Second Day of my Taiwan Trip

Woke up around 0800 hrs to get ready to go around Taipei. Today I have a lot to cover and I need to rush to Freedom Plaza (自由廣場) to attend the Taipei Outdoor Bands Festival. It comprised of High and Senior High Band members and Flag bearers.

First up, I went to the Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋）to take a look. It comprised of the indoor stadium and an outdoor stadium. In the indoor stadium, there is a Ice-skating Centre. I went out later to take a look at the outdoor stadium. There were also a outdoor track and a indoor basketball centre as well.

After that I went over to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (国父纪念馆). This hall showed us the life of Dr Sun who is the founder of Republic of China. It was a huge hall. When u entered the hall, you would see Dr Sun's statue in the caverous lobby. Every hour you would also see changing of guards too. The same as the one in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

I walked over to my next destination, the Taipei City Hall (台北市政府). I went into the Discovery Centre of Taipei (台北探索馆) to take a look at whole Taipei became a cosmopolitian city.

The next one was the one I have always wanted to go.... the Taipei 101

Sorry everybody

I was so tired yesterday because I have been to a number of places yesterday!

I woke up at 0730 hrs so as to get ready for breakfast downstairs.

Yesterday, I started my trip by going the heritage sites of Taipei city. My first stop was to 2-28 Peace Park (二二八和平公园). This park was built to commemorate towards a massacre that began on 28 Feb 1947, an event that heralded the start of Taiwan's martial-law era. There were five main pavilions. As the 2-28 Memorial Museum and the National Taiwan Museum were not opened yet, I went over the Presidential Building (总统府). This was the best tour I have ever have. The guide was very good as she explained to us the history and culture of the building. This is where the President of Taiwan worked.

I went back to the 2-28 Memorial Museum (二二八记念馆). This place really told me the events and the repercussions of the 28 Feb 1947 massacre. It really gave me an understand of the event.

After that, I went over to the Freedom Plaza (自由廣場) that included Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正纪念堂), the National Drama Theatre (国家戏剧院) and National Concert Hall (国家音乐厅). I went to the National Concert Hall to get a tix to watch the National Chinese Orchestra concert at 1930hrs. After that, as I was about to proceed to the Memorial Hall, something caught my eyes. I saw a group of girls watching with their instruments. I think they were doing some rehearse for a competition. So I went to approach one of the personnel, he was Mr Tan. He explained to me what they were doing. These girls were from Taipei City Zhongshan Girls' High School. They were the best outdoor band in Taipei. They have represented the country for performance in the States. They were rehearsing for Saturday's Marching Band Festival organised by the Taipei City Education Bureau. I have even past him my contact so that I can pass him our SYF Outdoor Competition next year.

After that, I went up to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall or the locals would say Chiang Kai-Shek temple....hehe..... it looked like one actually. The first thing I saw when I reached the top was the Bronze Statue of Chiang Kai-Shek. Besides that, there were also two soldiers guiding his statue too. Every hour, there would be a change of arms. It was really interesting to see that. After that, I went to take a look at the history of Chiang Kai-Shek. It was really amazing.

After that, I went over to Da'an Garden (大安公园) and National Taiwan University (国立台湾大学) to take a look. The University was huge and I could see most of the buildings were traditional. I could also see a lot of graduates as well. Those were the days.

After that, I went back to National Concert Hall to watch the NCO's concert. They were playing Farewell My Concubine (霸王别). Overall, I found that it was fantastic. The hall was very traditional. One thing caught my eyes is that the seat's number is odd number at one side and even number at another side. That's weird.

After the concert, I went to explore one Night Market near Longshan Temple (龙山寺車站). I walked to Guangdong Rd and the first time I saw was the Snake Alley (华西街夜市). It was quite late so I only take a look at it. I was live snake skinned alive in from of me and the boss ever told me to come in to taste it....errrrr... not my cup of tea..... So I continued to walk out.

Outside the alley, there were a small nite market. So I went to enjoy the oyster Omelette. Everything is the same as Singapore however, they have topped with a sweet sauce and cabbage in it. It was really nice and unique.

After that I went back to the hotel to rest!! Another day again!!

Hey, all

Sorry have not been blogging for a very long time!!

I am blogging live at Taipei!! Yup, I am here backpacking! Currently in my hotel!!

I left Singapore today at 1350 hrs on a Jetstar flight. The journey was quite all right. I'm quite satisfactory with the flight. It was smooth sailing.

I reached Taipei Tao Yuan International Airport at 1825 hrs. We past the customs with ease and quickly I'm out. I took a bus from the airport to Taipei Main Station. In the bus, I met 2 students from Singapore. So cool!

I was arrived at Taipei Main Station, it was really huge..... this is the main intercharge for city of Taipei and also inter-state trains as well. I went to look for my hotel. It was really a long walk. Nearly lost my way. Lucky I went around asking people for direction.

Finally at 2030 hrs, I reached my hotel. Check-in and bathe. Get change and moved out to my first stop: Shilin Nite Market (士林夜市）. I took the Metro (MRT) to 剑谭。There were really so many things to eat and shop. I have stream pan bao, grass jelly milk tea and of course, stinky tofu. A lot of clothes to buy as well...... to tempting.

After that I went back to my hotel to rest. Tomorrow will be a whole day trip as I will be visiting the heritage sites of Taipei. Will take some photos and upload it.

Take care everybody!! Nite from 台湾！