AliShan Mountain

This weekend we went with our friends on their family vacation to AliShan mountain. We had a great time with them! Thanks, Zhap's, for letting us spend the weekend with you!

It was very funny how Ike referred to the mountain. It is called AliShan mountain, but Ike referred to it as "A Ba's mountain" ("A Ba" is what the kids call our neighbor).

A quick note....in MANY pictures you will see Ike, Elle, or both giving the "peace sign". All the kids and many adults do that here for pictures, so my kids quickly picked up on it. Now, whenever I say smile, they don't smile but rather give the peace sign!

Sunset at 2170 meters above sea level

The view of Jade mountain from outside our hotel

The clouds rolling in....Ike loved that we were "in the clouds"

A mountain stream

Ike was so spoiled this weekend by Mr. Zhap's nieces and his daughter. They were so nice to him. On this particular hike, these two nieces held his hands throughout the entire hike. He LOVED having so much attention!

Joey slept through most of the hike in the sling, but woke up in time to get a ride on Daddy's shoulders and then in the backpack (Elle decided she would walk for a good chunk of the hike).

Mr. Zhap even took a turn carrying Elle in the backpack.

She enjoyed the ride so much that she fell asleep.

Some of the family (and Ike and Joey, too)

We got to watch some aboriganal dancers perform

Of course there is always the attempted family picture!

I'm not sure why, but Andy decided to try carrying Ike in the backpack....Ike's about 36 pounds and way too long to be in the thing. I guess Andy just wanted a challenge and Ike didn't mind the ride!

Joey and the girls

A stop at the highest Starbuck's in Taiwan


Not sure why, but I love this picture! I think it is because it looks like the road goes right into the mountain.