Happy Wildlife Wednesday! In less than 2 weeks - 2 awesome stories of the “reappearance” of the Arabian Caracal & the Taiwanese Leopard.
Lodge Cast Iron Wok Review - Amazing Product that Would Even Be Perfect for the Bush Camp!
Lodge Cast Iron © Flyga Twiga LLC
Having grown up learning to cook on a woodstove with Cast Iron, I have a deep history with and love for cast iron. Now living in Asia, I have embraced Asian Cooking, taking various cooking classes, and experimenting with my own variations of “fusion cooking.”
Thus, the moment I clicked the “Specialty” section of the Lodge Cast Iron website and saw the 14 Inch Cast Iron Wok – my heart skipped a beat. My dream cookware item was being manufactured in Tennessee. But, I needed to get it to South Korea.
Thankfully Lodge has some of the nicest customer service people on Earth. I wrote a frantic email asking could they mail to an Army Post Office (APO) address? Not all companies in the US do. Furthermore, this was one HEAVY piece of cookware.
I received a nice email back from Danielle F. who said “yes, we do ship to APOs, but that is a special order and you need to call to place the order.”
So, factoring in the time difference, I stayed up late one night and called the Lodge Cast Iron Company in Tennessee and guess who answered? Danielle F., of course!
There are several details which set this item apart from others. First, it is 100% Cast Iron. USA made Cast Iron is the ONLY Cast Iron that is guaranteed pure iron.
Second, the Cast Iron Wok, is a beautiful symbol of all that is good about America. Asian Cookware made in Pittsburg, Tennessee. They deliver what they promise – for a fair and honest price. And, they truly support the US Troops – thank you Lodge!
Lodge Cast Iron Products © Flyga Twiga LLC
Now…on to the big event, the first time using the Lodge Cast Iron 14 Inch and the Mini Woks!!!
Both Woks are exceptional cookware. The Mini Wok worked surprisingly well in making just the perfect amount of rice for me and my husband.
The 14 Inch Wok performed to a tee. All the food was evenly cooked and the Cast Iron retained its heat inbetween servings.
One of the reasons I mention that this would be perfect in a Bush Camp is the depth and amount of food you can cook at once. So, for example, if there was a group of Koreans or Taiwanese who asked for a Stir Fry, this would be an excellent addition to any Bush Camp for that purpose.
Lodge Wok & Mini Wok © Flyga Twiga LLC
I'm really impressed with these Lodge Cast Iron products. I already had purchased the 12 Inch Skillet. I added two of the 6 Inch Pans to my order. And, the Mini Wok was a surprising hit in my kitchen.
I'd love to get a chance to try cooking over an open fire with the Woks. Until then, I will just keep practicing in my tiny Asian kitchen on "Stir Fry Friday."
Dinner is Served!
Dinner is Served! © Flyga Twiga LLC
Please note: I was not compensated for this review/blog post. I purchased the Lodge Cast Iron Products!
Travel Tuesday The Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel
Sheraton Grand Taipei Historcial Buildings Brochure Taiwan © Flyga Twiga LLC
There is a lot to be said about The Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel. Great food, friendly club floor attendants, amazing florist, etc. But, the Devil really is in the details. The brochure of Historical Buildings in Taipei was well produced and was exceptionally helpful during our stay in Taiwan.
I really wish more hotels produced items like this. A great benefit to our Taiwan travels.
Sheraton Grand Taipei Brochure & Map © Flyga Twiga LLC
#TravelTuesday Sleeping in Chiang Kai-shek's Bed & the Taiwan Travel Act
Chiang Kai-shek led the Republic of China (Taiwan), in various roles, from 1928 until 1975. During his long and successful leadership of free China he repeatedly reached out to the United States of America. One of his generous gestures was gifting an entire bedroom set to the Army Navy Club (ANC) in Washington, DC.
As members of the Club, my husband and I were offered a night’s stay in the ANC’s accommodations. My wonderfully foresightful, history-buff husband suggested we spend the night in the “Chiang Kai-shek Room.” Upon check-in we were informed that they were glad to see someone stay in the room. The reason, they stated, for the room going “without guests” is a lot of the older members refused to stay in the bed.
Hmmm…Chinese ghosts from the Chinese Revolution and Liberation was my first guess. The clerk behind the desk burst out laughing. “No, the bed is Chinese and therefore is completely enclosed save for only one, small opening. The older couples have to crawl over their spouse to get out of bed to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.”
And, that is how I got to sleep in Chiang Kai-shek’s bed.
The Taiwan Travel Act, passed by the US Congress on 28 February 2018 and signed into law by President Trump on 16 March 2018, states:
(1) allow U.S. officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese counterparts;
(2) permit high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the United States under respectful conditions and to meet with U.S. officials, including officials from the Departments of State and Defense; and
(3) encourage the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office and any other instrumentality established by Taiwan to conduct business in the United States.
The Taiwan Travel Act is good news for US – Taiwan relations. I am sure Chiang Kai-shek would be pleased. And, it is of particular good news to me, having reposed in the great Chiang Kai-shek’s bed.
