Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall- Sept 7, 2008

We decided to get some ice cream with a view today and ended up by a idealic pond in the middle of downtown Taipei. Ends us we were also right by the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall which celebrates its namesake, a physician educated in the US who is thought to be the father of modern China for his role in overthrowing the Chin Dynasty.

Sun Moon Lake- Sept 5, 2008

Sun Moon Lake was also a favorite retreat for the ruling party in guomingdong Taiwan and is a close drive from Shitou so we stopped by to enjoy the view. It's a cold lake and no swimming is allowed except for once a year in the swim-across-the-lake festival in September. I definitely don't think I could make it across though it would be refreshing.

Hiking Chitou- Sept 5, 2008

Before leaving Shitou, we did some light hiking in the mountains along the skywalk and bamboo. It was good to get in some exercise and see the trees from up top.

Chitou- Sept 4, 2008

Shitou is a mountain retreat, peaceful and beaucolic. It's also where my parents went on their honeymoon so for that reason alone, I wanted to see it. We stayed at Le Midi Hotel, probably the nicest I've ever stayed at and owned by one of cousin's closest friends. Our room itself had a balcony view of the mountains and even a sitting room.

Yeliu and Danshui- Sept 3, 2008

Yeliu is a geopark with oddly-shaped rock formations created by a limestone cape constantly eroded by the sea. It's located in the north point of Taiwan and surrounded by fishing villages with delicious fresh fish in which we definitely indulged. After lunch, we stopped by the boardwalk fo Denshui which is the fresh water river mouth to the Taipei Straight.

The Grand Hotel and Longshan Temple- Sept 2, 2008

The Grand Hotel was originally built by Mrs. Chen Kai-Shek and remains as one of the most plush hotels and landmarks in Taipei sitting atop a hill overlooking the city. After browsing the hotel grounds, we headed to Longshan Temple, the most celebrated temple in the city dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. It is a temple open to all faiths from buddhism to Christianity reflecting Taiwan's open-minded culture.

Shin Ling Night Market- Sept 1, 2008

The Night Market is an explosion of things to buy and delicious foods to eat. I don't even know what they're all called, but yummy. Of course, there were the good 'ol standbys like bubble tea as well.