WorldTravelReynolds

Taiwan was nothing short of amazing. We had an extraordinary day with fun, history and new friendships. This small 13,980 square foot island with a population of 23 million people, was a wonderful place to visit. Although not as spectacular and vibrant an island as Hong Kong, it does have some character. Our day started with rain. As we were told, it rains 280 days a year. Thats too much for me. Chuck and I wore a pair of water slippers over our shoes. It so was helpful when stepping in water puddles. Nothing worse than wet feet.

Our friend Mark worked with a business here and made good friends with the owners, workers and their families. We were very fortunate to meet them at lunch to learn more about their culture. We climbed aboard our luxury coach and was amazed that the seats reminded us of our recliners back home. We didn’t want to get off!

Our touring began at the National Palace Museum, a treasure trove (3 floors) housing artifacts that told tales of emperors. These collections, originally from mainland China, arrived in Taiwan in the late 1940s after the Chinese Civil War. However, the indigenous peoples of Taiwan have a rich history dating back tens of thousands of years. Evidence suggests ancestral tribes arrived around 6,000 years ago, and their descendants are an important part of the island’s cultural tapestry.

The first documented European contact with Taiwan came in the 16th century, with Portuguese explorers christening it “Ilha Formosa,” meaning “beautiful island.” The Dutch and Spanish soon followed, establishing settlements in the 17th century. Their presence marked the beginning of a period of foreign influence that would shape Taiwan’s future.

In the late 17th century, the Qing Dynasty of China annexed Taiwan, ushering in a period of large-scale Han Chinese immigration. This influx of settlers had a profound impact on the island’s demographics and culture. However, Taiwan’s control shifted again in 1895 after China’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. The island became a Japanese colony for the next 50 years, a period of modernization and industrialization, but also marked by suppression of Taiwanese culture and identity.

Following Japan’s surrender in World War II, Taiwan was returned to China, then under the control of the Nationalist government (Kuomintang or KMT). However, the Chinese Civil War soon resumed, and the KMT retreated to Taiwan in 1949. This marked the beginning of the complex political situation that continues today, with Taiwan remaining a self-governing island nation that claims sovereignty over mainland China.

While walking through the museum we started with Jade. Only emperors can own the Jade. Some were very old. One piece was over 1,000 years old and had no cracks or chips in the materials. I’m assuming it worth a fortune. The next floor had bronze where many cooking pots were on display. One of the pots was described as a human meat cooker. This is where they cook their enemies. Last floor was my favorite, Ivory and China (although they call it ceramic.) Some beautiful intricate work was on display in this area. I picked up some tea cups on the way out. I couldn’t resist the beauty.

After a morning filled with history, we stopped for authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Thanks to the generosity of a local family we met through Mark, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Peng’s Gourmet and Banquet. We started with small appetizers called Dim Sum. We had crispy pork flat sandwiches, scallops, pork ribs Taiwanese style, cooked vegetables, chicken broth soup, which was to die for! and then the main course, Peking Duck. Most of these came in steamer baskets. Dessert was so unique and so good. Sweet dessert buns and a flaky fruit dessert. We definitely didn’t go away hungry and were overwhelmed with the generosity of this family and our friend and travel partners, Mark & Jane. Afterwards, the family wanted pictures (the oldest is in their 80’s) so we got up on stage in their restaurant and had photos made. What a wonderful memory for us all!

Our spirits high, we traveled to the Taipei 101. At an impressive 509 meters above the city, the views were simply breathtaking. It was classified as the tallest building in the world when it was built in 2004 until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai surpassed it in 2009. We marveled at the intricate engineering and the way the building seemed to be endless as we rode the elevator up 89 floors in 35 seconds. Once on the observatory floor we were able to walk around and marvel at teh views from so high up. The only issue was the fog. It just seems relentless. The inside was decorated in beautiful flowers and places to stop and take photos to memorialize your day.

We then descended on the same elevator, making our way down at 37 miles per second! It was smooth as glass! Our next stop on the amazing tour was the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall to pay our respects. This interesting structure commemorates the former leader of the Republic of China. The changing of the guards ceremony was a wonderful sight to see, similar to the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Washington D.C.. The crisp movements of the marching soldiers is a testament to discipline and tradition.

Navigating over to Longshan Temple, a beautiful Buddhist and Taoist temple dating back to the 18th century, we encountered others, on Easter weekend, seeking a moment of tranquility and prayer. The intricate carvings, vibrant colors, and the scent of burning incense created a truly serene atmosphere. We took a moment to reflect and appreciate the rich tapestry of Taiwanese beliefs.

Before we headed back to the ship, we took a short walk through the night market that wasn’t unlike the other markets although the locals spend more time in the food areas than in the shopping. We did notice they have a large section for playing carnival type games such as the bowling pins or ring on the bottles which was fun for hte kids.

Our amazing tour guide was very knowledgable in Taiwan and did a wonderful job in keeping us together, informed and most of all safe. She was great!

We have a break tomorrow and then 3 days in Japan.

May God Bless you always!

Chuck & Lea Ann