Taiwan Photo Journal: Part 1
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Taipei was hosting the Deaflympics during our visit. Here is their mascot, an über-hyper frog couple. They were everywhere, at the airport, pasted on buses, at storefronts, everywhere!
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Visting some of my family members.
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An indigenous tribal monument in Nantou.
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These flowers smell absolutely heavenly. They’re kinda like a cross between jasmine and tuberoses, but better. I still don’t know their English name because I’ve never found them in the US.
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Even though the island is very densely populated in the urban areas, the Taiwanese still highly value nature and have an elaborate park system.
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They try very hard to balance nature with progress so that many creatures can thrive. For example, they have every color dragonfly that you can imagine!
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The dollar goes a long way here. This bowl was only $1.50 U.S. dollars.
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My aunt showing us around.
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It’s a complete shock to see live animals in cages on the street. They are ready to be chosen by a customer and have its life ended right in front of you. No wonder there are so many vegetarians in Taiwan.
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Taichung City Park
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Blooming lotus in a Taichung pond.
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On the train to Sun Moon lake. The climate on the island allows it to have three harvests a year, so it is completely self-sustaining unless something devastating happens.
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Udon noodles at a Japanese café.
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Hiking up to Sun Moon lake allows great views of the nearby mountains and village below.
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Sun Moon Lake was once two lakes: Sun lake and Moon lake. The Japanese combined them to form a dam.
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The water rushing down from the dam.
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The inglorious squatter toilets was the bane of my trip. They were in every public female restroom.
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Small family farms are dotted all over Taiwan. There are very few (if any) large commercial farms. All produce are provided directly from the farms and sold by roadside venders.
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Bush and Obama may disagree on politics, but everyone knows they agree on a certain refreshing drink.
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Snakes are a delicacy here, as they are in most of Asia. I personally wouldn’t go near them, but if you are feeling adventurous you can order blood and venom shots to go with your snake soup.
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I could not get enough of the Engrish. It’s hilarious how some phrases can turn out when literally translated without considering the context.
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We had no one to guide us on our second night so we settled for Korean BBQ. It seemed “safer”.
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Tons of people were wearing these masks to prevent themselves from inhaling the H1N1 virus (they’re a bit emetophobic). Here’s Rob making fun.
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They have the yummiest baked goods. Even Westerners are fans.
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The outside of Taipei 101 (currently the tallest building in the world). I personally think it’s one of the most beautiful examples of modern architecture there is.
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Inside Taipei 101. The damper ball at the very top has its own mascot. Meet “Damper Baby”.
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Inside the mall.
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Beef noodle soup (niu rou mian). It’s the national dish here.
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From the observatory. The elevator ride was the fastest & smoothest ride ever. We didn’t feel sick at all.
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With family members in front of the giant golden damper ball.
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There was a surprise exhibit of Taiwanese gems and precious stones as you exit. Taiwan is one of the largest exporters of gem quality coral.
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A coral carving depicting the Chinese folktale The Cow herder and the Maiden. The lovers are only allowed to meet once a year across a bridge of magpies.
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Two preying mantises intricately carved in Taiwanese jade.
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Large marble panel.
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A foggy view of one side of Taipei from the top.
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We discovered Japanese-style donuts. They are airier and chewier than American donuts.
Love the quickie photo tour! The t-shirts are hilarious … just today I was thinking about the one foreign item I’ve never gotten over not buying — in China, a t-shirt with a familiar swoosh and “NEKI” written underneath. And your aunt looks exactly like a roommate I had for 3 years; they even have the same haircut. (Don’t suppose you have any far-flung relatives teaching at Duke??)
Yeah, we passed by quite a few. For example, there was one that said “aebrcrormr, New York” on it (supposed to be abercrombie). Oh, and my aunt got me a bright pink shirt that reads” Shiny Banbina, Sweet and Bitter, Girls in Love”. LOL. I think the only U.S. school that my aunt had ever been involved in was the University of Colorado in Denver and no one in my family has a high enough degree to teach at an university level (sorry!).