Countdown...complete!

Well, this is it, the end of the countdown. Hard to believe it's already here.  We have some last minute things to take care of today, but mostly we're ready to embark on our next journey.

I've put together a slide show of all the photos for easy viewing. Take a minute to check it out.

Leave a comment and let us know your favorite. Also feel free to suggest a title for those photos untitled.

Check back later today (might actually be tomorrow!) for a final update before we leave.

#1 Smokey clouds over the mountains.

Though the picture doesn't do it justice, these clouds were absolutely beautiful.  They appeared to be rolling over the mountains and have the appearance of smoke.

#2 La La Shan's oldest tree...2,800 years old.

#4 Yangmingshan National Park

#3 Yangmingshan fumaroles - the closest we'll ever get to an active volcano!

 # 6

Yehliu Rock Formations

# 5

Queens Head Rock

#7

These spiders, sometimes known as banana spiders, have been spotted everywhere lately. They create large intricate webs that span across windows, doors, and even hiking paths. We stumbled across this one while hiking on Green Island. It's web was right at head height, luckily we saw it before getting caught in the web - unfortunately, the cicada wasn't so lucky.

#8

#9
Twins.

#11

#10

#12 Electric Bicycles

#13

Yep, that's a real fish! When we first arrived in Taidong for our weekend away in Green Island, these were the light fixtures at our chosen dinner place. The restaurant was located basically on the fishing pier, just outside were the boats docked for the night. We enjoyed some noodles and rice in a very relaxed atmosphere and these little (well big actually) guys watched over us.

The next few countdown photos are from our trip to Green Island - there were so many wonderful things to see and do there that it was difficult to choose. And I realize that I have yet to share those photos with you yet, check back soon as they'll either be in a post or in the Photographs section above!

Enjoy.

#14 View from the Top

We went for a short hike with some friends and the views of the city and ocean were awesome!

#15 Tea Time in the Mountains

On afternoon, Dan and I decided to take a scooter ride to a "nearby" reservoir. It never occured to us how long it would take by scooter. About 30 minutes into our ride it started to rain, hard! Amidst the rain, the reservoir came into view, though we don't have any pictures due to the rain. We started to circle the reservoir when we spotted this tea shop and decided to take a break to dry off. We enjoyed a teapot of hot tea and the owners offered us some dry T-shirts to wear while our dried out. The sun even came out a bit! After our break, the rain was gone and the sun came out for good. During the drive home we dried out completely!

#17

#16

Let's go fly a kite...

#20

#19

#18

fly a kite

#22

#21

#23 Tea Tasting

#24

Sun Moon Lake

#25 Friends...Family!

Our time in Taiwan would not have been the same with out the Liu Family. Sherry was a student who Dan and I got to know very well. We were able to meet her family and learn more about the Taiwanese people and culture. Our experiences with this family are priceless.

Thank You!!

Chicken Dinner

#27 Roasting Chicken...

#26 Roasted Chicken (head and all!)