The sun is shining as we leave the Roaders Hotel - a good day to do outdoor tourist activities. We walk to the Red House Theater, an octagonal building designed and completed in 1908 under Japanese rule. It has a small artists market and cafe on the first floor, but unfortunately does not open until 11am. We check out the exterior and have fun watching two men photographing a pair of red and white athletic shoes against the building. Not sure why, but there’s probably a good reason.
Our next adventure is just a short distance away - the subway. We fumble a bit, but find the ticket counter and buy two one-day passes for a total of 300 Taiwan dollars (~$10 USD). We find the green line and take it two stops to Chiang Kai-Shek Station. The subway is clean, efficient, and not crowded at this time of day.
Our next adventure is just a short distance away - the subway. We fumble a bit, but find the ticket counter and buy two one-day passes for a total of 300 Taiwan dollars (~$10 USD). We find the green line and take it two stops to Chiang Kai-Shek Station. The subway is clean, efficient, and not crowded at this time of day.
As we exit the station we walk a short pathway to Liberty Square. It is a very large square with significant structures anchoring each side. Liberty Square Arch holds down one side while opposite it is the very dominating National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Along the sides are the National Concert Hall and the National Theater.
On this windy day we walk around the square enjoying the architecture and taking photographs. Outside of the Concert Hall a group is practicing sword-fighting (it didn’t look like fencing). We make our way to the Memorial Hall and climb the stairs. Inside is a giant statue of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. It reminds me a little of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Within the Memorial Hall is a museum. One of the more memorable exhibits is the Generalissimo’s study - complete with a wax model of the man himself.
We are starving, but the cafe in the Memorial Hall has little to offer. As we are walking to the nearest subway stop we happen by Sole Mediterrano. We can’t really read anything on the menu outside, but there are photos that look appealing. We go in and are given the window seat and menus in Chinese and English and some pictures. We make our selections, I order at the counter and pay in cash. I order tea, but they do not have bottles water nor coffee for William, so I order what the hostess calls beer. William says it tastes more like bottled lemonade. It’s imported from Korea - maybe it is lemonade. Soon the waitress is bringing us delicious food. Smiles appear on our faces.
After lunch we walk to the subway and more confidently make our way to the red line. We get off by Taipei 101, the World’s tallest building from 2004 - 2010. We take a few photos then walk through the shopping mall at the base of the tower. Like the Petronas Towers in KL, this mall has most every luxury retail brand.
We wander over to the Hyatt hotel hoping that it has a good view of the tower from a restaurant or bar. As we are walking through the lobby we find La Casa del Habanos, the Cuban cigar lounge chain William has sampled in a few international cities. A glint appears in William’s eye. He selects a Monte Cristo No. 4, we order a scotch and red wine and settle into the comfortable chairs. When finished, it’s just a short walk to the subway and back to the hotel.
We wander over to the Hyatt hotel hoping that it has a good view of the tower from a restaurant or bar. As we are walking through the lobby we find La Casa del Habanos, the Cuban cigar lounge chain William has sampled in a few international cities. A glint appears in William’s eye. He selects a Monte Cristo No. 4, we order a scotch and red wine and settle into the comfortable chairs. When finished, it’s just a short walk to the subway and back to the hotel.
In the evening we return to the Ximengdin Walking District for dinner. We find a restaurant that specializes in gratins. William selects one with rice and clams. I choose one with Chicken, pesto and spaghetti. They’re okay, but could use more protein. As we walk around the market at night there are food carts. We stop by one and get a hot dog on a stick. That helps!
RSS Feed