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Published: February 4th 2009
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Taipei
packing Back in Hong Kong, we took a short break before we began looking for where to head next. After a full day of shopping at the three floors of travel agencies in Mong Kok and several hours looking online we booked flights to Malaysia and Taipei and decided to stay in Hong Kong for Chinese New Years.
We arrived in Taipei on a dreary day that threatened to rain but we were treated with sights almost immediately. I think the first thing we did was scan the surroundings to try and point out differences from the other places we have been to and from Canada. The first thing we noticed leaving the airport was the hospitality of the people as we were greeted by several, “Welcome to Taiwan”'s upon our arrival. The second thing that stood out was the flag waving robots ushering traffic into the airport terminal. The bus ride to our hostel, near the main train station in Taipei was not a lot different than driving through parts of the lower mainland in BC. We passed farms and small apartment buildings.
Our first night we went to the Shillin night market only a couple of MRT stops
from the hostel. We tried a few snacks including stinky tofu and some seafood soup as well as a deepfried porkchop that people were lining up for.
Breakfast was handy, we had a choice of bacon and egg sandwich or the famous Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup from vendors near the hostel. The next day Mazi had an itch for Taiwan’s famous hotsprings so we jumped on the train and took a short trip to the hotsprings right on the outskirts of Taipei. There are a number of spas/hotels that offered hotsprings. We walked along this hotspring strip in a small treed valley
with parks. At the top of the hotspring strip we found the source for the springs. A large pool of boiling green water surrounded by green vegetation and shrouded by mist.
We ended up settling on the public baths which were the cheapest and the most popular and of the few that offered outdoor facilities. It was decent with about five hot pools and two cold ones. It got pretty crowded and was a bit dirty but we enjoyed jumping in and out of the pools of different temperatures.
All around the main station you
Taipei
Hot Springs pool - the source of all the heat can navigate a number of underground passage ways that included a mall and restaurants. We managed to make our way across to a shopping area and we found a higher end Vietnamese Restaurant that we splurged on and really enjoyed.
The next day was bright and sunny so we decided it would be perfect to check out Taipei 101, currently the highest usable building in the world. I think Dubai is soon to surpass it though. Since we could see the top of the building from our hostel and because it was such a nice day we thought what a good idea it would be to walk. Actually it was pretty nice. First we passed by a small fruit market that we schmoozed. We walked by a neat shop with old relics and antiques. Moving on we realized the whole block was a market for antiques and we spent about an hour looking at old watches, jewelry, Buddhist style art and sculptures. The tower was closer so we navigated further through some of the narrow streets. Next we passed a Taiwanese Temple that was both colourful and decorated with extravagant carvings and sculptures. Soon after we found some street
vendors selling clothing where we bought some scarves while the vendors had their eyes out for the bylaw police. After about three hours we realized we were getting pretty tired but turned out we were just about there.
The elevator ride up Taipei 101 takes 37 seconds beginning from the 5th floor and arriving at the 89th. It traveled at about 60kph top speed. The views were great and we listened to an electronic tour that pointed out major landmarks. After touring around the 89th floor we got to go up to the 91st where you could go outside for a look. Thankfully the top is totally fenced so you don't feel too nervous. It was a little eerie listening to the wind howl between the fence posts. Back down on the 89th floor you got a close up view of the wave dampering mechanism, a giant ball suspended by cables is used to reduce the amount of turbulance the giant tower experiences.
Our last day in Taipei, we planned out the rest of our Taiwan and headed to the Snake Market at night. The market was interesting but we only saw a few snakes. I would have
to wait until Hong Kong before I got to try any.
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