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Taipei and Asia
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  • Dec 28, 2010 - Back to Taipei
  • Dec 29, 2010 - But wait! There's Hong Kong
  • Dec 30, 2010 - Shifen and Jiufen
  • Dec 31, 2010 - New Year's Eve
  • Jan 01, 2011 - You are now entering Vietnam
  • Jan 02, 2011 - Ha Long Bay is a bay
  • Jan 03, 2011 - Oceans and Caves
  • Jan 04, 2011 - Back in Hanoi again
  • Jan 05, 2011 - Pattaya Awaits
  • Jan 06, 2011 - One night in Bangkok
  • Jan 07, 2011 - One day in Bangkok
  • Jan 08, 2011 - Strike One...you're still in
  • Jan 09, 2011 - Exploring Taipei
  • Jan 10, 2011 - Floral Expo! Exciting? Well, interesting
  • Jan 11, 2011 - Grass Hill and Return of the Hot Pot
  • Jan 12, 2011 - The long road (flight) home

    • Monday, Jan 10, 2011

    I arose around 9am after hitting snooze for about an hour. It was a fast morning and I was soon off to the Taipei International Flora Expo--by myself. Now the expo was only two MRT stations up the line, but it's never a given that I'm going to fare well when I'm by myself in a foreign country. However, this time, things went flawless. I paid the fee and went in. (Paying was easy. Many other countries are starting to use more swiping cards for simple transactions. It saves so much time and effort. I imagine we'll follow suit here eventually.)

    For about five hours, I walked around viewing the exhibits and wildly taking photos. The cold weather and drizzling rain didn't help, but I was bundled up fairly well. I'm starting to realize what I need to wear in colder places. A cap, gloves, and scarf are definitely a must. A sweater and coat never hurt either.

    I learned a few things too: mainly that there is a huge number of different types of rice. Must have been dozens on display. Who knew? Not I!

    But I know now, and will never forget. Never.

    One highlight was trying different teas in the tea garden area. I found a great one, but it was really a German tea, so it didn't make sense to buy it there. I will have to look for it online. I also found it funny that when I was walking on these high cave cliffs, there were signs that said, "Avoid Falling." Yeah, okay. Sure, why not? I was pondering falling, but heck, if it's against the rules, I don't want to make waves. I'm just a visitor after all and should represent America well.

    Thus, I avoided falling. What a good patriot I am.

    In time, the light started fading and the cold was starting to weaken me. I walked back to the MRT and headed home.

    After a hot shower, I felt much better. Soon, Terry and Lesly came home and we headed out for some dinner. This was Ganbei, or a beer place. It served beer of course, and I drank beer of course so all was well. The food was good too. Overall, the atmosphere was fun and lively. A cute girl would come by and fill my beer glass each time it got low, but she did that for everyone. I couldn't feel too special.

    Maybe just a little special.

    Once back home, we watched some NFL and I retired late.

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