Around Taipei 101

2010/02/20

This day we went out with George, who offered us a visit of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and it's surroundings. The plan was clear, take a bus 254 from NTUST station and meet George in front of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. According to this, we left our dorm in 10:30. The meeting had been planned to 11:00.

On the NTUST bus station we had meet an elder couple, which helped us to get inside of the bus as we didn't know how to behave there. The driver didn't want any money, what was strange, so we forced him to accept the amount. Later Tereza told me there are two types of buses: where you pay immediately and in the other one before leave.

The old couple again gave us a hint, where we should leave the bus. Unfortunately, this hint wasn't helpful even so it was closer to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall than the station which we should leave. The map saved the situation and we arrived to place just 10 minutes later as we took a walk.

George met us in front of the gate to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park, which is just in front of the Memorial Hall. Because all of us were a little hungry, we attended a Chinese restaurant first. We had some noodles with meat and spicy sauce. I have to say I should take less of it, however it was tasty too. The cost was about 80 NT$ (= 45 CZK).

After lunch we entered the Memorial Park and wandered there for 30 minutes. These Taiwanese parks are really nice. Contrariwise to the Czech parks, these are clean, well kept and their visit is very comforting. We walked around a lake full of different fishes, turtles and water birds and took a rest in the middle, where was a pagoda connected with banks by bridges. There was a very nice look at Taipei 101 trough the park palms and bushes.
Afterwards we entered the Memorial itself. It was 14:45 and George told us the changing of guards should be in 15:00. In fact, all the ceremony (or how to call it) started even sooner, in 15:00 guards were actually standing on their positions.

The changing of guards ceremony took about 10 minutes. All the process was obviously well prepared and it was a real show! Nevertheless I have to admit I appreciate changing of guards on the Prague Castle more. It takes only one minute or so, but these guys seemed to be rather swanking how they can toy with their riffles than making some ceremony. Kids will enjoy this indeed.

In upper floors of the Memorial, there were some galleries (calligraphy, paintings and Sun Yat-sen life and revolution history). We attended most of them. No-one informed us it's forbidden to take pictures even without flash, so when I was taking some photo someone lapped on my shoulder and turned me around. There were two guys, one looking really angry and the other smiling from one ear to the other. Later George told me the problem and also that the smiling guy is an author of paintings and he is so excited I want to take his pictures he intend to shake my hand :D
We left the Memorial around 16 or so. Our next trip was closer to Taipei 101. We didn't go upstairs, because of the weather and also because I would like to save this moment for somebody else (no offence guys :) ). Taipei 101 is monstrous and awsome piece of work. When you are looking from the bottom directly up to the skies, it seems the building is going to fall down just to you (because of its stair-like system of floors).

We passed around and visited a market near by. George bought an squid in pasta balls. I actually didn't try it but Andrej said it is really delicious. I bought (together with Andrej) some dumplings filled with meat and vegetables with a spicy sauce. 10 dumplings for 50 NT$ (= 28 CZK) is not so bad and as always the food was excellent. In fact, dumplings are my most favorite (really Chinese) food here till now :)

In the end we visited a huge book store (like Luxor in Prague center). The disadvantage of all book stores I already visited here is they are not too much organized and especially Chinese and English versions of books are mixed together, so sometimes it's a little difficult to find what you are searching for.

When we had left the store, my girlfriend called me to make a date tonight. In fact I have an appointment with Filip, however I agreed - we all know Filip, right guys? :D My sense didn't betray me and if I would cancel the date, it would be a pity. Filip arrived 3 and a half hours later than he planned :)


2010/02/20 - Around Taipei 101 [36 pictures]

Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Taipei 101

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