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4 Countries, 4 Months

Karen and I had a bit of discussion on what to talk about in this blog on our travels in Asia. It has been an absolutely unmitigated success and that makes it all the more challenging to try and summarize it.

Our last week has been spent simply relaxing and watching the waves lap up on the shore. The Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort was just perfect.
I had requested of Karen a place away from the crowds and on the water. As always she delivered in spades. Our top floor room allowed us to look out across the water and enjoy as we sipped on our morning coffee or afternoon cocktails.

Through we have been treated to some incredible food during our time in Asia, Daluyon allowed us to depart the continent with fresh memories of a world class kitchen delivering exquisite food every single meal.

We even had very well behaved locals hang out near us as we ate.
The best part of the day was the morning stroll up and down the beach. It was absolutely picture perfect.

I would be hard pressed to pick our favourite part of this 4 month adventure. Each country had its own unique qualities and personality.

Perhaps because we spent the most time in Japan it would have to come in as my favourite.
with Sumo….
And food made it hard to beat.

When it comes to South Korea and Taiwan my reasons were multifaceted. On the one hand, I always love exploring new places and cultures. On the other, because of my past experiences travelling around the globe I wanted to go to these countries while it is still possible. I am not being negative, it is just a fact that situations and politics change and what we once took for granted can disappear.

South Korea exposed us to a nation that has overcome exceptional challenges and continues to flourish. Even if I don’t totally understand their love of stuffed toys and surreal anime type images. We both loved the people and the sights we took in.
Taiwan, or specifically, Taipei was excellent. An education in modern geopolitical realities and how people just keep on going. The resilience of the human spirit is humbling to observe.
And of course the diving we were able to experience. From Jeju, South Korea, to Okinawa and Ishigaki, Japan, and topping it off with the Philippines. Incredible does not cover it. It was an added bonus that if the dive master was taking photos, they shared all of them with the customers free of charge.

The quality of the dive shops we utilized was exceptional. We frequently get the question about rental equipment and safety. I can tell it comes from caring, but it also is totally unfounded. From regulators, BCD’s, tanks, masks, fins we never had a signifiant problem. And if some piece wasn’t quite right it was replaced immediately. Though some of the wet suits had certainly been well used they all did the job. Most were like new in their condition. A heart felt thank you to MJ Jeju Diving Club, Okinawa 39er’s, Ishigaki Jiyujin Scuba Diving, and Sea Explorers, Philippines for making all our dives memorable and safe experiences.

On a more sombre note I wanted to acknowledge the two Japanese firefighters who were killed while fighting the fire off the canal in Dotonbori, Osaka. It struck home when I saw the videos of the fire and realized we had walked right by there a few weeks earlier and I had taken this photo of the site.

I hope you have enjoyed following along on our jaunt through this tiny corner of Asia and we look forward in the near future to exploring some more new corners. For the next few weeks it will be catching up on appointments and reconnect with family and friends in Calgary and area.

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