The biggest holiday of the year is Chinese New Year. It's similar to our Christmas in the west, simply because you get time off school (three weeks), you visit family, and you get presents (hongbao). We really enjoyed our vacation, especially because my parents came to visit us for the whole three weeks I was off of school! We had a blast!
It was a super cloudy day. And rainy, just like the day before.
At the botanical gardens
At the chocolate museum in Tamsui
This girl made a tiny snowman, because for the first time in 30 years it snowed in Taipei. Then she carried it home on the metro. I love her.
Mom and Dad ordering their first Lunchbox!
A little redbean cake for snack
We loved the oreo ones!
Dad with a redbean cake
Mom and Dad on top of the Department Store roof
Us and the department store (The oldest one in Taiwan!)
At the Confucius Temple
Banana Chocolate Pineapple Bing!
And Taiwanese sausage!!!
At Anping Old Fort
And Anping Treehouse
Mom, in her natural habitat (taking pictures)
We went to Nephi for dinner!
Mom and her meal
Dad and his meal
Mom and Dad with Nephi and the orange he peeled!
Cherries jubilee!
First Hanbao (hamburger) for breakfast at our house in Tainan
Flower Night Market, trying crickets!
Another pic at the night market
That was just the first week! From there we went off to the Philippines! Here are some pictures from our time in Manila. We only had 4 days there, so we did A LOT in a little time.
Food tour in Manila. Not to be missed!
They decorated these and sold them on the street
More food
This thing was pretty dang delicious!
Frog legs!
Outside the National Museum
View of the ocean
We got to go in a winter land where it was snowy and cold! Also, penguins!
This lights and water show was the most disappointing. Don't even ask about the "hot dog"
Fish market
Market
Trying out some new foods!
Mom trying some food
At Villa Escudero
This guy serenaded us.
Waterfall lunch
Seriously, you eat lunch while a waterfall runs past you into the river. Awesome.
Paddling
Bewbs...
A romantic dance
Tour of Corregidor Island
Dad in the mine
WWII Monument
Gorgeous views
Some more awesome food. Jon loved this trip!!!
These kids are playing with pogs!!!
And a walk along the city wall.
I don't have any pictures of our trip to Taal Volcano (I let my mom handle that) or Hidden Valley Springs (we were swimming!) But we had an excellent time in Manila. I want to go back to the Philippines, but there are so many other places to see.
After our short trip there, we returned to Taiwan to visit Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Kenting.
At Lotus Lake
Feeding the fish in the Temple
Fortunes!
Of course, BING!
In Kaohsiung - Qijin
View of the city behind us
So beautiful!
On top of the WORLD!
Qijin Beach
Mom and Dad on the beach
At the Dream Mall
They have a Ferris Wheel on top of the mall
We hiked up Monkey Mountain as we like to call it.
Mom and Dad with all the monkeys
This monkey stole Jon's granola bar out of his pocket...
An interesting sign
View of the city from Crystal Lake in Kaohsiung
Crystal Lake
Jon is imitating the man in the background
Forever alone...
Group pic!
At the aquarium in Pingtung
selfie
The southernmost tip of Taiwan
Sunset
Waves on the rocky beach
Jon being annoyed with picture taking
The Buddhist Monastery
Mom writing some Chinese
When we got back there had been an earthquake in Tainan. This was the only picture I took of the aftermath, but it was a lot worse than this. My dresser even fell over onto my bed! Ahhhh
The last part of our trip was actually Chinese New Year, so we took a trip up to see Angel's family in Hsinchu.
Mom and Dad eating BBQ!
Trying out the TimTam Slam!
Angel, MoMo and I
Mom and Dad with Angel's cousin
Neil and Neilson setting off fireworks
Our little hike in the mountains
Jon and I at the Ten Drum Village in Tainan
Me and Mom
Thanks for coming to visit! We enjoyed having you!
