Our roll-aboards and we are off the plane at MIA and out in time to catch a cab and join Tom, Ellyn, and Haley for a fantastic New Year's Eve dinner at Mr. Chu's Taiwan Kitchen.
Tom had done a lot of research in anticipation of dinner - the reviews are actually mixed - but we have a great time and enjoy some excellent food, including, among other dishes, both Peking Duck and seconds (okay - and thirds) of Taiwanese soup dumplings, a new taste to us that Haley learned about during a recent college trip to Taiwan.
The restaurant itself isn't that busy and Mr. and Mrs. Chu spend some time with us. Luckily for us, they also take pity when no cabs are available at 10:30 p.m. New Year's Eve (what a surprise) to drive us back to our hotel. A young employee stuffs the five of us into her SUV and drives us back, only going astray once.
We thank her and arrive at our room just in time to watch some Midnight fireworks on the flat Miami horizon before calling it a night.
Happy New Year to All!
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.