It is hard to believe Ella is three months old already. She has been
keeping us very busy. We even managed to fit in a research trip to
Taiwan. An hour away by airplane, but a world away by any other
measure.
Ella makes an excellent world traveler, apparently enjoying her 10 plane rides (we were doing lots of research!).
 |
| Ella's second plane ride |
We spent our trip with Ryuji, our host while in Taiwan, and Ying, his excellent assistant.
Of course we had to eat, so we tried lots of Taiwanese food.On Peng hu (one island we were collecting samples on) the seafood was outstanding!
 |
| Easy cleanup table cloths! |
|
We did a lot of diving and collecting on our trip. Ryuji and Ying were incredibly helpful with everything. The coral was beautiful and of course, the pictures do not do it justice. Unfortunately Nate spent most of his time on land with Ella, but he enjoyed his time with his daughter. And thanks to him, Kris got lots of research done! 
 |
| Ying hard at work |
 |
| Ryuji hard at work |
Heading back to the lab with lots of samples!
 |
| Nate's birthday/Father's Day cake |
 |
| Happy Hour |
Kris and Nate both had birthdays in Taiwan, and Ryuji and Ying very thoughtfully got us birthday cakes! Kris' birthday was on Peng hu and Nate's birthday was in Taipei. We celebrated his birthday at Happy Hour after Kris' presentation.
 |
| Drying fish on Peng hu |
 |
| Xiao Long Bao |
We enjoyed delicious Xao long bao (dumplings) with Ryuji in Taipei.
Ella was quite famous on this trip. Everyone on Peng hu and Green Island seemed to know who she was and were very excited to say hello.
 |
| Like father like daughter |
 |
| Chinese Medicine shop |
 |
| Military police changing of the guard |
We managed to fit in a bit of sightseeing as well.
 |
| Kris, Ella, and Ryuji at a night market in Taipei |
 |
| Ying, Ryuji, and Ella at lunch...they all made fast friends |
 |
| Sleeping beauty on the right and her pet dog on the left |
Ella was smiley as usual. She has also started vocalizing a lot!
 |
| Drinks for sale in Taipei |
 |
| Ying and Ella on Green Island |
 |
| Nate, Ella, Kris, Ying, and two ladies from the Yin Mansion in Taipei |
We had a great trip, but are happy to be home in Okinawa. Kris starts teaching again next week, so we have a lot to do this week.
We did a lot of diving and collecting on our trip. Ryuji and Ying were incredibly helpful with everything. The coral was beautiful and of course, the pictures do not do it justice. Unfortunately Nate spent most of his time on land with Ella, but he enjoyed his time with his daughter. And thanks to him, Kris got lots of research done! 
Kris and Nate both had birthdays in Taiwan, and Ryuji and Ying very thoughtfully got us birthday cakes! Kris' birthday was on Peng hu and Nate's birthday was in Taipei. We celebrated his birthday at Happy Hour after Kris' presentation.
Ella was quite famous on this trip. Everyone on Peng hu and Green Island seemed to know who she was and were very excited to say hello.
