The Siao Dynasty http://www.siaodynasty.com Ruminations from the Middle Kingdom Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:19:02 +0000 en hourly 1 Feet Down In Bali Town http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/18/feet-down-in-bali-town/ http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/18/feet-down-in-bali-town/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:12:51 +0000 admin http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/18/feet-down-in-bali-town/

Just landed here in Bali on the way through to Lombok. In the next few days, we’ll be heading to two remote villages to shoot some materials for an NGO. This was arranged by my travel buddy Derrick Chang over at Mask Of China. More to follow in the near future (depending on our wifi availability). The photograph above shows the iconic twin Petronas Towers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, shot on the iPhone 3GS.

]]> http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/18/feet-down-in-bali-town/feed/ 0 Loose Leaf http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/11/loose-leaf/ http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/11/loose-leaf/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:29:59 +0000 admin http://www.siaodynasty.com/?p=53 As I’ve matured, and I know I’m decaying since I have gray hairs popping out, I’m beginning to take on an appreciation for tea.  I’ve been known to enjoy a good boba tea every now and then (jasmine green tea, hold the milk) but these teas are usually brewed from tea bags, which are apparently made from the scraps of tea brushed off a tea monger’s table.  The good stuff are the loose leaf teas, which are full of the oils and chemicals that make a good tea.  Now I’ve been to traditional tea ceremonies when I was younger, but at the time, it was unappreciated and my eyes glazed over.  Fast forward to today, and I’m finally starting to figure it out.  Get some high quality tea leaves, serve it with the right temperatures with some wild honey, and you’re in for a smooth and flavorful delight.

]]> http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/11/loose-leaf/feed/ 2 Farmville http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/05/farmville/ http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/05/farmville/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:01:39 +0000 admin http://www.siaodynasty.com/?p=14 IMG_9050 IMG_8976 IMG_8981 IMG_9164 IMG_9058 IMG_9074 IMG_9112 IMG_9167 IMG_9171

A few days after arriving in Dalian, Cici and I journeyed to visit her parents who live out in the countryside.  Nestled among lush mountains and fertile valleys, they live the agrarian lifestyle growing mainly apples and peaches, carving out a humble and peaceful existence which is a striking contrast with the loud hustle and bustle of the city.  Her parents did their finest to spoil me rotten, serving up delicious fare with such things as fresh eggs, vegetables and herbs from their garden, and meats either from their own farm or their neighbors.  It was a relaxing few days spent out in the fresh country air, and I can’t wait to get back.

]]> http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/05/farmville/feed/ 0 New Beginnings http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/01/new-beginnings/ http://www.siaodynasty.com/2010/07/01/new-beginnings/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:56:51 +0000 admin http://www.siaodynasty.com/?p=5

I decided to completely reset the blog and begin anew.  Above, a new apple grows on a rural farm.  More photos to follow.

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