The Big Trip and Other Traveling

So it is my final week in Taiwan which is a little sad, but I have had quite an extraordinary experience.  I have learned a lot, not only about myself but about the world.  I will take with me all that I have learned on my return home.  The thing I will miss most is my friends I have made this year.  It is amazing that people from such different backgrounds can form such strong bonds.  I hope to visit them all in their futures.  Traveling is something I plan to continue for the rest of my life.  Although our world is small there are so many things to see, learn about, and explore.  But I haven't left quite yet, and my past months have left room for a few more adventures.

To the Mountains

Thanks to my dear friend's, Bernadette's, host mother I took a hiking trip up to the mountains.  It was quite windy on the highest peek of Taiwan and a lot colder than I expected, but it was very fun in the end.  I would like to thank Johann and Konstantin as well.

Rotary Bus Trip (10 days with the coolest people in the world)

1.  River Tracing-  We climbed up a river with guides.  It was a lot of fun we ended by cliff jumping which in turn shocked my system a little. But overall was very fun.

2. Rafting- We spent three hours paddling down the river and viewing the beautiful scenery Taiwan has to offer.  The recommended long pants, but I still ended up with a hideous sunburn in the end.  Taiwan's sun is extreme.

3.  We visited the aboriginal village.  It was very cool we went on a walk through the forest which required tactful skills of climbing and maneuvering through the great rocks and trees.  I really enjoyed this. We also participated in preparing a batch of mochi.  ( I am sorry the first few days I was without my camera pictures will be uploaded later after collecting them from my friends.)

 4. The next day we boarded a ship to the Green Islands which resulted in sea sickness for some of the students and for others it was a game of catch the wave and jump outside on the deck.  I participated in the game. At the island we went snorkeling. I loved it the fish were so extraordinary, and I hope that some day I can do it again.  That night we ate a traditional barbecue restaurant, delicious!  After words we went to the famous salt water hot springs.  Anyone that knows me knows I love hot springs, and the ocean and on the island it was the perfect mix; not to mention we could finally see the stars and I tried to point out the constellations, but it seems my memory has failed me.  Oh well!  The island itself is absolutely stunning which seems odd considering it started as a prison island.

Nixon's head rock Green Island

The prison in Green ISland

Prison Room Green Island

5.  Kenting-  In Kenting we went speedboating, but before that I took the googles lying on the dock and jumped into the water of a coral reef nearby a man who was feeding fish.  I swam through the school of fish and it was my favorite part of my trip.  It was so spontaneous and unexpected how could it not be.  After the speedboating in Kenting we went paint balling which left bruises everywhere.  The war of exchangers was really fun.  The next day we went on a Jeep ride, and it made me realize how much I miss the Jeep in Montana,  Jeeps are the extreme.

6. The Buddha memorial center in Kioasiung is so peaceful and tranquil.  I encourage anyone traveling to Taiwan to visit it. 

7.  Revisiting Sun Moon Lake.  Sun Moon Lake is very beautiful and if you are looking for fun visit the amusement park.  There are not very many rides but there are a few.  The lake itself holds temples that are worth while.

School Trip

My school took a graduation trip from Taipei, where I live in Taiwan, to the southern most part Kending.  It was very beautiful, and I was very happy to be along with my good friends as we ventured around the island. 

Our Graduation Party With lots of Glow Sticks :)

On the Beach! 

My Lovely International Classmates

Kaosiung View from Light House

Lanterns Above the Temple

Fairy Ride across the Ai Hu or  Love River

Our Kaosiung Hotel and Dreamland

From the Bottom to Top of the Island

Amusement Park! 

Festivals

With a Group of Exchange Friends to Visit CKS's old house

Sakura (Cherry Blossom) The Beautiful Blossom of Spring

Burning Money For the Gods

My Host Families Name In the Temple

During Chinese New Year I went with my host family to a small little city in below Taichaung.  Probably the best part about Chinese New Year, well at least for the teenagers, is the "hong bao,"  or red envelopes.  The envelopes contain money, and we receive these envelopes because of the story that monsters come out at the night to eat children, but the red color will protect us from the ghosts and monsters that come out on this night.
       My family also took me out to the family temple to which they had donated money.  They were very proud that there name was written in the temple.  I really enjoy visiting the temples it is one of my favorite things about Taiwan.  I just moved host families, but I am very happy I was able to have such a cultural experience during Chinese New Year full of food, money, and temples.

The Ocean in Taidong After Feeding Fish

Festival In Taidong

The Foreigner Participant

Dressed to Save and Protect Ourselves from the Fireworks

Rotary brought our entire district to Taidong for the Han Dan festival.  It is really the most shocking thing I have ever experienced.  In order to create believers a man must bare his body to be hit by many fireworks.  It is extremely loud and usually there are quite a few foreigners who participate.  I found it unbelievable, and even just to stand and watch we had to protect our mouths, eyes, ears and body from the immense noise and the possibility of a firework hitting us.  It was quite a culture shock, but I am really glad I was able to see it first hand.  At the end of our trip to Taidong we went on a hike and saw this beautiful waterfall that I just had to show all of you.

The End of a Hike in Taidong's Forrest

My Lovely Friend at Yuanshan's Lantern Festival

Sending Of Lanterns in the Ping-xi Festival on my Birthday :)

For my birthday I went with a lot of exchange students to the Ping-xi Lantern Fesitval.  It was so beautiful to see so many dreams and wishes floating into the night sky.  I feel so lucky that it happened on my birthday.  I had actually been looking forward to the festival ever since I found out I would be in Taiwan.  We participated in the festival by sending out our own lanterns with our dreams, and lighting them up to the heavens.  Wow I just love Taiwan.

Thanks again for reading I couldn't cover everything because it has been so long since I posted, but I hope you all enjoyed. ( You should google some more pictures from the festivals to see a more dynamic view, they are awesome :) )

Fun Over Break

Best Noodles Ever

Learning Mahjong

The Beach!!!!

Biking Through the Streets of Taipei

Some Unhealthy Treats with my French Buddy In Gonguan

Last Day of Chinese Class 謝謝老師

Line for the most famous Bubble Tea Shop in Gonguan

I have winter break for three weeks and I plan to make the most of it.  I have had a blast so far from barbecues with my classmates to trips to the beach with swimming. Swimming, not something I expected for winter break hahaha.  My favorite thing to do in the streets of Taipei is ride bicycles I really love it.  It is so freeing and invigorating.  I am just having the best time of my life.

Holidays

So the holidays went by quickly, and I am trying to catch up with everything.  Thanks to one of my exchange, student, friend's, host mother I was able to finally reach the south of Taiwan. (Sorry for the run-on. :p)  But thanks to this being an island in winter months it was still a little rainy. 沒問題（No Problem)  I was still able to visit historic monuments of Tainan, and in the end it worked out pretty well.

The holidays in Taiwan blew away my expectations.  Christmas wasn't really typical, but with the infusion of cultures that span across the globe, a.k.a exchange students, it was memorable. So, I would like to thank all of my exchange student "buddies" for their humor and cheerful spirits.  New Years was also very memorable, due to the fact I was able to be a live spectator of the Taipei 101 arrangement.  It was very beautiful, and I didn't expect the fireworks to shoot so closely next to the crowd of people surrounding it.

Well love around the world! Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays. :)

Just in case you were wondering what the "standard" toilet is in Taiwan.  Well, It is a squatty potty. YEEAAAH!! JK.   I can almost bet you were distracted by this picture while reading my blog up above. Am I right?

River boat tour Kaohsiung City

Night Market Games

Eternal Fortress in Tainan

Up the stairs of the Anping Fort

Eternal Fortress "Vase Door" with a French girl to the right

My View of Taipei 101 on New Years