Family reunions mean food, and lots of it! This year I was invited once again to join the wonderful Tan family, who have kindly invited me for so many delicious meals in the past. They live in the Baishawan area on Taiwan’s northern coast, and this time I accepted their invitation to stay over, and so I joined them for 3 days. Three days of eating! They are extremely hospitable and also invited others to join us, including 3 of our international students, 3 visitors from the UK, extended family and friends. All were welcome – the food was always enough for everyone. Check out all these amazing dishes, all prepared by the Tan family, friends and their extended family!

In between meals, we tried to get some exercise, and so met their horses, dogs, chickens ~ and the noisiest and most fearsome of all, their one solitary gander who keeps close guard on the horses! 

On Day 2 of Chinese New Year, the day traditionally when the girl’s family members gather, so we went to the Sunday service at Advent Church, where we also had a group photo!

The weather improved over the weekend, from cold and drizzle on New Year’s Eve, Friday, and from then on, we had several days of sun and blue skies. Wonderful!  Lots of places to walk…

This view is of Baishawan, and in the distance, the Fuji Lighthouse at the northern tip of Taiwan…

There are many special foods and customs associated with Chinese New Year, and one is eating Ba-Bao-Fan, Eight Treasures Rice, it’s sweet rice, very yummy and looks so colourful!

Special thanks to the Tan family for their warm welcome and kind hospitality, as always. Their gatherings continue through this week, but I came back to Taipei yesterday – and then found myself invited to join other family gatherings and reunions with friends. More special thanks to everyone, ah, it’s a great time of the year! Happy New Year of the Dragon to you all (and spot my red dragon outfit in the photos above)! ❤️