TravelStream™ news feed for member maaske on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/maaske en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:07:56 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1260470440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1260470440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1260470440/tpod.html Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:07:56 -0500 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Waikiki, Hawaii, United States

IF THIS IS IT, Janice and I have concluded (after many long walks on this Island paradise) that WE HAVE HAD A GREAT RUN. As our time abroad nears the end, we are looking at IT as NOT the END but just the END of the Beginning. We are getting excited about what will come next for us…………

- Twice this week Sabrina and I were up and on the bus before 6am to the catch 30-50 foot waves building up to the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay.

· We climbed/hiked Diamond Head 2-3 times

· Went to the Zoo and Library almost every day

· Attended two time share presentation so we could

o Take a dinner cruise

o Play with dolphins

o Parasail

o Ride on a race boat

o Magic of Polynesia Show

............. 528 days on the road............. five more sleeps before CANADA!!
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Waikiki, Hawaii, United States

If a picture is worth 1000 words; a bird in hand is better than two in the bush; a promise made being a debt unpaid; THEN 10 DAYS WITH OUR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS --- PRICELESS!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1259305081/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1259305081/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1259305081/tpod.html Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:35:27 -0500 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Makaha, Hawaii, United States

We had another fun week sharing the sun, fun and food with Janice's parents – Jim and Nancy. We went to the Wet 'n Wild Water Park (twice), the Polynesian Cultural Centre, Pokai Bay learning to paddle Hawaiian outriggers, spent some 'script' ($) at Hawaii’s largest swap meet at the Aloha Bowl Sports Stadium, toured the Bishop Museum and took Aikido lessons as a family.

We had to visit the doctor as James’s ears were bothering him to the point that the pain was too great to sleep. We tried everything for about three weeks but could not resolve the problem. I was dreading going but in the end it turned our well and was covered by our insurance.

How well do you know Oahu?

1. Honolulu is the largest city in the world -- at least it has the longest borders. According to the state constitution any island (or islet) not named as belonging to a county belongs to Honolulu. This makes all islands within the Hawaiian Archipelago, that stretch to Midway Island (1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii) part of Honolulu. Honolulu is about 1,500 miles long or more distance than halfway across the 48 contiguous states.
   





2. Wai Golf Course is Hawaii's first municipal course.
   





3. Honolulu is the nation's 11th largest metropolitan area.
   





4. More than 100 world-renowned beaches ring Honolulu.
   





5. Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.
   





6. The world's largest wind generator is on the island of Oahu. The windmill has two blades 400 feet long on the top of a tower twenty stories high.
   





7. The island of Oahu draws more visitors than any other to Hawaii. One-third of the state's best surfing beaches are on Oahu.

Source: http://www.50states.com/facts/hawaii.htm
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1258646792/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1258646792/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1258646792/tpod.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:55:45 -0500 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Laie, Hawaii, United States

We bumped into some old guys and gals the other morning while down at Pokai Bay Beach doing our daily exercise and hoping to see the dolphins that regularly visit. We did not see any dolphins but discovered that we were in the presence of Makaha's Buffalo Keaulana: Surfing's Living Legend. Janice had recalled reading about this person in one of the books from the library.

We 'hung out' learning about the water, the stories and adventures and then were taught to ride a large surf board by the legend himself – thanks Buffalo!!

The girls and my mom attended the Polynesian Culture Centre for a day while my Uncle Bill, James and I went to some of the beaches on the North Shore.

We seemed to have fallen back into a routine (if that is possible) of going for morning exercise to enjoy our surroundings, coming home for a few hours to do school work (and to avoid the midday sun) then go out again exploring (even if it is only to the pool or library to take 30 more books out!)

My mom and Uncle Bill left last night and Janice's parents (Jim & Nancy) will arrive tonight!!

Note: The area we are living is the poorest area of Oahu. You will not find many tourists because the native people are very accepting and therefore easy for others to 'push’ the poor to this area – more on that later. For now, the photos of the tents and automobiles represent thousands that do not have a place to live YET vacancy rates are very high all over here and the whole country.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257828704/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257828704/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257828704/tpod.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:56:05 -0500 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Mākaha Beach Park, Hawaii, United States

We are having a great time visiting with my mom and Uncle Bill who have joined us to explore and learn more about Oahu, Hawaii.

- We arrived at our apartment at midnight from Hong Kong via LA only to have the wrong unit number and could not contact the owner. We did figure things out and got in.

· Top on our 'to do' list was Wal-Mart to get things we could not for the past 9 months and to go to the public library to get English books!!

· We visited the Dole Plantation, toured the North Shore and around the Island while we had our rental van.

· We walk down to Makaha Beach Park to swim and ride the big waves almost every morning.

To my surprise: We are staying on the West Side of Oahu (about 50Km from Honolulu) and dozens if not hundreds of homeless people are living in tents, cars, vans trucks or in the open all the way along the beaches. These people can’t afford a place to stay and drug dependence is the greatest problem here. While taking the local bus I met a 19 year old woman who has been living on the beach for a year!

Final Note: If anyone is interested in looking at any of our books you can at:

1. http://www.mediafire.com/file/oqwzzenz5om/Family Travel The Further You Go the Closer you Become.pdf

2. http://www.mediafire.com/file/j1d0ywdzvjm/Family Travel Blog.pdf

3. http://www.mediafire.com/file/ayijvj2imkt/From Confucius to Confuse Us Raymond MAASKE.pdf

4. http://www.mediafire.com/file/gwzgj2vnyw2/Sophia So Far Sophia MAASKE.pdf

5. http://www.mediafire.com/file/jwyzxzwewtk/Why Not Sabrina MAASKE.pdf

6. http://www.mediafire.com/file/kyyj05evyze/Lego, Sisters and the World James MAASKE.pdf

7. http://www.mediafire.com/file/jzhmgznlzwf/Playing Around the World Monique MAASKE.pdf

8. http://www.mediafire.com/file/qrzzlzyjmn2/HomeStar Realty Raymond MAASKE.pdf
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257461010/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257461010/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1257461010/tpod.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:27:44 -0500 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Hong Kong, China

Since arriving in Hong Kong it took a while to get accustomed to the hustle and bustle as well as the people trying to sell you "copy watches, bags and suits" at every corner. It was a spooky experience (not because it was Halloween) because we were not used to all the aggressive peddlers (Indians), constant noise and mass movement of people since leaving India.


Our room in the Chongking Mansion area was pretty basic (photos not taken on purpose) and reminded me of a hospital room (with white tile everywhere, metal beds and green sheets). It is definitely in the running for the smallest room we have ever stayed in. The location was great - right near the Walk of Stars. We enjoyed strolling along the boardwalk and taking in the night lights. The kids were recovering from colds and seemed pretty exhausted so we didn't last too long before turning in.



Sunday we spent a wonderful day at Ocean Park (Hong Kong’s most popular amusement park (even more so than Disneyland)). We arrived early and got on most rides with no line-ups. The gondola is probably the highlight of the park as it gives great views of the harbor below. It was a great way to spend our final day in Asia. Before we knew it we were at the Hong Kong airport waiting for the 11 hour flight to L.A. Thankfully the flight was uneventful and we landed tired but none the worse for wear in Los Angeles where we caught another flight backtracking over the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256797062/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256797062/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256797062/tpod.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:27:20 -0400 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

After nine months of living here in China it is now time to leave. Something that became routine since leaving our home in Canada on June 30th, 2008 (487 days ago) has become very difficult. We have met so many great people who have become good friends; we have been treated with more respect and generosity than we deserve and are leaving with a very strong desire to return - if just to visit all the wonderful people who have shaped our lives since moving to Zhuhai City.

I have been inspired by the teachers and students at Tao Yuan Middle School and could not imagine a better way to spend my last day then with teachers and students keen on learning but hungry and passionate about their futures - just waiting for them to seize it!!

My last class Friday ended with my students organizing a very sentimental farewell party of songs, gifts and kind words and gestures. I was so moved that I shared tears with a number of my students.

It was equally difficult saying good bye to my fellow teachers as well as the people who became very important parts of our lives so instead I said "good bye for now but not for long" - that seemed to make things a little easier.

 We took the past week to give everything we couldn't carry with us away, cleaned our apartment and generally prepared for yet another transition.

 Janice and the kids had a 'sleep over' party with an American family whose father/husband is a shoe designer.

 On Sunday I went to the Ultimate International Club (a very exclusive Spa) with my good friend Henry where we played tennis, worked out in the gym, swam in the largest and cleanest pool I have ever been in and then topped it off with Advanced Hot Yoga (an experience not soon forgotten). While I was working my 'butt off' Janice took the children to the local waterfall to play and keep cool.

 I was invited to address my School at the Monday morning assembly. It was interesting and inspiring to see over 2000 students and 200 plus teachers gather at 7:30 am to raise their flag and communicate the upcoming week's events.

 The Chinese are very nationalistic (much more so than us Canucks) much like the Americans except they have a love for their country that they want to share with others and not one that says they are better than others.

The end of our time in China also marks the deadline that I had set to have completed a book. I am happy to say that we over shot my goal as Sabrina, Sophia, James and Monique have their one 'first books'! Janice and I have completed our travel book of this trip along with one or two others that I had been working on.

We are off to Hong Kong for 3 days before going to Hawaii!!

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256131667/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256131667/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1256131667/tpod.html Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:10:54 -0400 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Hailing, Guangdong, China

This week we went to Lost City Water Park and on the weekend we went camping on Hailing Island. We rented two tents and slept on the beach after staying up late and cooking on the open fire.

Only nine days before we leave Mainland China for Hong Kong so we are in the 'get rid of everything' mode once again.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1255489820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1255489820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1255489820/tpod.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:24:30 -0400 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

As our time here draws nearer to our departure I am trying to illustrate as many comparisons and conclusions to help prepare us all for the future while still living in the present.

At our last teacher's training session I held one teacher kindly suggested the importance of getting our children back in public school as soon as we returned to Canada. The teachers’ sensed that I was not that excited about rushing our kids back into the public education system.

You should know that we get "strange looks" every time we answer the question “where our children go to school”. In this case, we home school which is such a foreign concept that people here think we are crazy.

Okay, hold that “crazy thought’ and come back to the West where many people think the same. The difference is that people here send their children to start school as early as 7am and don’t arrive home until 5 – 7pm for the younger students and even later for the older ones in the expectation of a better future.

In China, if your child has low marks (less than 95%) or is not up late every night and going to extra classes in the evenings, Saturday and Sunday than “SOMETHING WRONG”.

In Canada, if your son or daughter doesn’t have lots of friends (ie boyfriends and girlfriends) at a young age than “SOMETHING IS WRONG”.

In the West we focus on the NOW and in China they look to the FUTURE.

I am not opposed to public schools if they are a place of learning. We will do what is best for each of our children as they all have unique strengths and weaknesses none of which would be solved by focusing on boyfriends or girlfriends.

I am inspired by the teachers that I work with for their dedication to providing the best possible education to and for all their students. The teachers and students work so hard as they see it as building a better future for everyone.

Trust me when I tell you after lengthy observation that this is not an easy job for the teachers (or the students). Teachers are exhausted as much as the students.

I took my camera to one of my morning classes and snapped a few photos of my students, the classroom and the school grounds.

Tuesday morning the students started reciting English dialogue at 7:45am lead by a student at the front of the class. Everyone read in unison warming up for their first class.

At 8am I began my 40 minute English class of 56 grade 7 students. My objective is to teach, have fun and get ever student to speak English every class. I must be creative and fast thinking because with 56 students things can change quickly.

It is easier teaching 56 students than you think when a student cleans the chalkboards, another sets the computer and screen up for you and another gets whatever you need. It is also helpful that the student is taught to respect the teacher so at the start of class every student stands and bows in unison and says “Good Morning teacher” and end each class with “Good Bye teacher”. When you ask a student a question they immediately stand and give you their full attention.

You will see photos of daily morning fitness with the entire school of 1700 students outside at 8:40 – 9am. (Note: this is in addition to their normal P.E. class). You will see timed skipping rope, push-ups and other exercises. There is also another 15 minute break at 2pm when all students sit in their desks and do eye and face massage to refresh them for the rest of the afternoon.

Trying to answer this huge divergence from EAST to WEST has lead me to my next observation, comparison and finally conclusion. When questioning students, teachers, and businessmen alike the answer is always the same. The reason they work so hard is because they have no 'real’ social security. This seems strange for a Communist Country but that fact is the government will not take care of them so they better take care of themselves and thus WORK HARD.

Unfortunately our great SOCIAL WELFARE system (and growing) has created a sense of complacency for this and the last two generations. Although we are still living ‘high on the hog’ we got a ‘taste’ of what can happen when we spend more than we make in the past year or so with this last economic crisis.

Admittedly, I too have fallen into this category. I know full well that two of my greatest attributes compared to everyone else in the world is that I am white and born in Canada (thus have a Canadian Passport). Much of what we have is the ‘dream’ of most people in the world and I had forgotten that. I always thought I was a hard worker until we lived in China and India. I often thought it would be nice to have a bigger house or newer car until we have seen what others have.

I also know too, the trip that we have taken as a family is truly a ‘dream come true’. We certainly didn’t ‘deserve it’ but we took the opportunity and encourage everyone to take the opportunities offered to them. We have learned and are learning a lot about ourselves and the world and hope to never forget how blessed we truly are.

Get this, the Chinese government has these long holidays (we just had a 7 day national holiday) to encourage people to spend their money. The problem china faces is that they save too much and don’t spend enough. We in the West have the opposite problem.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1254909536/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1254909536/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maaske/1/1254909536/tpod.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:17 -0400 The Maaske Family 2008-2009 trip around the World!!

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Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

China is celebrating 60 years of 'liberation' by giving everyone a 9 day holiday. I have never experienced a country celebrate something so long nor with the intensity and importance that we witnessed this past week. We watched the 3.5 hour National Day Parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing via T.V at a friend’s home on October 1st. I have attached a video segment to give you an idea of the calibre and ‘unity’ of the Chinese people. Also see http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/10/china_celebrates_60_years.html for amazing photos of the celebration.

If you can see the effort, training, patience and perseverance in this ceremony you will get a glimpse what is happening all over China. It is hard to describe without you experiencing the thoughts, feelings and attitudes of the Chinese people and how vastly different they are compared to us in the West. A few examples:

- You ask a 16 year old boy if he has a girlfriend and he immediately says "no" because his studies and a good education are more important right now.

· Whether weekend or school holiday students still get a tremendous amount of homework. When we have a holiday we have a holiday!

· We met several students who attend a public middle school that starts at 8am and goes until 7pm!!! We found out this is very common.

· A man will not get married until he has saved enough money to buy a home for his wife to be (and her family).

· A classmate (primary, middle, or high school and University) is one of the most valuable and cherished relationships of a lifetime. Time after time I meet people who ‘network’ based on who they went to school with. We all have friends and acquaintances but I have never seen anything so ‘efficient’ and ‘important’. A common expression is “A friend of my classmate is a friend of mine” and they take care of you like you are ‘royalty’.

· You will rarely see a loud argument in public let along a physical fight BUT try to pay for a meal and you will see two fully grown men in a pushing match to see who can pay the bill. (Dad, I know what you are thinking!! J)

Our whole family experienced love and generosity this past weekend when my friend (Henry) made arrangements for us to visit his classmate (from 22 years ago) in Shenzhen for the day at the amusement park called “Happy Valley”. It was the Mid Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) and we got a glimpse of not how important the Festival is but rather how important it is for family and friends to get together. I cannot think of any celebration we have that is so important to the majority. Christmas is the closest that comes to mind but in comparison it does not hold the ‘dizzying excitement’ that the Mid Autumn Festival does. Note: This is considered the second most important festival AFTER the Spring Festival. Unfortunately, we have not experienced it here as we will be gone during that time.

The Moon festival (also called the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn festival) falls on October 3rd in the year 2009. What is the Moon festival? Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its maximum brightness for the entire year, the Chinese celebrate "zhong qiu jie." Children are told the story of the moon fairy living in a crystal palace, who comes out to dance on the moon's shadowed surface. The legend surrounding the "lady living in the moon" dates back to ancient times, to a day when ten suns appeared at once in the sky. The Emperor ordered a famous archer to shoot down the nine extra suns. Once the task was accomplished, Goddess of Western Heaven rewarded the archer with a pill that would make him immortal. However, his wife found the pill, took it, and was banished to the moon as a result. Legend says that her beauty is greatest on the day of the Moon festival.

We experienced what happens on a national multiday holiday when no one is working or at school – they all go to the amusement park! I could not believe how many people were at the park and how LOOOOONNNNNG we had to wait in lines. We spent 12 hours at the park and did what it would take 2 hours normally to do. One 40 second roller coaster had a minimum four hour wait (not counting the numerous people who have no problem ‘budding’ in line).

We had planned on spending the night before returning on the fast ferry in the morning but were asked after fighting to pay for our hotel for the night (which I lost) if we would go to Mr. Yin’s hometown of Dongguan to visit his family.

We took some time and discussed (aka argued) the implications. Mr. Yin & his 15 year old daughter (EVA), who had a van waiting for us at the ferry terminal, paid for our entire family to get into the Happy Valley along with all the food for the 12 hours.

Only after talking to my friend, who said it would be an honour if we went with him to his home town so we said ‘why not’. We are sure glad we did as it was really our honour to meet such wonderful friends and family and had a glimpse of Chinese contemporary culture we would otherwise miss.

We ate, ate, played firecrackers, ate, visited and ate some more. That evening (again after trying to pay for at least some of what we received) we were again asked if we wanted to stay another night and go and visit another classmate. After a quick vote (even though James was getting a cold) we said “why not”.

We packed very light as we were really just going for the day that turned into two days and now three we had to start washing things as everything was ‘ripe’. James learned how to wash and dry his underwear quickly in a hotel room.

The next day we went to Jiangmen and visited more classmates and classmates of classmates. We had another large meal before going to a friend’s (perhaps classmate) fish farm/office in the country. We all had a great time and ate another fabulous meal before being asked (are you with me?) if we wanted to stay another night and visit more friends. Although we were having a good time James was really not feeling well and we were all out of clothes and getting tired of the pace we were on and so decided to decline and return that evening after ‘playing with firecrackers’ again.

We had one day of rest and then Sabrina, Sophia and I went on what we were told was a River Rafting tour to the country side. We had a wonderful time together but the river was more a brook or creek and the raft was a rubber dingy.

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