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Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
2011/03/06
2010/01/12
hPDA rocks
As a part of my recent experiment with GTD, I started using a hPDA to organize things in my life. Incidentally, I had to make yet another intense week-long business trip to Taiwan earlier this month, which provided a good opportunity to test out this new system.
I am happy to say that the ingenious hPDA works great for me, particularly when things are getting crazy with an international trip that was filled with dozens of important meetings in a week. The flexible formatting of hPDA worked much better than any app that I can find for my iPod Touch. Furthermore, the portability/robustness/responsiveness of a hPDA is way better than any electronic alternative. Although backup and syncing remains as an issue with hPDA, I think I am hooked.
I am happy to say that the ingenious hPDA works great for me, particularly when things are getting crazy with an international trip that was filled with dozens of important meetings in a week. The flexible formatting of hPDA worked much better than any app that I can find for my iPod Touch. Furthermore, the portability/robustness/responsiveness of a hPDA is way better than any electronic alternative. Although backup and syncing remains as an issue with hPDA, I think I am hooked.
2009/12/05
Interesting travel experience
Had some quite interesting experience today at the airport. First watched the US Air Force One took off up and close (that thing is HUGE!) while waiting to board at the gate, then got seated at 1A on my flight (although still economy class) and saw how busy the flight attendant was the whole time.
2009/11/29
Rocks and ruins
Taking advantage of the Thanksgiving break, we planned a 2-day trip up to Sedona, AZ to enjoy two things that I found fascinating: natural wonders and ancient civilizations.
On our way up, we first stopped by the Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is a 20-room high-rise apartment built into a cliff by the Sinagua people around 1,000 years ago:
After enjoying a short hike there, we got back on the car and took AZ SR 179 to enter the Red Rock Country. The various rock formations along the way are spectacular (even more so with the fabulous lights provided by the setting sun):
Our original plan for the next morning was to see the Devil's Bridge (the largest natural sandstone arch in the area). Unfortunately, the unpaved road to the trailhead is too much for our minivan to handle and I decided to turn back before it's too late.
As an alternative, we took another trail next to the Midgely Bridge on US Alt 89A to get down to the Oak Creek:
We are all very happy to see a creek with water in it again (you don't see that very often in AZ) and the kids had a lot of fun play with the water:
On our way back, we took a detour to see the Tuzigoot National Monument, which is a huge pueblo on a hill top with 110 rooms:
Before we head back home, we stopped by the downtown of Cottonwood to enjoy the atmosphere there. The kids are thrilled to find a rock shop and each got away with a pretty crystal to hold the sweet memory of this wonderful trip.
On our way up, we first stopped by the Montezuma Castle National Monument, which is a 20-room high-rise apartment built into a cliff by the Sinagua people around 1,000 years ago:
After enjoying a short hike there, we got back on the car and took AZ SR 179 to enter the Red Rock Country. The various rock formations along the way are spectacular (even more so with the fabulous lights provided by the setting sun):
Our original plan for the next morning was to see the Devil's Bridge (the largest natural sandstone arch in the area). Unfortunately, the unpaved road to the trailhead is too much for our minivan to handle and I decided to turn back before it's too late.
As an alternative, we took another trail next to the Midgely Bridge on US Alt 89A to get down to the Oak Creek:
We are all very happy to see a creek with water in it again (you don't see that very often in AZ) and the kids had a lot of fun play with the water:
On our way back, we took a detour to see the Tuzigoot National Monument, which is a huge pueblo on a hill top with 110 rooms:
Before we head back home, we stopped by the downtown of Cottonwood to enjoy the atmosphere there. The kids are thrilled to find a rock shop and each got away with a pretty crystal to hold the sweet memory of this wonderful trip.
2009/10/26
Another trip to Taiwan
Back from my second trip to Taiwan in two months, very tired but nevertheless quite happy. It is interesting to see how my body adjust to these frequent international travel and jet lag. Last time I slept quite well from day one, but lost my appetite almost completely and couldn't taste the food at all. This time I had trouble sleeping for the entire trip, but thoroughly enjoyed all the delicious food that Taiwan has to offer.
Work aside, I got to see my mom and my brother's family again, and of course, my nephew's excellent performance of making faces:
I also visited my in-law's new house
and saw a bunch of orchids and roses that have been keeping my father-in-law busy:
Luckily, my travel schedule allowed me to stay for my father-in-law's birthday, so I prepared a Think Tigre FP for him
and also a Lamy Pico for my mother-in-law as a very late b-day gift. What I didn't expected was that I'd come away with some really awesome party favors, including a Delta Napoli limited edition FP/RB set (FPH-exclusive)
and a yellow Aurora Ipsilon.
Now while I deal with the jet-lag (yet again), I will have some great time playing with these new toys.
Work aside, I got to see my mom and my brother's family again, and of course, my nephew's excellent performance of making faces:
I also visited my in-law's new house
and saw a bunch of orchids and roses that have been keeping my father-in-law busy:
Luckily, my travel schedule allowed me to stay for my father-in-law's birthday, so I prepared a Think Tigre FP for him
and also a Lamy Pico for my mother-in-law as a very late b-day gift. What I didn't expected was that I'd come away with some really awesome party favors, including a Delta Napoli limited edition FP/RB set (FPH-exclusive)
and a yellow Aurora Ipsilon.
Now while I deal with the jet-lag (yet again), I will have some great time playing with these new toys.
2009/09/21
A not-so-hot Ninja
The temperature here has finally come down to the mid-90s and make it so much more pleasant to go out for a ride. I particularly like the fact that the engine doesn't threat to overheat whenever I stop for a red light. I am also very happy that I somehow made peace with the strong winds in the mountains and no longer feel intimidated by them.
The slightly extended ride this afternoon reminded me again the beauty of Tucson. I think riding on the back of a motorcycle provides a good balance for enjoying the sight. Traveling in a car makes me feel encapsulated and isolated from the outside world, whereas riding a bicycle simply can't get me very far (not to mention the sweaty part).
The slightly extended ride this afternoon reminded me again the beauty of Tucson. I think riding on the back of a motorcycle provides a good balance for enjoying the sight. Traveling in a car makes me feel encapsulated and isolated from the outside world, whereas riding a bicycle simply can't get me very far (not to mention the sweaty part).
2009/09/15
A short trip back to Taiwan
Still recovering from my trip back to Taiwan. It was a great trip, but in the same time totally exhausting.
During the trip, I took a chance to visit my alma mater, National Taiwan University, and had a lunch to catch up with some old friends from college.
It is stunning to acknowledge the fact that we all graduated from college more than 10 years ago. When we talk about all the amusing memories, they all seemed to have happened in last month or so. It is also very funny to see how almost everyone is pretty much the same as they do back in college.
Outside of the campus, I saw some interesting sights in Taipei. Here is a restaurant called Tamago Ya (literal translation: Egg House):
I wonder what they sell inside.
Right next to the campus, I am surprised to see that Taipei is running out of the space for everything, including bicycle parking:
The main point of taking this trip was work-related, so as rare as this sort of things happen, I need to be in suit and tie:
The evening before my return flight, I met with my mom and my brother's family. Here is my only nephew who was trying to have some fun making a mess for his mom to clean up:
Anyway, really need to get some sleep now, which is very hard to do. Will see how well that melatonin pill works.
During the trip, I took a chance to visit my alma mater, National Taiwan University, and had a lunch to catch up with some old friends from college.
It is stunning to acknowledge the fact that we all graduated from college more than 10 years ago. When we talk about all the amusing memories, they all seemed to have happened in last month or so. It is also very funny to see how almost everyone is pretty much the same as they do back in college.
Outside of the campus, I saw some interesting sights in Taipei. Here is a restaurant called Tamago Ya (literal translation: Egg House):
I wonder what they sell inside.
Right next to the campus, I am surprised to see that Taipei is running out of the space for everything, including bicycle parking:
The main point of taking this trip was work-related, so as rare as this sort of things happen, I need to be in suit and tie:
The evening before my return flight, I met with my mom and my brother's family. Here is my only nephew who was trying to have some fun making a mess for his mom to clean up:
Anyway, really need to get some sleep now, which is very hard to do. Will see how well that melatonin pill works.
2009/09/13
Home sweet home
Finally get back from my week-long trip to Taiwan and settle back to my normal life. It is amazing how much stress/anxiety/excitement can do. Sleep deprivation? Not a problem! Jet lag? Doesn't feel a thing!
The only problem is that when the payback time comes (and it did), it sure is punishing.
The only problem is that when the payback time comes (and it did), it sure is punishing.
2009/08/03
Apples, grapes, pecans, and more
We took the kids to Apple Annie's Orchard in Wilcox (http://www.appleannies.com/) this afternoon. We all had a great time picking apples/pears in the orchard. Because some of the fruits are hanging so low, even David can do it without help:
On the way back, we stop at the Crop Circle Winery and I got to have a bit of fun tasting wines. I know that there are some wineries in AZ, I was just surprised to see one that is not that far away from Tucson and we happened to see it on our way home.
The nice lady at the winery told us that there's a pecan farm right down the road, so of course we made one more stop to pick up some nuts before heading home. All in all, everyone had a great day and we now have lots of farm-fresh fruits at home. :)
On the way back, we stop at the Crop Circle Winery and I got to have a bit of fun tasting wines. I know that there are some wineries in AZ, I was just surprised to see one that is not that far away from Tucson and we happened to see it on our way home.
The nice lady at the winery told us that there's a pecan farm right down the road, so of course we made one more stop to pick up some nuts before heading home. All in all, everyone had a great day and we now have lots of farm-fresh fruits at home. :)
2009/07/26
Mexico!
We had a day-trip to Nogales (a boarder town between Arizona and Mexico). Here are some pictures from the trip.
Getting close to the boarder:
Interesting contrast of the development on the two sides of the boarder. Mexicans build all the way up to the fence.
The gate from the US side:
A welcome sign right after we cross the gate:
Some random pictures of the street views in Mexico:
It is always an interesting experience to see a foreign country, although we know this is not representative of what most parts of Mexico really looks like. Being a boarder town that thrives on tourism, people there are very friendly and always eager to sell us all kinds of souvenirs. It gets a bit annoying after we stayed for about an hour, but we did have a good time during our stay.
Getting close to the boarder:
Interesting contrast of the development on the two sides of the boarder. Mexicans build all the way up to the fence.
The gate from the US side:
A welcome sign right after we cross the gate:
Some random pictures of the street views in Mexico:
It is always an interesting experience to see a foreign country, although we know this is not representative of what most parts of Mexico really looks like. Being a boarder town that thrives on tourism, people there are very friendly and always eager to sell us all kinds of souvenirs. It gets a bit annoying after we stayed for about an hour, but we did have a good time during our stay.
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