East Coast Baby! Part II

In part two we will cover our time from the middle east coast to the south end of Taiwan and then back up the "rift valley" highway a little inland.

We were driving and we heard some shouting so we rolled down the window to see this. We got out to investigate

And realized it was an aboriginal festival! They invited us to dance to...but we passed.

Older people in front, kids in the back

Near the end of our coastal journey

A very elaborate bridge to a small island

Upon arrival at a very famous dairy farm called Chulu Farm

Perched on a hill overlooking the valley

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Our arrival at Jade Mountain National Park

Our welcoming sign

Crossing over a gorge

So courteous, just in case you can't read the sign they left glasses for you

Literally on the side of the road, there was a self-described "mountain man" selling sausages and rice cooked in bamboo stalks. Here's Jess demonstrating

This park had several beautiful waterfalls

People picking famous Taiwanese tea

We really enjoyed our trip with the Mom to the East Coast. We had some great experiences, some shady roads, wonderful people, a lot of rain, a lot of sweat, but a wonderful time. Thanks Mom!

East Coast Baby! Part I

While Jess' mother is in Taiwan we wanted to take her along the scenic east coast. We heard it had amazing scenery, so now was the time to go. I'll have to break this up into several parts. So here is part one:

Our traditional Chinese home-stay in Hualian, our first stop on tour

The courtyard outside our room

Jess' mom, Lois, taking in the view (of what I don't know but it was nice, I'm sure)

Welcome to the "Sweet Potato Village Rest Stop"

Views from atop those sweet potatoes

About half-way down the coast

No we did not electrocute, poison, OR bomb the fish. We also did not pollute the environment

More coast

There was a tropical storm pretty far out to sea so it made the waves extremely rough. Which was a bummer because Jason really wanted to surf

This is a place called Shitiping (don't laugh...ok, go ahead) You are actually supposed to sound an 'r' between the first 'i' and 't' so when you say it in Chinese it's not as funny. Nor do the Chinese understand why we laugh. If you're not laughing please move on

My Wallet!!!!

Just kidding.

I'll get some more up tomorrow. More adventures, weird faces, and elementary humor to come! Stay tuned.

Wow!

If I don't post answers right away apparently the followers revolt! Of course I ate it....and it was quite tasty!

Did He Eat It?

It has finally happend, I tried to avoid it as much as possible, but a whole squid on a stick was served to me. It was cooked thoroughly, which is nice. So, what do you think?

Our 5th Anniversary Trip

For our anniversary this year, Jason was the planner. Jessie thought that we were going to some location in Taiwan. However, on the way Jessie figured out that we were going to the airport. Then at the airport she saw that our flight was headed to Hong Kong and that the destination was Sanya, China! She was plesantly surprised. It is the southernmost city on the island of Hainan, here are some photos:

Hmm, what country are we in again? Is there a Chinese Lee Greenwood anywhere?

A view of the hotel pool (a really ugly place)

From the beach back towards the island

The bungalows on the beach

Jess in the bungalow (not some random lady who might think it was weird that I was taking her picture)

Jess in the pool (Jason was there somewhere)

A look out towards the bay

Nightfall, I hate this place

There I am! At the local BBQ, it was wonderfully mosquito free! (also the food was good, it's interesting what holds importance now)

It truly was a wonderful time, look for a good 'did he eat it' soon!

More Randomness

We were in Danshui the other day and found an interesting candy store with all kinds of goodies....

Like Pop Rocks....sort of...

And who can forget everyone's favorite "Cool Fauces Candy"?

I love Taiwan!

Random Pictures

Since all of you seem so enamored with pictures I thought I'd share these two random ones:

Here's our gecko that we've named Huang Li Quan, He came in through our light fixtures in the ceiling

This is the perfectly labeled package that arrived two weeks late because it was (see if you can figure it out). Shouldn't the post office be up on it's geography?