Lantern Festival - February 2013

The detail and the size of the Lantern's was
 very impressive.

Here's some of our favorites.

Lantern Festival - February 2013

This the walk way to the Lantern Festival, which is huge event in Taiwan. The festival starts the week after Chinese New Years, and lasts for two weeks. We saw hundreds of Lanterns, took many pictures, and walked until we were ready to drop.

The Lanterns are constructed like floats for a parade, but are built in place by High Schools and Colleges. Each lantern display has a theme or story. The material used is a paper thin fabric, and then there are lights placed inside of the figures.

Some of the Lanterns are very large. This one was quite the attraction for the boys.

Our grandsons may recognize this character. We heard that during the 14 days of the Festival there are about one million visitors.

Floating Lanterns

Elder and Sister Anderson took us to the see the floating lanterns in Pingxi. We wanted a red one for Valentines Day to send our Grandchildren a Valentine floating in the sky. We painted love messages and their initials before we sent in the air. 

Next the helper lite a fire under the lantern, and soon it heated up; we held on to it until it got hot and started to ascend into the sky.

It was a fun new adventure. Wish we could do this at home, but we are sure it would not meet fire safety standards.

We enjoyed being with the Anderson, and will always remember the fun day we spent with them.  They returned to their home in Logan, Utah one month after these pictures were taken on March 13, 2013.  

Fun Sights on our Walks

Bob saw a photographer taking pictures of a Bride and Groom on our walk at Chiang Kai-Shek.  He asked if he could take a few  pictures, because we found the poses of the happy couple so unusual. 

Showing off the Brides shoes

A proud Mother out doing her shopping on her bicycle with her child. We liked the baby seat and the bag to keep the baby warm, large plastic basket to carry the groceries; and notice the second child's seat behind the Mother.

Walking at Chiang Kai- Shek Memorial

We like to go walking when we can to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, because the grounds are very beautiful and interesting.  It is only a 5 minute walk from our apartment, and there always seem to be different activities taking place. This week colorful tents were set up before Chinese New Years.

Each tent was unusually large, and colorful tables and chairs were being set up in each tent. Upon asking what event was taking place, we were told that it was for 20,000 older poor Chinese people to be honored, and given gifts and food. The next morning we walked this same route and saw the elderly poor Chinese arriving and taking their seats with great excitement. One old man wanted to make sure that I saw his ticket to attend, and when he smiled at me he had no teeth. As he walked away I saw that he had no shoes.  It was sunny February day, but only in the 60's. We were told that each year Taipei honors the elderly poor.

Bob saw this disabled man on our walk, and asked if he could take his picture because he looked so healthy and fit. He understood English, was very proud of his physical fitness and so he wanted his picture taken.

There are 2 small ponds like this located on the Chiang Kai-Shek grounds with large gold and black fish. It is a beautiful place to walk, and one of the biggest tourist attractions in all of Taipei.

This is part of the outside fence and covered walking area surrounding the grounds. We like to walk here if it is raining. Bob took the picture with me in the distance to help show the long covered walk ways.

A young father putting roller blades on his two small sons. This is the first roller blades we have seen in Taipei, and we have not seen any skate boards.

Bob walking on smooth stones that have been placed side-wise in cement.  It is decorative; but it is for the purpose of massaging your feet.  Bob says it hurts!

Many of the trees are amazing here, because roots grow down from the trees limbs.