Taiwan - Happy New Year 2014

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Nǐ hǎo!

Hello from Taiwan

A friend asked me to return to Taiwan for Christmas and New Year. It was nice to go somewhere besides Thailand for a change to enjoy the celebrations. I like the New Year festivities in Thailand but I was looking forward to a new experience. The photos tell most of the story of my two week visit. There is much more to see in Taiwan so I will be returning again sometime soon.

There are 57 photos. Click on each photo for a larger view.

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Photos

Christmas Eve
We attended a very nice concert with some Christmas carols near Banquo MRT amd Shopping Malls in Taipei.

Christmas Eve
The concert stage - I really enjoyed being there

Bear Christmas trees
One of my gifts - the other is a beautiful hand written poem in Chinese calligraphy - I really was lucky :)

Christmas Dinner in Zhungli
The perfect end to Christmas day was cocktails later in the park bistro bar.

National Central University - Zhungli
About 40 minutes by train from Taipei and then 20 minutes on the bus - I wish I was a visiting Professor - i need a new job and Taiwan suits me 100%

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Taipei
Sun Yat-sen - In Taiwan, he is seen as the Father of the Republic of China

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Every hour there is a formal changing of the guards. The guard stands still for that hour.

Longshan Temple - Taipei
A nice walk from my hotel in Ximen. This is a really impressive temple to visit.

Market near the Longshan Temple
The people in Taiwan are very friendly and the markets are a nice place to interact with the locals. Even just a nice smile when making a purchase.

Yingge Ceramics Museum
Near Zhungli and a 35 minute train trip from Taipei. I am not that interested in museums but this place kept my interest for three hours. It is one of the best designed museums that I have visited with English language descriptions and video screens explaining local culture and the history of pottery production in Taiwan.

Yingge Ceramics Museum
You will see something different in this toilet bowel :)

Yeliou Scenic Area (Yeliou Geopark)
We caught the bus from Taipei. It takes about an hour and well worth the effort to view the amazing rock formations.

Yeliou Scenic Area (Yeliou Geopark)
Weird rocks and me - both effected by years of erosion :)

Yeliou Scenic Area (Yeliou Geopark)
There are lots of tourists here but it was a rainy day and late in the afternoon so not too crowded.

Yeliou Scenic Area (Yeliou Geopark)
Queen Elizabeth replica model - the original is eroding at a fast rate with the winds on the seaside

Yeliou at night
Taken on our way to catch the bus back to Taipei. Another perfect day in Taiwan.

Comments

[antheadobbin]

Happy New Year
Happy New Year to you Leon sounds like you had a lot of fun. We are looking for somewhere to spend next New Year you never know!.We had a great trip arrived home yesterday. Enjoy your last few weeks away.