November 26, 2025 I’m back in Sydney. My 2-year visa had expired, and the Mandarin Training Center refused to give me another. However, I discovered that I can go back to Taiwan without a visa and study Chinese, though I have to depart in 90 days. I’ll be doing this for, hopefully, some years. ButContinue reading “Bathurst, Australia”
Author Archives: wanderingrichard
Manly, Australia
August 26, 2025 I’m in Sydney for a week, in between my MTC classes. I’ve been doing the classic tourist sightseeing in Sydney. This journey I decided to go to Manly. I started at Circular Quay (pronounced “Key’) in the Central Business District, took a ferry to Manly Wharf on the harbour side of Manly,Continue reading “Manly, Australia”
Datong District, Taipei
Note: I will be travelling to Thailand and Cambodia in February 2026. If you are interested in meeting there, even if only for a week or two, respond in the comments below. August 10, 2025 Jenny is coming to Taipei. I met Jenny 35 years ago, when we were both undergraduates at Sydney University. SheContinue reading “Datong District, Taipei”
Coogee Beach, Sydney
May 30, 2025 I’m back in Sydney for a week to see my mother. While in the Central Business District in the center of Sydney, on a whim, I decided to visit Coogee Beach. The route, courtesy of Google Maps, goes by light rail (tram) to Randwick where the tram lines end. Then I wouldContinue reading “Coogee Beach, Sydney”
Want to go to Thailand or Cambodia?
From December 2025 to February 2026, I will be in Thailand and Cambodia. The reason is that I will reach the end of the Taiwanese government’s two-year Chinese language qualification in December. So, I will take a three-month holiday in South-East Asia, then in February come back to Taiwan and re-enroll at the same ChineseContinue reading “Want to go to Thailand or Cambodia?”
Dajia Mazu
April 5, 2025 While I was shopping at Huì Guó Market, someone mentioned the Mazu pilgrimage, a huge festival down south near Taichung. I was unenthusiastic, but I said to myself, in a few years I’ll be glad to have gone. So I looked up the temple and found a “Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Day TourContinue reading “Dajia Mazu”
Sydney Opera House – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)
February 28, 2025 I’m back in Sydney for a week, between MTC Chinese courses. I’m staying with my parents. My mother has just finished the initial period of chemotherapy; I went with her to her last session. I thought I’d see Sydney as a visitor would see it. Being born in Sydney, I didn’t getContinue reading “Sydney Opera House – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)”
Raohe Street Night Market – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)
January 27, 2025 新年快樂! (xīn nián kuài lè) – Happy Lunar New Year! Last night at midnight I heard fireworks ushering in the New Year on the 29th. I got up from my bed and stood on the balcony over the Xindian valley, watching a few sites lit by fireworks, out of time to the distantContinue reading “Raohe Street Night Market – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)”
Wat Pho, Bangkok – – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)
January 13, 2025 I’m in Bangkok, with Wren who was my tutor in Chinese, and Ben her partner. I made the airline bookings half a year ago, booked the hotel room well in advance, and paid for my travel insurance. I was really looking forward to the holiday in Bangkok. Then, only a few weeksContinue reading “Wat Pho, Bangkok – – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)”
Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)
November 23 – November 27, 2024 I’m in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Above is a view of the Tonle Sap river, just 100 meters from my hotel, near sunset. I’m here in the week between the old MTC course finishing and another one beginning. I booked the airfare and the hotels several months in advance, securingContinue reading “Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)”
Wandering Richard 