I had been to Taipei about 15 years ago. It was just for a one night stopover en route to the States so I could not remember a lot of things. All I could remember were the various dance clubs my cousin took me to and the chinese restaurant that served us mediocre tasting dim sum at 2 in the morning. Since I was in Malaysia visiting my folks last week, I decided to spend a long weekend in Taipei. My significant other was there visiting his family and offered to put me up at his parents' home and played tour guide to me.
To many who have not been to Taiwan, their first impression of Taiwan would be its ongoing fight to become independent from China. Some may also recall the scenes of Taiwan's political leaders fighting in parliament that they previously saw on TV. Oh believe me, the fights are vivid and entertaining. Women pulling each other's hair and clubbing each other with their high heel shoes while men strangling each other and kicking their opponent below the belt. It's better than the fights on WWF. The locals attribute these behaviors to the evolvement of a full democracy. I think it's sheer crassness.
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and is home to approximately 6 million people. The city is known most recently for housing the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101. The claim remains valid until Shanghai finishes building another one (god when will this competition of constructing the tallest building ever end?). It is also known of its 24 hour bookstore (Eslite Bookstore), street food and natural hot springs. In terms of must-see tourist sights, there is the National Palace Museum that houses 650,000 Chinese artifacts and is undoubtedly one of the greatest museums in the world, and the Chung Cheng Memorial Hall that the Ministry of Education has recently petitioned to change its name (to Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall) and remove the Chiang Chung Cheng statue. Way to alter history, buddy!
While the restaurant cuisines here in Taipei are mediocre at best, the street food is creative and scrumptious. Salt baked chicken, stinky tofu (not for the faintest of hearts), rice ball, silky soy milk and little tomatoes with prunes sandwiched in them. The best place to get these street foods is the night market. There are a few notable ones, such as the Shihlin Night Market and Huahsi Night Market. Just ask the local and they will direct you to the closest night market. I gained at least 5 pounds after downing a few rice balls and several bags of salt baked chicken. I have to say that the stinky tofu was really hard on my nose and had a gagging effect. Some restaurants even serve stinky tofu shabu shabu here. I cannot imagine sitting infront of the stinky tofu pot for a few hours. If you want to try traditional Taiwanese cuisine restaurant style, check out Shin Yeh restaurant. It has 5 locations in Taipei. Just go to www.shinyeh.com.tw for the address of the locations. Unfortunately the site is written in Mandarin.
A visit to Taipei would not be complete without a visit to its natural hot springs. Thomas and I went to an upscale one called Spring Park Urai Spa and Resort (www.springparkhotel.com.tw) which was located about an hour drive away from the city. The admission fee was TWD850 which was about USD26. They also offer massages at reasonable rates. It has separate men and women facility and has beautiful decors with several large indoor and outdoor pools. It's worth an afternoon visit.
All in all, Taipei was a good destination for a long weekend trip. My only regret was that I did not see the political leaders duking it out live. With the presidential election coming next year, I am sure there will be many more hair-pulling and fist-blowing moments to come in the parliament. Until then, I have this website to tie me over. (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1500459/posts). So China, would you grant this little island her very own independence?
