View From the Top!

It’s not very often you begin your weekend by making the trek to the top of the 2^nd tallest building in the world.  But that’s just what the team did today as we visited Taipei 101, currently the tallest building in Taiwan.  We were able to spend some time admiring the spectacular views and learning about the amazing engineering that went into this building, making it safe and strong enough to withstand just about any kind of natural disaster Mother Nature could throw at it.  After our morning there, we of course had yet another amazing lunch (complete with everyone’s new favourite Bubble Tea!) followed by a trip to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Chiang, and Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.  We enjoyed some time outside in the fabulous warm weather and were able to observe the changing of the guard.  After this it was off for a true Taiwanese treat –mango ice cream!  Dinner with our host families was excellent as always - Mike is now the expert on how to eat chickens feet with chop sticks!  After dinner the girls were excited to shed their uniforms and reunite with the team for a few pints at an outdoor pub.  It seems we have all recovered from the jet lag and are settling into the busy rhythm of our days.  The comment that continues to come up is how overwhelmed we are with the hospitality of our hosts.  We are being treated like royalty and discussed at lunch how truly honoured and lucky we are all feeling.  Well Mr. McGregor, it’s been quite a day – I wonder what will happen tomorrow….

Taipei 101

sat am

Another day, another celebration

A great day here again with a morning visit to the Presidential Hall. We were taken to the VIP area for a photo but the President was a little busy. They did conduct a tour with a complete history of the political system and the palace. After an awesome lunch with our new friends we all went off to do some vocational visits. I was lucky to get to tour a church school and a very large private home that recently had geothermal systems put in. Electricity is very expensive here so it is very important to use energy wise equipment. Shannon was very happy to visit a hospital that specialize in post natal care for the mother and child. Alex got to visit the local YMCA. Ashley had a two hour meeting with a banker while Laura did an enviromental visit. We all met afterward at a 9th anniversary party for the Tucheng Sanyin Rotary club of New Taipei city. Several speeches and a few glasses of wine later they had up on stage singing, what a lovely rendition of Old McDonald had a farm it was. The meal was again 10 courses deep and if you kept eating, they kept bring more. Amazing food if you are the adventurous type. Presented the district governor with his gift of a spirit catcher from our district governor John Gordon. Now some badly needed rest for the team.

Over the top day

We got cracking early this morning with each member getting in a vocational visit with their respective jobs. I toured an air conditioning factory, Shannon checked out a health care clinic, Ashley did a tour of a bank and Laura toured an awesome recyling facility. Alex went to a gym got a steam shower and a swim at a pool, very nice. Lunch was at a regular club meeting and we were very well taken care of. In the afternoon we toured a factory that is the largest producer of high end spokes for bicycles in the world. It was very cool. The team also got at our request an impromptu visit to a temple that was quite spiritual. We were welcomed in and served some tea. A a welcome dinner in our honour with 9 clubs was held tonight with equally as many dinner courses. I take back what I said about losing 10 pounds here, we likely will tip the scale the other way. The hosts here are top notch all the way!

The Terminal #2

Our first 28 hours has been that of any travel that could cross 3 continents,way to many boards and maple candies in hold. 
Our fine dinnig options thanks to United Airlines  and there great staff. 
Our landing in Taiwan, was something out of a Tom Hanks movie the Terminal. Ashley, Shannon, Mike and myself all meet up turning around to notice Laura was being escorted by the secruity guard on the other side of the boarder. Mike ran over has the two shouted back and worth like father and daughter trying to problem solve our journey first plan B. Laura was just short with some small details of travel allowing her to join us on our first day. 
After 4 hours our of negotion, we can do nothing but continue to thank our Rotary brothers and sisters here in Taiwan that we are able to make our arrival as a team possible. Those that helped and made this possible our garitude and thanks in endless. 
As well the great welcome upon our arrival banner, smiles and information in hand was the warmest welcome we've received any where in our life time. 
More pictures to follow. 

CND -2013

One more sleep!!

Though I don't think I will be getting any!  I am too excited :D

Taiwan...Here we come

This amazing adventure starts March 19, 2013.