“If you wanna be my baby, it don’t matter baby yeah yeah yeah…” Michael Jackson

It really doesn’t matter…but it once did and in some parts of the world it still does and always will. BUT IT SHOULDN’T, OK. I’m hardly justified by posting this, but having now returned to what is considered a more “white culture” in terms of lighter skinned people, rather than darker skinned people. This “black” Read more about “If you wanna be my baby, it don’t matter baby yeah yeah yeah…” Michael Jackson[…]

Anglesea, Torquay and “Kangarooneys”

On the way back from Lorne and the fantastic early morning sunrises, not to mention seeing Koala Bear for the first time at Kennet River, it was time for a few last stops before the Ocean Road experience was over for this lifetime. The Great Ocean Road starts past Torquay and so it was time Read more about Anglesea, Torquay and “Kangarooneys”[…]

A Night Out in Taipei, Taiwan: Watching Rock Music in the Underworld

On my last weekend in Taiwan, I ended up in the capital city of Taipei. We had spent the full day sightseeing (and also went to the thermal spas) and returned to our hostel for the night out. Jenny had gone back home after the sightseeing, so there was just me and Neil for the Read more about A Night Out in Taipei, Taiwan: Watching Rock Music in the Underworld[…]

An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan

Millwall Neil suggested we go to watch some “English comedy” in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. “You’re kidding” I said, as the only people I had spoke to in the previous 2 weeks could speak no English at all. He said that he had read it in the only English newspaper in Taiwan, The Taipei Times. In Read more about An Evening Of Shorts: Comedy in Taipei, Taiwan[…]

Backpacking in Taiwan: Blood Taipei

  OK its a joke and a ridiculous pun. Something that in 2004, either myself or Lock In Lee would have been proud of. “What blood type are you?” someone asks. “I’m blood type A” I reply. Without the pun, I ended up in Taipei for the final leg of our Taiwan adventure. I had Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Blood Taipei[…]

Jonny Blair living a lifestyle of travel in Shinying shrimp fishing

Backpacking in Taiwan: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying

It was another random Friday night in Shinying and surely this one has to be one of the most enjoyable Friday nights of all time. We went Shrimp Fishing in Taiwan! Really! It was suggested to us on the Thursday night, whilst at the night market with two of Neil’s workmates – Binh and David. Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Shrimp Fishing in Xinying[…]

Orange Army! Tainan Lions 1-3 LA Kaohsiung New Bears

Back in 2007, I went to watch Baseball for the first time. It was never a sport that would interest me totally and really as you get older in life you just like to experience and see new things, even if you don’t like them that much. But actually I’ve now been to Baseball twice Read more about Orange Army! Tainan Lions 1-3 LA Kaohsiung New Bears[…]

Leopard mural in Chiayi Taiwan Jonny Blair

Backpacking in Taiwan: Chiayi City!

After spending our first 24 hours in Taiwan getting buses, acclimatising and checking out the city of Shinying, it was time to head north on the train to the larger city of Chiayi. It’s pronounced “shy ye” in Northern Irish English, which I enjoyed. Neil had some time off that day and accompanied Natalja and Read more about Backpacking in Taiwan: Chiayi City![…]