It feels good to take advantage of all the travel available to us living in Hong Kong! Taipei was a short 90 minute flight on a comfortable airline - and from my favorite airport in the world, Hong Kong. It's so efficient and pleasant. For the first time in my life, I joined Jasper on a work trip out of the country sans kiddos.
With strong mixed emotions we departed - and proceeded to have a BLAST in this intriguing city.
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| Chiang Kai Shek Memorial |
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| 89 steps to represent Chiang Kai Shek's 89 years of life |
Here we witnessed the changing of the guard. It was more akin to an elaborate soldier-dance to my lens. Plenty of choreographic inspiration in this meticulous and somber ceremony. A highlight of the trip.
Taiwan - Officially the "Republic of China" whereas mainland China is "The
People's Republic of China". Taiwan - the island where Chiang Kai Shek and the Kuomintang soldiers fled mainland during the civil war when the communist party took over. Taiwan - ruled for thousands of years by "others": Dutch, Spanish, Han Chinese, Japan, and the ROC - with agriculture and tilled land dating to 3000 BC.
24 hours was not a long enough visit!
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| National Palace Museum |
While Jasper worked, I roamed around.... took in the hundreds of ancient artifacts in the National Palace Museum - where the deep history of Empire-ruled China is well kept (after being smuggled here by Kuomintang).
... investigated the area around the hotel... and enjoyed stress-free solo shopping!
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| Little ones on those motor bikes! |
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| Do you see that wee babe on the middle cycle? |
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| pavement sign |
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| These were YUMMY! |
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| Because you can't be too safe. |
Nothing like a quiet glass of red wine and a book in the hotel lobby while I wait for Jasper (who was apparently enjoying the view!) :)
Dinner was DELISH. (No English on the menu - it was point and cross fingers time.)
Then - the Ningxia Night Market!! This place was AMAZING. Packed. Thriving. Incredible looking food. Carnival-like games. A few art/craft stalls. And really strong smells. [This, after 10pm!]
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| catch the goldfish game |
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| Not just bubble-tea! |
We had heard that Taiwan is known for its "good old-fashioned shampoos" from a reliable source. So - top of the list before our flight home. And we weren't disappointed!! This luxurious experience led to a walk to the nearest foot-massage spot (there were many to choose from) where we also had the BEST foot massages of our LIVES for $15 apiece.
The airport wasn't too shabby either:
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| bubble tea!!! |
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| do we have these in the USA airports? |
Taipei :: and greater Taiwan :: we will be back. Can't wait to repeat such incredibly delicious food, walk your safe streets, have another shampoo, and see more of this special place.
