February 6, 2009

  • A Fine Day for Strolling

    Today, my mom's friend took us to lunch, followed by a nice, long stroll on the grounds of Chiang Kai-Shek's former residence. Unfortunately, the official residence is under repair, so we couldn't go inside and check it out, but we did get to walk around the beautiful gardens. It was overcast but not too cold, so it was a nice day for a stroll.

    Jack and I with my mom's friend, posing with some cow topiaries, in honor of the Year of the Ox

    Taiwan 189.jpg

    My mom, Jack and I

    Taiwan 195.jpg

    Check out that creepy face topiary!

    Taiwan 192.jpg

    See that leaf-covered structure on the left behind me in the pic above? Well, here's a close-up of the tiny "leaves" that were covering it! I loved how they were shaped like little rosebuds

    Taiwan 204.jpg

    Taiwan 206.jpg

    A tree that was covered by a type of fern

    Taiwan 197.jpg

    I found it funny that this tree was wearing a huge bandage

    Taiwan 199.jpg

    Jack loved running around this big stage in the amphitheater. I got my exercise chasing him around!

    Taiwan 212.jpg

    That's all for today. Tomorrow, we're spending the day with Uncle Scott and Daniel. Should be lots of fun!

Comments (6)

  • Wow! Those are some funny looking topiaries Beverly! And whats up w/ the bandage on the tree? I do like the leaves shaped like rosebuds-so pretty. Glad you're enjoying your trip. I loved looking at all of your sight seeing pictures-so neat! :o )

  • Another place I have not been to in Taiwan for some time. I tried to identify the plant in fourth photo and it does look like a Plectranthus of trailing sorts.
    The trailing annual vine covered with red and yellow flowers in the fifth photo is nasturtium - if you have a chance to eat the leaves, they taste
    distinctively peppery. I have seen them used as garnishes in salads. The tree covered with ferns is not harmed at all, as the ferns merely use the tree as a substrate to gain shade, water, and nutrients. It's a symbiotic relationship in a way. Orchids do the same - and such plants, which cling to others, are known as epiphytes. Sorry, I had to give a botanical lesson here.
    I like going to Taiwan this time because the temperatures aren't as hot and humid as they are during summer, but it does mean that I miss out on mangoes, lychees, and longans!
    Good to see you spending quality time with family.

  • I think the poster above wins the prize for most educational comment ever!

    It looks really fun, sweetie. I wish I could be there with you, of course. But I'm glad Jack is getting exposed to all these cool places that wouldn't be a part of his everyday routine in LA.

    You should have taken a picture of just you and the cow topiaries in honor of Surprise!

  • @happyfunjohnny - You know, I did, but that picture somehow didn't end up on the memory card! I don't think my mom pressed hard enough.

  • They look kind of like monsters from Where the Wild Things Are. That garden is amazing. How fun!

  • I ought to be honest that the most part of what you speak may be right
    free game download | best console games | download games

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment