TAIWAN, AUGUST 2010

21 August 2010
I was a bit worried. Came on the plane in a bad seat but somebody changed the seats to be closer to his son so got a better seat. Since Long was not here and I was not sure which Hotel and somebody may come to collect the two of us. Anyway no visa needed, just passed the control very easy. There was a big sign saying Orskov and a gang of students holding it. I was just being spoiled. Came to a strange country and here it is! They had a driver to take me to the University Hotel where I will stay for the meeting.

Very relaxed country of China seems to be. They have a lot of palm trees. I am not quite sure what they produce but seem very Taiwanese. Another student who I met in Vietnam came to meet me here. I am just being spoiled. I was a bit worried but nothing to worry about.

23 August 2010
Nice first day of the meeting, participants from about 30 countries were here. I am the only one from UK, not the first time. The entertainment of the opening was brilliant, particularly the Chinese, Taiwanese performances with fgures and exercise and music. This afternoon science sessions. Too many sessions, so difficult to know where one should be. Thanh and her father arrived and I helped her father get back for dinner tonight. So there is going to be a meeting in Malaysia and Thailand next year where they want me to participate.

24 August 2010
Had a job of chairing a session on ruminant nutrition. Apart from that nothing special but as usual I met so many people who want to be photographed with me, so many people I have taught I cannot remember them all but such a nice feeling. Have I made a contribution?

25 August 2010
Today was a bus tour to see something of Taiwan. I was on a bus taking us to the Livestock Research Institute, very formal and excellent welcome with so many things to see and a lovely meal for dinner. Then we went to an auction market to see how pigs were sold in auction. This was not new to me but many had never seen any thing like that. Then went to see another old town in Taiwan where the Dutch made an impact in seventeenth century to set up a harbour. They built a Dutch castle which was demolished later by Japanese or was it mainland China? The old historical town of Tainam where the former ocean was but rivers bringing clay which is now part of the city. Taiwan could never be called a developing country. It is more developed than most countries I have seen and I have seen many.

26 August 2010
Another quite busy day listening to paper presentations and discussing issues of interests. Then the evening we had to go to a farewell party in Kaohsiung where the airport is. No hotels near by but it was wonderful party. I settled down with Dr Ly, Thanh and her father only to find I was called up to a higher level near the speakers. I was not really keen but many interesting people at the table, good wine and good food. Then each country had to do some entertainment. I was dancing with Japanese as well as Thai people. Then totally unexpected, I was called on the stage to receive a very big medal for my contribution to the meeting and enthusiasm for AAAP. Only one out of many hundreds. What can I do but be grateful that I am thought of like this. I did say it was not deserved. Then day off tomorrow and off to home after that. Long from Lanzhou had now arrived and he called me to congratulate me on the platform for all to see.

1 September 2010
The travel back was uneventful. We had a goodbye session after which we went on a shopping tour with Thanh. Next day the four of us went by car to Kuashung to the airport. We got the plane to Shanghai where we had to wait for two hours at the airport at 35 degrees heat. Then I was off to Amsterdam on the 11 hours trip. Arrived at Amsterdam very late and got the Aberdeen flight but the luggage was late so came back without them.