I'm not sure if it's just me, but the holidays came so soon this year! This was my first year spending the holidays in Taiwan and it was definitely a new and fun experience. Most of the action in Taipei happens near the 101 building, which is where we ended up spending most of our time. I love how everyone in Taiwan actually gets into the Christmas spirit! Much different from their lack of enthusiasm towards Halloween, thank goodness. There were bright lights, Christmas trees, and other Christmas decorations all along the streets and shopping plazas.
Chocolate snowman bread from a random bakery I decided to stop at. Super cute!
My Christmas present came early this year :D Finally got my Hunter boots! Perfect for the rainy Taipei weather. Thank you bf :)
Cute 3-D Christmas card we picked up from Eslite Bookstore to send back to the fam in America.
Dinner at the Pasta Bar after work. I love Fridays! And I REALLY love spaghetti. Tomato cream sauce spaghetti with bacon.
Post-dinner citrus tea and updating the journal.
Wedding banquet at the National Palace Museum. Their signature jade lettuce made into a dish!
Wedding banquet desserts--assorted mochis.
Late night pizza delivery. I loooove!
Mr. Dennis aka Chris Costa came to visit us in Taiwan! With stacks on stacks of ChiaTe pineapple cakes.
Took Dennis to one of our favorite night market/street food streets in Tamsui. Giant fried chicken cutlet bigger than the size of my head. No joke whatsoever.
The cutest kid who kept dancing to Gangnam Style! And a random white guy imitating him in the back. Too funny
Fresh guava juice.
Dennis and Jeff with their sausages on a stick.
More Christmas presents! Thank you for bringing them back for us Dennis. Matching Beats by Dre with bf, cashmere Marc Jacobs socks from Sandie, a unique mirrored notebook from Dennis, and a Kindle Fire from me to myself!
Our local Taiwanese food feast after Jeff's parents brought us to an awesome massage in Dongqu.
Putting my kindle fire and beats to use as soon as possible!
At the Westin buffet Uncle William brought us to. So amazing! As you will see from the following pictures.
Shrimp tarts and seafood pizza.
Different types of smoked salmon.
Assorted cheese platter.
Finger sandwiches and fish & chips.
Vegetable cocktail.
Indian-style chicken kabobs.
Made to order lahksa!
Christmas tree with edible components.
Freshly made dessert pancakes.
And more desserts than one could ever wish for. Adorable cupcakes, puddings, creme brulee, cheesecake, and waffles.
Spending Christmas Eve at Taipei 101!
Incredibly up-to-fashion store in Eslite. Loved it
Little cartoon themes all along the street from the MRT to Taipei 101.
Cartier Christmas tree in front of Taipei 101.
Baby Santa.
Inside Bella Vita. So pretty
Brought Dennis to Shilin night market after 101. A must when visiting Taiwan! Takoyaki above.
Garlic infused sausage.
More Christmas presents :)
Our last lunch with Dennis before we left to Cambodia--at one of our fave hotspot places.
Every dachshund I see makes me miss Coco T_T
Going out on New Year's Eve!
Pre-countdown snacks at Lattea. Crispy chicken wings, criss cut fries, cheesy potatoes & crispy chicken with sea salt topped green tea and uhmazing wasabi mayo dipping sauce.
Got incredibly cold before we got to Taipei 101 for the countdown so we stopped by the nearest hiking gear shop and picked up some warming essentials. Lifesavers!
We got there at 6pm so we got a super close view of the stage!
Taipei 101 building in the back.
Pre-countdown concert with different famous Taiwanese artists.
So...we (I) got tired of standing for four hours in an incredibly uncomfortable and cramped space around 10pm...so we headed back to Beitou for the countdown 0.0 . Luckily the spa resort near our house was hosting a New Year's event outside of the lobby and they were handing out balloons & sparklers!
They set these on fire literally 3 feet away from us! I'm surprised nobody caught on fire.
Our midnight New Year's meal. Dry noodles, Chashu pork, mixed tofu and iced teas.
Peking duck
Delicious duck wrap.
Brought Jeff's younger cousins to our favorite place in Ximen Ding for rose blueberry soda and honey mustard fries.
Eating dinner while watching Wreck It Ralph! SUPER CUTE MOVIE! I absolutely loved it. Caesar hot dog, sliced beef wrap, chocolate mousse, and iced milk teas to accompany us during our movie.
High quality Taiwanese McD's.
Short rib steak and egg on a sizzling plate at Jeff's childhood fave restaurant.
Hello Kitty cakes.
Ending the night with my box of macarons and reading on the kindle fire.
At Shin Yeh Japanese buffet. BEST buffet I've ever been to! Even better than the Wynn Buffet.
Melt in your mouth seared salmon. I really... just died...
Yellowtail, Tuna, Salmon sashimi.
Kimchi pizza
Salmon pizza
Sukiyaki and shabu.
Spicy crispy chicken.
More salmon!
Crepe cake, Creme filled bread pastry, & creme brulee.
