Tai-wan-o-wan
Trip Start
Jul 24, 2007
1
44
50
Trip End
Ongoing
Taipei,
Taipei,
Taiwan
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
It is VERY hot and humid here but not really sunny, so the tan is fading and we are sweltered all the time..............I have reverted to my traditional "Swan Vesta" look.
We visited the world's TALLEST building, Taipei 101, or if your are from the Maiden city, Taipei wan-o-wan. At over half a kilometre tall it is fair to say it is a skyscraper. It also has the worlds fastest lift, just for good measure.
The markets here have to be seen to be believed, particularly the food stalls
Bonsai-er
. It really is a game of what is that? and what animal did it come off!!! Especially down "snake alley" where they skin, garotte and basically beat up snakes live in front of the crowd.........yuk!!!Mandarin is a bit easier to pick up than Korean, so we can do a wee bit more chinwagging, a bit less "give us a clue" ha ha ha.
A lot of the other sights revolve around ancient temples, most of which are interdenomonational, so any Tao, Buddha or Harre can join in.
The royal museum here is classified as one of the best in the world, and rightly so, it has some amazing stuff spanning centuries. They have artefacts from all of the famous dynastys (and not a shoulder pad in sight). A lot of it is described as Minging, but I thought it was nice................boom boom We met a guy on the way to the museum, who not only showed us the way but also paid our bus fare!!! nice touch. They also had items covering all of the main periods of history from Iron to Bronze age, so coupled with my silver tongue and brass neck, I reckon we had all bases covered ;-)
Well time to hit the road again........across the sea to Kowloon.
Next stop: Hong Kong Phooey
