Aug 2014 – Jun 2015

Jen and Kevin's World Trip

A 294-day adventure by Jen and Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 59
- Monday, October 27, 2014 at 8:22 PM
- 🌙 9 °C
- Altitude: 6,640 ft
- Mongolia Tariat Sum 48.135613, 99.9784948°8’8” N 99°58’43” E
Volcano and White Lake
October 27, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ 🌙 9 °C
We crossed through an in-active volcano and arrived at the beautiful White Lake today. It is amazing to see such unspoiled land. The Nomadic way of life seems harsh to us, but it is in much closer harmony to nature. They enjoy the abundant resources in the summer, and store and reserve to prepare for cold winter.Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 61
- Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 4:28 PM
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 4,813 ft
- Mongolia Mogod 48.371918, 102.67028848°22’19” N 102°40’13” E
1
1
The hospitality of Mongolian people...
October 29, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
On the 5th day of our tour, our Russian van broke down and we got stranded right outside of the waterfall area. We were left with no choice but to spend a night with a Nomadic family close by. Instead of complaining about how terrible the ordeal was, I would like to instead express my appreciation to this family and our driver Batar. The family took us in and served us tea. They spoke no English but was all nice and smiles. Took extra food from their winter reserve to prepare dinner for us, let us sleep in their ger overnight as it started to snow outside. On this same night, another car near by also broke down, and this family took in 3 more people to sleep in their ger. At the mean time, our driver Batar rode on the back of a motorcycle in a sweatshirt to get parts in a near by village, called 3 different parties to come help us, and they all came around 11pm in the freezing snow to get the car working again. Kevin and I waited for hours in this family's ger, we killed time playing with their cute little girl.Read more
gorgeous
11/2/14Reply
Did Kevin do a cliff jump there?
11/3/14Reply
Hearing about the wonderful
11/3/14Reply
4 more comments
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 61
- Wednesday, October 29, 2014
- ⛅ 0 °C
- Altitude: 4,183 ft
- Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Hot 47.90868, 106.71855247°54’31” N 106°43’7” E
Ovoo
October 29, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
Ovoo (pronounced awa) is a kind of shrine that is for worshiping the mountains or the sky. When traveling, it is customary to stop at a Ovoo, walk around it three times in clock wise direction, and then add a stone to it.Read more
Nhung NgoInteresting.... Did you feel weird doing that?
11/13/14Reply
Jen and KevinNah, just thought of it as part of the cultural experience!
11/13/14Reply
2 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 62
- Thursday, October 30, 2014
- 🌫 -2 °C
- Altitude: 4,459 ft
- Mongolia Bayantsogt 47.934589, 106.53028947°56’5” N 106°31’49” E
The dramatic landscape of Mongolia
October 30, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ 🌫 -2 °C
Being here in October is cold, but we are able to see some dramatic changes in landscapes and scenaries. We woke up on the last day of the tour in the snow, but about 6 hours later we were in the semi-Gobi desert. Hard to believe these pictures were taken in the same day.Read more
The camels look so soft....was it a comfortable ride
11/3/14Reply
Stephanie Lo Ducawow awesome!!
11/3/14Reply
Jen and KevinCamel riding was kind of like horse riding. Comfort level is about the same...
11/3/14Reply
3 more comments
2 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 64
- Saturday, November 1, 2014
- 🌧 26 °C
- Altitude: 4,216 ft
- Mongolia Dund-Urt 48.012344, 105.89949448°0’44” N 105°53’58” E
Sumo connection?
November 1, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
When we were in Japan about a month ago, we learned that many sucessful Sumo wrestlers are actually Mongolian. This year's Fall tournament was especially exciting because Ichinojo, from Mongolia, was a very strong underdog who placed second place. We learned that our awesome Mongolian driver was from the same town! Such an awesome connection!Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 66
- Monday, November 3, 2014
- ⛅ 1 °C
- Altitude: 4,242 ft
- Mongolia State Circus 47.919634, 106.9184747°55’11” N 106°55’6” E
Fun in UB!
November 3, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C
After our country tour, we stayed in the capital-- Ulan Bator (UB for short) for a few days waiting for Kevin's Chinese visa to process. We checked out the local monasteries and land marks. Also bought an artwork from this artist... But I lost it an hour after, distracted by eating a Cinnabon... Now i just have this artwork to remember what it looked like.Read more
Lol aww .... Someone else has it and hopefully will hang the art piece up.
11/7/14Reply
Distracted.. eating a cinnabon?!? I bet someone is enjoying your art in their home.. paying it forward!
11/10/14Reply
Jen and KevinYea I guess... Good thing it was just 5 bucks!
11/13/14Reply
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 67
- Tuesday, November 4, 2014
- ☀️ -2 °C
- Altitude: 6,079 ft
- Mongolia Bayandzürh 47.7638, 107.10414147°45’50” N 107°6’15” E
Terelji National park
November 4, 2014 in Mongolia ⋅ ☀️ -2 °C
We took a day tour with 5 people in the hostel to see the giant Ghangis Khan statue near the Terelji National Park. This is suppose to be the largest equestrian statue in the world. We also stopped by the park for a short hike up to a sacred temple, where hell torture was depicted along the underside of the roofline. Scary!!!Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 71
- Saturday, November 8, 2014
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 190 ft
- China Xihai 39.938636, 116.36874239°56’19” N 116°22’7” E
The Red Lantern House
November 8, 2014 in China ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
We came down to Beijing from UB via an overnight train. First time taking an overnight train and the experience was pretty cool. Staying at a beautiful courtyard Inn for backpackers in Beijing, and had some awesome Peking duck recommended by Raymond and Mitchell. Kevin the chef approves!Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 76
- Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 1:40 PM
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 43 ft
- China Linhai 28.852558, 121.13536528°51’9” N 121°8’7” E
Linhai, China
November 13, 2014 in China ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Went from Shanghai to Linhai to visit Kevin's step brother in Linhai. Linhai's old town area has a cool traditional wine house. Feels like traveling back in time.
looks cool!!
11/13/14Reply
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 76
- Thursday, November 13, 2014
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 16 ft
- China Linhai 28.846874, 121.13736728°50’49” N 121°8’15” E
Riding in the Linhai villages
November 13, 2014 in China ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Christian and Leona's good friend "Lao Ye" was a bike shop owner in Linhai and a total motor head! He took us up to the nearby Linhai mountains for a ride. We drove through fields of where the famous "Youn-Gi" oranges were grown, and up to the small villages. The view was fantastic and the villages quiant. It was cold but was so much fun! Christian took us to eat some delicious hot pot for dinner after. Perfect for a riding day!!Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 78
- Saturday, November 15, 2014
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 10 ft
- China Jing’an 31.236051, 121.42305531°14’10” N 121°25’23” E
Shanghai, China
November 15, 2014 in China ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Can't break old habits... Kevin got in touch with a fishing club in Shanghai and the guy took us bass fishing! Who would have thought lure fishing is now in China??
Awesome!!
11/18/14Reply
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 83
- Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 11:55 AM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 46 ft
- Taiwan Taipei 25.038477, 121.53531825°2’19” N 121°32’7” E
Taipei
November 20, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Finally got to Taipei to take a break! Already dove head in to the delicious Taiwanese street foods!!! Sausages on a stick, stinky tofu, steamed rice with pork. Taste like home!!!
Rebecca MartinezEnjoy and rest up!! I miss the food from the trip ! Going to get dim sum next week =)
11/20/14Reply
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 84
- Friday, November 21, 2014
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 46 ft
- Taiwan Taipei 25.038458, 121.53530125°2’18” N 121°32’7” E
Mom and Dad's
November 21, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Made it to Mom and Dad's place a few days ago. They have been busy with their retirement lives! Mom has been teaching different classes, giving seminars and mingling with students. Dad still serves as members of board of directors for several companies. Finally got a chance to have lunch and coffee with my busy mama! So lucky!!!Read more
beautiful!
11/28/14Reply
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 85
- Saturday, November 22, 2014
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 20 ft
- Taiwan Tan-shui Station 25.166288, 121.44569325°9’59” N 121°26’44” E
1
Tamsui and Shilin
November 22, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
My Aunt and Uncle took us to the Tamsui area today and treated us to a seafood feast! We totally stuffed ourselves and had to "walk off the food" by the river. Of course we can't resist the super size ice cream vendor and had to get some. My parents won't stop bringing all kinds off food to feed us at home either. We are seriously getting fat in Taiwan. No amount of running or crossfitting can work off all this food!!!Read more
I guess you guys can forego transportation and just walk the rest of the trip to work off all those delicious meals.
11/24/14Reply
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 86
- Sunday, November 23, 2014
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 23 ft
- Taiwan Tan-shui Station 25.166557, 121.44610425°9’60” N 121°26’46” E
Catching Shrimps
November 23, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
One of the favorite Taiwanese past time is catching shrimps. People gather around a pool filled with tiger prawns, catch shrimps and drink beer. There is a technique to this thing...movements needs to be subtle and correct to lure the shrimp to eat your bait. We had a really good local shrimping customer who was more than happy to be our teacher for 2 hours. Caught 19 in 2 hours and you grill them on the spot! Had so much fun! Best fishing dynamic duo ever!!!Read more
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 89
- Wednesday, November 26, 2014
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 115 ft
- Taiwan Danshui 25.173389, 121.44678925°10’24” N 121°26’48” E
Tamsui and Bali
November 26, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We returned to Tamsui and Bali to spend a few days at my aunt's apartment. It was nice to have the whole apartment to ourselves. Tamsui during the week days are breezy and beautiful, and the old street area has plenty of food. A short ferry ride takes us to the Bali area on the other side of the river bank. This is not the Bali in Indonesia, but a very nice and quiet park near the mouth of the Tamsui river.Read more
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 91
- Friday, November 28, 2014
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 46 ft
- Taiwan Taipei 25.038541, 121.53519425°2’19” N 121°32’7” E
Thanksgiving dinner in Taiwan
November 28, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We couldn't just let Thanksgiving pass us by without any celebrations! There are no turkeys in Taiwan, so we cooked up some chicken, mashed potatoe+ gravy, mac n cheese, and a green salad. We had a lot of fun cooking a real meal together, like what we used to do back home. The food also turned out not bad! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are so grateful to have friends and family supported us on this trip, and so happy we have this opportunity to travel!Read more
looks wonderful Jen and Kevin!! Miss you JC!
11/28/14Reply
0 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 91
- Friday, November 28, 2014
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 72 ft
- Taiwan Yonghe 25.008309, 121.51552925°0’30” N 121°30’56” E
Night Market part 5
November 28, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
It's no joke that Taiwan is the home of Night Markets! This is now the 5th one that we've been to. Some old friends of mine took us out for a stroll in the Ruon Hua night market. It is one of the largest one in Taipei, and of course they know all the good stuff to eat here. We again stuffed our faces.
I've known these brother and sisters for 27 years. They were our neighbors growing up and our first friends in Taiwan. It's amazing that we kept in touch untill this day. Everytime I come back to visit, we always meet up for some fun. And everytime I see them is as if time never passes. Love these guys!Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 92
- Saturday, November 29, 2014
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 46 ft
- Taiwan Xingya 25.03491, 121.5657325°2’6” N 121°33’57” E
Birthday lunch
November 29, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Celebrating Kevin's birthday in Taiwan. Seafood buffet, beef cheeks, uni risotto and then a small cake.
Happy Belated & Long Distance wishes to you Kevin
12/3/14Reply
mmm looks good! happy belated Kevin!
12/14/14Reply
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 94
- Monday, December 1, 2014
- 🌬 23 °C
- Altitude: 210 ft
- Taiwan Fanshejiao 24.133899, 120.60993224°8’2” N 120°36’36” E
Taichung. Rainbow village
December 1, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
Checking out Taichung.... Just when I thought we've seen everything in the night market, Taichung's Feng Gia night market brings it to a different level. It is twice as big as some of the markets we went to in Taipei, and offers some really different street food like baked potatoe with nacho cheese, peking duck in a wrap, and the famous massaged grilled chicken. The Rainbow Village on the out skirt of the city is also very cute. Supposedly an old man painted his village with these whimsical, children like artwork in order to save it from being teard down by the government.Read more
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 99
- Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 4:25 PM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 23 ft
- Taiwan Huluzhou 25.059721, 121.60043325°3’35” N 121°36’2” E
Strolling around by the Kelung River
December 6, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
We are now on our 4th month on the road. Still in Taiwan but will be heading to Shanghai soon to meet up with my brothers and have a Shanghai family Christmas!
Yuuup....I can see that Kevin's hair is 4 months taller.
12/9/14Reply
Jen and KevinHaha, he already cut it down twice! Still long!
12/10/14Reply
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 103
- Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 2:55 PM
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 151 ft
- Taiwan Taiyang Pi 24.714175, 121.68890424°42’51” N 121°41’20” E
Yilan, Taiwan
December 10, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Dad rented a car and took us to visit Yilan. Had some awesome barrel cooked chicken and went to visit the KavaLan distillary. Who wants whiskey tonight?
1 like
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 104
- Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 10:02 PM
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 728 ft
- Taiwan Podang Xi 24.677543, 121.6049424°40’39” N 121°36’18” E
Divine tree forest
December 11, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Yilan has a national park housing some trees up to 2000 years old. Not too shabby compare to the California red wood trees. The tree in the picture is named Confucious. 2560 years old.
2 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 106
- Saturday, December 13, 2014
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 46 ft
- Taiwan Taipei 25.038569, 121.53526325°2’19” N 121°32’7” E
Wulai
December 13, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Yumi and Vicky came to visit Taiwan! Went to the Wulai area and made our own hot spring pool by the river. So comfortable~
awesome!! beautiful.
12/14/14Reply
2 likes
Jen and Kevin Jen and Kevin's World Trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 107
- Sunday, December 14, 2014
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 151 ft
- Taiwan Yuanshanzi 25.104475, 121.82399925°6’16” N 121°49’26” E
Jiufen
December 14, 2014 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Old streets of Jiufen. Crowded with tourists but still very fun. Stalls are filled with tea houses and yummy street food. Views on the mountain is also amazing
1 like