Travelling to Taiwan

[Matt_01]

On arrival at Taipei HSR I made my way to the hotel and things had been returned to the normal order.

The lounge.

And almost no car park views, just scooters.

 

[Matt_01]

It was to early to call it a day so I jumped on the subway to 101, purchased a few things, got distracted by some sites and ended up walking back to the hotel.

 

[OZDUCK]

Looking like a very nice outing. I showed your photos to my sons partner who is from Taiwan. She got very excited as Chiayi is her home town and her and my Edit: son not sun doh! visited Sun Moon Lake last year. She has lived here for about 11 years.

 

[Guvner]

And then these 2 caused some issues. No matter how many time the drive blew the horn at them they refused to get off the tracks and just kept trotting along in front of the train. Eventually the conductor got out to chase them away had all they did was run further up the middle of the tracks. Eventually they ran off.

Kids these days..

 

[Matt_01]

Off to Taroko National Park there was a comfort along the way at this place (no idea were I was) we had to do a bus stop and change buses something to do do with local laws.

The start of the national park.

 

[Matt_01]

Heading along the gorge and some stop off locations

 

[Matt_01]

On the way to lunch there was a bus fight at corner, eventually the smaller bus reversed back. It was all a bit of a commotion as the car’s behind the bus did no want to reverse.

Lunch stop

The temple but not a standard temple as it was built to commemorate the loss of around 260 in a landslide

The automated traffic system

The cliffs

and shot from inside the longest tunnel in Taiwan, nothing much to see

 

[Matt_01]

After getting back off to the Ningxia night market, maybe children in training for pachinko

 

[stm1sydney]

Yeah, I wasn't game to try the stinky tofu but the intestines vermicelli was quite nice. Had this at a famous shop (Ay-Chung) in Ximending.

 

[Matt_01]

Spent a day just wandering around Taipei. Fist on the list was the National Palace Museum. There were some interesting things in there and there is a small garden.

 

[Matt_01]

The plan was to go to Elephant Mountain and on the way I decided that walking up 500 steps when it was 33 degree and humid was nuts. I also knew if I got off and walked to the start I would have ended up walking up the stairs so I got off at 101 for lunch. I thought this place looked quite good and was popular when I found out there was a 90 minute wait I ended up eating at what is likely to be the same place @JessicaTam was at a week or so back.

After lunch I headed to CKS Memorial Hall


Then there was this person dancing, checking the video and doing it again and again I wam wondering it will end up on TikTok.

 

[Matt_01]

Next to the Lonshan Temple And I must have arrived during prayer time as there was a lot of singing and chanting.

Also a serious question as I do not now the reason and tried google but could find an answer as I was most likely searching on the wrong things. What are these wooded items, I noticed people would take 2 of them, drop them on the ground and then select one of the canes look (I assume there is writing on them. Also with all the offerings that left who do these go to.

 

[Matt_01]

The fountain was syncing with some music and there was a market nearby but it was not what I was expecting it seemed to be more of a flea market with people selling all types of stuff the phrase one man’s trash is another’s treasure comes to mind. If you wonder what happens to the stuff in lost luggage maybe it ends up in this market. Also there was not much space but that didn’t stop the mopeds from driving through the markets. Also in the station complex there was cultural and creative base that was small but interesting. This back pack had a bit of bling.

 

[Matt_01]

Yeah, I wasn't game to try the stinky tofu but the intestines vermicelli was quite nice. Had this at a famous shop (Ay-Chung) in Ximending.

I gave it a crack, the favour and texture didn’t seem to be bad but I have little to compare it to as I do not eat tofu on a regular basis the smell is interesting. I will normally give most things a go and sometimes more than once two things that come to mind are natto and durian. The first time I tried natto in Japan I had no idea what is and ate straight out of the tub and didn’t like it. I also noticed that the locals would stir it and mix in the sauces that come with it, I gave it a second go following how the locals eat it and it was actually quite good. Also the first time I had durian was as a dessert from memory it was sweet sticky rice flavoured that was durian flavoured but no smell. After putting in mouth I was not sure if I would swallow it but did, our Singapore staff noticed my reaction and asked if there was anything wrong my reply was ok but what is that. They realised I had eaten durian for the first time and found it amusing, they went on say fresh durian was very different and later that week I was invited to taste fresh durian I was a bit apprehensive but gave it a go. The fresh durian was much better I would say I get excited to eat it but have done so when it has been presented.

I am still not convinced by stinky tofu and if I was staying longer would give it another try.

 

[Matt_01]

I headed out to the Shilin night markets for a look around and food. It is very different to the previous market as it seems to be more retail focused. The food stalls were similar, there were the same gun games and I have also noticed that the locals seem to like the claw pick up game. The final photo is a screen grab of video footage. It is a pretty cool 3D effect without glasses.

 

[Matt_01]

Headed up to Yehliu Geopark

 

[Matt_01]

The onwards to Yin-Yan sea and the 13 story ruins. It used to be a mining settlement. From there we went up the road to the golden waterfall.

 

[Matt_01]

Next stop on the journey was Jiufen old street.

The braised chicken wings and bits were quite tasty

The old theatre

A weird ghost place it was small and unusual.

Plum whiskey, never had this before it was actually very nice if I had checked luggage would have purchased a bottle or 2.

 

[Matt_01]

Some more photos from Jiufen and if you have a gadget bag from Rimowa (amenity kit) they are here but missing the airline logo and name.

The dog is real and is a Pom he was quite happy showing off but when some tried to touch him he got snappy.

Black peanuts

 

[Matt_01]

Shifen waterfall