From Taiwan to the Land of the Rising Sun. Eating shushi, drinking sake and riding the Shinkansen high speed train. We'll pass on the Tsunamis and keep to the higher ground such as Mt. Fuji and bask in the beauty and magic of the cherry blossoms
Well I won't try to bore you with all kinds of superlatives, so I'll just let the pictures do all the talking. It looks like we nailed it as the blossoms are just starting to come into their own. According to our guide, those here last week missed out completely but it looks like our timing was perfect thanks to our travel agent Jamie's recommendation. It was a real bonus day yesterday being able to take in the castle in Osaka and as it turned out it was the Sakura Festival where the blossoms are celebrated with friends and families taking a picnic to the park to sit under a cherry tree and participate in hanami or the flower viewing of cherry blossoms. The park was packed with families and friends celebrating an annual ritual and right of Spring. As the day progressed more and more blossoms came into bloom. Food vendors were in abundance with the colourful and imaginary offerings not available at home. From sausages to steak brochettes, sweet potato french fries and squid fish balls, the atmosphere was upbeat and enthusiastic. We partook of some of the offerings and we're really impressed with the quality and cleanliness. After ascending the seven levels of the main castle, the view from the top level was really impressive and the bright day made for great viewing of the city skyline. The weather, though cool is a welcome respite from the tropical heat of Taipei. We are coping well getting along on our own. Figuring out the rail system is a challenge sometimes, but for the most part we adapt out without too much difficulty. However, sometimes the aid of helpful bystanders and rail staff is needed, but everyone is enthusiastic to help.
A little bus touring, a little Light Rail travel, a little taxi riding and a lot of walking is how we spent our last two days in Taipei. Our day began with a trip to the Chaing Kai-Shek Memorial for the changing of the guard. He is a national hero who was thrown out of mainland China after the war and revolution when the communists took power of the mainland. Some how, he managed to smuggle out of the country some 60,000 articles of art, of which some date back 5000 years, which are housed in the world famous National Palace Museum. The value of the collection is immeasurable and due to the sheer size, not all can be exhibited at the same time. One particular item which fascinated me was a piece of ivory carved in 17 separate cylinders, one inside the other. It is one piece with no blemishes or scratches and has been examined and x rayed, and till this day there is no explanation on how the piece was crafted.
We were also joined on our tour by two female monks from Korea. I asked our guide if they were from the north or south and he said they would be from South Korea as religion is frowned upon in the north. I didn't ask the other pressing question, so I just left it at that.
What would the day be without another temple visit. With 15,000 to choose from it's not hard to find a place of worship. There was a visit to the Grand Hotel which has one of the most spectacular lobbies I have ever seen but in reality the group needed a destination for a restroom stop so this made for a logical choice.
The afternoon was spent traveling to Jiufen Village to the west of Taipei. Apparently this is a food mecca for all Asians who want to walk down the main street and sample the many different food delicacies. I keep well to the middle of the street for fear of being accosted into having to partake of a sample. See the picture of the hanging chicken with it's broken neck just waiting to be on some lucky person's dinner plate. Click on the two following videos to get a sense of the atmosphere and the teaming crowds in the crowded passageways. Don't forget to scroll down for more pics and description.
Today was a walkabout day. We needed some exercise and a walk to the park was first on the list. Taxis are cheap but we were up for a little adventure and decided to make an attempt at the subway. Our first surprise was that the subway is in fact a light rail above ground system. It only cost us about a $1 for the experience and the personnel were so helpful and accommodating. I am amazed how clean the system is and the city in general has to be one of the cleanest we have come across. As one of our fellow travelers remarked, there are very few garbage bins and the people just pickup after themselves. The only things I saw lying on the streets were fallen leaves. Even though, on the world stage, Taipei is relatively small, I am still overwhelmed as to it's size. Rather than building up, they build out. I imagine a lot of that has to do with the ever constant threat of earthquakes. There are tall buildings but not to the same degree as in any other large metropolis. Everyone we have come in contact with have been most helpful and accommodating. Their english is not that good but my mandarin in non existent. With a little patience and human compassion we can always get our messages across.
So tomorrow we are off to Japan. My next post will be coming from Kyoto or Osaka. Until then.
