On the way to Taipei...to meet my sister and brother who were visiting me!!! It's important to travel quickly. For this reason, we took the High Speed Rail, which only takes 59 minutes to get to Taipei, compared to a treacherous 3 1/2 hour bus ride. Sacrifice: $700NT (about $21 USD). WORTH IT.
The beloved Chang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, in Taipei. One of Taiwan's famous rulers. This was such an amazing experience. Talk about a classically romantic structure!
Why, it's Chang Kai-Shek himself. Fancy meeting him here...
National Theater splendidness. This phenomenal building lies adjacent to the Chang Kai-Shek Memorial. The buildings here are so ornate and full of little hidden treasures. It's a must-see!!
What's a picture without some good stone patterns and a touch of lighting?? I am in love with stone walkways and things of the nature. Call me mad, I get it.
My dear sweetums...Claire, myself and Meemee...my beloved.
We practically own Taipei...
The glories of Chang Kai-Shek and the National Theater. Look at those gardens...Mama, I thought of you as we partook of the magnificancy of the gardens and shrubery.
The door of charm. Each brass nubbin is a symbol of fortune. Rub it, and your wildest desires will come true. I bet you can imagine I practically rubbed the shine off these babies!!
The family. Taipei style.
Yes...tis a find indeed!! To all the fans, this is infact THE STAR OF DAVID. This made my entire venture to Taiwan. Bless it.
Night life at the infamous Taipei 101.
At the top of Taipei 101. The blinding lights of Taipei yonder. Twas a sight to behold.
Exploring the mysterious heights of Taipei 101. Here we are: Nathan, Trevor, Meemee, Claire, me and Laura.
Attempting to walk where the noble and elite roam...these rocks are healing rocks. They are supposedly rocks aiding in arthritic pain throughout the body. This stretches for about 1/2 mile, and if you can walk it BAREFOOT you are wise, noble and able to endure pains of sorts. As you can see, I did not remove my shoes. I am not noble, wise or able to endure pain. I failed.
This picture makes me think many thoughts.Those of enlightenment, of course.
SUN MOON LAKE.
Riding the boat over to the other mountain where the suspended cable car adventure begins.
Riding the cable car, thousands of feet in the air, surrounded by greens, trees and probably random insects of animals of every kinds, shades and surprises.
View of Sun Moon Lake. This is such a beautiful place!
Famous mushroom marinated eggs.
There are 366 stairs, representing each day of the year (plus Feb. 29). What steps you see here is the entire month of December. There are wishes (gold balls) tied throughout the entire step structure. This was an amazing thing to behold. The wishes are bought by commoners who wish to have fortune in their lives, and then donated to the Temple.
Close up highlighting the exact delicateness of these fortune wish balls.
Celebrating 25 years of my life. At the local 24 hour restaurant in Fengyuan. Happy Birthday me.
Haha...the Big Buddha being scaffolded...imagine our luck.
Although the Big Buddha was under construction, there was an air of celebration going on. I could feel it in my bones. Explain the ribbons...
I believe in shapes of all sizes. Especially circles.
Changhua madness. Our eyes were not satisfied, as the Big Buddha was under construction. Not. Happy. But, here we are anyway, in the presence of Diety (3 arches). Trev, Meems, and myself.
We went to the National Palace Museum, where the items belonging to The Forbidden City in China now reside. This museum harbors the oldest artifacts representing the times of The Forbidden City. Although cameras were not allowed, I managed a few "undercover" shots... this is a magnificent vase, blown out, and handpainted.
Giant Chinese folding door separater. Check out those characters!
This is completely carved from ivory. This is way too intricate for even the most skilled craftsman. However did they do it?
The infamous Jadedite Cabbage. This is completely carved from Jade, making it one of the finest specimens in the land.
The National Palace Museum.
We stayed the night in Taipei, at the Novotel. It was a modern artists' haven. They had brilliant pieces of modern art covering every inch.
Here we all are...after a long day of traveling. You may think to yourself, "This looks like the next cover of Gossip Girl or the O.C."....I think you may be right in your assumptions. There is definite love amidst.
Our first family photo.
what great birthday pictures, it almost made me feel as if i had been there.... but i wasn't, moo! the line above is also a line from "the forgotten carols". Oh, how i wish i could have gone to see you. love you.
ReplyDeleteYou three look just like mildly deformed triplets in your 'first family photo'! I really enjoyed all your photos and the commentary with each photo! You made me feel like I could have almost been there! Nice job, little Libster! Hugs and kisss.....
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