Chiang Kai Shek & Sun Yat Sun Memorials

On Sunday evening we walked down to the Chiang Kai Shek memorial to see if there was going to be a lantern festival there. It is really beautiful. His statue reminds one of the Lincoln Memorial with him sitting in the chair. When you look at the people in the doorway and then the doorway in the building you realize how huge it really is.



The grounds were absolutely beautiful and the flowers are just beginning to bloom.



When we realized that the festivities were not going to be there we went by taxi to Sun Yat Sun Memorial and our timing was perfect. We saw many lighted floats and then were there when they lit the big one, let off the fireworks and played the music for the new year. We even caught one of the first taxis after so got home at the perfect time.

Scooters

Scooters are so very popular in Taiwan. They drive in masses and pack the parking areas.

Danshuei

We wandered through fishing villages and shops and then took a 1-hour bus ride to Danshuei which was on the other side of the top of the island.

There we walked to a castle on the top of a hill that had been occupied by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Japanese and finally the Chinese.

Yehliu Geopark

Saturday we met Bishop Lin and spent the day touring with him and a friend who is studying in Beijing. We first rode a train to the very northeast end of the island and then had a taxi take us along the coast to Yehliu Geopark.




The Geopark was formed by water wearing on the rocks. Many of them had names and were famous for photos from certain directions. It really was fascinating.









Mike is pointing to Amerca, windy hair and all.

Bishop Lin

This is Bishop Lin. He was our tour guide on Saturday and on Monday. He was a missionary under the Horners 17 years ago. He was a delightful guy to be around and told us a very faith promoting story about his baptism that I will share. He is standing in front of the vase for me so that I could show how large it really is.

Taiwan Temple

We went through a Temple Session that night.

The National Museum

That afternoon we spent quite a while looking for the National Museum. It is an amazing place where all of the treasures that Chiang Kai Shek brought out of China are stored. There is one huge building of storage and they rotate many of the items on display. Apparently the Chinese are angry that he took the items when he left but they no doubt would have been destroyed in the cultural revolution had they been left in China. We were only able to see a little of it and failed to get the earphones. I'd suggest lots of time and ear phone rental for those traveling to the National Museum.

Yangmingshan National Park

On Saturday monring the Horner's droe us to Yangmingshan National Park. It was a peaceful, beautiful area where the blossoms were just coming into bloom.

As we drove up out of the park we were amazed to see the steam coming from the crater in at least three spots. Apparently they are sitting upon a live volcano.