TAIPEI, TAIWAN

“How in the world have we been able to get ourselves into situations like this at such a young age? I mean, look at us! We are 22 years old sitting in the Shangri-La Hotel and Resort in Jakarta, Indonesia…” I wonder that same thing all the time, Ian. But, it’s true, we have seen quite a bit of the world already at such a young age– and I have amazing in-laws who buy us weekend get-aways like a night in the Shangri-La which we got to do for Ian’s birthday this past weekend. Like I say, living a life of adventure is way cooler than the ordinary, right!?

Speaking of abnormal situations that a 22-year-old nearly college graduate should be doing– I am currently sitting in Taiwan at a Starbucks. One thing Ian and I love to do when we travel to and from Indonesia is to extend our layovers in the cities we fly into. We have been able to see Beijing, Seoul, and now Taipei just from extending our layovers. **Travel tip: it’s a great way to break up the long flights and get some good rest– and see new places!

Here are some pictures of the fun we had during our 24-hour stay in Taipei, Taiwan. We visited the Taipei Zoo and road 4km on a gondola up a mountain and saw beautiful views of the city and visited different tea houses when we got to the top. One thing is for sure– the view is gorgeous and green tea ice cream is delicious!

The city streets are clean and the train system is easy to navigate even for beginners like us! Oh, and there are a lot of McDonald’s.

We visited the Taipei 101 Tower– used to be the world’s tallest building! We indulged in a Taipei classic: dumplings! I can’t say I have the taste for these, but Ian sure loved them! Plus, it was cool to watch them be made.

We visited the Lungshan Temple and walked the streets of Snake Alley.

We board our plane in a couple hours for Chicago and still need to make the drive home once we land. We leave at 7:20pm (Tuesday- Taipei time, which is also the same as Jakarta) and land in Chicago 15 hours later at 9:20pm on the SAME day! Isn’t’ time such a weird thing? Once we land, our bodies will think it’s morning due to the time change so we are hoping we will be awake enough to drive through the night and arrive back in Orange City by Wednesday morning (YAY!).

Please lift us up in your prayers as we finish our travels home! See you all SOON!

-el