And selling everything has commenced. Again. Eight years ago, we emptied cupboards and drawers and closets with reckless abandon and sold everything not nailed down. This time is different. We’re excited to get back, but I feel like I’m doing everything while walking knee deep through molasses. Yeah, we’re 8 years older. The temperature is… Read More I’m (trying to be) #grateful.
Longshan Temple is one of the top tourist destinations in Taipei. Built in 1738, it was a gathering place for Chinese settlers to worship, and continues to be a place of worship today for Buddhists, Taoists, and other deities. I always have mixed feelings about visiting temples. I love the intricate architecture, as well as… Read More Longshan Temple: Finding Cultural Balance While Traveling
Deep in the canyons of northeast Taiwan, a sleepy little town on the railroad tracks has a unique set of social issues. Like many, it is the tale of economic decline and with that, some rise and some fall. Here is the story of the cats of Houtong. We recently had a chance to visit,… Read More The Cats That Control Houtong, Taiwan
We arrived in Taipei around lunchtime. When we were planning our trip, we agreed to mainly “eat local”, even if it stretched us. While wandering through the neighborhood near Longshan Temple, we spotted a packed restaurant and figured it must be the place to go. Lines are always a good sign. It was loud, bustling,… Read More Pink Slip or Yellow Slip? (Surviving) Eating Out in a Foreign Culture
Two days ago was the six year anniversary of our family of four arriving overseas with nothing more than a handful of suitcases and stomachs full of butterflies. The past six years have been a double edged sword of emotion and experiences. We’ve had some incredible highs, and experienced things we never would have dreamed… Read More Cheers to the Next Chapter!
“I’ve had offers to move to other parts of the world. But, I’ve been in Hong Kong almost 40 years. It’s home to me.” – Larry Rashmi, Rashmi Tailors. A custom suit has been on Andrew’s bucket list for several years, so after some research, we decided to make an appointment for him and Dan… Read More The Best Tailor in Hong Kong.
We knew the day would come, but even so, it was hard to go home. For our final act, Andrew wanted to have a few pictures taken in his suit on Duddell Street, which had become one of our favorite spots. We were running tight on time, so it was a quick photo shoot, and… Read More Day Six in Hong Kong: Suiting Up to Go Home
So, as per usual for most vacations, our last full day was the best day. We relaxed in the morning, did most of our packing, and went to Starbucks on Duddell Street once again. Duddell Street from our hotel was best accessed by the series of long paths and staircases that wound through the zoo… Read More Day Five in Hong Kong: Fabric, Old Roller Coasters, and (watching) Dancing.
Day Four got a little silly. But we all need a little silly sometimes. I came across some walking tours of Wan Chai, one of the historical areas of town. There was a cultural tour, hitting cultural landmarks, and an architectural tour, highlighting different architectural styles. I was imagining the architectural tour to be more about… Read More Day Four in Hong Kong: Duck Fat Fries. Enough Said.
Day 3 started off with a trip to the grocery store just around the corner from the hotel. We weren’t willing to relive the Great Breakfast Hunt from the day before, so we loaded up on fresh fruit (including pears and strawberries, something we haven’t had in ages) and other staples, including Cadbury Flakes, Dan’s… Read More Day Three in Hong Kong: Markets and McDonald’s.
Beware the Comfort Zone! 