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.
I went for...a long walk. Heading to Ximending but also diverting along the way and along the way home.
I took a lot of photos of random stuff, so will just talk about them there rather than here, to limit confusion.
Amazingly, the sky cleared, and I could make out clouds at sunset and see blue sky.
A tiny BMW isetta.
Walk past all the cinemas in Ximending and you get to some abandoned buildings, skateboard ramps and actual graffiti. Sure its an approved area but I still find it unusual that the Taiwanese local government allows it.
Random neon street view
I took a photo from a similar spot last time. So I did it again. One day I might compare them to play spot the difference.
Police scooters as far as the eye can see. Imagine if our motorbike cops were given scooters. There would be a strike. Someone would get shot. They probably wouldnt fit on one anyway.
Lots of people enjoying themselves. Soooo many bubble tea shops.
One of these cats is not like the other. One is free to roam the other is chained up. Neither of them seem worried about the thousands of people wandering nearby.
I set myself a challenge, not to have beef noodle soup for dinner. I noticed a few risotto places. The next big fad from Taiwan is risotto, you heard it here first. I got soup which was nice, risotto in a heated bowl which was actually pretty delicious, mushroom and chicken flavoured, a pineapple soda and grass jelly with soy milk for dessert (not pictured). A pretty filling meal.
The outside of the risotto store, its called puppy risotto. I thought it was going to be Korean food.
Another overpass, another photo. This one has lots of blinking red lights for the road works. Being built here is the MRT station that will go to the airport. They really need that badly.
Despite my extensive multi course dinner, I couldnt resist Chatime. The symbol of Taiwanese cuisine in Australia. Logo is different here as indeed it is in the rest of the world, not sure why Australia has changed it as it is the same company.
Right near my hotel, a night market had sprung up, selling all manner of things on sticks. I am pretty sure it wasnt here last night, it must rotate around different locations each night of the week. Also there were fake dvd shops, fake handbags and a few sideshow amusement games....
I decided to play, paid my $2 and expected maybe 10 wooden hoops. No, you get the whole bucket!
It took me at least 10 minutes to throw them all. A crowd formed and was cheering me on, or mocking me. The stall owners confidence in giving me the entire bucket proved correct, I didnt win anything at all.
The further you go the narrower it gets, and the chances of getting covered in a vat of boiling oil being used to fry the guts of many creatures becomes higher.
Despite all the other crap I have eaten, I couldnt resist a black sesame obun. Maybe they are a Taiwan invention too?
Next up, I discovered a Carrefour supermarket under the road. I love going into each countries supermarkets. Taiwan is about mid level on the fancyness scale. They have a good fresh food area with live fish and lots of prepared foods etc.
However the line to get out is immense, I waited 30 minutes and people were getting mad. Theres some sort of collect all the angry birds coffee mug promotion going on and it takes ages to get your receipt, stickers, stamp on the stickers etc.
I bought these small rocks. Actually they are chocolate. I have seen them in the expensive chocolate shops at the airport, here they were much cheaper.