadline, this is the rush I love! I am just about to unpack my gear then of up to Process to meet Jeroen for Lunch.

Disney Rides

I am not really into the roller coaster thing, but I did want to try the log/water ride, but it broke down when I was queuing. I thought the highlight of the day was going on the Star Tours/Wars flight simulator it was so much fun that I went twice and I'm not even a Star Wars boffin and I highly recommend it to anyone.
















Something China Airways could benefit from!

The simulator was a combination of flying though space, with a humorous robot which didn't know how to pilot the ship, it was great!
















Disney is full of these vast man made structures, check out the white mountain in the background

I also thought artistically it was one of the best rides in the park in terms of the specials effects and the animatronics were amazing and just like the film.






















CP30 calling everybody to get of board.





















How our ride looked from the outside.

Disney Land

I never thought I would ever go and as a child I never really had the urge too want to go, but 24 years later I decided I should go and take a look and see what it’s all about.
















One of the center attractions of the park is the Disney Castle, it's a bit odd walking around as it seems so miniature.

It was actually my farther who twisted my arm and said I should go too see how professionally the place is run. Apart from finding it slightly tricky to find the Mickey and friends parking tower the rest of Disney was pretty will organized and all creepily too friendly.















For me going around the shopping area is interesting and good fun as the themed shop fronts I thought were amazingly detailed.

I went mid week as I thought the would be less people and only tourists wondering around, but I was totally wrong as it was full of school children who had just broken up for spring brake. Not only that but I had visited on possibly one of the hottest days in California the was not a could in the sky and this made it all very tiring walking around the park as the sun was so intense.
















Picturesque swan lake, I think?

I decided to visit the traditional Disney park as they have two theme parks. The one I went to see was the first park that Walt Disney built and the place is huge and quite good fun just to walk around and see the all the themed buildings and shops they have.








A rather big lake, complete with pirate ship in the back ground, you can just about see the masts!

The was also a museum dedicated too the last fifty years of Disney, this was very interesting to go around as you could see how the graphic style of mickey had changed over the years.

Disney is full of these vast man made structure imitating either the Grand Canyon or some snow ridden Antarctica.

The vast parking facilities, with electric shuttle buses to take us to Disney Land.

Laguna Rewind

Laguna beach town is kind of similar to those coastal town you get in Cornwall minus the palm trees. I have attached some photos have do have a look.

















I like the British phone box hiding behind the tree.










View from restaurant balcony.

If you click on the photo below it should in large notice the guy under the palm tree playing bagpipes to the left, quite surreal and odd!










Laguna beach straight ahead.

















Quite similar to Bembridge with a wash of Mercs and Bentley parked on every corner.

Don't think I'll be going out this weekend to explore as have a rather heavy work load and tight deadline which is a shame, but I still have next week.

1 Year On Away From Home

Wow it's been 1 Year to the day since I was last in England, I was so close to making it the whole year in the Asian block but I fell short by just a few days.

Life: A lot has happen over the year, and a heck of a lot has happened in the past six months. But I have spent my time with amazing people who have taken me too visit fantastic places and have been truly wonderful and kind to me. Especially Rita who was just simply great and very supportive!

Work: I've been lucky enough to worked with some amazing design offices in Taipei from DEMinc 橙果設計, Process to AmTran 瑞軒科技, which is where I am working now.

It's been a real eye opener to how things are done out here and I had a steep learning curve which is still getting steeper!

Traveling: I've managed to visit Lanyu (Taiwan, but still an island in it's own right) Thailand (Bangkok), Macau and now America (California).

Rita also took me all over Taiwan, which gave me one of the best insights and cultural experience I think anybody could ever get and I was extremely privileged and honored to of had such a wonderful experience.

Languages: I wish I could speak more Chinese, but then I have not made enough effort to improve, I did find it tricky but I really want to improve now.

Music: I suppose my end of the year away from home song is going to be Steinski - Let's get it on

Pontiac & The Dollar

I have a new rental car called a Pontiac G6, at first my co-workers were joking about me having a Pontiac as it's a home brand and not a great one I don't think, but I'm not sure. I think there a bit like Skoda stared of bad and got better.

















The back of my car outside the Rainbow sandals HQ. Rainbow make the strongest most eco-friendly sandal's in the world. If you can get a pair you won't be disappointed!

Anyway when it pitched up it was totally fine as it's a 2008 model, the interior is more exciting to look at than the exterior which is a bit boring and plain, for a sport coup.

















No I wasn't going that fast but it's quite a cool effect when you turn on the engine all the dials shoot too the right.

I think the previous owner must have ragged it as I can feel the engine is misfiring on a cylinders, when I start of from the traffic lights, or maybe it's just built badly.

I've also found using my $100 bills, which I was kindly given is rather tricky as restaurants or shops are normally very reluctant to take them, so much for power of the dollar!

America Cobra

For me this is tottaly wicked, I love in America how you can actually own something this ridiculous big and ego busting and it's just seen as normal.
















Is it any good at, offroading? I think so!

I have also started to realise how important the motor car is to Americans culturally and especially the Ford & GMC brands there are just so many trucks out here and I kind of see it as an extension of your patriotisme if you own one, it your second flag and supporting the American dream.

Sun Burnt

Yep stupid I know, totally forgot to wear sun cream and thought because it was an over cast day I would be fine. I think my legs are the worst there super red, I suppose for someone who had spent most of the year working on a tropical island should know better.

Anyway I have been research some new places which I would like to checkout over next weekend. I spoke to my farther and he suggest I should go to Disney Land to see how the place in run so efficiently and my boss was also keen for me to check out the Getty museum which I’ll be doing as well.

Laguna Beach

Laguna is a bit like Kensington on Sea, by that I mean it’s quite bling with lots of Mercs and BMW everywhere and 50 years olds having mid life crises in drop top sports cars!

View of Laguna beach, photo should in large if you click on it.

Other than that the beach is about a 25 minuet drive from where I'm staying, it’s quite family oriented so it’s not fall of American beach babes, but Laguna is one of the nicest beaches I have been too. The sand is very white and clean no cigarette ends or bits of rubbish unlike the Taiwanese beaches.

Blending in with the locals!

Other than that the beach is about a 25 minuet drive from where I'm staying, it’s quite family oriented so it’s not fall of American beach babes, but Laguna is one of the nicest beaches I have been too. The sand is very white and clean no cigarette ends or bits of rubbish unlike the Taiwanese beaches.

Near the top of Laguna Beach.

I suppose the first 500 yards of coast line is very crowed only because I don’t think Americans like to walk far, just a 5 minuet stroll down the beach and you will quite happily find and empty stretch.

Near the bottom of Laguna beach.

I got to admit I had a very relaxing time and finished off eating at a great restaurant called Opah where I had a fantastically good fresh Swords fish dinner.

On the rocks.

Ok, I Know, I am obviously starting to become Taiwanese by photographing the food! Ah but it was good.

Yummy!

Plaza & Malls

Today was quite cold in Irvine or at least I felt a little bit cold, I did drive down to the beach to have a look but I felt I should go on Sunday instead. My housemate Frank who I’m currently staying with said I should check out the South Coast Plaza as it quite good for sightseeing and do a spot of shopping.

Not the South Cost Plaza but the Spectrum centre, close to Irvine, similar thought.

As I needed a new pair of trainers I thought I would head over there. The one thing I have realized about California and especially Irvin is that everything revolves around Malls.

This is where everybody hangs out!

You do generally have these vast open spaces between everything and then you reach a Mall which is like the town centre where people congregate and then you drive on again and your back to gated community and office blocks. For me this is totally under and very culturally different as you have to drive everywhere to do anything.

California

I'm here in sunny California, I arrived last night, the flight was not too bad, even thought it was with China Airways they managed get me here in one peace. But I still think it's worth to pay the 20 dollars more and go with Cathy Pacific the cabin crew are so much more friendly.

First thoughts on California is it's quite open and residential in Irvine. The is very little public transport everybody drives here in huge cars. So far people seem nice, all I can say is everything is very American and what you would expect. Maggie my guide took me to lunch today where I was served a huge portion of food which could of fed two people!

My hotel that I stayed in last night was fine, but completely charmless, but I have just been move to the company apartment as I'm here for 3 weeks.

Cribs

I am staying at the company flat near Culver Drive in my little gated community which is a bit odd for me, but the place is perfectly comfortable and much nicer than the hotel I was at in the beginning.

Front of the house.

This is my new ride, it’s a Honda and it’s huge, which does make it a big tricky to drive, In fact I parked next to a Range Rover the other day and my car is longer and taller. I think if I ever got lost I could sleep in the boot without having to put down the back seats.

My ride.

It also has some cool accessories like electric sliding doors and LCD screen which, show a camera image of the back when you’re reversing which is pretty useful.

My street.

I am very great full to have satellite navigation too as it’s quite easy to get lost as you need to drive everywhere to do the most basic of things, like getting milk from you local petrol station as it’s so far away from where you home is.

Boarding

I am just about to board the flight, I must admit I do feel a little bit sad to be leave Taiwan and I think I am going to be missing the hustle and bustle of Taipei. But I have to admit it's pretty cool to have my first business trip too America!





















Entrance to Terminal 2 with it's multi coloured lighting effects, which feels like your entering an arcade game.