Traveling in Taiwan (Part 2- Taipei)

Best Thing in Taiwan? Traveling!

So we're done in Tainan! Now I would like to share to you my experiences in a place I would describe as the interaction of Industry and Nature, I call it Taipei! 

TAIPEI

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan (or in Chinese it is written as 台北 or the Northern Taiwan). According to Wikipedia (my ever reliable source of information...Really?!), Taipei was founded in the early 18th century and was an important center for overseas trading in the 19th century! For Filipinos who wants to come to Taiwan, Cebu Pacific offers red-eye flights for budget conscious consumers. At an average of 7,000 to 9,000 PHP, you'd be able to reach Taiwan in an hour and forty-five minutes (quite fast eh?).

Popular for it's fast paced yet traditional culture, you'll be able to see a mixture of different scenery, architecture and people. To name a few of the places I've been to...

NATIONAL CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL

General Chiang Kai-shek is the former President of the Republic of China. The monument was erected in memory of him. And I discovered that the two sets of white stairs (each with 89 steps, represents his age at the time of death).The inscription on the walls beside his statue states that The purpose of life is to improve the general life of humanity and The meaning of life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe.

At the front gate of the park

Inside there is a big monument of Gen. Chiang Kai-shek

A beautiful model posing in front of the statue

Try to see the view for yourself, it's great!

XIMENDING NIGHT MARKET

The "Shibuya District" of Taiwan as how they call it. It's one of my favorite night markets in Taiwan because it makes me feel like I'm really in a different country (well staying in Tainan for almost 4 years, you'll understand why!). Ximending is located just outside Ximen MRT Station. If you go there, you'll actually find really good stuff there like clothes, shoes, bags and gadgets! But beware, you need to have a lot of energy because this place is jam packed with a lot of people!

Photo taken last December

Look at all these people!

Taking a photo with some statues from a famous Mobile game in Taiwan

TAIPEI 101

And then there's, Taipei 101. Considered to be the second tallest building in the world right after Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is considered to be the icon of modern Taiwan or the evolution of technology and Asian tradition. It has 101 floors and is open for public viewing. For 500 NTD, you'll be able to get a bird's eye view of Taipei at the 90th floor! Actually, I really think it's quite expensive especially because there's nothing to do up there but to look around. Plus, the souvenirs and the food up there are way over the standard! And, take note that it's best to go up there when it is not the rainy season. I personally think that you should go there, but just once! If you're under a tight budget, there are other options too. You can just go inside and enjoy the view by looking around at all the shops inside the mall. Better yet, have a cup of coffee outside at another mall right beside Taipei 101.

Nothing beats warm coffee on a rainy day

Paging the parents of a lost grown up

Say Cheese!

My mom and Taipei 101 Building

A pretty model at Taipei 101

Still not enough? You really want to go up Taipei 101 but don't want to spend 500 NTD to just look around? Well say no more! I'll let you in a little secret.. (*actually, it's not a secret anymore...) You can go up to the 35th floor of Taipei 101 and take a sip of your Grande Caramel Java Chip Frappucino while looking over the streets of Taipei! All you have to do is wait at the lobby for at least an hour or so. Yup, you heard me right! ONE HOUR (if you're lucky! and really want to go up Taipei 101!) Starbucks in Taipei 101 offers guests and Starbucks fanatics an hour to experience a "chillaxing" moment up Taipei 101. Prices are the same, but I honestly think that it's worth the experience!

Now that's a view

With my Friends (Carol and Krist)

With my girlfriend (Bo)

MAOKONG GONDOLA (Trip to the CAT Mountain)

Nothing beats a 15 minute ride, suspending at 100+ ft. above the ground, overlooking Taipei City. Maokong (貓空) or literally "Cat empty" is one of Taiwan's popular places for Tea culture and night scenery. You can reach Maokong by using the gondola for a very affordable price. Costing around 30-50 NTD per station, you'd be able to visit Taipei Zoo, Zhinan temple and Maokong.

The "Happy Cat" family

What a pose -_-"

A great smile over the horizon

A very relaxing view while drinking tea

Right in front of the Gondola station

It was a great adventure!

And we're just half-way there. These are just a few of the many places you can visit in Taipei. I really think that Taipei is one of the many places here on Earth where you feel the fast changing technology and yet still be close to nature. I hope that when you (yes, you who are reading this article right now!), have the money and the time to come to Taiwan, can go around and appreciate the wonders of Taipei.

John 1:3

All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.