From 13 to 42: Celebrating 30 Years of Brotherhood in Taipei #from13to42

 30 years man. 3 decades. 

That's how long we've known each other. 

For better or worse, the 3 years lost to Covid meant that we could only make a trip together 5 years after our previous one, but this time, instead of 3, 4 out of 5 of us could make it (for most of the trip anyway)!

Under the bright lights of Taipei. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Even though we do not live in the same country, with most of our correspondences limited to an active WhatsApp chatgroup, our friendship and mutual understanding just got stronger over the years. I loved how we used "Oh-Peh-Som" (#iykyk) to decide our roommates for the trip, confirming how we loved each other equally and would enjoy any companion without preferences.

It's also interesting how we chose to reminisce in Taiwan again, albeit adding Tainan as a new destination to freshen things up, and had little to no comments to whatever we decided to do on the day, as long as we were together. We ended up walking 15-20km per day in between countless meals, trying to burn the calories we consumed, even though we consciously reduced the portions we ordered throughout the trip. 

I guess I will keep this simple and let these precious pictures tell the rest of the story.

The 3 of us shot to Tainan straight after arrival, still wide-eyed and excited over our late night supper.

It was street food mania, left-right-centre in Tainan. We ate and ate.

Not forgetting to explore the little alleys of Tainan.

Of course the big ones too.

During some rare down-time where we couldn't eat anymore, we visited the Confucius Temple.

Till we hobbled back to Taipei to complete the Fearsome 4some aka F4.

And things started to get a bit more interesting. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Though some things remained the same - we walked.

And ate. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

And ate.

Threw in a hike up Elephant Mountain.

In order to eat again. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Woke early to hit the gym.

To enjoy our one and only bubble tea (less ice less sweet).

But the most important thing.

Was obviously (not my shirt). Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

That we were hanging out together. Photo credit: Jeek's Foodmaze

Through our last 2 trips in Taiwan, aside of us, there was 1 other constant, Jeek, whose showed us true Taiwanese spirit and hospitality by bringing us to the best places in Taipei, taking the best pictures of us in the process, leaving us with the best memories. Thank you Jeek, it was tough on you, we promise to come bother you again in the future.

The last word, as usual, has to go to our better halves, who held the fort at home with the little ones while the 4 musketeers had the time of our lives. It would not have been possible without your generous blessings.

So thank you, Li Li, Grace, Zhimin and Regine. Now that you know we are such good boys, when can we do it again?

PS. To complete the archives of our travel series, look here.