I Took a Trip to Taiwan and all I Got was this Lousy Durian.

 

During the summer of 1999 I went on the Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour to the Republic of China, in Taiwan.  The trip is also known as "The Love Boat," by many Chinese Americans.   The trip proved to be a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

 

This "study" tour was truly a wonderful experience, and I absolutely recommend going if you're eligible.  However,  the accommodations, weather, and being away from home for so long wasn't difficult for some... the opportunity to meet such a large variety of people from around the world was well worth any of those minor discomforts.

 

Surprisingly enough, Taiwan has a large number of national parks, army bases, and beaches.  I do believe we got to visit just about every one along our 9 day trip around the island.  The country was quite beautiful, once we got out of the smog filled City of Taipei.

 

 

After the 5 weeks of "studying" about my cultural heritage, I took an extra 4 days to go to Hong Kong.  I went there on my own, carrying around more than 40 kilograms worth of luggage (~88 lbs.).  I'd never been on my own like THAT before, but I was determined to use this time the best I could, though I barely avoided catastrophe on several occasions along the way.

 

 

 

Taiwan:  Land of three story McDonald's, where "Odidos" and "DNKY" brand clothing are all the rage.  It's a place where you can buy a squid on a stick for only 100NT.  Ah yes... paradise.

 

 

Did you know that the legal drinking age in Taiwan is only 18?  There were plenty of Karyoke -ing and Clubbing opportunities once we got into the city.  You could Drink and dance and smoke, and have a good time, although I really can't recommend that smoking part.  There was enough of that in the air as it was.

 

 

"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you" -Murphey's Laws of Living  That's me on one of the hiking trails.  We got to hike through a tunnel in the mountain in pitch-black darkness, while it rained intermittently.  That was pretty sweet.

 

I met Sandy during the trip.   Lots of girls take advantage of getting Glamour shots taken while in Taiwan, 'cause it's so inexpensive, and the service is so much better than what can be found in the States.  I met some really gorgeous girls along the trip whom I thought didn't need any added glamour at all.  Wow.

 

 

What an unforgettable experience.  I've never really traveled before, but after this... I think I'd like to visit Europe one day.