The bus left the Gala Hotel in Taipei on April 12th at 2PM bound for the Ilan area of Taiwan and the Taipaing National Forest. We were supposed to leave at 1PM, but that's how things are. And where in the world was Emily? Buying post-cards? She would be dealt with later! Here is a quick look around inside our 'Friends Tourbas'. Can you hear the film being loaded? The cameras being cleaned and readied? Aunt Kiyoko and Uncle Paul lead the story-telling and singing. Aunt Hiko looks out the window at the incredible country-side:
And here is how the tardy are dealt with -- Emily, good sport that she is, sings a Happy Birthday, solo! The paprazzi are impressed!
The drive down to the National Forest took about three hours. We drove along the northeast caost, strangely and thankfully less developed than other parts of Taiwan despite the beaty of the landscape. We drove through small, ragged towns. We passed these fantastic hillsides covered with tombsites and a ruined mining facility. The road was narrow and crowded, but the landscape along the coast was truly eye-popping.
We made one significant pit stop along the way -- at an abalone farm. Much photographic activity was in evidence, as you would expect from this family. It must have been abalone season, there would be abalone for dinner almost every night. This farm grows smaller *nine-hole* abalone. Yummy.
It was foggy and a bit rainy for much of the trip. But the weather only tended to add atmosphere. Here are some more views from the bus -- maybe you'll agree.

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