Hello! from Hannam: To Taiwan and Back

RCP and Larry returned home safely from Taipai, Taiwan this afternoon. Exhausted from managing to take in an entire city in another country in just two days and staying out until 5:00 am the first night, I will of course report on the adventure for him, in picture form, since I didn't go and have nothing to actually write about. Larry and Rich attended business school together at U. of Chicago. Larry's been living in Seoul for the past three years and has been an invaluable resource for information, knowledge and fun. From the pictures I'd say they had a pretty great time in Taipei.

Travel buddies.

The National Concert Hall on the grounds of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial.

A famous monument, landmark and tourist attraction, the memorial was erected in memory

of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China.

(Taiwan is technically it's own independent nation, but China would say otherwise.)

Subtropical and 75 degrees.

Drills on the grounds of the memorial.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, completed in 1980.

The octagonal shape is symbolic of the number 8,

a number traditionally associated in Asia with abundance and good fortune.

The blue and white colors of the building and the red color of the flowerbeds

echo the colours in the flag of the Republic of China.

The National Concert Hall is on the right and the National Theater is on the left.

Questionable dumplings.

As usual, they make friends wherever they go.

These two girls wanted to practice their English, so the boys kindly obliged.

As the sign says....

but it's now been surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dhubi,

which stands at 829.84 m or 2,723 ft.

Into the clouds it disappears.

At the top and in the clouds.

Taipei from above.

A beer float. Yes, with beer and not of the root kind.

The verdict? "Not that great."

RCP in the clouds.

Taken just for me. Awe.

And the boys undeniable charm attracts yet another....this one was Korean and when

she heard them speaking a little Korean, she jumped at

the opportunity to makes friends. They all partied 'til 5:00 am.

Leave it to Koreans to keep you up and out all night.

Boiled vegetables for dinner?? I thought boys prefer places

like steak houses when out with each other.

Healthy and less questionable than those dumplings though, that's for sure.

Review of Taiwanese Beer?

"Awful. Tastes like watered down Budweiser."

Oh yes, that actually says "The Seahorn: The Original Taste of Texas."

I wonder if by 'sea horn' they actally meant 'saddle horn'.

That would make much more sense.

I love how Texas things makes their way into the most obscure places.

The night market.

I think every sub-tropical, Southeast Asian country has night markets.

Looks like something right out of an Indiana Jones movie.

A little bit mystic.

Fishing for shrimp with tiny tiny poles.

An odd activity like this doesn't surprise me at all anymore.

Meats of all kinds.

Night market mystery.

Night markets don't always have lots to offer
except usually some crazy local food specialties
but they're always fun because they're usually very festive....
...and they're at night which let alone makes them cool.