Day 7 (Taipei)

 

We returned to Taipei City and visited the National Palace Museum, which boasts of the finest Chinese artefacts and artworks that were evacuated to Taiwan during the Civil War.

 

 

At the Tienlu Handicraft Center, we were given an introduction to fengshui and had our fortune analysed from the number of strokes in our names. The fengshui masters then recommended exquisite jade carvings of the Tienlu - a mythical creature that can boost our luck.

 

We had lunch at Five Cents Drift Wood Restaurant (五角船板), a themed restaurant showcasing unique wood carvings and antiques.

 

 

After lunch was to Taipei 101; we took a cursory walk through the overpriced items before settling at B1 for bubble tea.

 

 

We reached the Martyr Shrine just in time to watch the final change of duty parade by the guards. The incoming and outgoing guards would strut towards each other, striking their metal-laced boots against the ground sounding unison clacks. The three parallel lines leading to the entrance building bears testament to the precision of their movement through the numerous parades.

 

As the two sets of guards meet in the middle of the square, they performed a series of stunts with their rifles before assuming their positions.

 

 

Dinner was another pig-out session at Taiwan’s largest Shihlin Night Market - dumpling noodles, chicken cutlet (豪大大雞排), peanut pastry (大餅包小餅).

 

While walking around the market, we ran into stalls selling puppies and kittens. They were so adorable. Pray that they will meet loving owners who will take good care of them.