Highlights of Taiwan

One of the best things about my trip to Taiwan was that I was able to spend time with my family and Monica, one of my closest friends. I hadn't realised, but spending so much time away from my family, from my old friends in a place that was foreign to me until a few years ago was having a really alienating effect. It's hard to explain the feeling because it's not homesickness, and it's not like I'm not integrating into society here, but sometimes I feel like I'm moving at half a beat behind every else. There are things that everyone takes for granted that I have to get used to, whether I like it or not. (Photo: lunch with the family in Tainan)

By mid-March, just before leaving for Taiwan, I felt exhausted by so many children (some of them truly monsters), so much cold weather and grey skies that I was really beginning to hate being here.

In Taiwan I got to see three of my aunties and Álvaro got to meet them as well. I also got to see my grandpa, who prepared fabulous breakfasts for us, and spend time with my cousin Leanne.

We climbed three mountains in total (one of them swarming with monkeys), visited Little Liuchiu Island, karaoke-d, went up the 101 Tower in Taipei and ate an embarrassing amount of fantastic food. (Photo: my aunt being inspected for fleas on Monkey Mountain)

But the best part was being able to spend two weeks with my parents uninterrupted by work and other committments. This has been one of my all-time favourite trips, and it wasn't too sad saying goodbye to my parents this time because I already have at the back of my mind that we're going back to Australia in October. (Photo: our penultimate onigiri at Taipei Airport)

Hello, goodbye Taiwan

Taipei International Airport: Stepping off the plane was just like my first experience of stepping off a plane in Taiwan when I was seven. Hot sticky air and suddenly, as soon as you enter the terminal building, a rush of coolness and the smell of air-conditioning.

For some inexplicable reason it made me feel really homesick. though for which home I don't know. I had a mini panic a few days ago, when I realised I'd just settled back into things in Sydney and already it was time for me to leave again. I always thought it would get easier with every time you have to leave a place, but it seems to get harder. It's because now I know that your family and friends matter the most and while you can bring memories, photos and souvenirs with you, those family and friends stay put. Being in Sydney and speaking to Álvaro via skype with a webcam, and being able to send messages makes me so glad we live in these times and we're lucky enough to have this technology, and that we don't have to catch a five week boat to travel across the seas.

Still, I feel privileged to have such great friends both in Australia and Spain. Managed to catch up with most of the people I wanted to catch up with in Sydney, and ate lots of tasty food. Also hung out a lot with my nephews. Oliver has become very preppy, with his woolly Ralph Lauren vests and his babycinos, but in a cool way. I was quite sad to say goodbye to him this morning, but I like how children don't seem to be aware that when you leave, you could be gone for a long time. They give you a hug, say goodbye and run off to do their own thing.

Next stop Bangkok (for an hour).