Lan Yu Island

Last weekend I went on a trip to LanYu, a small island off the south-east coast of Taiwan. It was stunningly beautiful and clean. It felt like Hawaii but smaller and not so touristy. There isn't even a supermarket on the whole island! There is only a 農會, or farmer's cooperative.

It was a great trip with awesome snorkeling, clean and clear water, and great people. I met a group of 4th and 5th graders who were also enjoying the water, and they were so curious about me. The native people look a lot like Maori or Samoans, dark skin and hair and athletic. Actually, LanYu was off-limits to the public until 1967, when learning Mandarin became compulsory. As a result, the culture is the best preserved of all aboriginals in Taiwan.

Enough talk! More pictures!A small village on the coast (1 of 4 on the whole island).

Pretty view from the road

Sunset

Cool rock formation

Can I teach here??!!

Some locals show me where to go rinse off after swimming in the ocean.

Travel buddies getting ready to go out scuba diving

Nice view from the hotel, huh?

Lan Yu Island from the sky.

The plane's on fire!! Oh... just mist? How strange, I've never been in a plane where this has happened before...

Only 11 days left till I'm back in Cali! Woo!

Students!

In between class periods, some students come upstairs to the 4th floor to do some sweeping: here are some pics!
Leo and Jason - both very bright 3rd graders!Michael, Joe 2, and Tony.
Joe 2 is one of my favorite 6th graders. Great attitude and a real stand-up guy with all his classmates. (the "2" is added because there are 2 Joes in their class. The one who sits in the front is "Joe 1".)