Victor Lo

Taroko Gorge, Taiwan

About a month ago, I went on a road trip with another friend of mine. We went to the eastern side of Taiwan and visited the Taroko Gorge National Park. Believe it or not, it was my first time in seeing this type of landscape. The sheer size of the gorge was nothing I have ever seen before. The drive along the gorge was also very enjoyable. It must have been a huge undertaking to cut the roads into the mountains and cliffs. Most parts of the road was literally an indented cavity cut into the mountains giving these narrow roads that two cars can barely pass each other. After the gorge, we started our drive up along the eastern coast that faces the Pacific Ocean. The road runs along the eastern coastline giving everybody on the road a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. By night we have arrived at Keelung, a famous sea port and its seafood. Of course like many cities sitting just next to the sea, you can definitely find seafood restaurants everywhere that we couldn't pass without trying. Although not as good as those you would find at Sai Gon in HK, it was still very nice. The place we went to was a popular seafood district where on one side of the alley was the fresh seafood market and opposite to it the restaurants where they can turn them into gourmet meal. After we have answered to our appetites, we began our last stretch of the trip from Keelung back to Taipei for a good night rest. All of that done in just one day!

posted by Victor @ 1:20 AM 0 comments

Singapore CNY 2006!

*** Orignally posted at Yahoo 360 ***

We had our first family holiday in Singapore over the Chinese New Year break. It was the first time that Megan rode on an airplane. Surprisingly she behaved quite well during the whole trip including the plan ride. The 4 days (well, kind of ...) were quite busy and tiring. The first day started at around 9AM leaving our home in Hong Kong. By that evening, we have already checked in to our hotel and went to see the Sentosa Lagoon Dolphin show that Megan had anticipated for several days. We spent much of the second day at the Singapore Zoo that all three of us enjoyed very much. Megan saw lots of different kinds of animals. It was a very enjoyable day. We went to Chinatown that evening and had food at a local hawker center. We all loved the Huanan Chicken Rice, yummy ...! On the third day, we spent a relaxing morning in the hotel and took a dip in the hotel swimming pool. After her short afternoon nap, we finally got to do some sighting seeing at the Ruffles Place/City Hall area. The fourth day was the return trip day and we arrived home at around 3pm. I have posted some photos taken during this holiday, you can get to them via the photo link on the right on the main page.

posted by Victor @ 11:31 PM 2 comments

My first DSLR

*** Orignally posted at Yahoo 360 ***

Finally, I got hold of our first DSLR, A Canon E350D (an entry class DSLR). I have always wanted to learn more about photography and the DSLR provides a very good platform for a beginner like me. I don't have to spend lots of money in developing countless photos before learning that I am crappy! Last weekend was the first time that I really got to get acquainted with it. I spent both days snapping away like crazy and took hundreds of photos. Believe me, I was crappy! It was not as easy as I thought. I could create the image in my head on how I wanted the picture to look like, but most of the time they never came out the way I wanted them to be, either the shutter speed was wrong or the aperture was incorrect. But I am sure that as long as I keep trying, I will eventually get it ... I hope! This photo (the fire hydrant) was taken yesterday on Dun Hua North Road in Taipei. I have also posted a new album marking the inauguration of me and the DSLR. Hopefully in a few months I can post a new album showing improvements!

posted by Victor @ 11:29 PM 2 comments

Megan to start her shool years!

**** Post originally posted at Yahoo 360 ****

Megan is to embark on her journey to a new stage in life. She will begin her nursary year at a school near our apartment. It is one of the few kidergarden that uses Mandarin and English as the teaching medium. Both Margaret and meself are very exicted about this as Megan will begin a new chapter in her life. I guess many of you who have already gone through that stage would know what I am talking about. It would be interesting to see how she reacts to being at school all by herself. The parent is allowed to accompany her on the first 2 days but starting next Monday, she would have to be on her own. She is a very shy kid and gets quite nervous when she is with other children. Hopefully she would adapt quickly to the new environment and be a bit more outgoing.
The photo was taken just last Sunday in her full school uniform outfit that she quite likes.

posted by Victor @ 11:24 PM 0 comments