Taipei, Taiwan - February 2026

Our first overseas trip in 2026 was Taiwan. We spent one week in Taipei including one day-trip to Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu Geo Park. We have my brother, Tan and his wife, Lieu joining us on this trip. The hotel we stayed is in Ximending, a short two blocks to the National Musuem in Peace park.

Ximending district with New Year's lighting and decorations.

Ximending market area.

The National Taiwan Museum, the oldest musuem in Taiwan.

We started out by taking MRT and buses to Yangmingshan National Park which is known for cherry blossoms, seasonal flowers and hiking trails.

The famous "Flower Clock" in the park.

In Yangmingshan park.

Leaving Yangmingshan National Park, we continued taking the MRT for Tamsui district.
Tamsui is a seaside district of New Taipei City in North Tawain, sitting at the confluences of the Taiwan Strait and the Tamsui River.


Tamsui District - Shalun Village

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf.

                                                                                               

                                                                               

Lover's Bridge in the background.

The Lover's Bridge in Tamsui.

Our dinner at Shilin night market.

Shilin night market.

The next day, we took the MRT red line again to visit the famous Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Station).

Taipei 101 in Xinyi District.

In front of Taipei 101 Plaza.

The "Infinite Life" sculpture located outside Taipei 101.

More art work around Taipei 101 plaza.

Taipei 101 tower from inside the plaza.

The popular Din Tai Fung restaurant in Taipei 101 plaza.

One of the most visited sites in Taipei is Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, surrounded by beautifully manicured lawns. 

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

                                                         

National Theater and Concert Hall in Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park

We enjoyed exploring many Taipei districts on foot as well as by using their popular public transportation of MRT and buses. 

Presidential Offices Building.

The Red House in Ximending.

DiHua Street, the oldest street in the commercial center in Taiwan.


Graffiti alley in Wanhua district.

Dalongdong Baoan Temple, an UNESCO Asia-pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

Elephant Mountain.


Taipei 101 from the Elephant Mountain.

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Taipei 101 at sunset.

 

Caribbean Cruise - Belize City, Roatan and Cozumel - November 2025

 The last trip of 2025 was a 6 day Caribbean cruise on Princess. Peter and Amy joined us this time. We met up in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale the day before the cruise and made a day trip to Key West. It was a long drive but Peter was willing to drive for this adventure. They look forward to visiting Key West for the first time.

At the famous stop in Key West, enjoying a beautiful afternoon in the Florida sun.

A walk in Duval Park.

Taking a break at the popular "Key Lime Pie" bakery.

Catching a beautiful sunset before leaving Key West.

** Out to sea on the Majestic Princess with Belize City, Belize our first port of call.

Ready for sailing from Ft. Lauderdale.

Formal night.

Altun Ha, Mayan ruins in Belize.

Temple of the Sun God.

Baron Bliss Lighthouse.

A nice boardwalk to unwind before catching the tender back to the ship.

Beautiful Belize sunset as we set sail to Honduras.

** We arrived in Roatan, Honduras the next day. Princess docked at Mahogany Bay, their new resort establishment. It's different port than Norwegian ship when we cruised with Andrew's family and Michelle in 2017. The NCL docked in the downtown area where we could walk to the open market and visited the beach nearby.  Early in the day this time, from Mahogany Bay, we took taxi to downtown Honduras to check out the market, a familiar "landmark" from the cruise eight years ago.

We did not recognize much of the downtown and market. The Bojangle's restaurant is still here. However, there is no "open" market as it was before.

An empanada factory/shop.

A stop by the beach behind the maket.

At the ship's resort, Mahogany Square.

Spending the afternoon at the ship's resort, Mahogany Beach.

Beach time at Mahogany.

Mahogany beach.

Ready for the evening dinner. 

** Our last port of call is Cozumel, Mexico, the largest Caribbean island located off the Yucatan Peninsula. The port and the downtown area have reconstructed and redeveloped to accommodate more cruise ships and tourists. 

     As usual, we booked a private day tour to visit some popular sites on the island. 

Across from Capilla Santa Cruz in the downtown area.

Castillo de Castellar de la Frontera.

The lighthouse at the Castillo marina.


San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological

San Gervasio.

Archaeolicial point in San Gervasio.

On the way to the Coconuts restaurant.

Beach view from Coconuts restaurant.

All new at the beach since our 2017 visit. - So commercialized with an open market nearby.

Back to the ship after a nice day visiting Cozumel.

Wait!.. Before getting on the ship, we chilled out at a bar in the port terminal.

The sun started setting when we left the terminal.

Cruising the last sea day in the Caribbean.

Our last evening - somewhere over the Straits of Florida.

 Nice to cruise with Amy and Peter again.  We had a great time. Where will be our next cruise?. TBA.!!