Taiwan

This stop should also be more accurately labeled as “Taipei” because, similar to Sydney, we did not really see the country, just the city.  Again, this was by design.  Some of our favorite people are living in Taipei: Sean, Nilam and their little girls.  We were excited to “stop by” while in the general vicinity (okay, this side of the world counts as general vicinity when home is thousands of miles away).  Sean and Nilam have been living in Taipei for 2 years, during which time they have become parents to 2 beautiful girls.  We met their eldest when she was 6 months old and they were visiting Nova Scotia, but it had been almost 18 months and the family has grown with a brand new addition.

So we added Taiwan to the list.  Not because we had any particular affinity for the country, but because we wanted to see Sean and Nilam and their girls, who our kids consider cousins.  We wanted to spend time with the four of them and see them in their lives in Taiwan.  With this aspiration we flew into Taipei, after a long day of travel from Sydney via Hong Kong (thank you pilot strike).  As soon as we made our way through the Hong Kong airport we were confronted with the reality that we had firmly arrived in Asia. 

Thank you Hong Kong airport lounge for a little reprieve in a long travel day!

After making our way through a very long customs line at the Taipei airport we were thrilled to see Sean waiting for us, late hour be damned.  What a treat seeing a friendly face and what a riot hearing him rattle off in Mandarin to the taxi drivers.  So cool!  We hopped into cabs for the hour ride to his neighborhood, which is on the far side of downtown and nestled against the hillside.  It is considered the "expat" neighborhood and was a great base for our few days in the city. We spent three days hanging around their neighborhood, wandering the streets, deciphering signs and generally being thankful we had Sean as our tour guide.  

This is the neighborhood in the drizzly weather.

This is the view from our Airbnb on a sunny day.

One of the highlights of our wanderings was going downtime to a huge electronics store that was like an amusement park for Solaz.

In a pc gaming pod

Sean leading the way to the huge electronics store (on our right).

Near the electronics meccas was a cool market with pop up stores and stands.  A favorite was the shop of wooden toys and handicrafts aptly called “Wooderful Life”.  

Cool wooden toys, decorations, puzzles and plant holders.

We ate delicious dumplings, noodles and drank lots of bubble tea. 

Leo and I went on a date and the kids stayed with Theo Sean and Nilam (thank you Sean and Nilam!).  The kids had a great time out and were as happy for a night away from their parents as we were to have our own date.

There were lots of giggles and silliness.

Our date out at a restaurant owned by an artist.  The owner was there and he invited us to join him for a drink. 
We heard his fascinating story about being "set up" by "Uncle Sam" and being convicted (and jailed) for illegal Pacific Salmon trafficking.  We heard his side of the story.  This is the US government's side: Patrick Lee vs US government

We wandered the wet streets taking in the sights and sounds.  We giggled at the little green walking man street-crossing icon and marveled at how quiet and orderly Taipei was for a big Asian city.  People are actually ticketed for jaywalking here!

In front of the neighborhood temple.

The 24 hr claw-grab arcade was weirdly compelling (for some of us).

We had delightful Airbnb hosts who were incredibly warm and welcoming.  They added lots to the feeling of comfort that we had in Taipei.  Camille even baked us a cake!

Leo convinced Sean that he really would like to join him on his monthly diaper run to Taipei's Costco.  The boys headed out for a unique, yet familiar, cultural experience.  They had fun comparing the similarities and the differences.  Matcha green tea smoothie in the food court (different) and Kirkland signature tortilla chips (same).

But what we most enjoyed was hanging out at Sean and Nilam's apartment, talking and playing and sharing time together.  These pictures sum up what we we most loved about our time in Taiwan:

Funny faces after eating sour lemon.

Thank you Sean and Nilam for sharing your lives with us for a few days.  We loved our time with you!