Page 27 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 83

Ian reuniting with a very
welcoming Mr Tsai Chin San
who a few years earlier made
Ian an Honorary Judge on
our first visit to Taiwan.
whiskey accompanied us on the bus to the restaurant! Above:
All the meals were very interesting, with a huge range of All the Koi looked similar, it
was almost impossible to see
dishes served. One particular pot appeared every
the Koi who congregated in
evening, a double-boiled whole chicken served in its the darkest corner of the bin.
broth, like a soup. Other popular dishes were a whole
Right:
baked or steamed fish, sticky rice, prawns, crab,
Some of the vendors had
scallops and vegetables. Some dishes were rather some model Koi for sale at
bland, others very tasty. the show.
THE SHOWA
We had a slightly later start on Sunday, so more
WERE LIKE opportunity to explore the amazing breakfast buffet –
there was even cheese! Pretty rare in Asia. The day
PEAS IN A POD, began for the judges with a seminar offering the most
ALL OF THEM difficult group of size three Showa I have ever had the
misfortune to encounter! They were like peas in a
LOOKED SO pod – all of them looked so similar, plus completely

SIMILAR undeveloped. To make matters worse, they were in a
huge bin and, of course, all congregated in the darkest
corner, partially under the rolled-up bin cover! Their
photographs were of no help at all. We all struggled
through the session and somehow or other ended up It was great seeing some The afternoon saw the awards ceremony, nicely done
with the Koi in more or less the model answer order – of the vendors showing with all the judges and dignitaries on the stage. We
up with such colourful
it was a minor miracle. After this epic effort, we had a were each invited in turn to present some of the
Koi related vehicles.
fairly long break to look around the showground. Ian awards. Unfortunately, the wind again was very strong
and I tried to identify some of the Koi to photograph, and cold, so sitting on the stage was not exactly
but it was challenging. We also had a look at the comfortable! After this trip, I really would enjoy a show
vendors’ stands, a lot were selling food, but there without strong winds and cold temperatures for a
were some lovely model Koi on offer as well. change! Singapore perhaps?
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