People Pics--Taiwan Pt. 14

 Looks like my last post about our fabulous trip to Taiwan.  Again, many, many thanks to Nisa and her parents, Hope and  Paul, for their planning, their time, their generosity and so much more.  For this (maybe) last post, here's some random shots of us.  We look so good!

My babe at a restaurant...

The cute couple and the cute couple eating...

Nisa 

Me and the Buddha...

Nisa's extended family...

With Nisa's parents in the lobby of their condo building...

Family with cousin Sharon from Toronto at Taipei 101...

Nisa's parents Hope and Paul...

Some baseball fan...

Some More Stuff--Taiwan Pt. 13

 I've covered the main events during our trip to Taiwan.  But there are a number of miscellaneous curiosities I discovered.  Ah, where to begin...  well, here, i guess...

How they do construction warning...

An interesting building along the way...

From an arty colony of sorts (mostly buy shit...  which we did...)  A couple sculptures...

A different kind of sculpture...

An interesting reminder of Taiwan's past...

Ok, this one needs a little explanation.  I thought it was a urinal (found at the crude restroom at a mountain eatery).  It's actually for Number 2.  I realized later that many folks in Asia still do the squat thing (and it's supposed to be the most natural way to poop).  Often there would be both types of toilets, side by side, in some establishments.

Less gross, certainly...  this wonderful stereo system found in a design shop.  Appropriate.  Audiophiles will recognize these classic components.

Our last night found us at the Grand Hotel for dinner.  And grand it is...

Our hotel was not as grand, but still just fine.  This sculpture graced the lobby.

Our hotel hosted an interesting convention...

Our trip was blessed with two guardian angels...

I was fascinated with a vending machine.  Some very strange drinks on offer...

There are monsters everywhere...

More flattering photos next time...

A Bit of Improv--Taiwan Pt. 12

 We had big plans for the day...   beef noodle soup for lunch (super delicious!) then a tour of the big pagoda museum.

Unfortunately, the museum was closed for renovations.  But across the street was the new Taipei Dome, home of the local baseball team.

We thought we could sneak in to check it out, but there was too much construction going on to finish all the extras that will be part of the dome experience.

So we wandered around and found the old tobacco factory now converted into design shops and tech companies.  An attached building is the site of expos and other events.  Just opening was an amazing pet products expo.  Had to check it out.

Especially curious was the vast options of cat food...

Outside, my feet were in danger again...  I have no idea what this was referring to.

We ended the day at a small bar well hidden within the city,  Bar Mood..  Fabulous cocktails...  here's my mezcal drink...

Willis and Nisa enjoyed their drinks.

The best drink, however, was made with oolong tea and cognac, simply delicious.

Blessed by the Buddha

 Taipei has a major Buddhist temple that serves as a big tourist attraction.  It's a little weird going there, checking it out, wandering around, while knowing the religious significance and trying to be respectful.

Inside the main gate, the plaza is encompassed on all sides by small shrines with different depictions of Buddha.  This is the main one.

The plaza has many wonderful features.  People leave weird foodstuffs, as well as more appropriate flowers, as offerings.   There's also a counter where people buy small trinkets to have blessed in the incense pot.  I have mine.

Traveling around Taiwan, there are many small shrines/temples scattered throughout the cities and towns.  Seemed odd to me until I realized these small shrines are similar to the scattered Mormon wards or occasional smaller protestant churches.  

Father of the Country--Taiwan Pt. 10

 No visit to Taiwan would be complete without paying respects at the tomb of Chiang Kai-Shek.  Exiled by the Communist takeover of mainland China, Kai-Shek preserved Chinese democracy by establishing his government on Taiwan.  There were growing pains, and conflicts with the Commies that continues today.  Kai-Shek is honored as we do Washongton and Lincoln.  Kai-Shek's tomb is part of a huge square.

From the inside.  And one of the guards, very still similar to the soldiers at Buckingham Palace.  The changing of the guard ceremony is quite something to experience, takes about 15 minutes.  I have a video, but it's too big a file for this blog.