Day 4 - Lunch with Friends and Dinner with Family

Today we took it easy. Even had breakfast at home. We met up with my old friend for lunch and I got to meet her baby girl. She was so cute and not scared of strangers. So I held her every chance that I got!

For dinner we ate seafood. It was soooo cheap! For 5 adults and 4 kids it was about $120 and we had so much leftovers. Sorry, I was too busy pigging out so I only got this photo.

Day 3 - Lin An Tai Historical House and Rouhe Night Market

Since we walked so much yesterday we decided to take it easy and just stay in Taipei. Boy were we wrong! We actually walked more today than yesterday! We started the day going to the Lin An Tai Historical House. From what I was told was that it was the ancestral home of my grandmother on my father's side. The house being one of the oldest homes in Taipei was eventually preserved, moved and designated as a historical house.

Photos of the ancestors.

Intricate carvings.

We then went to Carrefour to buy chips and instant noodles for to bring back home.

We had a bleh lunch at a revolving sushi restaurant, visited my aunt, and went to a stationary shop that Zoe recommended to buy pens and pencils for the kids. We found ourselves somewhat close to Raohe Night Market so we decided to have dinner there and buy some souvineers.

At the end of the day, both kids were so exhausted from all the walking that they crawled into the bed without us asking and fell asleep!

Day 2 - Shifen and Jiufen

Our day started out so good. Tried a new breakfast dish - basil dan bing. So, so yummy!

After breakfast we headed by train to Shifen. We had about a 30 minute wait at Ruifan until our next train arrived so we went searching for food. It was the perfect opportunity to grab our first meal at a convenience store. We had instant noodles, fried chicken and man tou.

Then we headed to Shifen to set out lanterns. Each colored panel of the lantern represents something like "prosperity, good health etc" and we are supposed to write our wishes on the panels. Noah wanted to write he wants a laptop and I told him not to waste his wish on it because it will never come true. 😆 Zion asked me if his wishes will actually come true and I told him it was more like a birthday candle wish. So the kids just decorated their side of the lanterns instead.

We also had this dessert that was quite unique. It starts with a thin wrap followed by sugared peanut shavings and topped with a scoop of taro ice cream and a scoop of peanut ice cream. Cilantro was optional. I liked all the ingredients separately but together was bit much for my jetlagged taste buds.

There was a huge line for their famous stuffed chicken wings and our train was already here so we decided to skip it. We arrived in Jiufan in the afternoon and oh my gosh...so many stairs... I don't know what I was expecting but I was not expecting that many! Waking up at 5a, figuring out public transport, hot weather, 2 kids, side trip to Shifen and loaded my already heavy bag with 6 packs "steel quail eggs" because it was buy 5 get 1 free...then to see those steps! I honestly did not appreciate Jiufen as much as I could have. I also wish we were able to do this trip around sunset when all the lanterns light up. That being said, it was still beautiful. We had iced tea at the famous A Mei Teahouse and insisted on sitting outside despite the heat to enjoy the views.

Zion napped on the entire bus ride back to Taipei. After a brief stopped at home we met up with my mom, Ken and the nephews for all you can eat shabu shabu where Zion slept through the entire dinner. After a long day and 2 blisters on my feet, I didn't even think to take any pictures of our dinner.

Day 1 - Ding Tai Fung & Smoothie House

Zion ended up taking a long nap so he woke up just in time for dinner. We went to the original Ding Tai Fung. The neatest thing there was in each toilet stall there is a recorded sound of a bubbling stream. I assume to cover up the sound of you peeing!

After dinner we headed around the corner for a famous mango ice place. The ice was ok but seriously the best mangos I've ever had!

Zion continues to wake up early (5a) which is why I am updating this blog again. It's supposed to start raining tomorrow until Bryan leaves so I'm thinking we should go to Jiufun or the Children's festival in Yilan but with Zion still being jetlagged, I don't know if he'll be miserable. So we'll see after everyone wakes up.

Day 1 - My Favorite Restaurant

We found a little breakfast place close to our place. We ordered turnip cakes, egg tortillas, hash browns, chicken sandwich, iced coffee, milk tea. Total $6.

Here's a random roach we saw at an intersection.

Trying to take a picture at the park without the kids. Fail.

We had lunch at my favorite restaurant in Taipei. It's downstairs from where my dad used to live. Being in the neighborhood and eating this food really made me miss my dad.

From left to right: duck, pork ball soup, young bamboo with sweet mayo, duck noodle soup, fried char sui, fish roe with sweet mayo, tofu, swordfish (I think...), intestines, some sort of meat (haha), sausage and more ground pork rice.

Last night Noah told me the ground pork rice in the US is better. I told him by the end of the trip he will love Taiwan's more. And by lunch today, he has already converted.

Zion didn't feel too well during lunch so we decided to come home and take a nap. Hope he wakes up soon so we can go out!

Flight and Formosa Chang

If I haven't already told you, we bought 2 air cushions for our international flights a few years back and Noah has grown out of it. Here's a look at the cushions and them being used.

I also saw these "new" headrests. Or at least I've never seen them before! 

And the kid's meal were cute and tasted better than ours.

And now, what you've all been waiting for. Our first meal! We got in late and asked the driver where to eat gurou fan and he told us about a popular chain restaurant next to our Airbnb. Oh, how the kids loved it and how CHEAP it was!! For 99NT ($3.33), the meal came with gurou fan, a side dish and daikon soup with Taiwanese pork balls! The food was ok, but super convenient and super cheap.

The kids went to sleep after midnight and woke up at 6a today! So we're off to find breakfast. To be continued...

ONT to TPE - On Our Way!

We just arrived at the Ontario Airport (about 2 hours before our flight) and so far so good. The drive is further but not much traffic so it took us about 40 to 45 minutes. Not too bad compared to LAX with traffic on the 105 and at the airport. Drop off is super easy and the airport is deserted except for the long line at China Airlines check in. It took us 50 minutes to get through the check in line and there were no lines at all at TSA. With a potty break, we were at our gate in an hour. Just one downside is that there were no restaurants on our wing and only one bookstore that sold waters for $5 each. OUCH! Overall, much much much less stress on an already stressful day. I think I will never fly out of LAX again if I don't have to.