中華民國臺灣省 (Taiwan)

On June 4, 2017 at 4:00 am we set off on an adventure with Mark's family ( Matt, Beth, Caleb, and Abby ). Our journey began with visiting Jon and Erin and their kids in California. And after some long lines and a 14 hour flight we arrived in Taiwan. We hailed a taxi and took off on the Chinese streets through the night. We got to our hotel, dropped off our bags, and went out to a night market nearby. We ate noodles with intestines, and experienced the night life of Xinmen, Taipei- bright, crowded, loud, smelled funny, and this being Sarah, Caleb, Abby, and Beth's first time in East Asia, seemed to fulfill every Asian stereotype.

First night in Taiwan!

Our first morning started out right with some authentic Chinese breakfast including dong bings, do zhong, oil sticks, and steamed buns. It was really good, though while a couple of the crew loves soy bean milk, the rest soon found that it did not taste that good. This was Matt's first time being back in Taiwan since his mission and needless to say much had changed. We first visited Taipei 101, a 91 floor building that gives a spectacular view of the north part of the island. We rode an elevator that took us up 89 floors in 30 seconds-the fastest elevator in the world. After that ride every elevator seemed to move like a turtle. Following Taipei 101 we visited the Chiang Ki-shek memorial hall, which featured a museum and an impressive guard switch. We walked around the city and made our way to the LDS temple and the Mission Office. We were able to visit with some missionaries and members! We then sat down at a dumpling house and had the best dumplings we had ever had. The side dishes were very good as well. The restaurant was very compact and we were on the second floor, it was an adventure to go sit at your table! Later, after walking around for a bit we found an ice cream shop and decided to take a break from the heat. Little did we know that Chinese ice cream is very different from what we held dear to our hearts. Mark got rose flavored and Sarah got black sesame flavor... everyone else played it safe. The black sesame ice cream was really gross, and everyone tasted and agreed. Plus, it did not melt! It held together like concrete. We ended the day at a Chinese temple and we were able to see people worshiping, chanting, and praying. It was interesting and eye-open for those of us who had not ventured far from the Utah bubble.

I love to see the Temple!

  The next morning, we got up and went to a small fishing village miles away from the big city of Taipei. While there, we walked along the beach and saw rock formations- and Sarah got yelled at by a Chinese guard who could only say "Hello" in English..."Hello! Hello!" We drove to a place called Jiu Fen, and walked a through skinny alleyways, looking through shops. We are lunch there, noodles and duck, and stir fried vegetables. Sarah, Beth and Abby decided they needed to use the restroom, and found literally a hole in the ground. Beth and Abby decided to hold it, but Sarah couldn't, so she got the full Chinese experience. Jiu Fen is like the Park City of Taiwan- it was really beautiful there. We left, and our driver took us to a few places to get local specialties- including little spicy fish kabobs! We continued onward, to a small railroad town, where we decorated giant lanterns, lit them, and let them fly into the air. We returned to Taipei, and went to a night market- where we ate some local street food.

Good thing our driver had umbrellas!

Famous Tea House

Blessings and wishes hanging on the trees

We spent the next day traveling on a gondola that swing
over the Taipei Zoo. With no air conditioning, little ventilation, and 110 degree weather, we somehow willing sat in the glass box as it hovered over the miles of jungle mountains. A large temple of worship was waiting for is at the top and we explored and enjoyed the view that almost made us forget about the heat, almost. We returned and ventured to the National Palace Museum where the treasures from the forbidden city are kept, such as the Jade Cabbage-which like the Mona Lisa is much smaller in person. We discovered the art of pottery, calligraphy, and items from the Bronze Age as we walked the hall of the museum. To top this day off we finished in a night market for dinner and without choosing we were pulled into an outspoken lady's restaurant. We later found that in this same night market they sold carbon grilled chicken and we had to try it.

   In the morning we left on a two hour train ride down the coast of Taiwan, and met "James" Xie. Brother Xie is one of Sarah Adams converts- and he loves the church and the Child family! For his profession, he is a tour guide- so he took us around to some cool sights on south/central Taiwan. We started off by going to Toroko Gorge- one of Taiwan's national parks. It is a beautiful river that cuts through the mountains. We hiked along the river, and eventually jumped in! The water was very blue, and very clear, and fairly cold, so it felt super refreshing on this really hot day! Sarah and Abby bought bracelets from the native mountainous tribe, and we hiked back down the mountain. Through the gorge, there were many beautiful bridges and ancient monasteries and statues.

We then went to a town called Hua Lien, where Brother Xie took us to a local restaurant. We had super good clams, mussels, squid, and delicious lemonade! From there we went to a beach, made up of stones. The water made a super cool sound as the waves crash in and pull out of the shoreline- a sound similar to a rain-stick.

We said goodbye to Brother Xie, and took the train back up to Taipei. Back in the city, we went to yet another night market- where Matt, Mark and Sarah were all brace enough to try Chou Do Fu- or in other words, stinky fermented tofu. Beth, Caleb and Abby decided against trying it, after they saw Sarah's reaction. They will live to regret that for the rest of their lives. ;)
The next morning, we got up early and went to the airport, where we boarded a plane to Cambodia!

Thanks Brother Xie!