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Showing posts from June, 2024

Favorite Foods + Random Pics from Taiwan

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FAVORITE FOODS to summarize my Taiwan trip Apricot kernel milk from Taoyuan 肉圆 ("meat ball") from both Taichung and Keelung Taichung version Keelung version Longan cake from Taichung Smoked mullet roe from Du Hsiao Yeh, Tainan Breakfast from Qing Qi Vegetarian Dim Sum, Tainan (in particular, pastry with veg, nori, sesame, mayo and dumpling with sesame and daikon)  Oyster pancake from Pingtung Night Market Candied sweet potatoes from Pingtung Night Market Caramel pastry from Fu Hang Soy Milk, Taipei Shaved ice from Mr. Chef Snow & Tofu Gongguan, Taipei Oolong cheesecake from Jiufen Teahouse The really sweet pineapple everywhere! The fragrant and chewy buns everywhere! (I gobbled them too fast for a picture) RANDOM PICS that didn't really fit elsewhere So many types of pineapple! HUGE watermelon! the symbol for motorcycle lane hehe coffee-flavored vegan jerky??? fruit-decorated ice-cream cake climbing wall at the train station?! cool ming dynasty style chair at the hote...

Taipei - Last Stop in Taiwan (June 13-16, 2024)

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TAIPEI CITY After our visit to Pingtung County, we took the train back up to the northern end of Taiwan. By the time we arrived, the sun had set. When we stepped out of the train station, cars, buses, and motorcycles whizzed by us. People ran to catch the bus and cross the street. Taipei had true big city energy.  Trying to find our hotel was like a scene straight out of Crazy Rich Asians.  After we get off the bus, Google Maps points towards a park. Following our instincts, we follow the path. The path is lined with trees and tropical plants. It's dark and hard to see. We climb up the stairs. We climb and we climb but still no hotel. Only insects buzzing around and maybe snakes?  And then a towering pagoda-like building pops up in front of us.  The magnificence continues to awe me as we step into the lobby. The carpet is lush and soft. There's a grand staircase. Best of all, there's a live violin and piano performance. The Grand Hotel was where Taiwan welcomed many ...