Leaving Taipei

Today is our last hurrah here in Taiwan, as later past midnight we will be leaving for Manila. We've been sleeping in the room for 4 nights already but most of the time we are out, so it was a bit surprising to see that the view from our window is actually this. LOL, but it was okay. Nothing seriously really. I just thought of some shady areas back in Manila.

 

Ethan had his last dip at the bath tub too this morning. For sure he will miss the twice a day bathing in a tub.

 

After breakfast, we began to pack our stuffs and rest for a while as we plan to check-out early, leave our things at the front desk, and explore the city more. As we were doing this, Ethan is happily entertaining himself although this is dangerous.

 

At last, we said goodbye to the hotel which served as our home this week. For those reading I really recommend Yomi Hotel as I find their prices value for money and for travelers, very accessible to get around the city.

 

entrance façade of Yomi Hotel

 

We first went to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The place is accessible via MRT station of the same name.

 

Sun Yat-sen Memorial hall with Taipei 101 at the backdrop

 

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is dedicated to the founding father of the Republic of Taiwan.

 

view of the skyline from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

 

Taipei 101

 

There is a large monument of Sun Yat-sen inside the building and we came just on time for their changing of guards ceremony.

 

inside the building

 

details of the architecture of the building

 

From the memorial hall, we took the MRT again, this time to Longshan Temple station. We plan to visit the temple but decided to stop for lunch first as soon as we arrived. We explored around the area first and found old buildings like these that must have seen history unfold.

 

Due to time constraints, we just bought food at a nearby 7-Eleven convenience store and added some chicken we saw on the way being sold at an alley. Yum yum!

 

After lunch, then we proceeded to Longshan Temple. This Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738, has been destroyed and restored due to different factors. It is considered the grandest among the temples in the city.

 

inside the temple

 

fountain across the temple on the way back to the MRT station

 

We then rode an MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to visit the place of its namesake. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is dedicated to the former president of the Republic of China.

 

National Theater Hall, leading to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall and National Concert Hall

 

The Gate of Great Centrality and Perfect Uprightness

 

I've been to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall two years ago and even went inside the hall. Unfortunately after seeing the steps, my companions begged off to climb the stairs leading to the entrance.

 

me and Ethan

 

Then we went back afterwards to Shilin Night Market to do some last minute shopping and had our dinner in the food stalls there before heading back to the hotel. Right now, we're waiting for our car pick-up going to the airport which will be done by the same person who picked us up from the airport to this hotel too (this time costing TWD900).

 

Taiwan is a place I'm curious about with all the shows and TV commercials going around about the country. Next time, I plan to explore the other side and cities of Taiwan if I get a chance to be back.