I recently returned from a trip with my Tetra Tech friend Chih-fang (Claire’s 志芳阿姨) to visit her family in Taiwan. We started off with a day in Taipei, then headed south on the high speed rail to visit her sisters and brother in Kaohsiung and her parents in Meinong. We also took a two-day trip to the east coast of the island, to a beautiful rift valley. We stayed in the town of Yuli, where Chih-fang’s cousin Jamie teaches in a primary school. Here, we visited Yushan National Park and a mountainside covered in lilies. Of course, throughout the trip we managed to enjoy one of my favorite Taiwanese delicacies, bubble tea (珍珠奶茶). I had a great trip and everyone I met was extremely warm and friendly (and liked to comment on my height!).  I was, however, glad to return home and see Claire waiting for me just outside customs.  Click on the photo for a slideshow, and be sure to click the ‘Info On’ button on the top of the screen for a description of each picture.