Growing up in Hong Kong: Taipei with Tasha

It is taking way too long to sort through the tons of US photos, so I thought it is best if I post the Taipei photos first. This summer, I promised to spend some time separately with the girls. With Tasha, we decided to take a short trip to Taipei.

We took an early morning flight out. After checking in (BTW Tasha was very pleased with the hotel room, especially the square bath tub and the automatic butt cleaner!), we went in search for lunch. Although food is not a priority for this trip, where we can, we tried to sample some popular Taiwanese food. To avoid queueing up in the heat, we went to sample xiao long bao at Ding Tai Feng at Sogo instead of the main street shop. The xiao long bao were totally disappointing! That would be the last time we queue up for this xiao long bao.

Tasha preferred the noodle (which wasn't very good either) instead

Next stop, Sun Yat Sun Memorial Hall. Tasha learnt about Sun Yat Sun in school last year and had visited the Sun Yat Sun Museum in HK, hence she was really excited to visit the memorial hall. We arrived just in time for the changing of the guards (which is on every hour).

The outgoing Airforce guards

The Navy guards on duty

After the changing of the guards, we went into the exhibition hall to learn more about Sun Yat Sun and the revolution.

Stamping, Tasha's favourite part of the visit

After the exhibition hall, it was time for another change of guards. It was pouring outside, so Tasha got to enjoy another change. This time, the Army guards came on duty.

When the rain finally stopped, we made our way to Eslite, the largest bookstore in Taiwan. However, Tasha interest was not on the books but the arts and crafts on the 5th floor. There, she signed up for 2 activities:

The next day, Tasha wanted to visit the Palace Museum, play cheesy games at a night market and go on the ferries wheel. Since there are all night time activities, I took her to walk the book stores at Chong Qing Street in the morning. There I found some good reading books for her. Just as Tasha was getting restless, we went into a bookstore with an entire floor of stationery. Initially, she was a little upset over the US$7 pencil case she bought while we were in the US with HER OWN MONEY when she saw a nicer one for US$3. But that was soon forgotten as she loaded the shopping basket with stationery.

Between bookstores, we came across a pepper bun store. Since the bun was fresh from the oven, we couldn't resist one. It was yummy! With every bite, the pepper taste would fill your mouth but it was not spicy at all!

Later in the afternoon, we set out to do what Tasha wanted to do. First stop, Palace Museum. Although we had been there once before, Tasha didn't quite remember. This time, as she is now older, she can appreciate many of the exhibits more, especially the jade displays - the famous Jadeite Cabbage and the Ching furniture. Tasha visited the Forbidden Palace last October, so she now has a better understanding of the treasure in the Palace Museum.

After a whirlwind tour of the Palace Museum, we made out way to Shilin night market. It was packed with people! We walked around but couldn't find anything interesting to eat other than the friend chicken store with a permanent queue. In the end, Tasha settle on some sausages.

Once she was fed, we thought let's queue up and see if the chicken is any good. Luckily, the wait wasn't too long and the fried chicken - kinda like a giant chicken nugget was delicious.