Creamy Chocolate Bonus Deck = Beneficial Mutation?

The other day I opened my lunch box to find an interesting surprise. I had some Arnott's Creamy Chocolate biscuits in there (favourites since childhood!), and discovered that one had an extra deck (see photo below next to a normal one). The first time I've seen a beneficial mutation in real life. Maybe evolutionary theory could be possible, haha!

Plants for sale from our garden!

Well, we're going to extend out the back of our house, and need to get rid of the garden. So I've put up some pictures of plants there, if anyone wants to buy some :)

Click here to see photos of some of the plants!

2010-07-08: My ride home

This is the plane that would take me back to Australia :)

2010-07-08: Some views of the big city

Instead of just waiting at the airport for a few hours, I decided to take the fast train to Hong Kong CBD, and have a quick look around. Here are a few random photos. When you return the same day on the train, you only have to pay the one-way fare, which was neat. They also had internet access on the train, which I thought would be great, but I found out you had to have an account with the local provider to use it. Oh well!

2010-07-08: Entering Hong Kong

A few more photos from the plane, as we entered Hong Kong...

2010-07-08: Nice places to see..?

These are a few photos taken through the plane window, so they are a bit blurry. I'm not really sure where they were, or what they looked like close up, but from where I was sitting, they looked pretty nice, haha!

2010-07-08: Goodbye Taiwan!

A few photos from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, on my way out of Taiwan. Goodbye Taiwan!

2010-07-08: My Host Family :)

Here is a "goodbye shot" of my wonderful host family! I stayed with Oswin and Lydia, and their lovely daughter, Dora. I took the photo on the way to the airport, at Lydia's parents' house.

2010-07-08: Taiwanese Water Tanks

In Taiwan I noticed there were water tanks everywhere, on top of the buildings. I wasn't really sure why they had them everywhere. I think my hosts said it was something to do with the unreliability of the water supply..?

2010-07-07: Sorry, I don't like the Bubble Tea with Pearls!

My Asian friends really enjoy these drinks, and think they are a real treat. Alas, they were not to my delight. Sorry everyone! (For those who don't know, it is an ice cold milky tea, sweetly flavoured, with little jelly-like balls thrown in. Apologies again, but for me it was just.. bleah!)

2010-07-07: Breakfast surprise

I thought I was getting a pancake for breakfast, but I got a waffle with my bacon and eggs instead. I didn't complain, haha!

2010-07-06: Food at the Night Markets

I only got a two photos of the Jhongli night markets before the battery on my camera ran out of charge.. and first one is blurry :( So no photos of the live snakes for snake soup, the squid dishes, the smelly tofu, etc! As well as food, lots of clothing and other stuff to buy, as well as all kinds of "gambling" games (like sideshow alley at the Ekka or local show). Now I understand why all the Taiwanese students find Brisbane so boring at night. The night markets are open past midnight, and full of young people wandering around.

2010-07-06: Good morning Taiwan!

For my first Taiwan breakfast, we went to "Good Morning!". I had a bacon and egg pancake, as well as a croissant. The store motto is: "Every day when we open our eyes at the first moment, A delicious breakfast makes us get a good mood and health." Not sure how healthy my breakfast was, but it tasted good...

2010-07-05: Flying into Taipei

Here are a few shots from the plane, as we landed at Taipei, Taiwan.

2010-07-03: Welcome to Shanghai Expo 2010

Since I was in Shanghai, I thought I should brave the World Expo. All reports were true, loads of people, hot, and long queues. Didn't get to see a whole lot in the short time I was there, but still a good experience. Rained a bit, but not too bad, and made it a bit cooler. Reminded me of Expo 88 in Brisbane, although I'm sure there are a lot more people at the Shanghai Expo, and the queues even longer. lots of free drinking water available if you have your own bottle. I bought a bottle of 7UP for 4RMB, then used that bottle (bottled water was 5RMB). There are some restrictions on how much food and drink you can bring into the Expo (and there are security checks on entry). More photos to come...

2010-07-01: Country road, take me home?

A few shots from the car on the drive down from the mountain...

2010-06-27: Playing with fire

During the local torch festival, it is normal for the children to play with fire..!

2010-06-25: No need for barbed wire fences...

Just put broken shards of glass into the top of your wall..!