We spent ten days in Taiwan, touring from north to south, from homes to marketing places, and from seaside to mountain tops. It felt good. We felt good. True, the streets are crowded, there are way too many vehicles (in particular motor cycles), and traffic is chaotic at times. But there is order and peace, and traditional Chinese culture and value is well preserved and observed on this island. Although fist-fight and scrap still occur in political chambers, although some ranking officials and their family members are found or heard to have betrayed their offices, Taiwan is still bright. A growing democracy with pains and stains is much better than an autocracy where there are no meaningful opposition parties, where officials are appointed rather than elected, and where the media is often shy or shut. We miss Taiwan for our relatives and its abundance of fruits.

• Days 1 & 2: Arriving at Taiwan, and a visit to Taipei
• Day 3: Having seen a lot of motor-cycles and fruits, we rode high-speed rail to south of Taiwan to meet with relatives never met before
• Day 4: a visit to a Buddhist temple
• Day 5: Our relatives took us to a museum, a park, and a seafood dinner (a dinner a day, at least)
• Day 6: Our relatives took on a tour of local fish and meat markets, then drove us to Mt. Ali, stopping at tourist attractions and facilities on the rout.
• Day 7: We stayed for one night in a hotel in Mt. Ali, got a "morning call" at 4 to head to mountain top to watch sun rise.  Then we trudged the trail amid old forest growth.
• Days 8 & 9: We returned to Sandy's home, enjoyed our last minutes in Taiwan, and got ready for the trip home.

Taiwan, Hongkong, and Mainland China, 2007

2007 Taiwan Trip

我们去了位于台湾南部的垦丁国家公园，并听见了久违的蝉鸣。

台湾人到处种槟榔，卖槟榔，吃槟榔。

Posting with Li-qing's cousins. They took us on an intensive culture trip, driving us to all places, all day, like solders drilling. I soon got a fever, and Li-qing got sensitive skin.

聪明兄带我们和曼云姐、曼真妹到处玩，整天玩，气派如阿里山，热情如炎炎夏日，强度如士兵操练。我终于由于汽车里冷气太冷而咳嗽发烧，丽卿也因为天气热而皮肤过敏。