[p] Dad visits Taiwan

Reuniting with my parents is always an incredible joy in my life. My Mom was in Taiwan last year and this year, for my birthday, my Dad came.  As we are extensions of each other, it was beyond meaningful to share my setting and my life here. Taipei, the place, has had a significant impact on me...and since my Dad and I are so similar - or rather, since I'm very much like him - I felt confident this would make a big impact on his life.  It ended up making a huge and encompassing impression on us both. To see yourself in your Dad, to share views with a feeling of safety - just to hang around each other here was something I wish everyone could do with their father and something that I feel overwhelmingly fortunate to have been able to do.

In any event, he's a part of me and my thoughts, in a much more significant way than any other content on this site, so I thought I could dedicate this one to him. Enjoy these few pictures - this is me, and my Dad and the lady Ruei.

Checking out the Taiwan Barbet aka Five Color Bird and the Japanese White Eye [check out more of the xeno-canto site through this link].

My Dad, a lifetime birder, dropped a USD $ 20 bill into the river, coincidentally landing next to a Black-crowned Night Heron. After bemoaning his bad fortune, I ran down to the dock and convinced a fisherman to help. He got in his boat, started his engine and fished it out before the bill hit the main channel.

Resting the back

The jade market is just down the underpass from this, the flower market. 

Meeting some of Ruei's family

The strange, overpriced and fun Jade Market in Taipei.

Riding the Taipei Metro

Coincidentally, a friend from Jogja, Indonesia and my Dad were here at the same time - here they are talking near a favorite spot of mine in the foothills of northern Taipei.

Shops near Dihuajie

Like father like son

The cherry on top - my Dad was here with my for my birthday. Ruei's in the room, too, taking the picture, so that means this is the image of a very happy guy.