Our first full day abroad.  After first spending the morning sharing wedding photos and other photo-gifts with Grandma, we made way toward the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine 國民革命忠烈祠.  Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall 國立中正紀念堂 was on the way, so we made a quick detour to the gate for a quick photo first.

When we arrived at the Martyrs’ Shrine, we looked around and watched the Changing of the Guard before leaving.

Hungry, we headed to the Grand Hotel 圓山大飯店 for lunch. It had burned down in 1995 during one of my visits to Taiwan. I haven’t had a chance to visit until now. This is where many foreign dignitaries have come to stay and have meetings. We stuffed ourselves full at the buffet.  We tried just about everything there, but being in Taiwan I had to have multiple bowls of noodles.  The amount of sashimi that I kept going back for probably paid for my meal a few times over too.

After all of that, we headed to the the National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院 where we spent the afternoon.  Our evening wrapped up with a massive four course meal at Wang Steak 王品.  Ashley ordered the Wang Steak, and I had Roasted Lamb Chops with a Pan-fried Duck Breast.

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The day for us to go back to Taiwan finally came. Ashley and I boarded our flight to Taiwan via JFK and NRT on Tuesday’s red eye and after twenty four hours in the air, arrived in Taipei late Thursday night. Thank goodness for sky club showers and food that kept us freshened up on the entire journey. I am sure that the final 14 hour JFK-NRT leg would have been much more difficult otherwise.