Taiwan - The Final Hurrah!

We had grand plans for our final full day in Taiwan but due to an unforeseen event our plans changed a bit. We headed out in the morning to find breakfast and coffee then headed to Maokong which is the biggest tea growing area. We waited a bit longer in order to take the crystal gondola: a glass floored gondola.

Chris and I on the way up!

Glass floor!

Everything was Hello Kitty themed

The views were amazing!

Once we got to the top, instead of heading straight for a tea house, we opted to walk through the tea fields towards a temple.

Before arriving at the temple, it started to rain, and a rainstorm ensured. We were exposed in the open until we ran down a street and found shelter under an information board. We stood under here for a long time. That day I was wearing SPF 80 and although it was waterproof it was dripping off my body. Thankfully Chris had wet wipes so I cleaned myself up. When the rain died down a little Chris ventured with her pamphlet as a hat to find the nearby temple. After successfully finding it, we took shelter there for a bit. 

Unsure of whether or not the weather was going to clear up or not (that morning rain was not in the forecast) we decided to walk back in the rain. Finally back in the main area we had tea ice cream and then headed back to the gondola as we were both drenched. Unfortunately the weather persisted and we found ourselves in a thunderstorm so naturally they closed down the gondola. We decided to wait in line and wait it out as they only other option was to take a taxi down and we had already had a round trip gondola ticket. Amazingly they had stools for the hundred(s?) of us waiting. I really appreciated that. Chris and I listened to my ipod and were entertained by two other male foreigners across from us listening to music and dancing away in their chairs. Eventually they began to transport us by shuttle buses to the base as they did not anticipate opening the gondola for the rest of the day. By the time we made it back into the city it was well into the late afternoon which we hadn't planned for. 

Next we decided to find the "Modern Toilet" Restaurant. It took us awhile to find it in the Myeongdong like area, only much, much larger (for those who are familiar with that area in Korea). We found it, and I don't think much more needs to be explained. 

Our chairs were toilets, our table was a set of sinks

I ate from a toilet bowl and drank from a urinal

And ate ice cream from a squatter 

Despite eating a ton at Modern Toilet, we had heard that the Mango Bingsu is really great in Taiwan so we went on a mission to find Ice Monster which is well known for their mango bingsu. It was the best bingsu I have had in my life. The place is also so popular that you are only allotted one hour to sit at a table and enjoy your dessert. Traditionally bingsu is shaved ice with red beans, but there are several variations now. This one is mango flavoured shaved ice with mango ice cream and fresh mango chunks. Mmm!

We spent the rest of the evening at the Shilin Night Market and then headed back relatively early. Chris' flight was early the next morning (7am). I had a later flight and had the luxury of sleeping in. After I checked out, I figured out how to take a bus directly to the airport. At the airport I enjoyed a popular Taiwanese dish "Beef Noodle" and picked up pineapple cakes (a popular treat) and Brown Sugar/Ginger tea (also popular from Taiwan). 

Then it was back to Seoul! Here are some photos from the photo booth at Taipei 101!

Taiwan was super fun and there is a lot more I would like to explore there if I get another opportunity! Check out the full picture album on Facebook! <3

Taiwan - Buildings, Barbie & Bogus

On Sunday Chris and I ventured to find coffee in the morning with no luck. Unlike Korea, there was not a coffee shop every second storefront. Everything was so empty! We eventually realized that we had left an hour earlier than planned because our phones were still set to Korea time. So when we left at what we thought was 9am, it was only 8am. We did find McDonalds though! Leave it to me to find and eat McDonalds.

Our first stop was Taipei 101 which is a famous landmark building used as a financial centre. It goes without saying that there are 101 floors. We went up to floor 98 to the viewing area. They have this special elevator in the building that is crazy fast. We went up 98 floors in 37 seconds. I did not count, there is a screen that times each trip. Amazing, and you don't even feel like, so smooth. We took some pictures, took in the view, ate ice cream, did some photobooth pictures and sent postcards (Dad, Bruno and Claudia, I hope you received them!!) 

Taipei 101 from outside at the base

The view - Taipei!

Below is the damper, this helps stabilize the building and keep it from swaying so much

Outside! Unfortunately they had these awful metal beams that blocked the view ... I'm sure put up to prevent other things

Blurry picture of me posing with the "damper baby", basically the building's mascot. 

From Taipei 101 we decided to check out the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. We didn't stay here long as it was extremely hot out but we snapped a few pictures. 

Children's drawings in the subway station 

Concert Hall next to the Memorial Hall - there were wedding photos being taken at this one

The arches as you enter into the area of the Memorial Hall

Another concert hall

The Memorial Hall

Looking from the Memorial Hall

The landscaping was gorgeous

Next up was the Barbie Cafe! The best part about this was that the lady at the subway station whom we asked directions from knew them without hesitation. Clearly this is an often visited spot! I was excited. We had coffee and cake (that was way too sweet!) The workers didn't look totally thrilled to be working there, but it was a fun place to check out! 

The "Slim Package" 

So fun though, let's be honest! 

We decided to spend a bit of time in nature after this so we headed to Dahu Park after I saw this gorgeous picture of the park on Pinterest. 

Their photography skills are obviously better than mine, but here are some photos I took. This is a spot I would frequent if I lived in Taipei. 

To finish off the day, we went to the Longshan Temple:

On our way back, we decided to get our fortunes read as there is a famous fortune telling road close to the temple. It was a funny experience, as these things always are. What made it even more interesting was the fact that they used live birds who picked cards for your reading. 

Highlights from my reading:

- I will find Mr.Right and he will be born in 1986, 1989 or 1990.

- I need to forgive people

- Lucky colours: pink, white & orange

- I need to be mindful of my digestion and not have too many sweets or drink too much coffee

- I will be popular in the Winter and next Spring

- I should not invest with other people

- My career will be focussed on me talking

So there's that. 

That night we walked into a random side vendor food stop and we had our first Taiwanese bubble tea that night! 

I will be blogging about my last day in Taipei and the rest of what I was up to in September soon I promise!! <3