747- Taipei, Taiwan

So this vacation all became about because of the 747 airplane. This airplane is being retired at the end of this year, so we knew we had to go somewhere so we could enjoy riding on it before it's gone for good. (Ideally we wanted to be in first class on the upper deck). So we looked where it flew to and then just decided Hong Kong sounded like a cool place to see. The day before our trip the seats filled up and Dale scrambled to figure out how we could get to HK. The flight to Taiwan was wide open so we changed a few plans, contacted one of Dale's old flight students who is from Taiwan and started the 15 hour flight to Taipei, Taiwan!!!

The upper deck filled up so we weren't able to sit up top, but we did get to enjoy first class on the lower deck. After we landed in Taipei, we were able to head upstairs to see the upper deck, meet the pilots and see the cockpit! It was awesome!

We were a little delayed getting to Taiwan but it was so exciting to be here. We explored the airport on our way out, bought bus tickets and started our journey to our hotel. 

After our bus to the other airport in Taipei, we jumped in a taxi to take us to our hotel where Sunni (Dale's old student) was waiting to take us to a late dinner. 

It might not look like it but this bed was WAY larger than your average king sized. It was so big!

We had no idea that Sunni had a car, so it was a pleasant surprise to be able to get around the city much easier than transit and have a local tour guide! He was so kind to show us around and we are already anxious to get back to explore all Taiwan has to offer. 

He took us to a local restaurant. It was fun to try new foods that I normally would never have the guts to try and really get an authentic experience. I ate things I have no idea what they were.... and Dale even ate duck blood (I wasn't that adventurous). 

The next morning we started exploring Taipei. It was unfortunately rainy and slightly cool so we weren't able to do some of the tourist attractions we had planned due to not being able to see well. However we still had a great time. 

Chaing Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Memorial to the first president of Taiwan

Changing of the guards ceremony

On the same grounds were also these other incredible buildings that house the opera, symphony etc.

He then took us to a Buddha temple that he occasionally worships at. Such a beautiful ornate building with such intricate detail. It was nice having him along to explain things. 

People bring food to the temple which they set out on tables, after they are done praying they take their food home to eat which they believe keep them holy etc. 

We then walked down some side streets where we found a truly local place to eat. It was interesting but not bad. Dale loved it. 

We asked Sunni if he would take us by the LDS temple in Taiwan. It was a Sunday so it was closed but still so neat to see. They use every square inch of property they have to build. 

Then we visited Taipei 101. It used to be the tallest building in the world a few years back but now lies about 8th on the list. We would have gone to the top but the clouds kept rolling in and most of the day you couldn't see the top of the tower. 

The first 4-5 floors of the building is a very high-end shopping mall. We ate a delicious lunch at a restaurant called Din Tai Fung. While we waited for a table we watched them make the pork/shrimp/red bean rolls. So yummy! They were so efficient and fast at rolling the dough, stuffing and weighing each individual roll. 

Sunni then dropped us off at the airport and we thankfully caught the last flight to Hong Kong on an airline called Cathay Dragon. It was stressful but it worked out after quite a few hours of waiting and missing many flights that were full.  See you Taiwan, we will be back someday!