Golden Waterfalls

Heading towards the coast, we stopped at "The Golden Waterfalls". The name serves a double purpose: 

1) in the early 1900s the Japanese discovered that this area was rich with valuable rocks and minerals (including gold) and turned this into a mining area

2) The mines are all but shut down at this point but there is still tonnes of iron and other minerals in the water, turning this waterfall a goldish colour. 

It was a cool day trip, here are some photos. 

I believe this is what Mars looks like.

Check out the layers of rock supporting this bridge and abandoned building.

We walked to the ocean and checked out this amazing sandstone rock face by the port.

From the port we saw a ruined Japanese factory. Apart from the shuttle bus, this was an amazing view of an abandoned Japanese factory in the mountains.

We will end with my favourite shot of the day:

- RS=T

Fun Times with Debi

We had a great time showing Cassie's mom Debi around Taipei. What we can take from this is that the best nights are those loosely planned with an open mind. Just like this guy's t-shirt.

We knew the night at the market was going to be great when the oyster guy gave us 9 for $100NT. We held no prisoners.

Hot soup on a hot night!

Look. At. The. Size. Of. This. Shrimp. (Ranging from $300-$1000NT)
*note: my fingers are average human sized!

We went into a photo booth but it wasn't accepting our money... so we took our own photo!

Mother and daughter hitting dingers

HOMERUN!!!

Shooting hoops at the arcade! (From Left to Right: Jeremy Lin, Steph Curry, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Dikembe Mutombo. Photo Credit: Charles Barkley)

And finally, no night in Taipei would be complete without couples in matching outfits. Fantastic days!

- RS=T

Modern Toilet

Welp. We've finally gone.

One of Taipei's "crowning" attractions, which just so happens to be right outside our front door, is this poop themed restaurant. This place is so loaded with tacky charm and Asian flare that we couldn't possibly not post about it. Here's Byron and I waiting outside the restaurant, without even a crossword.

 As we walk in, there are tonnes of fun toys kids can play with and buy, like these for example. 

Here is the sink in the washroom

And some art which I call "regret, ponder, relief"

Here's a look at a menu

Here's a picture of my delicious curry!

Here we are about to eat our meals served in toilet bowls. Cassie's mom Debi spent a week visiting with us, it was great having her around and showing her the sights (and smells)

Very real stuff

Dessert

Overall, twas a great experience filled with love, laughter, and joy. 

- RS=T

To Hitchhike

You can walk there yourself,

but take a risk and you may get there before the sun goes down. 

Don't let fear be the reason you take all day,

just stick out your thumb.

- RS=T

This is an Art Attack!

Yingge (ing-guh): a small town 30 min SE of Taipei that is the home to historic ceramic, clay, and glass artwork.

Lots of cool things to see here. Just took some quick shots and wanted to share. The first is a pic of Sharon and Cassie making cups. They turned out great and with *some* help from the staff. 

Here are some glass animals (dragon, koi, and chickens [which at the moment reminds me of Janina, Erik, Enzo, and future mini versions of that family])

To stay on the family trend, wouldn't it be fitting to find some glass produce and sausages carved out of marble?

Until we meat again,

- RS=T