Nov 1 - Took a taxi to Taipei today to see several points of interest. The outing was arranged by I'm not sure who, but suspect Anh. Our car carried Tom and Julie, Loan, my Princess and yours truly. Having the longest legs in the car, I got to ride in the front. Our driver played some of his music for us. Aside from the language, it could have been something you'd hear in the states.
We started out together as a sort of caravan with others in our party but found it something like herding cats to stay together.
We started out together as a sort of caravan with others in our party but found it something like herding cats to stay together.
Points of interest included: National Museum, Taipei Martyrs shrine, the grand hotel and Taipei 101.
Between 3 & 4 we stopped at a local market for an hour. We were done in about five minutes because the market was tiny, but the driver came back (as agreed) one hour later.
This afforded me the opportunity to have a local beer. Since it’s poor form to sit and drink a beer at the neighboring business’s table without buying something, and not wanting to be an ugly American, I ordered the #1. It consisted of a fried wrapper for a soft taco with a scrambled egg on it. Additionally, there were three ( count’em three) chicken nuggets and a prepackaged plastic cup of tea. Price was 55 Taiwan Dollars about a buck and a half US (I think). The beer was 45 Taiwan bucks. So with my beer and box lunch, I parked myself at their table on the sidewalk and consumed all but the tea.
Between 3 & 4 we stopped at a local market for an hour. We were done in about five minutes because the market was tiny, but the driver came back (as agreed) one hour later.
This afforded me the opportunity to have a local beer. Since it’s poor form to sit and drink a beer at the neighboring business’s table without buying something, and not wanting to be an ugly American, I ordered the #1. It consisted of a fried wrapper for a soft taco with a scrambled egg on it. Additionally, there were three ( count’em three) chicken nuggets and a prepackaged plastic cup of tea. Price was 55 Taiwan Dollars about a buck and a half US (I think). The beer was 45 Taiwan bucks. So with my beer and box lunch, I parked myself at their table on the sidewalk and consumed all but the tea.
The museum was impressive but had too many people in it. Also, we didn’t have time to really spend time taking it all in. PRC considers all these treasures stolen since Chang Kai-Shek brought them to Taiwan when he lost the war to Mao Tse Tung ca. 1949.
Taipei 101 is a skyscraper and very modern. The bottom floor is a gigantic food court complete with a grocery store where Anh bought some fruit she had been looking for.
Our driver dropped us right at the gangway, so we didn't have to walk in the rain. After depositing the Princess and my personal impedimenta onboard, I gathered my mac and headed for the free wifi.
This has taken longer than expected and I have to go so I don't miss the ship.
This has taken longer than expected and I have to go so I don't miss the ship.
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