The Week in Taiwan

Family photo (minus Steph) for another big meal in Taiwan

I haven't been keeping up with the updates since arriving in Taiwan, but it's been a lovely stay so far with lots of fun family time, delicious home cooked meals, and overall relaxing. It's been great seeing the family, and especially spending time with new niece, baby Audrey.

Since we wanted to spend time with Amanda and the baby, most of our daytime activities were shorter and more local in nature, which suited us just fine after all the adventures in Thailand the previous week. In the evenings we watched a several movies at the house. Here's a rundown of the week:

Saturday - We landed in Taipei around 5:30 am, after our overnight flights. We took budget airline Tiger Air from Phuket to Singapore Friday evening. To get to Taipei, we had to take Tiger Air's even more budget subsidiary, Scoot, for a red-eye flight. Besides providing a fun name that let us comment how we couldn't wait to scoot off this dreadful plane, it was as close to no-frills as an international flight could be. Once we had arrived at Steph's parents' home, we took some naps, and relaxed the rest of the day.

Christmas display, with Taipei 101 in the background

Sunday- We met up with Amanda's friends at a kid-themed cafe. Moments after the doors opened and kids started literally bouncing off the walls, Steph and I decided to excuse ourselves. We ended up with a rainy walk through Steph's alma mater, National Taiwan University.

Monday- Steph got a haircut, while I slept in. The family went to a delicious pekking duck restuarant for lunch, followed by a visit to see some extended family. We also stopped at a Taiwanese Costco, which it turns out is eerily similar to a American Costco.

Tuesday - We escorted Baby Audrey to get some immune shots in the morning. Later in the day Steph and I took a walk around West Taipei to see a temple and the surrounding shopping district.

Wednesday - Steph and I walked around an old tobacco factory in East Taipei that had been converted into a exhibition hall. We also stumbled across a Voodoo Donut, a very popular Portland-based donut shop. When we visited Portland earlier in the year, we were turned away by lines that stretched around the block at all hours of the day and night. In Taipei, the craze does not seem to have caught on, and we were the only customers there. We stopped for tea, with nice views of the surrounding area. On the way back, we walked through a commercial area set up very nicely with Christmas lights and decorations.

National Taichung Theater

Thursday - Along with a visiting aunt and uncle, the family walked to a nearby seafood restaurant for lunch. The food featured delicious fresh fish of all kinds, but unfortunately I was not informed that there would be approximately 45 full pre-set courses so I didn't properly pace myself. I had to tap out after the first 42, much to the disappointment of my hosts and bringing great shame to westerners everywhere. (fact check: there were actually only 12 courses.) In the afternoon, Steph and I went to an indoor hot spring in a nearby mountain for some R&R.

Friday - The family took the High Speed Train down to Taichung (the 2nd largest city in Taiwan) to visit Goo-Goo (the phrase for an aunt on the father's side). Despite a hair-raising driving experience, she was super nice and generous. She took us to a Japanese restaurant. It had only 9 dishes and fortunately the portions were smaller so I was able to finish every last drop, earning some of my dignity back. After the meal, Goo-Goo took us around the National Taichung Theater, an opera hall with interesting architecture and great rooftop city views.

Saturday - Steph and I took a morning stroll through the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. In the afternoon, we walked through the Taipei 101 area with Amanda and Audrey where there were some Christmas festivals going on. In the evening we packed.

We have a morning flight tomorrow, which will put an end to a lovely two week vacation.

Art exhibit in Taipei

Taichung skyline