September 19, 2025

TAIPEI WATER DANCE FESTIVAL

We were able to catch one of the 5 nightly shows off the Songshan Xiikou Wharf's Rainbow Bridge on our drive into Taipei - rainbow colored lights flash along and water gush off the side of the bridge.

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We went up to the 89th floor observation deck in the Taipei 101 Tower, which was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 12/31/2004 but is now #11. It's the only really tall building in Taipei's skyline and they have a fantastic firework display from it for Chinese New Year! It is also the only building that has their tuned mass  damper, exposed for public viewing on the 88th & 89th floors. A true engineering marvel! Also love the baby dampers who explain it all around the exhibit.

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All around the observation deck they have photo spots set up to entertain the fans! We had some fun with them!

THE ART OF COCONUT CREAM - AMERICAN SAMOA

By Patricia Patrick • December 18, 2025
Making coconut cream is such a big part of the Samoan culture I feel compelled to share the 4 step process we were so nicely shown. Every Samoan young and old takes part in this tradition, it is an intrigue part of their everyday lives.

PAGO PAGO, TUTUILA ISLAND, AMERICAN SAMOA

By Patricia Patrick • December 17, 2025
The tour today was focused on the National Park but we also got a lot of insight into American Samoa's history and current day life. Our guide was Nini and she is a college student studying accounting and finance and works as a part-time guide.

NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICA SAMOA, TUTUILA ISLAND

By Patricia Patrick • December 17, 2025
Today we took the National Park of American Samoa Tour. It's a unique park - the only one south of the equator and where the U.S. Government doesn't own the land. Efforts to establish the Park go back to mid 1980 over concern about the decline of fruit bats and wanting to protect the tropical rainforests. On October 31, 1988 Congress established the NP of American Samoa. In 1993, a complex arrangement for a 50 year land lease years with seven villages and the Samoa government was signed. We got lucky with our tour - we were expecting an open air bus, but because we were a small group, we got a plush air conditioned van!