15 March 2012
National palace museum
When I woke up, it seemed to be still raining. Hence I planned to go to a museum.
But when I got outside it was more like fog or mist, the streets were actually dry.
Thats OK, I decided to still go to the museum as I had studied the map for a long walk to get there.
I wasnt quite prepared for it to take about 90 minutes each way, but it was kind of interesting. The road went up a valley between big hills on either side with rivers running everywhere and impressive gardens all over the place.
The actual museum is one of the best anywhere in the world. I dont think I am over estimating but there were probably 250 tour busses lining the roads to get there (which was reassurance I wasnt lost).
The museum houses all the stuff Taiwan 'stole' from the mainland.
What actually happened is when the civil war broke out the forbidden city packed everything and sent it to Taiwan for safe keeping. The commies then took over and soon after burnt everything left.
The ruling elite of China at the time, who prepared silk pyjamas and jade combs in their hair, fled to Taiwan, leaving Mao and his army chic outfits to rule over the mainland.
Hence this museum is now full of tour groups from the mainland (who I think need to be escorted on a proper tour still?). They have come to see what was stolen from them by capitalist pigs.
Thats my version of it anyway.
This is the market over the road from my hotel, when last I was here I saw a pig get disembowled. No such luck today. The banans are delicious though.
The pedestrian over passes are a great place to stand and watch chaos. They are yet to embrace the electric scooter here like they have on the mainland. Hence the sky that looks like pouring rain which actually isnt rain at all.
Just one of the many gardens on the long walk to the museum. The water looks dirty in the photo but it was pretty clear in person.
Look past the car being towed, I was amazed at some of the huge houses along here. I am pretty sure they are just private houses.
The steps to the palace. Normal people dont bother, theres a bus that takes you underground to an escalator.
Taking advantage of the hordes of mainlanders, Falun Gong has set up their best ever mass yoga demonstration next to the entrance. With all the regular blown up photos of people being tortured.
Its quite a modern building, but still pretty impressive
Once inside, I was warned repeatedly about no photos. Most people had to check their cameras in the cloakroom but they let me keep mine. the best I could do was a photo in the cafe.
This is a fancy museum, with a nice sit down cafe with table service, that made a decent coffee and the creme caramel was delicious. The charge for the coffee and cake was about $2.
I climbed up to the roof. The highlight in the museum was the jade cabbage. You had to line up for 30 minutes to get a glimpse. It was easily the busiest museum I have been in. The entire thing was comparable to the Mona Lisa area of the Louvre.
One last photo. Pretty boring photos today sorry!
I followed this river down. Flash floods would have to be a real problem here.