SengkangBabies: Taiwan Day 2 - Museums, 101, Shilin Night Market

Welcome to Taipei Day 2, a bright Sunny day

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Day 2 Itinerary - National Museum (故宮), Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (紀念堂), Taipei 101, 士林夜市 (Shi Lin Night Market)
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After breakfast we head for National Palace (故宮).

This Museum houses over 600,000 artifacts, collected from dynasties of Emperors ! Some treausre are dated 5000 years old ! No wonder Daddy is so excited he star-jump :)

He was too happy too fast, no cameras are allowed inside haha.
If you are into everything history, cultural and delicate, you can spend one full day here. Daddy loved the Ivory section, where you have to view everything with a magnifying glass. How did the craftsmen managed to pick and poke everything so small?

Sharing some of the "Gems" from wiki-National-Palace.. Did you find some of the "Gems" familiar from Day 1's dinner?

If not for these apartments, the Museum would be surrounded by mountains 360 degrees ! What a spoilt sport..

More info and directions --> http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=2751

Second stop, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (國立中正紀念堂).
Mr Chiang (蔣介石) is the leader who lead KuoMingTang to start a new life in Taiwan.

Flanked by National-Theater and National-Concert-Hall (the two Orange buildings)

Majestic surroundings ! Jump again.

We climb "87 steps" to witness the hourly change of guard (why 87?)

It must be so uncomfortable to be boxed-up, and with all the visitors flashing into their eyes keke. Poor Guards, Snap snap.

We visited Mr Chiang's personal collections, showcasing his legacy. The two black sedans are the center of attraction.

Mr Chiang's Zhong Shan wardrobe, and his portraits.

Saw some cute postman models.

From Past to Present, in the museum, we are walking through Taiwan's history.

More info and directions --> http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=73

On our way to lunch...

Everyone is hungry and we head out for Lunch at "Shin Yeh".

Restaurant 欣葉 (xin1 yeh4) offers 道地台灣味 (authentic Taiwanese cuisine)
Please click on the picture collages below. The food is even better than it looks !

Above Chai-po egg is humble, yet crunchy and so addictive. You can eat just this dish alone with plain porridge ! It is that good ! (Daddy is not food blogger, pardon my lack of vocab to describe "good" food haha)

Everybody commented how refreshing is Taiwan Beer (Daddy is poor drinker, so I pass)

Fried oysters yummy !

Stir fried Beef, we finish two plates haha. Thumbs up !

Not 1, not 2 but 3 deserts !! Love the almond and soya milk !! Delicious.

Daddy is not the only one who commented on this Restaurant.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293913-d796318-Reviews-Shin_Yeh-Taipei.htm
The food here rank as one of the best during our 9 days duration, and the price is reasonable !
Please make sure you have clicked on each of the food pictures above at least once !

欣葉 Directions --> http://www.shinyeh.com.tw/taiwan_a.asp

Third stop - 台北 Taipei 101

Taipei 101 has 101 floors (of course), and you can see this landmark everywhere from Taipei City. Above pic, Daddy stands at 1.8m :p

Pity the sky decides to be hazy. So we get fuzzy picture all around.

Fireworks lightup Taipei 101 during major events, like New Year! What a blast !

Damper is the Big Yellow ball, weighing 660Tons! Damper is design to counter strong winds, which otherwise can "Sway" the buildings!
Hear what the cute expert baby-dampers has to say --> http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/DB/damper.asp

Most cameras will really have to s-t-r-e-t-c-h to cover base to roof ! That's why we see people lying on the floor and trying to capture the "full" view haha!

The walkway outside 101 has a lot of activities going on. We were treated to free FaLunGong 法轮功 demonstrations (Daddy noticed some mainland Chinese staring at the FLG demonstrators oops)

Adults 400 TW, about $20Sgd, kids under 12 about $18. If Hazy, or misty, do not go up and waste money :) More info --> http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/DB/index.asp

Fourth Stop - 五分埔 (Wufenpu) wholesale market

Besides the narrow corridors and packed pathways, ladies should enjoy browsing the apparels. There are more shops selling clothes for dogs than kids !

Guys and kids maybe visit the temple or buy a big-BooB milk-tea (珍珠奶茶 if you are shy) and wait for the Mrs duh.

Daddy got a culture awakening while navigating 五分埔. It is mission-impossible to find dustbins, and the elusive toilet! Yet the streets are so Clean! (do not enter this shopping maze on a full bladder ! no joke)

Last Stop - 士林夜市 Shilin Night Market

We always hear 士林 is "the" Night market in Taipei. For good reasons, you will see all sort of foods, souvenirs and goods congregated here. Tourists will want to visit 士林 just to "tick" has-been-there. But there other night markets too.. just google "饒河 Rao4 He2", "寧夏 Ning2 Xia4" , ''師大 Shi1 Da4". Full listing --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_night_markets_in_Taiwan

Daddy will not introduce iconic 蚵仔煎 (Or2 Ah2 Jian1) and 雞排 (Chicken Cutlet above). Daddy still prefer SG's Oyster omelette. Forgot to mention, most goodies are sold at only 50TWD, ie $2.50Sgd ! (The cutlet size is XXL !)

Above 臭豆腐 Stinky Beancurb, some mistake the smell originate from the toilet haha.
Peanuts crunchy !

You see Taiwan hotdogs everywhere, every size ! You must try the 大腸包小腸 below. Daddy thought it was big/small intestines yummy, but it is actually glutinous rice and hotdog. Superb !

Other not-so famous foods can be found too, even snake gall! The boss can skin the snake infront of you ! Duck tongues is a local delicacy but Daddy pass.

You might notice the stall owners and helpers are relatively young in Taiwan. Refreshing image, as Daddy thought Singaporeans might have a stigma working as hawkers...

After the eating, you can enjoy some pinball and arcade games. Both kids and adults were occupying the game stalls !

Look at the crowd, it will be worse on weekends ! Fireworks, what was the occasion?

Souvenirs and clothes for kids and family, and Daddy saw some naughty nurse-attires which seems to be too small :p

Directions to 士林 Shilin Night Market --> http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002090&id=154 ... 5 min walk from MRT 劍潭 (Jian4 Tan2)

We had so much Fun at 士林 Shilin, that Daddy brought the whole family there again on Day 8. It was a crazy idea, but we survived and live to share more Food and Rides (more gossips on Day 8's post...)