A Trip to Taiwan (Oct. 24 - 27)
It was the second time for me to make a trip to Taiwan from 24 to 27, Oct. When I went there in Dec, 2012, it was my first trip abroad. Between these trips, I went to Singapore in June, this year. What a journey man I became!
For long time since the experience in Taiwan last year, I had been eager for going there again. At the former time, it was to attend a technical conference and to make a presentation, and I was not able to see around Taiwan. This time, I had enough time.
Oct. 24
After leaving Japan from Haneda Airport, I arrived at Taiwan at about 13 pm., and checked in a hotel near at Taipei Station. Since I had to kill some time to wait for the check-in, I went around near the hotel and had a bowl of noodle.
Having taken a short rest, I went out for 小籠包 and walked to a restaurant. It's impossible not to have it!
Then I headed to a night market, called 寧夏夜市. It was not very big one, but people were all vital. I love Taiwan's night markets.
Oct. 25
This day was Tainan day. I wanted to know except for Taipei and this time I went Tainan with HSR. HSR is really like 新幹線 in Japan. I think it was nearly copied from Japan's one.
Tainan looked like a typical Asian city for me and reminded me of movies of Jackie Chan. I wondered around the city, having some foods here and there as soon as I saw something delicious.
Time took less than I expected between Taipei and Tainan with HSR. I want to visit night markets in Tainan at the next time.
Having backed to Taipei, I went to another restaurant for dinner. This time I had sour soup with Chinese cabbage. It was really delicious. Although I had had one like that in Japan, the one I had there was far more better.
Oct. 26
故宮博物院 was the place I had wanted to visit from before. This day must have been the museum day. I HATE crowded space and found out the museum was full of people! I just abandoned to go into it, and returned to the city.
Then I went to 迪化街 which was known as wholesale district and old-looking buildings. It also reminded me of Chinese movies.
I found a very fun place just to be there near 忠孝新生 station. It seemed it had been a film studio and now a complex of some cultural spots such as shops, restaurants, bars, movie theater, etc.
It was very fashionable. Even Japan didn't have such place I think.
Night, at 永康街. I visit a tea shop that is sort of a lab. of tea culture in Taiwan. It was a really cool space. I was intrigued by the culture.
At the restaurant I happened to enter, I saw 四方田犬彦 was entering after me with a Taiwanese guide. By that, I was convinced this was good restaurant.
Oct. 27
The last day. I only had lunch and desert this day at 忠孝復興. It was good, too.
I bought KALAVAN Whisky for myself. I found it was very delicious when I visited Taiwan and have it at a bar. It costed much in net shops, and I was able to buy it in not very expensive price.
This time, too, the trip was very wonderful. I think I will not get bored with Taiwan even if I go there many times. It has much fun that attracts me, especially in terms of foods. I want to go there again in the next year.
