Taipei and it’s surroundings, Taiwan

Yes you guessed, we are on the train. After two hectic days in Taipei and its surroundings you are glad ,I am sure to just sit and watch villages and rice paddies stream past as we head for Taitung.

Taipei itself grew along its waterways and now is a green city intertwined with freeways and roads.

Did you enjoy making the famous Taiwan pineapple cake. It was cheating a little since both the dough and filling were already made. I did like seeing how they made them.  How did yours turn out?

Next we travelled to Shifun.  This is the area where they make sky lanterns. You write an aspiration on the four sides of the paper . It is then set alight so your aspiration can be carried up to the gods who will hopefully view it kindly. Hopefully the gods are multilingual . It was lovely seeing ours float off into the sky wasn’t it.

The streets of Shifun are quite narrow and lantern shops line the sides. The typhoon had damaged the track so you can’t go on the narrow gauge track train. Disappointing but you are on a train today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was not looking forward to walking up the stairs in Jeifun in the rain. Remember how wet we got last year…even our shoes were full of water. Not this time, we went to the top on the other side of the town by bus….so much easier. It was just as busy.

It is a very popular destination for locals and tourists and has featured in a few films.

Did you enjoy your mango smoothie? It was yummy.

No visit to Taipei is complete without a visit to the night markets. They are full of so many different types of food. It was great we were there at 5.00pm because by 6.30pm , it was bedlam.

 

 

Today was one of culture. I think I was glad to get on the train and relax. The Chiang Kai- shek Memorial Hall is impressive and no I will not be building a mausoleum like that if you die. I will just have happy thoughts of you.

Aren’t the guards impressive with their precise movements. They must have to practise constantly to be so synchronised.

 

Next stop was the Longshan Temple.The carvings are magnificent and so is its setting with the waterfall and Koi pond.

I liked seeing the older members reading and writing the text. It gives a sense of continuity to those who pray there

 

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Last stop before the train was the National Palace Museum. It contains art and artefacts that were originally housed in Bejing. The pieces were moved to Formosa by Cheng Kai Shek to prevent the communist government of Mao TSE Tung appropriating them after the Chinese civil war in 1947. They have never been returned to mainland China. The collection is magnificent but definitely overwhelming.

The most popular pieces are the Jade Cabbage, Pork rock and brass cauldron. These were not my favourites.

I do realise they symbolise the necessities of life…food and a way to cook it, The cauldrons often were inscribed with some aspect of life at the time of its production so giving a sense of history.Each piece was exquisite ,just not my taste. What was your favourite exhibit? I found the jade and art sections more interesting.. what was your favourite.

 

Train next.

 

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Look ,wake up! We are here. I will have to add the odd or cute photos tomorrow.There will more adventures to experience.