Winding Down

Only a few days left in Taipei. 

Yesterday we went to a special hot pot and grill place to celebrate Kevin's birthday. Jason's parents and cousin joined us ( and of course suggested the place) .

It was delicious and interesting. It was not just a meal, it was an event. We sat at 2 large tables each with a charcoal grill and a boiling hot pot . It was an "all you can eat ", and more than you SHOULD eat, meal. 

We chose the flavors of our broths and then servers brought tray after tray of morsels to either grill or stew . There was everything imaginable including pork, beef, octopus, cuttlefish, seafood balls, clams ,mushrooms and so forth.  At the end you could add ramen to the broth and make a soup.

It was a low-key relaxing way to wind down., perhaps aided by the fact that beer was the only "safe" cold drink available. 

We have been doing a lot of walking in very hot and humid weather . Usually we have to take a midday break and lie down to cool off. It will be a nice change to come home to fall weather .

Today we took a trek to Beitou hot springs. The large hot springs are surrounded by older buildings from when the Japanese occupied Taiwan. Kevin, Bill and Jason tried out the baths . Martha and I figured since we were nearly dead from the heat that we would pass on this. 

It was interesting  to see the large lake steaming from the heat.

Tonight we end our trip with a home cooked meal at Jason's aunts place which is near our hotel. It will be a nice way to say goodbye to everyone and to remember the good times we had. 

( reminiscing is a bit of a challenge due to language barrier but we seem to have food  as a common interest to fall back on)