Asia

Night Markets In Hong Kong

February 13, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Night Markets In Hong Kong

Night markets in Hong Kong are a way of life. You can find almost any fruit, snack, meat, vegetable, clothing or other needs at the markets. Haggling is the way of the market and it is not unusual to get things at half price. Some markets are a higher quality and so you can bargain only so far. Most of the night markets have good discounts if you bargain.

TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET, YAU MA TEI is the largest of the night markets. It is also the most controversial. There is not much you can not buy at Temple Street Night Market. Men are catered to at this market and often it offers some counterfeit goods and other tacky services. Sometimes it is called the Men’s Night Market, as things that men like are the bulk of the items for sale. Here you can find counterfeit goods such as clothes, watches, lighters, bags, CD’s, DVD’s and other household goods. No one expects to pay more than half of the asking price. While parts of the market are like any other night market, there are sections where prostitutes work among the low-rise tenements. It is common to see fortune-tellers cluster around the car park, and poor opera singers sing for a few bucks by the public toilets. While there are many outstanding cafes, there are some hawkers that sell unnameable meats that still are twitching. Near the market, you also see a lot of gambling, especially near the Temple area. This is ghetto life at it’s best! Buyer beware!

STANLEY MAIN STREET, STANLEY MARKET is a little higher class market than most other Hong Kong Street Markets. This is a daytime street market, as well as a night market. The market spills out into the sidewalks and into the narrow alleyways. Most shops will bargain but not to the degree of other markets. The merchandise is nicer and often you can find silk clothing and other high-end designer goods. This is the king of the night markets for quality merchandise!

http://explore1.wpengine.com/stanley-hong-kong-amazing-town/

MONGKOK FLOWER MARKET AND YUEN PO STREET BIRD GARDEN are major attractions in their own right. The flower market fills the streets with blooms and color. This colorful market is a street market and a night market. Here you can find plants and blooms from all over the world.

http://explore1.wpengine.com/mong-kok-flower-market-hong-kong/

YUEN PO STREET BIRD GARDEN is a delight and if you are in the market for birds or bird related things, this is the market to attend. There is a lovely park at one end where you can see bird owners taking their birds out for a walk. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden is both a day and night market.

http://explore1.wpengine.com/yuen-po-street-bird-garden/?doing_wp_cron=1423803346.4047911167144775390625

Another market that is fun is the LADIES MONG KOK STREET MARKET . This is an up-scale market for the ladies. Here you will find clothes, personal items like watches and jewelry, and household goods. It is a quality market. This market is both a daytime street market and a night market.

http://explore1.wpengine.com/ladies-mongkok-street-market-hong-kong/?doing_wp_cron=1423803027.0181798934936523437500

While this is just the tip of the ice burg of markets in Hong Kong, I hope you will enjoy these and find many others. Make this the year you explore the many night markets and street markets in Hong Kong.

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Pineapple Fields In Southern Philippines

February 11, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Pineapple fields in the warm rolling hills of Southern Philippines

Pineapple: The Miracle Plant

Pineapple is a fruit that flourishes in the warm tropical hills of Southern Philippines. It is found throughout the tropical and subtropical world. Pineapple is an easy plant to grow. Grow it either in the ground or in very large containers. If you have a good Organic Pineapple, you can cultivate it from cutting off the crown of the fruit. The new cutting is often kept in water and when it starts to grow, it is then planted. After you plant it, you may get flowers in 20-24 months. It is not a fast process! About 6 months after you get flowers, the pineapple will fruit. Pineapple is best if left on the vine to ripen, as it does not ripen after it is harvested. Once harvested, it only keeps a couple of days if not refrigerated. If refrigerated you may get 5-7 days max.

Pineapples are eaten in many different ways in differents cuisines. It is awesome fresh, juiced, and preserved. I love to cook with it. I seldom can pineapple, but dried pineapple is awesome and keeps during the off-season. Drying the pineapple slowly preserves most of the awesome nutrients found in the fruit.

In the Philippines, even the leaves are used. The leaves are processed to make a fiber that is used to make men’s and women’s formal wear . The pina fiber, is a component used in making furniture and wallpaper. Leave it to the Filipinos to use every part of the plant. Just like they use every part of the coconut, there is no waste in the way they use the pineapple. I am always attracted to their ethic on not wasting any part of their crops. They put a lot of effort into finding out how they can use all parts of their major crops.

The amazing pineapple provides 76% percent of your daily manganese needs in just one cup and 131% percent of your vitamin C needs. It is a natural antioxidant and boosts the immune system. It also contains a significant amount of thiamine and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps to stabilize blood sugar. Pineapple juice is rich in potassium. Potassium helps to promote good kidney health. Sufficient potassium in the body works to prevent muscle cramps and soreness.

Juice the stems and make a wonderful meat marinade. The stem of the pineapple is filled with bromelain, which breaks down protein. The fruit, itself, has little bromelain in it. But those woody stems are full of bromelain and are also good to cook with. How versatile this fruit is!

Many believe that the pineapple has an abundance of medical uses as well. While these have not been documented and tested trials by the government, there are some areas that pineapple consumption seems to work wonders in. It is important that you eat fresh pineapple or make your own fresh juice. Preserved juices usually have sugars and preservatives.

In Alternative Medicine pineapple juice is used as an Anti-inflammatory. This enzyme seems to rival NSAIDS and steroids. Combine it with turmeric and it is even more potent. This combination aids in digestion, helps in the healing of bruises, and alleviates arthritis pain. It helps in the healing of tissues and the healing of wounds. Pineapple is also helpful in building strong bones and connective tissues. Pineapple is a natural anticoagulant and is useful in the clotting of blood when used daily. It also helps to prevent bacterial growth in the mouth. A glass of pineapple juice helps to prevent mucus accumulation in the mouth and throat. It produces a healthy cough and clears the lungs. What is there not to like about this fantastic fruit?

Make this the year you leisurely walk through the pineapple fields of the Southern Philippines. Take time to learn how to make a variety of stir-frys, soups, and other tropical delights. Include pineapple and turmeric in your diet daily. Learn to make Pineapple Fritters that are fried in coconut oil. Serve your fritters with eggs with turmeric, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic . Garnish with cilantro and avocado! Be sure to eat your garnish! Widen your horizons in the coming year! Discover Pineapple!

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Rooftop Gardens of Hong Kong

February 7, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Rooftop Gardens of Hong Kong

Rooftop gardens are making a debut in the concrete jungle of Hong Kong. For years the citizens have been on the long road to disconnect from nature and now it is a long way home. In the 90’s over 1/3 of the produce sold in Hong Kong was local, now it is a little more than 2%. There was a time that in the New Territories, the land that stretches from urban Kowloon to the border with mainland China, that farming reigned supreme. Now these farms too ,have gone the way of urban life. Most of the food eaten in Hong Kong comes from the mainland, apples arrive from the United States, Kiwis are brought in from Italy, and Oranges from South Africa.

Now, in the year of 2015 ,we see an emergence of people wanting to reconnect with nature. There is the beautiful garden and water space on the roof of the IFC Mall. It provides a wonderful place for workers in the financial district to have a quiet lunch. There are roof-tops all over the city, growing tomorrow’s dinner. The desire to grow your own food is coming back, to Hong Kong.

If you walk along the concrete houses, you are beginning to see cracks between buildings being used for food, and on the balconies of the city, you will find containers of greens and hanging gardens. The people of Hong Kong are reclaiming their right, to grow their own food.

A very popular project is the HK Honey Initiative. Here local beekeepers are connected with apartment dwellers who are anxious to install beehives on their rooftops and balconies. This is a beginning that connects people with nature. They are currently focusing on an older part of the city that has a network of rooftop gardens. In exchange, these gardeners have bees for their rooftop gardens and honey, for the table. What an awesome project.

No gardening article on Hong Kong would be complete without mentioning, the Mango King. The Mango King is a small middle-age homeless man who lives in a lean-to under the trees. Near by are the busy streets of the city and traffic speeds through, day and night. In the midst of all this, the Mango King has his illegal urban farm. Here you will see sweet potatoes, 45 papaya trees, 5 mango trees, 3 banana trees, and 2 Lychee Trees. In addition to all this he has greens and other garden produce growing. On 700 square feet he grows all that he needs to eat and a little extra to barter for other needs. Having an urban garden in the middle of the concrete jungle is hard, especially since he has no running water. He walks to a mall and fills jugs and comes back and waters his amazing garden. How many of us who garden, would have such dedication?

In Yau Ma Tei, the HK Honey Initiative found its beginning with a passionate group of artists and long time residents who are using roofs, balconies, and the cracks between the buildings to grow produce for their community. Rooftop gardens are all over Yau Ma Tei! These were the pioneers and now Hong Kong is getting excited once again about having small farms, but this time, they are urban farms. These are the rooftop gardens of Hong Kong. So on your next adventure to Hong Kong, check out all the new city farms, both legal and illegal. The urban farmers of Hong Kong are waiting for your visit . Come discover the rooftop gardens of Hong Kong!

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Chili Crab: Taiwan’s Taste Of Singapore

February 4, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Chili crab in Taiwan[/caption

Chili Crab: Taiwan’s Taste Of Singapore

Chili Crab must be Asia’s most enjoyable dish. It is a definite must if traveling to Singapore. But what if you are traveling to Taiwan? Chili Crab is an exotic and typical dish to see on the Menu in Taipei’s top Fish Restaurants. The very best always serve chili crab. Chile Crab made the list compiled by CNN of the Worlds top 50 foods. It was number 35 on the 2011 list.

What is so great about this Singapore special? It is a seafood dish that is amazing! The crab is coated in this sweet spicy chili sauce and then stir-fried. This is done very slowly and carefully so as to mingle all the flavors. It is scrupulous! It is amazing! It is Chili Crab. Most often it is served with a steam bun that compliments the sauce. This will be a meal that will make memories for years to come. It is a meal of delicate flavors and strong spices.

In Taipei, one of the top places to dine is the Spicy Crab Restaurant. It is co-owned by famous TV host, Zeng Guo Cheng. It has some of the best chilli crab in Taipei, Taiwan. Zeng Guo Cheng went on a vacation to Shanghai, China and there he tasted the best spicy crab that China had to offer. He came back and opened a restaurant with this fantastic crab as his signature dish. It is prepared in the Sichuan style and is at it’s best together with other spicy dishes. If in Taipei, this is the perfect dinner stop.

The Spicy Crab Restaurant is located at: No. 323, Section 2, Bādé Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It is open Monday – Sunday from 5 pm till 2 am. For information call: 886 2 27725777.

This legendary seafood dish is a must for your next Taiwanese Vacation. Grab your passport and pack your bag. The adventures of a lifetime are waiting for you in Taiwan.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine: Mysteries From Hong Kong

February 2, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com 2 Comments

Mysterious Chinese herbs in the traditional medicine shops of Hong Kong

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Hong Kong

Chinese herbal medicine is not based on mainstream Western principles or practices. Chinese herbal medicine uses a variety of herbs such as Chinese herbal medicine uses a variety of herbs such as astragalus, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea, and Siberian ginseng in different combinations to restore balance to the body. A body out of balance, is a disease waiting to happen. Herbal blends, in the hands of a competent practitioner, can prevent and heal many ailments. They are said to prevent and treat hormone disturbances, infections, breathing disorders, and a vast number of other ailments and diseases.

The beginning of Chinese herbal Medicine is the herb garden. Simple garden herbs can help ease the side effects of radiation treatments, control pain, improve quality of life, and strengthen the immune system. There has even been some cases, where simple herbal combinations worked to slow or stop tumor growth. Chinese herbal medicine is the use of over 3,200 herbs, 300 minerals, and 400 different formulas to restore health and balance to the body.

The long use of many of these herbs has led some to think that they are always safe. That is not correct. Any herb can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Those who are allergic to certain plants or plant-based foods may also react to herbs. As with anything new, it is good to introduce it in such a way, that you can quickly see if you have a reaction.

The more herbs you are able to safely introduce into your everyday cooking and use, the healthier you will be. A simple beginning is the humble herb garden. A few simple herbs that almost anyone can grow in a few pots are turmeric, ginger, garlic, onions, cilantro, parsley, teas, ginseng, and ginkgo. I personally use each of these daily. Others that I try to use at least 3 times a week are sage, oregano, basil, mint, thyme, and lemon grass. Even the leaves of fruit trees can often be used to control or prevent common issues. The humble fig leaf is my favorite example. A tea from the fig leaf can many times help in the control of diabetes. It is also helpful in weight control. There are hundreds of herbs waiting for you to discover their magic. What are you waiting for?

If anyone thinks my small herb garden of 50 herbs is overwhelming, venture into to a traditional medicine shop in Hong Kong. There you will see hundreds of mysterious herbs just waiting for you to use with knowledge. Never use something unknown to you without proper teaching and instruction. Herbs are a natural medicine and if used wrongly, they can be fatal. Herbs plus knowledge and instruction can mean a long quality of life. So come on over to Hong Kong and wander through a traditional medicine shop. They are mysterious! They are a delight! To a person with herbal knowledge, they are of more value than a candy store, to a child. Grab your passport and pack your bags. Come spend time in Hong Kong, learning the art of Chinese Herbal Medicine. It is never to early to book your next Hong Kong vacation.

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Blue Swimming Crabs: Filipino Delicacy

January 29, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Blue Swimming Crabs: Filipino Delicacy

Blue Swimming Crabs are some of the sweetest crabs available. They also are known by many names. Portumus Pelagicus is the official scientific name, but they are known as the flower crab in most of Asia. In the middle east they are known as the manna crab. Head on over to Australia and they are called sand crabs. Whatever the name, this is an excellent crab for eating! Demand is extremely high world-wide for the Blue Swimming Crabs. Not only are they good to eat, but they are beautiful.

Almost 90% of the market is in the United States. They are considered a delicacy and can be pricey. African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries are also major importers. Australia and New Zealand make up the balance of the importing countries for Blue Swimming Crabs.

The male Crabs are a bright blue with white spots. They are simply gorgeous! The female crab is a duller greenish-brown. She is not nearly as stunning as her male counterpart. Male or female, they are a hot commodity. They spend most of their days buried under the damp sand or mud. Rarely do they come out during daylight or winter. They are excellent swimmers and do not survive long out of the water. At night you will find them swimming in the estuaries, as they search for food and shelter.

So, the next time you are in the Philippines, have a local delicacy for dinner. If you like crab, these are some of the best. So gather your passport and pack your bag. Make this the year you discover the world of the Blue Swimming Crab. A seafood banquet is waiting ….in the Philippines.

For more information on the Philippine Islands and places to go, see our websites:

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Asparagus Shrimp Soup Of Taiwan

January 26, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Asparagus Shrimp Soup Of Taiwan

Asparagus Shrimp Soup is a Taiwanese specialty. Taiwan is a small island and there is no way the Taiwanese could have enough beef and pork to meet their needs. The Taiwanese for centuries have been looking to the sea for its protein. Asparagus Shrimp soup is fantastic! It is healthy! It is delicious!

The sea provides a steady and fresh supply of tuna, grouper, sardines, shrimp, anchovies, squid, cuttlefish and more. The Taiwanese fisherman go out daily and return with fresh seafood for the markets and restaurants. What a delight it is, to see your seafood alive until it is time to cook. Many dishes are prepared right at your table. Hot pot is one of those dishes. Everything in Taiwan is fresh! It is amazing!

Asparagus Shrimp Soup is absolutely delicious. I love soups, so I often experiment and change-up things. You can make it with all vegetables! No Shrimp, no problem, just add Sardines or Salmon. It is good to make it the traditional way the first time. The options are many! No matter what fish you add, it will be delicious. It is extremely nutritious! It is fresh…straight from the sea.

For those of you who want to try a little healthy Taiwanese cooking, I have included a simple recipe to get you started. Asparagus Shrimp Soup is easy to make. It will get your creativity going. It never hurts to delve into the cruise of the country you hope to visit. This recipe comes to us by the Food Network. Enjoy the soup!

Asparagus Shrimp Soup

Recipe Courtesy of �Michelle Urvater
Total Time:
40 min
Cook:
40 min

Yield:4 servings
Level:Easy
Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced shallots
6 cups water
Bouquet garni including: the stems and roots of a bunch of cilantro, bay leaf, smashed peeled garlic clove, 2 red chili
peppers
1 pound asparagus, peeled, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup canned straw mushrooms or fresh enoki mushrooms or sliced domestic mushroom caps
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup (packed) cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
Salt and crushed red pepper
Directions

Heat the oil and add the shallots and saute. Add the water, bouquet garni and bring to a boil and simmer, covered for 10 minutes. Add the asparagus and simmer 5 minutes or until tender; add the shrimp and simmer just until the shrimp turn pink. Add the mushrooms, and simmer to heat through (if too much liquid has evaporated, add more to keep level constant).

Remove the soup from the heat, remove the bouquet garni and stir in the lime juice to taste and cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and crushed red pepper.

Recipe Courtesy of �Michelle Urvater

Now, that you have tried your hand at a little Asian cooking, you can add other things. It is quick! It is easy! Now, you are ready to make it your own. Asparagus Shrimp Soup is just the beginning of what you will see in Taiwan. The soups are endless! The variety is unlimited! There seems to be no limit to the vegetables and fruits that grow on the island. They are abundant! They are fresh! It is easy to have a salad with every meal. You will love the freshness of everything. Nothing was prepared yesterday! Make this the year you discover Taiwan. For added tourist information, see our website at:

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Taipei, Taiwan: The City Seems To Rotate

January 22, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Taipei, Taiwan: “Good Feng Shui Rotates,”

Taipei, Taiwan is the city of change. There is a Chinese proverb that says:”Good Feng Shui Rotates.” This is true of Taipei, as the best of the city seems to change each time you arrive. There is so much to do in and around Taipei! It is good to plan several days and then you will just scratch the service.

Almost a constant for first place is the Lungshan Temple. It is located near the Danshui River west of the city. The building is over three centuries old and accommodates several Buddhist gods, including the goddess of mercy. Rich and poor come here to pray for protection and wellbeing. The temple is seldom empty, but on the 1st and 15th of every lunar month it is extremely busy. Be sure and notice the intricate hand carved details on this building. The temple has been restored and is a historical building in Taiwan. Fill your plate with Taiwanese history at the Lungshan Temple.

Be sure to take a walk along the underground shopping street in the Lungshan Temple MRT station. There are many quaint shops on this lower level shopping area. You will also see many fortune-tellers along the street. Temples and fortune tellers play a large role in Taiwan. Both the temples and the fortune tellers shape the culture of this island nation. In Taipei you will notice that every district has its own temple on the coroner.

In the same area is Snake Alley. You will find it on Huaxi Street. This is one of the strangest of the night markets. It is a very unique market with lots of living history. Snake meat, snake soup, and shots of snake blood are sold here. You might want to be careful what you buy! Years ago it was the location of the famous red light district and a place for gangsters. Now it is a modern night market and a tourist destination.

The Taipei 101 is always a top tourist location. Taipei 101 has 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The architecture of the building is modern and has much symbolism. It has one of the best views in the city. It is in the Xinyi District of Taiwan. There is an awesome restaurant in the building. It has the best desert bar and it is so good. Taipei 101 is a tourist’s delight! Check out an earlier article on Taipei 101. http://explore1.wpengine.com/taipei-101-taiwan/

Eat local while in Taiwan. A personal favorite is the Beef Noodle Soup. You will find it all over Taiwan in every night market. There is also many variations of a Vegetable Soup. It is delicious! Another awesome dish is the Hot Pot! You can choose what you want in it and it is cooked at your table. Many people seem to like the bowls of Vermicelli Noodle Soup with oysters or braised pork intestines. It is topped with black vinegar, garlic and coriander. It also can be found in any night market. I personally did not try this local delicacy, but from the looks of the lines, it is a favorite.

Here is an earlier article on the Hot pot. http://explore1.wpengine.com/hotpot-taiwanese-style/?doing_wp_cron=1421945819.0956850051879882812500

For a look at the Night Market: http://explore1.wpengine.com/taiwan-night-markets/?doing_wp_cron=1421946505.9046499729156494140625

For ease of movement in Taipei, there are bikes for rent all over the city. Check out the website for more information. www.youbike.com.tw The MRT Train will get you most places you need to go and there are also city buses. https://guidetotaipei.com/article/taipei-mrt-rapid-transit-subway-%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%97%E6%8D%B7%E9%81%8B

That is todays top five things to do in Taipei. But things rotate in Taipei and tomorrows list would be different. There is so much to see and do in Taipei. Make this the year you discover Taipei. Pack your bags and grab your passport. There is excitement waiting in Taipei, Taiwan.

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Xinwu Mazu Temple: Xinwu Township Taiwan

January 20, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Xinwu Mazu Temple Overlooking The Sea

Xinwu Mazu Temple is called Our Lady Of Heaven in English. It is believed by many that Mazu is a goddess. This goddess is believed by her followers to be the protector of the people by the sea. It is said that ,”she shelters the people to protect the country.” The temple is overlooking the marina so that she may guard and keep the fisherman when out to sea. Mazu is believed to be the protector of Taiwan.

Xinwu District is about 7% of the land area of Taoyuan County in Taiwan. It is the largest township in the county. This is a small farming and fishing community. Approximately 90% of the residents of Xinwu are Hakka Han. The Hakka Han people are descendants of the Han Chinese of Central China and speak the Hakka Chinese language. The Hakka Han have a separate identity that distinguishes them from the Cantonese people. The Cantonese are Han Chinese whose ancestors came from the Guangdong area of mainland China. The Hakka Han and the Cantonese are some of the friendliest people I have met.

This area is home to some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Here are three of the best well-known gardens. There are also many smaller gardens that you will see as you visit the area. The Taiwanese love their gardens.

When in the area, plan to tour the Jiudou Mulberry Garden. There are many different species of the Mulberry Tree world-wide. See them all at the Mulberry Garden. There are many teas that are made from the different Mulberry Trees around the world. If you have access to a Mulberry Tree that is not sprayed, pick and wash the leaves. You can make the teas from the fresh leaves or you can dry them in the sun or in any area of low heat for later use. I personally like to combine them with pecan leaves and fig leaves. This is an awesome tea.

The Jiudou Lotus Garden is another lovely garden. The Lotus comes in many different colors and is thought to be a flower of extreme good luck or prosperity. Enjoy an earlier article on all the meanings of the many Lotus Plants at: http://explore1.wpengine.com/lotus-flowers-asia-beautiful/?doing_wp_cron=1421773469.8363249301910400390625

Another beautiful garden is the Sinwu Flower Leisure Park. Take a leisurely walk and enjoy all the many flowers that flourish in the park. It is a perfect outing for the family. What better place to have a picnic?

Xinwu is a beautiful township with many rivers. There are five major rivers that flow through the town. What an awesome place for a bicycle ride, or a leisurely walk. When in Xinwu, be sure to enjoy the many walking paths by the rivers.

Make 2015 the year to enjoy the many sights and sounds of Taiwan. Enjoy the awesome architecture, and the gorgeous scenery. There are fantastic fruits everywhere. They are delicious! There are many Asian vegetables just waiting to be tried. The food is wonderful! There is no end to the adventure that is waiting, in Taiwan. Today is the day to book your Taiwanese vacation. What are you waiting for? Grab your passport and pack your bags. See you in Taiwan.

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Yolanda Village Good Bye’s In Tacloban, Philippines

January 18, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Yolanda Village: Saying Goodbye

Yolanda Village grew out of the desperation and determination of 16 million people to survive the worst Typhoon ever recorded. Tacloban and surrounding areas of the Philippines were totally devastated in November 2013 by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Super Typhoon Haiyan is known locally as Super Typhoon Yolanda. Yolanda ripped through the Southern Leyte! She totally destroyed everything in her wake. Villages were flattened. Thousands died and many are still missing. Farmers were left homeless! Coconut plantations had been ripped up. Their life’s work had disappeared over night. The working poor in Tacloban were now, the new city homeless. They had no jobs in sight. Fisherman were not only homeless, but they had no boats. Without boats, they can not fish! Many large operations saw their ships washed up to sit on hills. The area around the ships was a no build zone. People soon built a shanty town in the wake of the ships. Fisherman wanted to be as close to the water as they could get. Shanty towns were erected. Shanty towns quickly became the “new normal.” Yolanda Village was born!

January 2015 and things are changing. The Philippines is on the road to recovery. Now, they are in the rehabilitation and reconstruction stage. Three hundred families are leaving Yolanda Village for their new homes. The government used the aid to purchase building materials and to hire contractors. The people have been doing the sweat equity. New concrete block homes are being built with corrugated roofs. Recovery is always slow, but after only one year, 300 families are saying goodbye to Yolanda Village. Many are thankful for their new permanent home! It is their home! It is the work of their hands! The determination and will to survive made it happen. Others are moving into their temporary homes. They will begin to help build their new permanent homes. This scene is scheduled to be replayed throughout the year of 2015 and beyond. One day there will be no one left in Yolanda Village. All the shanty towns will be gone.

What is happening to these huge ships that call Yolanda Village home? They are being dismantled one by one! The material is being sold as scrap metal and reclaimed lumber. The ships are on their way out! There is a new normal in sight for this southern Leyte region. Tacloban City has seen about 50% of their essential services and business restored. People,once again, have running water and electricity. Farmers are clearing their lands of the giant fallen coconut trees and planting rice. They only make about 50% of what they did with their plantations, but it is money coming in. Many work on the side elsewhere, as they try to pay off the loans made against last years failed coconut harvest. Many fishermen still have no boats, but many of them now have homes. Some fisherman are back on the water, due to donated boats. All are thankful for what 2014 brought. It is yet another step toward recovery.

The year 2015 is all about the hope and determination of 16 million people who have made the choice to move forward. It is a new day! With the aid coming into the country, more building materials will be bought. Farmers will clear fields and replant. Fishing boats will once again be at work. The residents of Yolanda Village are on their way home! Plantation owners are becoming rice farmers! The fisherman dream of a day when they can once again fish. This is the New Norm in the Southern Leyte. It is one of hope! It is one of progress!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/423651/philippines-to-spend-nearly-4bn-rebuilding-after-haiyan

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