Saturday October 3-Sunday October 18, 2015
Saturday October 3
We had an 8:40PM direct flight out of Schiphol in Amsterdam to Taipei. Joe dropped Chance off late afternoon at the dog boarding location, then the 3 of us and all our luggage drove up to the airport.
We had an 8:40PM direct flight out of Schiphol in Amsterdam to Taipei. Joe dropped Chance off late afternoon at the dog boarding location, then the 3 of us and all our luggage drove up to the airport.
What do you do with a wannabe mobile and
teething baby? Take her on an 11 hour flight, of course.
Sunday October 4
We arrived at 14:40. We had beef noodle soup for dinner.
We arrived at 14:40. We had beef noodle soup for dinner.
Monday October 5
We went to Soybean milk magnate for breakfast.
We had pounded rice noodle dish for dinner.
We went to Soybean milk magnate for breakfast.
We had pounded rice noodle dish for dinner.
Tuesday October 6
Happy
birthday to my 1 year old
52 weeks + 1 day
Family nap as we all adjust to the new timezone
Wearing her new gold necklace from her
grandparents
Birthday family dinner
Birthday cake
Brooklyn and Uncle
Singing happy birthday in Chinese
Momma and birthday girl
Blow out the candle
Brooklyn trying a taste of cake
Parents
Wednesday October 7
Today we met up with Matt, Sunny and JJ at the Taipei Zoo.
Today we met up with Matt, Sunny and JJ at the Taipei Zoo.
Kids at the zoo
Pandas!
Jackie convinced Joe we should buy Brooklyn a
souvenir from the zoo, a stuffed panda puppet, which she loves!
Monkeys swinging in the trees
Momma and Brooklyn riding the Maokong gondola
The view from lunch at the teahouse on the
mountain overlooking Taipei
Jackie finally got Brooklyn to nap again
A view of Taipei 101 from Maokong
Matt and JJ riding the Maokong gondola
We got a glass floor gondola car this time to
go back down.
When Matt first put JJ down, he did a Tom
Cruise Mission Impossible move trying hard not to touch the floor. It was
hilarious!
The
kids interacting on the metro ride to dinner
We
had dinner at a restaurant, Xiang Ba Lao, that served the original general
tso's, not the Americanized version. This was so much better!
Thursday Oct 8
Guang-Hsiao Hall built in 1924 is a traditional family home reconstructed at the National Center for Traditional Arts
Guang-Hsiao Hall built in 1924 is a traditional family home reconstructed at the National Center for Traditional Arts
National Center for Traditional Arts performance
on Folk Art avenue
Brooklyn enjoying the performance
Swinging with daddy at the National Center for Traditional
Arts
There is a tradition in Taiwan on a child’s
first birthday to surround them with objects and see which object they
gravitate to first. Each object represents a prospective future profession.
Unfortunately we had to pre-reserve to do this here so we couldn’t give it a
try with Brooklyn
Lanyang Museum in Yilan built in 2010 designed by Yao Ren-xi who was
inspired by cuestas whose roof protrudes from the ground at the angle of 20
degrees and meets a wall that rises from the ground at an angle of 70 degrees.
Lanyang Museum interior
We explored the 3 levels of mountains, plains and ocean
exhibits.
Next we dropped by the harbor night market and ate some fried soft shell crab.
We visitied the Tangweigou Jiaosi Hot Spring Park.
We visitied the Tangweigou Jiaosi Hot Spring Park.
Brooklyn walking the stairs with Daddy while
waiting for a spot to sit in the hot springs
Brooklyn wouldn’t even let her feet touch
daddy’s hot feet after they were in the hot spring
Spa
treatment
Seafood dinner view on coast
View of turtle island on east coast
Friday Oct 9
Today we rode out to Joe’s Uncle’s vacation home near Shihmen. We drove around Shihmen reservoir and the dam. Next we went to Joe’s Aunt’s place in Hsinchu. We had lunch by the cultural plaza. We went to the shopping mall where his cousin works at Hugo Boss. Next we went to the market around the temple and enjoyed some bubble tea. We picked up Joe’s cousin and then went to dinner at a seafood place on harbor. His cousin and other family members were successful playing with Brooklyn when they took her away from her Mama. Her separation anxiety was at an all-time high here in Taiwan. Mom could not be around if someone else wanted to hold her.
Today we rode out to Joe’s Uncle’s vacation home near Shihmen. We drove around Shihmen reservoir and the dam. Next we went to Joe’s Aunt’s place in Hsinchu. We had lunch by the cultural plaza. We went to the shopping mall where his cousin works at Hugo Boss. Next we went to the market around the temple and enjoyed some bubble tea. We picked up Joe’s cousin and then went to dinner at a seafood place on harbor. His cousin and other family members were successful playing with Brooklyn when they took her away from her Mama. Her separation anxiety was at an all-time high here in Taiwan. Mom could not be around if someone else wanted to hold her.
Saturday Oct 10
We had breakfast at the Soybean Milk Magnate. We went shopping today. Jackie went for a haircut while Joe’s mom had her hair done.
We had breakfast at the Soybean Milk Magnate. We went shopping today. Jackie went for a haircut while Joe’s mom had her hair done.
That was a lot of hair cut off!
The after
We
could have saved some $ by buying the smaller pack and play
Brooklyn
eating shaved ice at the night market
Sunday Oct 11
We went shopping with Joe’s Uncle today.
We went shopping with Joe’s Uncle today.
We had lunch by National Taiwan University.
With
great aunt and uncle, Get me outta here!
With
great aunt and uncle, Stranger danger
We had Chinese burrito at home for dinner
tonight.
Matt, Sunny and JJ joined us for Chinese burrito
night.
Brooklyn and JJ
Monday October 12
We had an early 7:40am flight to Penghu from Songshan to Magong Airport.
We had an early 7:40am flight to Penghu from Songshan to Magong Airport.
On our way to Penghu Island with Brooklyn,
Jackie and mom
Once we checked into our hotel resort near Shihli
Beach and Shanshui Community Park, we left our luggage and took our rental car
into Magong City (or Makung).
After grabbing a bite to eat we walked over to
the Guanyinting Coast Park.
Rainbow Bridge and Penghu Bay
Jackie finally was able to get Brooklyn to fall
asleep in the Ergo
Mom, Jackie, Brooklyn, Matt & Sunny at
Guanyin Park
Looking back toward the island shore from atop
the small island at Kueibishan
Tuesday October 13
Today on Penghu we drove north.
Today on Penghu we drove north.
First we stopped at Hakusakyo Town, with a
temple and famous Banyan trees.
We drove south for sunset.
The southern coast of Penghu at sunset
Jackie, Brooklyn and Mom
Cutie on the rocks
Momma and Brooklyn
Mom, Joe and Brooklyn on the south coast of
Penghu at sunset
Brooklyn and Daddy at sunset on the coast of
Penghu Islands
Flying high with Daddy
Crawling/walking on the rock foot massage
Beautiful sunset on Penghu Island in Taiwan with Brooklyn
Sunset on Penghu Island
Wednesday October 14
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we drove into Magong and took a ferry boat to visit some of the other Penghu Islands.
The only seats still available together were down below without a view of the horizon. All of us were real worried about getting seasick. The waves were pretty fierce rocking the boat. Thankfully the rocking put most of us to sleep.
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we drove into Magong and took a ferry boat to visit some of the other Penghu Islands.
The only seats still available together were down below without a view of the horizon. All of us were real worried about getting seasick. The waves were pretty fierce rocking the boat. Thankfully the rocking put most of us to sleep.
We past some more basalt rock formations on
another nearby island
First stop was a temple, but mainly it was for
a bathroom since there were not any on the ferry boat nor on the tour bus
taking us around the island.
The next tour bus slow down was by some rock in
the shape of something. Seems to be an ongoing theme here in Taiwan.
Mom, Brooklyn, Jackie on Cimei Island, Penghu, Taiwan
Cimei coast
Twin Hearts Stone Weir, Cimei, Penghu Islands, Taiwan
Mom, Brooklyn and Jackie at Twin Hearts Stone
Weir on Cimei, Penghu Islands, Taiwan
Joe and Matt hiked down the path to get a
closer view of the Twin Hearts Stone Weir
Jackie waving hello from atop the cliffside
viewpoint
The next island we got off of the ferry boat at was
Wangan.
Tiantai Hill (天台山; 53m) is an excellent spot for
a panoramic view of the island
Mom and Brooklyn on Tiantai Hill, Wangan Island, Penghu,
Taiwan
Brooklyn walking with her grandma on Tiantai Hill, Wangan
Island, Penghu, Taiwan
Mom, Jackie and Brooklyn at Tiantai Hill, Wangan Island,
Penghu, Taiwan
JJ
Brooklyn walking holding Jackie’s hand
Brooklyn
Family Picture in Penghu Islands, Taiwan
Joe, Jackie and Brooklyn in Penghu Islands,
Taiwan
Joe walking along the water with Brooklyn
Joe threatening to throw Brooklyn into the
Taiwan Strait
Zhongshe Historic Village (中社古厝) on the west side of Wangen Island
from about two hundred years ago.
Joe really likes these old water pumps
We had some shaved ice in Magong before heading back to the hotel.
Jackie rocked Brooklyn to sleep in the ergo and
took a walk on the beach by the hotel
Brooklyn walking the sandy beach with Daddy in
Penghu
We had an evening flight back to mainland Taiwan.
Thursday October 15
Today we did some shopping around Yonghe.
After her nap, we went to take family pictures
in the park near Joe’s parents’ house in Yonghe.
Mom and Dad
Brooklyn standing
Mom, Jackie, Brooklyn, Dad
Joe with his parents and daughter
Someone’s got a mischievous look on her
face...
and that would be why…
Silly girl
A girl and her panda
She learned how to make the American Indian noise with
her hand on her mouth, next up learning to blow kisses
Brooklyn and momma
Brooklyn with her grandparents
Brooklyn, Jackie, Mom and Dad
Brooklyn watching the dogs at the park
Mom, Brooklyn and Jackie
Windy
Tickle monster
Walking holding momma’s hand
Momma swinging Brooklyn
Walking with momma and Grandpa
Happy Grandpa
Walking with momma and Grandpa
Brooklyn going down the slide
Brooklyn riding the bouncy spring apparatus
Friday October 16
Joe’s Uncle drove us around again today. First we stopped in a park and visited the Chiang Kai Shek’s Shilin Residence.
Joe’s Uncle drove us around again today. First we stopped in a park and visited the Chiang Kai Shek’s Shilin Residence.
Brooklyn and Momma at the Shilin Residence park
Next we drove up the mountain to go hike in
Yangmingshan national Park. First we cross the Jingshan Suspension Bridge to
Qingtiangang Visitor Center.
Walking across the Yangmingshan National Park suspension bridge
Climbing many stairs on the hiking trail in
Yangmingshan National Park
Happy girl on the hiking trail at Yangmingshan
National Park
Tree in Yangmingshan National Park
Brooklyn wanted to get of the Ergo carrier and
climb the stairs
It was extremely foggy around the Qingtiangang
Visitor Center. I could hardly makeout Joe helping Brooklyn walk.
Next we drove to Fort San Domingo in Tamshui.
The old portion of the Dutch fort was covered
in scaffolding so we couldn’t take a good photo.
The old British consulate at Fort San Domingo
in Tamshui
Jackie at Fort San Domingo in Tamshui
Jackie and Mom in Dutch wooden shoes at Fort
San Domingo in Tamshui
Afterwards Joe’s Uncle dropped us off in Taipei to go shopping in the underground
mall for some kid practice chopsticks. Brooklyn is gonna need some one day.
Next we went over to dinner at Sunnys. Her mom cooked us an authentic Hakka dinner.
We finally took a group photo after dinner.
We walked through the night market, complete with prostitutes. We were able to find some kid practice chopsticks. Hope she's right-handed and not left like her mom.
Next we went over to dinner at Sunnys. Her mom cooked us an authentic Hakka dinner.
We finally took a group photo after dinner.
Saturday Oct 17
We ate breakfast in Yonghe and took a nap at home. Today was our long flight home.
Going back to the Netherlands after a long visit to Taiwan. Brooklyn is much more Asian now.
We ate breakfast in Yonghe and took a nap at home. Today was our long flight home.
Going back to the Netherlands after a long visit to Taiwan. Brooklyn is much more Asian now.
