Taiwan - Day 4

To be honest, we didn't have a productive day (thanks to the weather).

We visited Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (click for more information) as our first stop.

It started raining again and we went further into the event halls to kill time. There was an underwater themed event going on.

It was awareness event to show how important the sea is to us and how it need our helps to ensure underwater creatures will be able to survive.

We even participated in a mini game. We were given a treasure map and our goal is to fill up the numbered squares with stickers. Stickers are given out by the "Boat People".

And we have to find them because they float around the event halls (2 floors).

 I believe we completed the quest in about 45 minutes.

I sent a postcard back to mummy from the gift shop.

Sad to say it was still raining. There is no where we can go in that weather but back to hotel and that's where we head to for our second stop.

We re-visted Shilin Night Market (drizzle). The first round we came here was still early. Things really are different here at night.

It was a short day for us ~ sob sob but it doesn't matter. Time spent for resting during the afternoon did help us to gain back our energy used in the first few days.

Taipei 101 and a visit to Unisys Taiwan in Taiwan - Day 5.

Taiwan - Day 3 - Part 2

From Jiufen we took a bus to Jinguashi. It is also known as Kinkaseki in Japanese, is well known for for its historic gold and copper mines.

The town has evolved itself into a popular tourist spot. It also housed the Gold Ecological Park and in 2002, Jinguashi was named a potential World Heritage site. Here, visitors can touch a 220kg gold brick or try their hand at panning for gold.

The Crown Prince Chalet is the most representative example in Taiwan of a Japanese style villa. It was built to accomodate the Japanese crown prince when he visits. The landscaped gardens is open to public and once can peek inside the buildings from the gardens.

You will reach Gold Zen temple which is situated right above the Gold Ecological Park Museum. One will have climb a steep path before reaching the temple (good thing I have been going to Bukit Kiara right after work).

It's worth the climb as the view is great from there as well as a close look at its unique geology. You can get more information about the park by visiting Gold Ecological Park.

There are lot of other attractions here but we were not able to visit all of them. The rain was pouring quite heavy by 4:00pm (damn, no chance to touch the 220kg gold brick) and we decided to head back to Taipei. We took a direct bus back to Taipei, be sure to ask before boarding (the bus driver's can tend to be a bit cranky, bet it's the whole day driving thing).

It was raining all the way back to Taipei. Took the chance to get some shut eye. By the time I woke up, we were already back in Taiper. BS brought me to this pink color shop for deserts.

Here we are at "Hello Kitty". We had some light food here before heading out to another local night market near the Long Shan temple called the "Huasi Street Night Market". 

 As you can see, it's still raining but one good thing is about this night market is that, they have a covered roof. Again, I am surrounded with food but the attraction here is its SNAKE shops selling snake dishes and snake wine, which are said to have aphrodisiac properties.

Of course I didnt try any of the slithering dishes but I did try out the below (slurp slurp).

 

The fish soup is so clear and tasty, I bet there are no MSG added in. The fish is fresh that you can taste it with every bite on the flesh. Not forgettting the pork knuckle, I really do not know how to describe the taste. It just melt/dissolve in your mouth ~ Hey, M&M you have a competitor here.

We saw this funny way of promoting a candidate for their general election.

Yes, that's a real duck. The lady did a little victory dance after I took this picture. The rain hasn't stop and that little scene did cheer me up a bit.

That closes our 3rd day. Rainy or sunny the next day? Check it out here, Taiwan - Day 4.

Taiwan - Day 3 - Part 1

We started off the day with "POWERFUL" breakfast.

The shop is located across the hotel where we are staying and they are only open for breakfast. They offered a variety of sandwiches, best of all ~ it's pork.

After breakie we are prepared to visit Jiufen and it's surrounding point of interest. There are a few ways to reach Jiufen. One can go by taxi at NT1000 or by train at NT90, we opted the train.

We head on to Taipei Main Station to get our train tickets. It's a bit tricky here and can get quite messy if one doesn't read Mandarin. It's a self ticket vending machine and there are a few types of trains (lines to be exaxt) to choose from and we have to decide which station to get on and off. Best to equip yourself with the needed information before proceeding (lucky for me, BS does read Mandarin but even that did take us some time to identify the correct train to board).

Soon, we were on the "correct" train and on our way. I didn't manage to time how long it took us to reach because I dozed off after the second station (I think, pai seh).

We stopped at Rueifang and it's raining (what luck). Since it's raining, we took a taxi instead of a bus. The taxi driver initiated some small talk and then started to introduce the tour package that he has to offer. For NT2600 per car, you will have the luxury stop and visit Jiufen and it's surrounding at your own pace. There are a few more package to choose from, take your pick whichever suits you. We didn't pick any as it was raining and we won't be able to see most the places in the package.

We reach Jiufen Old Street after 20 minutes. The town is built at the side of the hills from the Pacific Ocean coastline. The main attraction here will be the town's historic commercial district.

Being me, my first stop was driven by the smell of food. I trail the smell to this small little shop and they are selling something like the tako balls, the one the uncle is preparing here have something extra, succulent prawns in it and deep fried till perfection.

Diagonally across the uncle stall was this shop selling "tong sui". We entered, ordered a bowl and enjoyed it with the tako balls we bought earlier. Enjoyed the warmth of the food and cooling weather.

Pic was taken at the back of the "tong sui" shop.

Take a look at the houses build and the landscape around it. Life looks so simple here and BS playfulled asked if I would like to spend my old age here. Being a city guy, I don't think I can but that's my answer at the age of 29. Who know's I might say yes 30 years from today.

We trail the old street passing endless stalls selling food and gifts (I took so many pictures and I am having a tough time deciding which one to post).

Shells, fresh and tasty (hot hot hot).

Some of the shops offers interesting gifts for travellers to buy back.

Couldn't resist to pictures of them. While I was busy snapping, BS was busy sampling the food.

BS got an item that is used to make the "ang ko" skin for his mum and I got one of the hand puppet figures.

Competition is tough, take a look at how one dress to attract customers. 3 for NT100.

Walking through the streets of Jiufen, you will come across very unique tea houses. Becareful if you are tavelling here during the rainy season, the steps are wet and slippery. We didn't venture further to the top due to this reason.   

Do take note that food sampling is available left and right, get ready your toothpicks (grinning)

I love the shop because it has a purple teddy bear outside the shop, nope that's not the main reason. I actually was drawn by the smell of lavendar that the shop emits. The shop is called "Lavendar Forest".We got to know that they have only been in business for about a year and the shop assistant is very friendly attending to every questions we posted. If you happen to be there, do take some time and pay this little shop a visit. They have many small lavendar products.

We spent quite a long time here and we are running late for our next destination, Jinguashi. Details will be revealed in my Taiwan - Day 3 - Part 2 posting.

Taiwan Day 2 - Part 2

Our initial plan after visting Danshui was to Beitou, the plan was canceled due to the rain as well as my injured knee doesn't put me in the right condition to go for a hot spring dip. Instead of wasting time travelling back to hotel, we decided to move our Shilin Night Market visit up ~ I hesitate because it's still early and Shilin Night Market doesn't come alive till late evening (so I read from the Net). Anyway, we proceed and stop at Jiantan station.

REMINDER: Do not get off at Shilin Station unless you prefer a good walk before reaching Shilin Night Market.

This is how early we are at Shilin Night Market area.

The only shop that has a long line of customer.

We came across this shop that serves "Ice Kacang" - hehehe

Red Bean Ice

Mango Ice

Crab Meat Stew

Loko at that crab meat, together with slices of mushrooms ~ a hot meal great for a rainy day

 We maybe early but we did manage to locate something nice. After the nice warm meal of crab meats, we went back to Ximending and instead of going back to the hotel we went for a quick bite.

Beef noodles, BS had it and commented how tasty it was. Due to my religion I waited for him to finish.

Mister Donut - the lady didn't allowed me to take picturs but I manage to take this shot when she said NO, oppsss....

 

Mee Sue - the all time famous Ah Chung Mee Sua.

 

I just had to have one piece before we call it a day.

This we didn't try. . . but the ladies are all lining up for one, I wonder why?

I would love to snoop about some more but BS pestered me to back. With a sad face, I agreed. I hope I will not be limping all the way up to Jiufen tomorrow ~ click here, Taiwan Day 3 - Part 1.