The thought of blogging about our Taiwan trip sends a bit of shiver down my aching spine. Yet the 'adventure' we had over the past 2 weeks most definitely got etched in our minds forever (or scarred us for life). On a slightly more positive note, this was our first and perhaps last trip as a family (Lohs and Loys) and to our best ability, we had made Ah Gong and Ah Mah happy grandparents and parents.
We sent Auntie Rose to the agency for lodging while we were away. Initially, she was reluctant because domestic helpers at the agency were expected to be very disciplined and diligent. But CK was very insistent to the agency personnels that she would be well treated and granted the freedom she wanted. She had to be sent there the night before our flight and only picked up the day after we had come back.
Our flight was early but it wasn't much of any issue for us since our kids wake up early anyway. However, we needed some breakfast in case the kids didn't fancy plane food. After all, we didn't arrange for kids' meals on board.
The kids were reasonably good during the flight. They spent most of their time watching TV and getting acquainted with the buttons on the remote control. We could tell Sophie was really at ease on board, no major complaints from her at all.
Hours later, we reached Taiwan. Our tour guides picked us up at the arrival and took us to their vehicles... vehicles that we would spend the next 2 weeks in... unfortunately. There were 2 tour guides but they were really merely seasoned drivers, in my opinion, especially the one we had got. Ah Gong, Ah Mah, my brother and his family took the mini van, which was bigger. We took the TAXI. Throughout the entire journey, our driver just followed the mini van in front. He knew not the route, the itinerary, or anything about the places we were visiting.
Soon after, we stopped for some food and restroom. They took us to some resting stop for tour buses. I'm never very good with places and directions so I didn't even take note of the names. All I knew was I felt worried about the kids. The food was typical street food and the kids didn't want to even taste it. They just took some of the tidbits I had brought from Singapore.
After sitting for so many hours, the kids really appreciated the chance to run about. I was very apprehensive because the place didn't look too safe to me but I needed to balance the risk and the needs of our kids. At least CK was very positive and he watched the kids as they ran about.
Our next stop was an old train station which is no longer in operation. By then it was close to the kids' dinner time. I wondered if they would have dinner at their usual time, then I brushed that thought aside with some self talk about being flexible.
It was quite interesting to walk on abandoned tracks and pretend we were in old movies with a steam train coming towards us. Then the kids started picking up pebbles and throwing them at each other. Bummer, I had to step in and stop them. It felt strange to sit on the tracks but the kids found it absolutely perfect. After a while, I started wondering about dinner again... what else was there to see? Especially when there was no explanation about the place, verbal or written, anywhere.
Finally we took a short walk to this teahouse. Not exactly our dinner place but we were suppose to try their famous 'lei cha'. We had to grind some 20+ grains with water until we get a drink. It was hard work and we took so long just to taste it. I wash't too thrilled with its taste but CK seemed to like it.
Dinner was at this rustic restaurant (with many awards and certificates). The food was alright although we were not really used to the new tastes. CK ordered some local soft drinks that tasted like Chinese street medicine but looked like Sarsi. I must salute CK because he really exercised 'mind over matter' and made do with such an eating place. Usually, he would avoid and refuse to even enter such an establishment. Tonight, he tried to experience Taiwan... the way my brother had planned for us.
It's interesting how fast and easily my kids grow comfortable with others. They love my brother (perhaps because he resembles a teddy bear) and they clung on to my niece. 'Zixin' soon became the first name I heard in the morning and last name I heard before they fell asleep. I'm kidding, but you know what I mean.
By night, we checked in our hotel room and slept soon after. It had been a pretty tiring first day. I got the 'free' part but it definitely didn't seem very 'easy' judging by our first day. Still, we were positive and looking forward to a fruitful day ahead.
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