Short posts
More city scenes from Hong Kong -S 🇭🇰
We got #LostNeededDirections 😉 and stopped into a local taproom to plot out the rest of our night. We sat at the bar at the edge of the sidewalk for some people-watching—improbably next to a fellow Phoenician, a pilot who is constantly bouncing around the globe. We swapped stories for hours. -S 🇭🇰
😶🌫️ No wonder I’ve been coughing all day 😶🌫️ -S 🇭🇰
A few night shots of the Hong Kong skyline along Victoria Harbor. We also attended the evening’s “Symphony of Lights,” which is a synchronized light and laser show across 40 buildings on both sides of the harbor, but it was less spectacular than it sounds. -S 🇭🇰
From 1898 until the tunnel opened in 1972, the Star Ferry line was the only means of transport across Victoria Harbor between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It’s still in operation today and provides a nice (and cheap) little ride across the Harbor. -J 🇭🇰
First up today was the Hong Kong Museum of History, outlining China/Hong Kong’s various different National Security components, as well as a historical and cultural overview of Hong Kong History. It also focused on the Portuguese influence, the British rule, and Chinese emigrants abroad. -J 🇭🇰
Did not expect this reaction to our leaving, but I guess it’s not too surprising… -S 🇰🇷
Got #LostNeededDirections at a local taproom—found some good beer, interesting people watching, and a chill evening. Just what we needed. -S 🇭🇰
We made it to Hong Kong! And was surprised to to see so many scaffoldings made from bamboo. -S 🇭🇰
Liberty Square Arch and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall -S 🇹🇼
The 228 Peace Park was a nice green space to enjoy. It is a Memorial Park to those that died during the February 28, 1947, massacre when the Chinese government cracked down on dissidents. -J 🇹🇼
After spending several days sick in a hotel bed, I decided to try some “alternative medicine.”
2/10, do not recommend. -S 🇹🇼
I saw this at the craft beer bar I went to yesterday in Taipei. I thought our bartender friends would appreciate it 🙂. -J 🇹🇼
I also ventured over to see the Taipei Confucius Temple. Built in the Qing era of the late 1800s, was demolished by the Japanese, but rebuilt in the 1930s.
And I really liked the cute little Confucius they had outside. -J 🇹🇼
I present to you the Temple of Dalong Dong (better known as Dalongdong Baoan Temple and its gardens), which is located on Dalong Street. This is a Chinese folk religion temple built in the early 19th Century by Tong’an clan members who had immigrated to Taiwan from China. -J 🇹🇼
Got up at 4am to watch ASU take back the Territorial Cup in a 49-7 blowout win, which capped off a 10-2 regular season and a spot in the conference championship game, one win away from the playoffs. Not too shabby for a team picked to finish dead last. -S 🇹🇼
Taiwan is definitely a scooter-using place. They are everywhere. They have their own parking spots on the side of the road, and even have their own box painted on the road at intersections beyond the crosswalk where they can wait for the light to change. But unlike in some of the southeast Asian countries I’ve been to, they mostly follow the traffic rules. -J 🇹🇼
Prior to this trip, Jen had never used a bidet. Given her extensive overseas travel, that’s surprising.
But it’s even more surprising because we have a bidet installed at home in Phoenix. Apparently, she’s never actually tried it. 🤷♂️🙈 -S