Taiwan - day 1

Apologies for long post but this is a once in a lifetime experience.

Up at 3.30 (after a night dozing with R4 -8  hours). Grab to KLIA2 and group check in. There are 31 of us on this trip, including 4 kids/babies and the oldest is mid 70's, #1 aunt. Only Gordon and I don't speak Chinese, and he's leaving on Sunday. I'm here till next Wednesday.

As the flight want till 8.15 we had nearly 3 hours in the airport but it was better than anticipated, breakfast and some chill time. Then a 4+ hour flight to Kaohsiung City in the South of Taiwan. Air Asia seat pitch is miniscule and I spent quite s bit of the first 2 hours standing and moving around, my sciatica does not appreciate it. They also served the pre booked lunch at 9.30!

It was overcast and chill when we got to Taiwan. Very Chinese, well it is the ROC. Like other countries no foodstuffs are allowed in and they also health screen at the airport. Amelia was stopped as she had a high temperature. Luckily it dropped slightly so she was allowed in.

Then on the bus and a wait for the tour guide who was delayed coming from Taipei. He speaks a lot and in Chinese of course. Wen Hui and her cousin, Kenneth, our organiser were very helpful in translating.

We had a sightseeing stop on the way to Pingtung. A Buddhist complex with a temple and the largest Buddha in SE Asia (extra). It was more like a shopping mall with religion attached, even a Starbucks, and the committed is huge. There was a ceremony going on to mark the anniversary of the ordination of the lead monk. 80 years. He is 92. Apparently Taiwan us one of the most Buddhist countries in the region. There was a school band like a US High School band, and rows of people carrying offerings being marshalled by Buddhist monks and nuns processing to the temple.

Then to Pingtung for dinner with the groom's family. It is dark at 6 here. We'd told them we'd be late (due to the previous holdup) but we were on time so we all sat for an hour to they arrived. Then a huge multi course Chinese meal, with a strong emphasis on fish. The bride and groom were there of course and much toasting.

And at 9 back on the bus to drop my lot off at the house where the bride and groom live asking with assorted sisters and cousins should we went on to the WeMeet Hotel. It is very comfortable and I have a sole room as #2 sister decided to stay in the house. However, no English translations so I had to get help with the AC.

It is much cooler here, more like Ha Long weather, 20 Deg and drizzle, but we are on a parallel with Hong Kong. Olivia was preparing for rain (extra).

This is going to be an experience but I am really looking forward to it even if I'm with a group of people I know and have met before but I have no idea what their names are and of course they all know mine!