Visiting Yilan

Even though this visit to Taiwan was so short, I had to get to Yilan. My family spent a very eventful year there in 2009-2010. Taking the Fulbright that year planted the seeds of my current career. So the city has special meaning for me. Plus our dear friend Kelly lives in Yilan!

Turtle Island, the landmark of Yilan.

Turtle Island, the landmark of Yilan.

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Kelly is just as sweet as ever. Such a great person. We are lucky to have her as a friend!

The city hasn’t changed much. The scenery is still beautiful. I love the mountains of Taiwan, and they are clearly visible everywhere in Yilan.

Kelly and I enjoyed a great lunch of local dumplings, my favorite passion fruit green tea, and caught up with our respective lives. Then I went shopping, wandered around the city, and finally went back to Taipei in the evening.

Hey, it's the Heinekin restaurant! Pass the fried fatty intestines!

Hey, it’s the Heinekin restaurant! Pass the fried fatty intestines!

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Famous Yilan dumplings, just as yummy as I remember them!

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Delicious passion fruit tea with chewy yummies in it.

Yilan hasn’t changed a lot since we left four years ago. The scenery is still beautiful. The trail where I ran is still there, and the river and mountains are still breathtaking.

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