Tuesday, Day 20: Heading Home

We’re not in LA yet. We’re still in Asia – in transit at the Taoyuan (Taiwan) airport, waiting for our flight to LAX. We had to say our goodbyes to Por-por and Yi-por Annie as they sent us off to the Penang airport this afternoon, but we still had enough time to get some hawker food for lunch. The flight to Taipei was uneventful and only about only about a quarter full.

 

Here in Taiwan have about three hours in transit. I must say this is a very kid-friendly airport. They have several playground areas for children, including a dedicated one for toddlers. The airport also has plenty of diaper changing areas and even a nursery station for breastfeeding and cribs for me to sleep. Then for the adults there is free internet access in certain areas and Taiwanese beef noodles. So, we’re not bored and having a great time! Now for the long haul to LA. See you then!

 

 

(1) At Penang Airport, taking one last goodbye photo. (2) Arriving in Taoyuan International Airport,  taking advantage of the aboriginal cultural display. (3) At the toddler’s playground at the Taoyuan airport – a great airport for infants!

 

Sunday, Day 10: Last Day in Taiwan

As with much of our activities yesterday, today’s activities were still largely centered around food, but more laid back. At about 8:30 this morning we took a 10-minute walk to the eating stall to enjoy what is now our usual Taiwanese breakfast. Then for lunch we met with Daddy’s old friend, John Yuan, and his wife and 2 children. We went to a large mall, called Core Pacific City, right across the street from where Tai yeh-yeh lives to have dim sum. Additionally the 5th floor is exclusively caterered to kids, and we had fun visiting the various shops and attractions. There are several playgrounds and even a separate lounge that has two changing stations, a playroom, and a kiddie toilet to help wean those toddlers off their diapers. Lastly for dinner, we went for noodles at a well-known restaurant near Da-An Park (Taipei’s equivalent to New York’s Central park).

This is our last full day in Taiwan. As a traditional way to celebrate our visit, and this being first time he has seen me, Tai yeh-yeh gave me a hong bao (red packet). Words cannot express the gratitude I have for his kindness and that of Shiu-lan yi-por. I think I really like Taiwan, or at least Daddy thinks I had a great time here, so we’re hoping to keep making an annual pilgrimage here, to remember my relatives and my roots.

(1) In Tai yeh-yeh’s favorite chair, after he gave me a hong bao. Thank you for everything! (2, 3) In the Pacific Core City Mall right across the street, on the 5th floor where kids rule. I am seen riding an animal on wheels and can also be seen in the play area. They should do these in the States! (4) With the Yuan family: Uncle John, Aunty Hope, Angel jie-jie and Anderson ge-ge.

 

Day 9, Part III. Out and About in Taipei

After church, we headed to Xiao a-yi’s place to celebrate her birthday with a lunch that she prepared for us. In contrast to the United States, it is customary in the Chinese tradition for the birthday person to plan and pay for their own celebration. Hmmm, I think I prefer the Florida way myself. After filling our stomachs, we walked along the streets of Taipei. Mommy even got me some books in Chinese that she could read to me. Obviously they are hoping that I can learn Mandarin at a young age.

(1) Getting around Taipei is just as fun the activities we did. Taipei’s subway is well-planned and efficient. Trains have separate cars in the rear for bicycles,  strollers, and wheelchairs. Here we are waiting to board the subway to Xiao a-yi’s place. (3) We give Xiao a-yi flowers purchased at morning market for her birthday. (2) Looking bored in a typical Taipei alleyway. Hey, it’s hot here and I’m stuck in stroller. I can’t be smiling or excited all the time! (4) Mommy browses a kiddie bookstore to look for items that will entertain me and help develop my mandarin-speaking skills.

 

Day 9, Part II. With Old Friends at Sung Shan Church

After a brief early morning nap (as you know I require frequent naps), we headed to Sung Shan SDA Church by the Adventist Hospital for Sabbath School and church, where we saw a lot of Daddy’s old friends. Although to Daddy these are old friends, I haven’t met them before so they are new friends to me!

(1) Happily engaged with new little friends at Cradle Roll. The words are different, but the melodies are the same! (2) Napping during the sermon; (3) With Daddy’s friends. They were all students at Taiwan Adventist Academy / College when Daddy lived there.

 

Friday, Day 8: Farglory Ocean Park

You’d think that because I live in Orlando that perhaps my first theme park visit would be at SeaWorld, Magic Kingdom, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’d think wrong. No, the very first theme park attraction I visited was spent today, at Hualien’s Farglory Ocean Park. Although perhaps not on the same caliber as other parks, Farglory does have some unique features not seen in some of the better-known attractions such as being situated on the side of a mountain which boasts a great view of the Pacific ocean. I believe I inherited my Daddy’s love of great vistas, as I really enjoyed rides that allowed me to view areas from the top.

The park visit took the best part of the day before heading back to Taipei. Before leaving Hualien, we were also able to visit a few stores that sell specialty foods, such as Muaji, a glutinous rice cake that is a local specialty. Whew, I’m exhausted!

 

Before starting out our day, Mommy gives me a bath in the Hualien Marshal Hotel sink; a formal photo at Farglory Ocean park; enjoying the views from the cable car, the carousel, and the flying ship rides; examining muaji and other specialty foods at a specialty food store.

 

Thursday, Day 7: Enjoying Toroko Gorge

Hi from Hualien! Our hotel does indeed have internet access so I’m able to give you an update about our day. We started the morning from Taipei with a 3-hour train ride heading south through mountain tunnels and along the Pacific Coastline until we reached Hualien. We were then met by our tour guide; first stop was an ocean park which was followed by lunch. But the afternoon was most spectacular: visiting Toroko National Park. The high cliffs, rock formations, and river below were enough to make anyone feel small but awed at its beauty.

From top: On the train to Hualien; walking along the rocks on Taiwan’s East Coast; enjoying a break with Tai yeh-yeh and Shiu-lan yi-por at Toroko Gorge; a scenic view of the Gorge and river

 

Wednesday, Day 6: Relaxing in Taipei

Since we just arrived today we took it easy, letting our bodies adjust to Taiwan time. I played with Shiu-lan yi-por and Tai yeh-yeh, napped a lot during the day (I have this feeling I’m not going to sleep very well tonight), and even went out for stroller rides nearby. Although for those of you who know how noisy Taipei can be, I managed to sleep through all the noises of the car horns and scooters whizzing by. In the evening, we went to a restaurant for Shanghainese-style Dim Sum, and met Xiao yi-por, who is Aunty Ann-from-Seattle’s mother. She gave me a red packet (hong bao) and paid for the dinner, thank you!

The next two days will be busy, because we’ll be taking a train to the east coast city of Hualien to visit the beautiful Toroko Gorge. See you in my next blog! Love, Emi.

 

 

 

Tai yeh-yeh and I enjoy some special moments together, and meeting Xiao yi-por for the first time at the Shanghai restaurant.

 

 

Tuesday, Day 5: In the Air to See Tai Yeh-Yeh

Don’t let all these pictures fool you – my flight wasn’t all smooth sailing. But considering the fact that this was a 13-hour flight, that I was woken up at odd hours of the night, and that the airline bassinet is a really strange place to sleep, I did OK. Our flight left the ground about 1:30 am Tuesday and we arrived in Taiwan at 5:10am Wednesday. Daddy did do a lot of walking in the airplane to calm me at times, but I was able to sleep some of the time. In between naps I made friends with the flight attendants and read a few of my favorite books. After landing we cleared customs quickly and met my great-grandfather “Tai yeh-yeh” and my Yi-por Shiulan. Now if I can just get over the jetlag, it would be swell indeed.

From top: Having a book read to me on the flight; playing in my own bassinet; moments after seeing Tai Yeh-yeh and Yi-Por Shiu Lan; Tai Yeh-yeh amuses me as we wait to get the luggage into the car