Taipei 101

Our intentions for this trip was to visit the National Palace Museum, see a little of Taiwan and yes climb or get elevated up the Taipei101. That was what we had planned anyway but then you know Murphy? We had only 3 days - a side trip via Hong Kong on our way back from Beijing.

Taipei is nothing like Hong Kong or Beijing. People are more laid back and life tend to pass them by. They like their gadgets - something I can relate and the metro is not as congested. Taipei is easy to get around and they have loads of bookshops to go to. It was also a little more humid than expected but yet not as cold as we had imagined it to be.

Eating was fairly cheap too especially when you're not into delicate cuisines preferring on-the-go meals. We ended up eating alot of Japanese while we were there and had no complaints.

The National Palace Museum was not as friendly to foreigners though as everything was written in Mandarin. There is a strong focus in Calligraphy and Chinese Poetry - we were into decorative arts and was totally disappointed when we got there. The Museum is also undergoing renovation, leaving most of its exhibit in storage rather than on display. If you are into jade and bronzes - yes do visit. The emphasis is very scholarly and therefore very isolationist to first-timers.

No pics of the museum - I recommend buying the book on Chinese Court Costumes if your interested instead over the web and unless there is a specific exhibition that might catch your eye, leave it out of your agenda.

As for Taipei 101, we did not manage to climb up either...it was a real bad day for viewing that even the staff advised us that we will not be able to see anything. We ended up having lunch there instead and me buying a pair of Gotex shorts! Oh well...we probably needed more than 3 days.

One thing I have to say about Taipe101 is that the interior concept is fascinating - they considered every single detail. Connecting beams are held together by cloud-like fixings which reveberated throughout the structure even on the external sections of the tower. It is a visual feast! It is very different from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur - it is more luxurious and spacious while the latter is more mall-like. The Tower has a very futuristic resort like atmosphere about it and yes you can still shop till you drop.

Till next time.