2012 March: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer

As part of the Taiwan Internationa Festival of the Arts, Australian puppeteer Tim Watts is bringing his award-winning, one-man puppet show to Taipei and Kaohsiung. 

Tickets are $600 each in Taipei and $400 each in Kaoshiung.  The show will be in English with Chinese subtitles.

You can buy tickets online through this English page.

Taipei:
March 22-24 7:30pm; March 24&25 2:30pm; March 25 11am

Kaohsiung:
March 28-30 7:30pm

You can see some lovely clips of the show on the official website.

Has Anyone Been to the Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Park?

I saw some information about this place in a magazine.  It looks quite interesting and reasonably-priced, with quite a few activities going on.  Activities this holiday include plant education and an introduction to fossils.  Has anyone been there and want to share their experience?

http://www.zcegarden.org.tw/e21.php

2012 Jan 23-Feb 5: 2012 Chung Hwa Flower Festival

Flower, performances, DIY activities, and the 99999 (長長久久 Chang Chang Jiu Jiu) flower giveaway... it's all happening in Chang Hwa County this holiday period!

Here is a link to the Chinese site.  This is the map page.  The main area is at Xi Jou Park (溪州公園), with other neighboring companies participating, too.

Performances run from 9:30am until 4:30pm.

The flower give away is happening at 10am-noon and again at 1pm-3pm.

2012 Now-Feb 12: Nantou Sand Sculpture Festival

It might not seem like beach weather up North, but check the weather and then head down to Nantou's Sand Sculpture festival.  Entrance is free, and there are snacks for sale.

Address: Under "Lu Mei Bridge" in Nantou.  (綠美橋,南投市)

2012 Feb 28: Qishan Drum Up Music Day (Kaoshiung)

This might be a nice way to end your Chinese New Year holiday.  Nine groups will perform, farmers will be selling produce, and others will be serving up local food and drink along Qishan Districts's Chungshan Old Street (高雄市旗山區中山老街).

Time: 12 noon - 9pm
Entrance: Free

More information: Chinese site.

Taipei Zoo Education Center -Highly Recommend

I'm not sure how long this has been open, but we visited the building within the zoo for the first time, last week.  My children are aged seven and five, and I think they are almost the perfect age for this center.  There are models of animals, and real stuffed ones, showing animals of China, Formosa, and Tibet, as well as a really cool dinosaur/prehistoric animal room.  Learn about the history of the zoo (during the war, all the zoo animals were shot to prevent any risk of them running away after bombings), and about Lin Wang, the much-loved Asian elephant.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Entrance: TWD20 (children under 120cm accompanied by adult free, 65yrs and over TWD10)
Within the zoo, pretty much in front of you when you enter the zoo
Website: http://www.zoo.gov.tw

Get Fit and Fabulous with Colleen at Parentsplace (Family community center, Neihu)

My dear, fit and fabulous friend Colleen is back in town and ready to help mums and mums-to-be stay fit and healthy in body and mind.  Colleen is a really fun person to be around and I promise just being in the class will make you happy, even before you start moving!  Here is the class description below.  Please go to the website for me details and to register. 

Moms Fit and Fabulous prenatal and "baby and me" exercise class registrations open now. Available to start after the new Chinese year, these classes are specifically tailored to suit your needs.

Moms to be that want to stay healthy both for themselves and their baby, can join other moms to be in either a first/second trimester class or a more gentle and muscle releasing third trimester class.

New mums have the chance to increase the beautiful bond with their baby and begin the process of reshaping that overworked body by incorporating moves that involve both mum and bub.

All this in English too so let's get started!

http://www.parentsplace.com.tw/