Taiwan Trip (Day 6) 12th April 2007, Thursday

Today is the last day of our tour. I really have a lot of fun with all the tourmates. Feel a bit sad too...... After having our breakfast, we head to the bus to go to our first destination of the day.



I'm enjoying the beautiful scenery.........




Getting sleepy again........



First Destination: Martyr's Shrine



The Martyrs Shrine was built in 1969 and it symbolizes the martyrs' brave spirit. More than 33,000 square meters of grass fields surround the structure. Protected by the neighboring mountains, the shrine breathes a serene atmosphere that emphasizes its solemn and stately character.

The Martyrs Shrine is dedicated to approximately 330,000 men who sacrificed their lives to the overthrowing of the Ching Dynasty before the establishment of the Republic of China in 1911, and who fell during the Sino-Japanese war (1938-1945) and the Chinese Civil war (1945-1949). Plates of these brave and loyal martyrs have been inserted into the four walls of the main building in testimony of their heroic deeds. Each spring and autumn, the president of Taiwan leads both civil and military officials to pay floral tribute. In October, leaders from Taiwan's befriended countries, as well as numerous groups of overseas Chinese, also come and pay their respect.

Worth mentioning are the military police officers who guard the main gate, and who have been rigidly trained to stand like expressionless statues and to remain unmoved by the teasing of crowds. Visitors alike are amazed at this display of composure and flock to see the ceremonial changing of the guards. The guard-changing ceremony begins at 9am and is to be held at each hour.








Secnd Destination: Taipei National Palace Museum

The Taipei National Palace Museum houses the largest collection of priceless Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world, including ancient bronze castings, calligraphy, scroll paintings, porcelain, jade, and rare books, many of which were possessions of the former imperial family. The full collection, which consists of some 650,000 pieces, spans many dynasties. Each exhibit, however, puts on display only about 1,700 pieces at a time. At this rate, assuming a duration of three months for each exhibit, it will take 100 years to cycle through the entire collection! Incredible!

On the left side of the museum hall is Chih-shan Garden, which showcases many of the elements of traditional Chinese gardening art. Inside the garden, pavilions, little bridges, flowing water, winding paths and green trees combine to create an atmosphere of simplicity and serenity. On the pillars of the pavilion, verses of well-known calligraphers are carved, increasing the beauty of the area and the pleasure of visitors-even those who cannot read the graceful characters.

On the right side of the museum hall is Chih-te Garden. Strolling through it, you will marvel at the beauty of the pavilions, bridges and ponds that grace this garden, especially in autumn, when the cool wind carries the fragrance of the lotus and sweet-scented osmanthus.
Also part of the Taipei National Palace Museum is the Chang Dai-ch'ien Memorial Residence, which was the home of the celebrated painter Chang Dai-ch'ien (1901-1984).

One of the treasures of this museum is a jade cabbage, which was part of the dowry of Concubine Jin in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). What's amazing about this jade cabbage is that it is carved from a single piece of jade that is half grey and half emerald green. The artist carved the leaves from the green part and used the grey part as the outside of the cabbage. Two red katydids posed on the cabbage make this work of art so realistic that if you nipped it with your fingernails you would expect to see juice drip from the wound. When it was carved, cabbage stood for the purity of a family, while the katydids were the symbol of many children-obviously good symbolism for an object that was part of a dowry.

The other treasures are the "meat-shaped stone", a piece of agate. At first glance, this meat-shaped piece of stone looks like a luscious, mouth-watering piece of "Tung-p'o meat". Made from agate, it is a naturally occurring stone that accumulates in layers over many years. With time, different impurities will result in the production of various colors and hues to the layers. The craftsman who made this meat-shaped stone took the rich natural resources of this stone and carved it with great precision, and then the skin was stained. This process resulted in the appearance of skin and lean and fatty layers of meat, the veining and hair follicles making the piece appear even more realistic.



And many more..........

After having our lunch in a Japanese Buffet Restaurant, we going to head straight to Miramar. But our bus is having some problem and the engine cannot start. Fortunately, they can find the other bus to send us there while our bus is sent to the repair shop.

Third Destination: Miramar Entertainment Park

Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園) is a shopping mall in Taipei. The department store is notable for its 70 m tall ferris wheel on its rooftop, which is the second largest ferris wheel in diameter in Taiwan, after the one in Janfusan World, which is 88 m in diameter. The Miramar ferris wheel was the tallest in Taiwan as it is attached onto a roof, having a combined height of 100 meters. The department store also contains an IMAX theatre, which is the only IMAX theatre showing commercial films in Taiwan. With dimensions 28m × 21m, its movie screen is the largest in Asia for showing commercial films.

After the bus drop us off, the first thing we do are to head to the Ferris Wheel. Wow..... we can go up so high and see most of the Taipei city. Really beautiful............

Can you see, how happy I am in the ferris wheel........... I can fly!!!

Hahaha.....the aunty in front of us let her pillow wear the sunglass. Maybe the pillow having it's sight problem.

Today A Wei bring us to a Pearl Shop which sell pearl that can be grind into powder and eat. They said it can be use on the face to clear the pimple and whithening. Besides, it can also be use to clear the heatiness of the body. After hearing all this, mommy buy one small bottle to try.

After the Pearl shop, A Wei bring us to another shop which sell Chi Lin. This is for the Feng Shui purpose. They say it can bring wealth back home and protect the family.



Fourth Destination: ShihLin Night Market

Finally, we are here at Taiwan most famous night market...... Shihlin Night Market!!
Wow..... It's really big and a lot of peoples buy the foods and eat outside.



No wonder..... inside is crowded with peoples. It's really hard for my stroller to go through as well. Every stall is full of people and really don't know which stall is the best. Sigh..... Have to try our luck then.



This is the candied fruits. They have tomatoes, grapes and strawberries.



A lot of special desserts in this stall. Really hope I can try all of them.



This is the one A Wei mentioned in the bus. So daddy let's go and try. Hmmm..... don't know which one is better. Let's try the 4 flavours Guan Chai Pang.



This the Oyster Omelette. The sauce is sweet but not too spicy. So, daddy let me try some. Hmmm..... it is very tasty. I like it.



This is the Big Big Fried Chicke Chop. Very very famous...... The Taiwan TV shows by Jacky Wu introduced this before. I must try it no matter how long is the queue.



This is the famous Water Fried Buns, (Shui Jiang Pao). But we are really full now. Daddy say nevermind, we take away and have it as a supper later in the hotel room. Haha..... like few days never eat.



Fifth Destination: Ximenting

Tonight A Wei help us arrange the Hotel near Ximenting, only about 5 minutes away. Oh My..... Mommy going to shopping again!!! Can you see how happy my mommy's face.

The first shop we come across is this one, Braised Duck Shop. They sell every part of the duck's body. The famous one is the duck's tougue. The others are intestines, feets, necks, wings and drumsticks. The shop is crowded with people and the queue is out to the street.

Okay..... shopping time!!! This is the last chance for mommy to buy her clothes, shoes and accessories. Tomorrow we will take the earliest flight to Hong Kong. So, mommy go go go!

Ximenting is really a happening place. So many youngsters walk around even in this hour. The fashions here are really cool and new. Mommy likes everything here.