Posts Tagged: taipei
December 1st, 2006
I’ve just put up another batch of photos from Taipei. This time I’ve uploaded photos from the Shilin Official Residence, the former home of Taiwanese leader Chiang Kai-Shek.
The expansive gardens of the residence make a nice escape from the Taipei noise and traffic with peaceful paths, colourful flowers and quiet greenhouses. During my visit, the photogenic location was highlighted by an army of wedding photographers directing brides and grooms throughout the gardens. I could hardly turn a corner without seeing a happy couple posing together.
November 29th, 2006
Adding to my recent flood of photos of Taipei, I have just added a gallery of photos from Xingtian Temple.
Another of the many busy temples in Taipei, my favourite sight in Xingtian Temple was the many blue-robed temple officials seeing to the smooth operation of the temple and accommodating the needs of worshipers. Like the brilliant saffron robes of the Buddhist Monks in Southeast Asia, these blue attendants immediately caught my attention. They were like patches of bright, blue sky showing through an overcast day.
A couple of photos to get you started:
November 28th, 2006
I continue my journey down my Taiwan memory lane today with photos from Taipei’s Dihua Street Market. A bustling shopping area in the afternoons, the market sells Chinese candies, medicinal herbs and sundries and the gregarious vendors will be all to happy to stuff your pockets and your mouth with samples.
I left with a massive bag of pistachio nuts well beyond my eating capacity. They were just too delicious! They found a good home in the bellies of the other guests at my hostel.
The street was full of tasty treats and happy faces. And while it may not have been as much of an adventure as the creatures, mystery meats and mystery smells of Snake Alley, it was a worthy stop in Taipei.
A couple sample photos:
November 27th, 2006
If only my trip’s budget had allowed me to stay at the Grand Hotel in Taipei. Though my accommodation was perfectly comfortable, I’m sure the luxury of the Grand Hotel would have been a happy addition to my accommodation itinerary.
The best I could really do is have a wander through its exquisite lobby and around the grounds where my photos were taken.
November 22nd, 2006
Continuing with my recent trend of posting images from Taiwan, I have just added a gallery of photos of what is currently the tallest building in the world: Taipei 101.
The astonishingly high building is a must-see in Taipei and due to it’s height, it’s almost a sure bet you will see it from somewhere in the city. But getting up close will give you the opportunity to truly marvel at the construction. Even better, take the surprisingly-fast elevator ride to the top where you will get a perspective of the city that shows just how sprawling the metropolis is. And if the views from the observatory aren’t high enough for you, climb a few more flights of stairs and head outside.
The outdoor observatory was one of my favourite parts of my visit to the tower. On the night I visited, the terrace was not heavily populated and I was often left alone to listen to the wind and the distant, faint hum of the city. It was extraordinary to be surrounded by millions of people, but still enveloped in quiet.
Check out the photos (including a couple shots from inside the wax museum in the observatory - David Beckham and Bruce Lee were graceful models for me) here.
November 15th, 2006
Longshan Temple was one of my favourite locations to visit in Taipei. I visited the temple twice and both times, it was as busy as it could be with the devout engaging in the rituals common to Taiwanese temples.
When I visited one evening, I found I had become the companion of a young Taiwanese girl and her mother who seemed thrilled just to have a foreign friend to show around the temple. I’m sure it could have been quite educational had either of them spoken a word of English (or if I knew more than to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in Mandarin). The girl grabbed me by the wrist and enthusiastically dragged me to different parts of the temple, chatted to me about who-knows-what for a while and would usually take a photo of me wherever I happened to be standing.
I’m not sure what she was trying to tell me, but she was giddy while telling it. That was enough for me to consider her a temporary friend while I wandered through the temple wondering where she might drag me next.
November 10th, 2006
Over the coming days, I hope to add a number of galleries to reflect my travels in Taipei. Taiwan was my first stop on the journey I began at the beginning of 2006, so these photos are long over due, but I hope that I can soon make up for the delay be showing off some of my adventures there.
While I did manage to get out of the capital city for a few days, I’m going to start off with the island nation’s entry point and show you around Taipei. This first batch of galleries includes shots from the Snake Alley Night Market, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Bao-An Temple and the Confucius Temple.
Keep checking back for more from this fascinating city.
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